Day 1: Nairobi to Masai Mara National Reserve
Your private guide from Africa Bed of Roses Safaris will pick you up in Nairobi with a warm “Karibu” (Welcome). As we leave the city, the urban skyline quickly gives way to the dramatic drop of the Great Rift Valley. We’ll stop at the viewpoint, it’s the classic “we’re finally here” photo op.
The drive to the Mara is an experience in itself, passing through Maasai country where life has remained unchanged for centuries. You’ll arrive at Mara Serena Safari Lodge for a late lunch. We love this lodge because it sits high on a hill; you don’t even need to leave your room to see the wildlife. The view looks straight down onto the migration corridors. In the afternoon, we head out. The Mara light turns golden around 5 PM, this is prime time for lions stretching after a long nap and cheetahs climbing termite mounds to scan for dinner.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Day 2: Full Day in Masai Mara
Wake up to coffee and the sounds of the bush. Today is yours. We recommend an early start to catch the sunrise, there is nothing quite like the silhouette of an acacia tree against a burning orange sky. Your guide will take you deep into the reserve. Since you have a private vehicle, you set the pace. If you want to spend an hour watching lion cubs play, we stay. If you want to search for the elusive leopard in the riverine forests, we go hunting.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Africa Bed of Roses Tip: If it’s migration season (July-Oct), Mara Serena is perfectly positioned near the river crossings. If not, the resident game is still unmatched year-round. Optional Magic: Ask us to arrange a Hot Air Balloon Safari. Drifting silently over the herds at dawn followed by a champagne breakfast is the gold standard for Kenya honeymoon packages.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Day 3: Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, we trade the savannah for the Rift Valley floor. The drive to Lake Naivasha is scenic and shorter. You’ll check into Enashipai Resort & Spa. “Enashipai” means “Place of Happiness” in Maasai, and the vibe here is pure relaxation. Unlike the dusty bush, Naivasha is lush, green, and filled with flowers. In the afternoon, we highly recommend taking a boat ride (optional). It’s a completely different safari perspective, gliding past families of hippos and watching Fish Eagles swoop down to catch prey. Or, simply enjoy the resort’s world-class spa. It’s the perfect “reset” day on your Kenya honeymoon safari.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Enashipai Resort & Spa
Day 4: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli
We head south today. As we drive towards the Tanzanian border, keep your eyes on the horizon. If the clouds clear, the massive, snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro will appear. You are staying at Tawi Lodge, a gem located in a private conservancy right next to the park. This is crucial for a honeymoon, it means fewer vehicles, more privacy, and a more intimate experience than the big lodges inside the park. After lunch, we enter Amboseli. This park is famous for two things: the best views of Kilimanjaro and “Super Tuskers”, elephants with tusks so big they almost touch the ground.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tawi Lodge
Day 5: Full Day in Amboseli
One of the best secrets of Amboseli is the observation hill. We’ll take a packed picnic lunch and eat overlooking the swamps, where elephants stand belly-deep in the water munching on papyrus. Because Tawi is in a conservancy, you can return to the lodge for a swim and a rest during the midday heat without feeling like you’re missing out. The waterhole right in front of the lodge attracts so much wildlife that the safari often comes to you. Dinner tonight is a romantic affair, ask your guide to help set up a table in a quiet corner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tawi Lodge
Day 6: Amboseli to Tsavo West Land of Lava
The landscape changes dramatically today as we enter Tsavo West. This is volcanic country. The earth turns red, and the terrain becomes rugged and wild. We’ll arrive at Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, the first lodge ever built in a Kenyan park. The dining room faces a massive waterhole that is always busy. You might be eating your salad while a leopard sneaks a drink just meters away! In the afternoon, we must visit Mzima Springs. It’s a magical oasis with crystal clear water filtered through lava rocks. There’s an underwater viewing chamber where, if you’re lucky, you can watch hippos walking on the riverbed like ballerinas.
- Accommodation: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Tsavo West to Tsavo East The Red Elephants
We cross the highway into Tsavo East, the largest park in Kenya. The feeling here is vast, open, and wild. You’ll immediately notice the elephants are different here; they dust-bathe in the iron-rich soil, turning a striking shade of red. Your home is Ashnil Aruba Lodge, situated right on the Aruba Dam. In the dry season, this dam is a lifeline for wildlife, meaning you can sit on your veranda with a cold drink and watch the show. The game drives here feel like a true expedition. Keep an eye out for the unique Gerenuk (a long-necked antelope) standing on its hind legs to eat from trees.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ashnil Aruba Lodge
Day 8: Tsavo East to Watamu From Bush to Beach
This is the day the landscape shifts from red dust to white sand. We’ll do a morning game drive as we exit the park, then head towards the coast. You’ll smell the ocean before you see it. Welcome to Watamu. Unlike the busier Diani, Watamu is a UNESCO biosphere reserve known for its stunning coves, rock formations, and laid-back Italian influence. You are staying at Medina Palms, arguably the most stylish resort on the coast. With its Swahili architecture, towering arches, and winding pools, it feels like a Sultan’s palace. Kick off your safari boots, put on your flip-flops, and order a cocktail. You’ve arrived in paradise.
Meals: Bed & Breakfast (Allows you flexibility to explore local restaurants)
Accommodation: Medina Palms
Days 9-12: Watamu Relaxation Sun, Sea & Swahili Charm
For the next four days, the only schedule is the tide. Watamu is special. You can spend your days lounging by the Medina pools, or exploring.
- For the Adventurous: Watamu Marine Park offers some of the best snorkeling in East Africa.
- For the Romantics: Take a sunset dhow cruise on Mida Creek. Sipping a “Dawa” cocktail while the sun sets over the mangroves is a memory you’ll keep forever.
- For the Foodies: Since you are on Bed & Breakfast, try the local spots. Grab fresh gelato in town or a seafood platter at a beach shack. This is your time to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other.
- Accommodation: Medina Palms
Meals: Bed & Breakfast
Day 13: Watamu to Nairobi Kwa Heri (Goodbye)
Enjoy one last sunrise over the Indian Ocean and a final tropical breakfast. Depending on your flight connection, we will transfer you back to Nairobi (via flight from Malindi/Watamu or drive depending on your preference/booking). As we drop you off at Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your flight home, you’ll leave with dust on your boots and salt in your hair, the signs of a true Kenya honeymoon.
Meals: Breakfast
