Lamu & Masai Mara Honeymoon (8 Days)

A Lamu honeymoon is the most romantic way to follow a Kenyan safari, and this eight-day journey gives you both halves of the dream. You spend three nights in the Masai Mara with private game drives and a candlelit bush dinner, then fly to Lamu, a car-free Swahili island where donkeys and dhows are the main transport and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Four nights on the island leave time for a dhow sunset, quiet streets and the long beach at Shela, and the price starts from USD 3,800 per adult sharing.

Why Choose a Lamu Honeymoon?

Most honeymoon beaches look alike. Lamu does not. There are no cars on the island, the old town is a maze of narrow streets, and the pace of life is set by the tides and the call to prayer rather than by traffic. It feels a world away from busier beach resorts, which is exactly why couples who want something different choose it.

The safari at the start of the trip makes the contrast even sweeter. You begin with wide skies, big cats and a private bush dinner, and you end with warm water, sea breezes and slow afternoons. Because the whole trip is private and handled by our team, you only need to arrive and enjoy it.

• Two worlds in one week: savannah safari followed by a Swahili island.
• Romance built in: sundowner for two, private bush dinner under the stars and a sunset dhow cruise.
• Car-free Lamu: a UNESCO World Heritage old town you explore on foot.
• Shela Beach: a long, quiet beach with room to walk and swim.
• Private and flexible: private game drives and unhurried days.

Lamu Honeymoon Route at a Glance

• Day 1: Fly from Nairobi to the Masai Mara
• Days 2 to 3: Masai Mara game drives and bush dinner
• Day 4: Fly to Lamu
• Day 5: Lamu Old Town
• Day 6: Dhow cruise
• Day 7: Shela Beach
• Day 8: Departure via Manda airport and Nairobi

The trip covers seven nights: three in a tented camp in the Mara on a full-board basis, and four in a boutique Lamu hotel on a half-board basis. Flights between the Mara, Nairobi and Lamu save a great deal of road time, so your days are spent on experiences rather than in a vehicle.

Day-by-Day Lamu Honeymoon Itinerary

Days 1 to 3: The Masai Mara

Day 1, fly to the Masai Mara. Fly from Wilson Airport to the Mara and settle into your tented suite. In the afternoon you set out on your first game drive and finish with a sundowner for two as the light turns gold over the plains.

Day 2, a full day in the Mara. A full day of private game drives with a picnic in the bush. Your guide will tailor the day to what you most want to see, whether that is lions, cheetahs, elephants or simply a quiet spot with a view. Our Masai Mara safari page explains the reserve in more detail.

Day 3, balloon flight and bush dinner. An optional sunrise balloon flight with champagne breakfast opens the day, and the evening ends with a private bush dinner under the stars. It is the most romantic night of the safari and one most couples remember for years.

Days 4 to 8: Lamu Island

Day 4, fly to Lamu. Fly from the Mara to Lamu via Nairobi, then transfer by boat to your hotel in Shela or Lamu town. The final approach by boat is a memorable introduction to the island.

Day 5, Lamu Old Town. Join a guided walk through the narrow streets of Lamu Old Town, visiting the museum and the Swahili house museum. The afternoon is relaxed, so you can rest, read or wander at your own pace.

Day 6, dhow cruise. Sail on a traditional dhow to the mangroves and nearby islands, with a seafood lunch and a return at sunset. Few experiences on this trip feel as timeless as watching the sun go down from the deck of a dhow.

Day 7, Shela Beach. A free day on Shela’s long beach, with an optional spa treatment. This is a day to do very little together.

Day 8, departure. Take a boat transfer to Manda airport for your flight to Nairobi and home.

What to See on a Lamu Honeymoon

The two halves of the trip offer very different highlights. Here is what to look for in each.

