7 Day itinerary in Kenya, Africa
Kenya Swahili Heritage, Mombasa & Amboseli Safari
This 7-day Kenya trip combines wildlife viewing in Amboseli National Park with coastal history in Mombasa, Watamu, and Malindi, including game drives, the Madaraka Express, Mombasa Old Town, Fort Jesus, Gede Ruins, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Hell’s Kitchen, Mambrui Sand Dunes, and return travel to Nairob... Read More
By Esther and Amos
Overview
Physical Difficulty
Easy
Recommended Age
Everyone
Operated in
English
GUIDANCE
Driver as a Guide
starting point
Nairobi
trip type
Private
trip attributes
Sustainable Travel
Nature & Widlife
Sun & Beach
Adventure
Culture & History
Start/End
Night
Highlights
Spot wildlife in Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro views
Walk Mombasa Old Town and explore Fort Jesus
Discover Gede Ruins and the Vasco da Gama Pillar
Visit Hell’s Kitchen and the Mambrui Sand Dunes
Spot wildlife in Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro views
Walk Mombasa Old Town and explore Fort Jesus
Discover Gede Ruins and the Vasco da Gama Pillar
Visit Hell’s Kitchen and the Mambrui Sand Dunes
Itinerary
Accommodation Categories
Day 1
Day 1: Amboseli Arrival | Nairobi drive and afternoon safari
Depart Nairobi in the morning and travel by road to Amboseli National Park, arriving in time for lunch.
After lunch, head out for an afternoon game drive across the park’s open plains. Amboseli is known for its large elephant herds and striking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. During the drive, you may see elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and a variety of birdlife.
Mount Kilimanjaro, often seen from Amboseli, is located in Tanzania just across the Kenya border.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Mid-Range Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Day 2
Day 2: Amboseli Safari Day | Morning and afternoon game drives
Spend the day exploring Amboseli National Park with morning and afternoon game drives.
The park’s mix of swamps and open savannah supports abundant wildlife throughout the year. You will also have uninterrupted views of Mount Kilimanjaro, which creates a dramatic backdrop for photography.
Amboseli is one of Kenya’s best-known parks for viewing elephants in open landscapes.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Mid-Range Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Day 3
Day 3: To Mombasa by Train | Amboseli departure via Emali SGR
After breakfast, leave Amboseli and drive to Emali SGR station. There, board the Madaraka Express train to Mombasa.
When you arrive in Mombasa, you will be met and transferred onward.
The Madaraka Express is Kenya’s standard gauge railway passenger service linking Nairobi and Mombasa.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Mid-Range Accommodation: PrideInn Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa Mombasa
Day 4
Day 4: Mombasa Historic Tour | Old Town, Fort Jesus, then Watamu
After breakfast, proceed to Mombasa Old Town for a guided walking tour through its narrow streets, shaped by Swahili, Arab, and Portuguese influences.
Continue to Fort Jesus for a deeper historical visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you learn about the coastal trade routes, colonial conflicts, and cultural exchanges that shaped the region.
Lunch will be served at a local Swahili restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer north toward Watamu and take in scenic coastal views along the way.
Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century to guard the port of Mombasa.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Mid-Range Accommodation: Turtle Bay Beach Resort Watamu
Day 5
Day 5: Malindi Historic Tour | Gede Ruins, pillar, and Old Town
After breakfast, visit the ancient Gede Ruins, a hidden Swahili settlement surrounded by coastal forest. Explore the remains of houses, mosques, and palaces as you learn about the mystery surrounding its abandonment.
Continue to the Vasco da Gama Pillar, one of the oldest European monuments in Africa, linked to early exploration and maritime trade.
Then take a guided exploration of Malindi Old Town, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, relax at the coast or take part in optional light cultural interactions.
Gede Ruins are among the best-preserved remains of a Swahili town on the East African coast.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Mid-Range Accommodation: Turtle Bay Beach Resort Watamu
Day 6
Day 6: Marafa and Mambrui | Hell’s Kitchen and coastal sand dunes
After breakfast, depart for Marafa Depression, also known as Hell’s Kitchen, a sandstone canyon known for dramatic rock formations and colors that shift throughout the day.
Continue to the nearby Mambrui Sand Dunes, where vast rolling dunes create a striking desert-like landscape along the coast. The area offers excellent opportunities for photography, short guided walks, and a contrasting view of Kenya’s coastal terrain.
After the excursion, return to Watamu in the afternoon for relaxation by the beach.
Marafa Depression is a natural sandstone gorge in Kilifi County, north of Malindi.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
- Mid-Range Accommodation: Turtle Bay Beach Resort Watamu
Day 7
Day 7: Return to Nairobi | Early transfer and Madaraka Express
After an early breakfast, begin your transfer back to Mombasa. On arrival, proceed to the SGR station for your return journey to Nairobi on the Madaraka Express.
Enjoy a comfortable train ride through Kenya’s scenic landscapes. Arrival in Nairobi marks the end of your coastal heritage experience and the continuation of your onward travel plans. End of services.
The SGR line between Mombasa and Nairobi passes through several changing landscapes, including coastal lowlands and inland plains.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included
Accommodation
- Amboseli Sopa Lodge
- PrideInn Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa Mombasa
- Turtle Bay Beach Resort Watamu
Meals
- Lunch (5)
- Dinner (6)
- Breakfast (6)
Transport
- Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
- Drive from Amboseli to Emali SGR station
- Madaraka Express train from Emali to Mombasa
- Arrival transfer in Mombasa
- Transfer from Mombasa north toward Watamu
- Excursion transfer to Marafa Depression (Hell’s Kitchen)
- Excursion transfer to Mambrui Sand Dunes
- Transfer from Watamu back to Mombasa
- Madaraka Express train from Mombasa to Nairobi
Activities
- 2 Afternoon game drives in Amboseli National Park
- Morning game drive in Amboseli National Park
- Guided walking tour of Mombasa Old Town
- Visit to Fort Jesus
- Visit to Gede Ruins
- Visit to Vasco da Gama Pillar
- Guided exploration of Malindi Old Town
- Visit to Marafa Depression, also called Hell's Kitchen
- Visit to Mambrui Sand Dunes
Extras
- Driver-guide included each day
Not Included
- International flights to and from destination
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- ETA (visa) fees into Kenya
- Drinks and laundry
- Optional activities not specified
- Any items not mentioned in the inclusions
About Esther
TEAM LEAD
+1 Local experts
Baboo Certified
5 (1 reviews)
Cycling
Hiking
Snorkeling/Diving
Visit markets
Meet local people
Rural home stays
Indigenous culture
Purposeful Travel
Nature & Wildlife
Creating transformative safari experiences that immerse you in the majestic natural wonders of Kenya and beyond with a commitment to sustainable travel is my deepest passion. Your intimate involvement and my support we create lifetime experiences
Travel that Makes a Difference
By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.
Let’s regenerate the planet together
We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.
$3,029.00 USD