The Best of Kenya: Nairobi, Masai Mara and the Indian Ocean

There’s time for a refreshing dip in the pool or an ice-cold drink at the bar while taking in your stunning surroundings. Lunch is served in the shaded garden next to Karen Blixen's house and museum. Exploring the former home of the Danish author, famous for her 1937 book Out of Africa which chronicles life at the estate, is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of this pioneering woman. Afterwards, head to the Kazuri bead workshop, which employs around 300 Kenyan women whose handmade clay beads are sold all over the world. Gather around the fire pit this evening to share stories with fellow guests after enjoying a meal featuring top-quality African cuisine.

Nairobi National Park, not far from your camp, invites your first contact with large wildlife. Meet your driver-guide, hop into your private 4x4 and head into Kenya's oldest national park. Against a backdrop of city skyscrapers, the reserve is home to a variety of animals including lions, giraffes and zebras, making it ideal for a first safari.

Swap the capital’s hustle and bustle for the famous Masai Mara reserve – one of the most beautiful parks in the country. The brief but spectacular 50-minute flight provides aerial views of the bush, remote villages and the Mara River, known for its abundant wildlife and annual wildebeest migration. You’ll spend the next three nights in an elegant canvas camp with tents which open onto the savannah, complete with a pool for cooling off during the day.

Enjoy two full days of safaris in the reserve, with outings each morning and afternoon. Still populated by the indigenous Maasai people, the Mara is a park unlike any other with landscapes characterised by grassy plains, rolling hills and acacia trees. The open savannahs provide animals with the space to roam freely, especially during the Great Migration when millions of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes stampede to and from the Serengeti. Gazelles, hartebeest and elands also graze here alongside majestic elephants and predators such as jackals and vultures, and your guide will help you spot them all as you trundle along in your safari vehicle. For the ultimate memory-making moment, get up bright and early for breakfast in the bush. Tuck into a feast of fresh local ingredients and soak in the stunning surroundings of the African wilderness.

Enjoy more epic views of Kenya’s sprawling savannahs as you swap the bush for the beach. The two-and-a-half-hour flight offers exceptional views of game roaming freely on hilly meadows and, on a clear day, the towering peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Your destination is Diani Beach on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Voted the best beach in Africa, it presents ten miles of pristine white sand, warm cerulean water and swaying palm trees. On arrival at the coast, you’ll check-in for four nights in a luxury waterfront hotel. The cottages, set on the sandy beach, are comfortable and colourful with generous balconies. Enjoy the on-site pool, the restaurant’s fresh fusion cuisine and the spa’s blissful treatments designed to relax both body and mind.

Enjoy four days of pure R&R. If you can tear yourself away from the fine sand of Diani's picture-perfect beach, consider a massage at the hotel, or water sports such as snorkelling, kitesurfing, windsurfing and kayaking. Hit a few golf balls or follow in the footsteps of a local angler at low tide and learn about the shoreline’s resident shellfish. And if you’re after a spot of sightseeing, head out on a guided half-day bike ride along the stunning coastline to Ukunda market and visit small villages where you can meet the friendly locals. Further afield, discover Mombasa’s beautiful beaches, historic architecture and cultural diversity. The city has a rich history, having been ruled by various empires over the centuries, and popular attractions include Fort Jesus, Old Town and the Mombasa Marine National Park. There’s also the option to explore Kisite archipelago’s exquisite corals and meet the adorable resident dolphins.