Wildlife in the Masai Mara

The Mara has Kenya’s highest concentration of predators. Lions are common, cheetahs hunt on the open plains and leopards hide in riverside trees. Elephants, giraffes and zebras are easy to find, and between July and October wildebeest and zebra arrive in great numbers during the Great Migration. With private game drives you can stay with a sighting for as long as you like.

Swahili culture and the old town

Lamu Old Town is one of the oldest Swahili settlements in East Africa, and its streets, carved doors and coral-stone houses reflect centuries of trade across the Indian Ocean. Its UNESCO World Heritage status protects a way of life that has changed little. Your guide explains the architecture, the museums and the daily rhythm of the town, and you will quickly notice how quiet it is without cars.

Shela Beach and the dhows

Shela has a long, quiet beach, and traditional dhows sail past the shore. A cruise to the mangroves and nearby islands brings you close to the marine side of the archipelago. For ideas on adding more beach time, see our beach experiences page.

Accommodation and Pace

In the Mara you stay three nights in a tented camp on a full-board basis, with a private tented suite. On Lamu you stay four nights in a boutique hotel on a half-board basis, in Shela or Lamu town. The pace is gentle: game drives are timed for the cooler hours, the old town is explored on foot and the beach day is entirely free. Many camps and hotels add honeymoon touches such as a bottle of wine, a couples’ massage or a special dinner setting, so tell us you are on honeymoon when you book. Browse our Kenya lodges and camps to see the style of stay we choose.

Best Time for a Lamu Honeymoon

The Mara can be visited all year, while Lamu is best from July to March, when seas are calm and the sun is out. April to June brings the long rains, and some hotels close for part of that time.

• January to March: hot, dry weather, calm seas and good game viewing.
• April to June: the long rains. Landscapes are green and prices are lower, but some Lamu hotels close for part of the season.
• July to October: the dry season, with the Great Migration in the Mara and fine weather on the coast.
• November to December: short rains, lush scenery and busy festive weeks.

How Much Does a Lamu Honeymoon Cost?

This Lamu honeymoon starts from USD 3,800 per adult sharing. The final price depends on the season, the level of accommodation and the extras you add, such as a balloon flight or spa treatments. Flights are included in the package, which keeps the budget clear. For a wider guide, see how much an African safari costs, or explore our luxury Kenya safari collection if you would like an upgrade.

What Is Included and Not Included

• Flights Nairobi to Masai Mara, Nairobi, Lamu and Nairobi
• 3 nights in a tented camp, full board
• 4 nights in a boutique Lamu hotel, half board
• Private game drives
• Private bush dinner
• Lamu Old Town tour and dhow cruise
• Park fees and all transfers

Not included: international flights, the Kenya eTA (about USD 30 per person), travel insurance, tips and gratuities, drinks, personal expenses and optional activities not listed as included.

Photography on a Lamu Honeymoon

Few honeymoon trips offer such different photography. In the Mara you can capture lions at golden hour, balloons over the plains and your bush dinner by lantern light. A lens of 200 to 400 mm suits wildlife. On Lamu, a wide lens is ideal for narrow streets, carved doors and dhows against the sunset. Ask your guide on the old town walk where the light is best, and remember to ask permission before photographing local people.

What to Pack for a Lamu Honeymoon

• Light, neutral clothing for the safari and a warm layer for early mornings in the Mara.
• Light, loose clothing for the coast, with shoulders and knees covered in the old town out of respect for local custom.
• Swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen.
• Comfortable sandals or flat shoes for the old town’s streets.
• Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
• Insect repellent and any malaria prevention recommended by your doctor.
• A soft-sided bag, because light aircraft have limited luggage space.

Visas, Health and Safety

Most visitors need a Kenya eTA before arrival, so apply online ahead of your trip and check current requirements for your nationality. Malaria is present in much of Kenya, so speak to your doctor about prevention, and take out travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. Lamu Island and Shela are popular with visitors, but you should check your government’s current travel advice before booking, and we will keep you updated. For official information, see Magical Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Lamu Honeymoon FAQs

Why choose a Lamu honeymoon?

