Itineraries. Updated November 2026. 4 min read.
Kenya's own coast is lovely, and Zanzibar is close. The Seychelles is something else: granite boulders on white sand, water so clear you see your feet at chest depth, and a flight from Nairobi of about four hours. For a honeymoon that pairs a Mara tent with a proper island, it is the combination we are asked about most after Zanzibar.
The plan: one night in Nairobi, three nights in a Mara camp, then five nights in the Seychelles, on Mahé, Praslin or split between Praslin and La Digue, and home from Mahé through the Gulf. It starts at about $9,000 per person sharing. The Seychelles is expensive, and that figure reflects it. It is a sample route we tailor, not a fixed departure.
Who this suits
- Honeymooners and anniversary couples who want a famous beach after the bush
- Travelers who have already done Zanzibar or Diani and want something different
- Anyone who would rather end a trip in total quiet than with a city day
If the budget is tighter, Diani or Zanzibar give you a beach for much less. Our Kenya honeymoon route uses the Kenyan coast, and our Kenya and Zanzibar page explains the Tanzania paperwork.
Seychelles, Zanzibar or Diani after a safari
| Seychelles | Zanzibar | Diani | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting there from the Mara | Back to Nairobi, then about 4 hours to Mahé | Via Nairobi, about 1.5 hours to Zanzibar | A direct scheduled flight to Ukunda, about 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Paperwork | Travel Authorisation online, no visa | Tanzania visa, Zanzibar insurance | None; you are still in Kenya |
| Feel | Granite islands, quiet, very clear water | Stone Town and busy beaches | Long white beach, lots to do |
| Cost | The highest; hotels from about $400 a night | Mid to high | The widest range of prices |
The flight from Nairobi
Kenya Airways flies nonstop from Nairobi to Mahé several times a week at the time of writing, in about four hours. The schedule decides your dates, so we fit the Mara nights around the flight days, not the other way round. Going home, you do not need to come back through Nairobi: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian connect Mahé to the U.S. through their hubs. Remember the 15 kg soft-bag limit on the Mara flights; a suitcase can wait at the Nairobi hotel and travel with you to the islands.
Mahé, Praslin or La Digue
| Island | What it is like | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|
| Mahé | The main island, with the airport, the capital Victoria and the most hotels | No extra transfers, mountain walks, lots of beaches on one island |
| Praslin | Quieter, about an hour by fast ferry or a short domestic flight from Mahé | The Vallée de Mai forest with its coco de mer palms, and Anse Lazio |
| La Digue | Small, few cars, bicycles everywhere, a short ferry from Praslin | Anse Source d'Argent, the most photographed beach in the islands |
For five nights we usually suggest either all five on one island for maximum rest, or three on Praslin and two on La Digue for variety. The Vallée de Mai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the home of the coco de mer, the palm with the largest seed in the plant kingdom.
Entry and paperwork
- Kenya: an eTA (about $30) and the mandatory inbound health insurance (about $52 with fees) before you fly
- Seychelles: no visa for Americans, but every visitor applies online for a Travel Authorisation before travel, and a fee applies; use only the official government site
- On arrival in the Seychelles you are given a visitor's permit; carry your return ticket and hotel booking
- Yellow fever: the Seychelles asks travelers arriving from countries with yellow fever risk, which includes Kenya, for a certificate; carry yours
- Money: the Seychelles rupee; cards are widely accepted at hotels
When to go
| Months | Maasai Mara | Seychelles |
|---|---|---|
| April to May | Long rains, muddy roads, some camps closed | Calm between the trade winds, warm, clear water |
| June to September | Dry; the migration usually from late July | Southeast trade winds; cooler, choppier on some coasts |
| October to November | October is the migration's last weeks; short rains from November | Calm between the trade winds again |
| December to March | Dry and green from late December, quieter | Northwest monsoon: hot, humid, more showers |
Our favorite window is October: the herds are often still in the Mara, rates there start to fall, and the Seychelles is in its calm season. April and May suit the islands but not the Mara, so we only send people then if the beach matters more than the safari.
Honeymoon touches in the Mara
Most Mara camps will set up a private dinner under the stars, a sundowner on a hill and a bush breakfast for two if you tell them it is your honeymoon, and a conservancy camp gives you the privacy of capped vehicle numbers. The dawn balloon flight is the big optional extra, at about $450 to $550 per person. Our Kenya honeymoon page goes deeper on camps and moments.
What is included
- Transfers in Kenya and the Seychelles, including the ferry or domestic flight between islands
- Flights from Wilson to the Mara and back, and the Nairobi to Mahé flight
- Nine nights: Nairobi hotel, Mara camp on full board, Seychelles hotel on half board
- Mara reserve or conservancy fees for the safari days
- Our 24-hour support in both countries
What is not included
- International flights to Nairobi and home from Mahé
- The Kenya eTA, health insurance, the Seychelles Travel Authorisation and travel insurance
- The balloon flight, island excursions, tips, drinks and personal items
How to book
Tell us your dates, the month you have in mind and whether you want one island or two. We check the Mahé flight days, hold the Mara camp and the island hotel, and send a written quote that lists every fee. Rates change by season, so this is a starting point. You can pay in full or monthly with no deposit.