Lamu is quiet, romantic and full of character, with no cars, a historic Swahili old town and long empty beaches. It is perfect for couples who want something different from a big resort.

How do we get to Lamu?

Fly from Nairobi to Manda Island in about 1.5 hours, then take a short boat ride to Lamu or Shela.

When is the best time for a Lamu honeymoon?

July to March is ideal, with calm seas and sunshine. April to June brings the long rains, and some hotels close for part of that time.

Is Lamu safe to visit?

Lamu Island and Shela are popular with visitors. Check your government’s current travel advice before booking, and we will keep you updated.

Can we add honeymoon extras?

Yes. Many camps and hotels add honeymoon touches such as a bottle of wine, a couples’ massage or a special dinner setting. Tell us you are on honeymoon.

Who Is This Lamu Honeymoon For?

The trip suits couples who want a honeymoon with character rather than a standard resort week. It is popular with honeymooners from the UK, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands, and it works well for anniversaries and milestone birthdays too. It is a good fit if you enjoy wildlife, culture and slow beach days in roughly equal measure.

It is less suited to travellers who want nightlife, large pools and a busy resort scene. Lamu is quiet, and that quiet is the whole point. If you prefer a classic beach resort, our beach experiences page shows other coastal options.

A Typical Day on a Lamu Honeymoon

The two halves of the trip have very different rhythms. In the Mara, you rise early for a game drive, return to camp for a late breakfast, rest through the heat of the day and head out again in the afternoon. The day ends with a sundowner, dinner at camp and an early night, because the next morning starts early again.

On Lamu the rhythm slows. Mornings are for breakfast on a terrace, a walk through the old town or a swim. Afternoons are for resting, reading or a spa treatment, and evenings are for dinner by the water with half board arranged at your hotel. There are no cars to hear and no schedules to keep, apart from the dhow cruise and your flights.

Romantic Extras for Your Lamu Honeymoon

Honeymoons are about the details, and we are happy to add personal touches. Tell us what matters most to you when you enquire, and we will pass it on to the camp and the hotel before you arrive.

• Sunrise balloon flight: an optional flight over the Mara with a champagne breakfast on Day 3.
• Couples’ spa treatment: an optional treatment on the free beach day at Shela.
• Special dinner setting: many camps and hotels will arrange flowers, a bottle of wine or a table by the water.
• Private moments: your game drives and bush dinner are private, so you have the plains to yourselves.

Practical Information for Your Lamu Honeymoon

Getting around Lamu

You reach the island by flying to Manda airport and taking a short boat ride across the water. Once on Lamu, you travel on foot, by boat or occasionally by donkey, which is why the island is so peaceful. Bring comfortable shoes, because the old town’s streets are narrow and uneven.

Dress and local customs

Lamu is a traditional Swahili community with a strong Muslim heritage. In the old town, cover your shoulders and knees as a courtesy, and ask permission before photographing people. Swimwear is fine at your hotel and on the beach. During Ramadan, opening hours in the town can change, so check the dates when you plan your trip.

Money, tipping and connectivity

Kenya’s currency is the Kenyan shilling, and US dollars are accepted at many camps and hotels. Tips are not included in the price, and it is customary to tip your guide, camp staff and hotel staff. Kenya uses the three-pin UK-style plug at 240 volts. Mobile coverage is good in towns but weaker in the bush, so enjoy being offline for a few days.

Luggage on light aircraft

Flights between the Mara, Nairobi and Lamu are on light aircraft with limited luggage space. Pack in soft bags and keep the weight down, and use the camp and hotel laundry services rather than overpacking.

Book Your Lamu Honeymoon

Send us your dates by WhatsApp or email, and we will reply with a written, itemised quote and a suggested route. A deposit secures your camp, hotel and flights, and we send final documents and packing advice before you travel. You can also compare more routes on our Kenya safari packages page.