Safari and The Seychelles - Cruise & Land Journey: 16 days Nairobi to Mahé, Seychelles

JAMBO – Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi, Kenya’s colourful capital city. Meet your experienced Driver – Guide at the hotel this evening.

Overnight Stay: Nairobi

Your African safari begins this morning as we head north via Nanyuki for the Samburu Game Reserve set in the rugged, semi-arid northern region of Kenya, with spectacular scenic landscape.

Your first safari drive is this afternoon. Samburu is visited by large herds of Elephants, drawn by the promise of water. It is one of the best places to find several endemic Northern species, including the reticulated giraffe, the Somali ostrich and Gravy’s Zebra. The Samburu culture is a truly fascinating one, sharing a great deal of ancestral and linguistic ties to the Maasai.

Two-night Stay: Samburu Game Reserve

Enjoy morning and afternoon game viewing drive. The entire Samburu region is a place of breath-taking and magical beauty, a place where the vision of a deep red sunset silhouetting the doum palms along the river brings the perfect end to a day on safari. Visit a Samburu Manyatta or Village and see what life is like in this harsh landscape.

After breakfast depart for Lake Nakuru National Park with a brief stop at the Thompson’s fall for a breath-taking view of the great scenery.

The park is one of the best game viewing parks with various animal species including prides of lion, Cape buffalo, waterbucks, warthogs, the endangered Rothschild giraffe, the black & white Rhino, the Burchell’s zebra, impala, and the elusive leopard among many others. Over 300 bird species have been recorded here too. Lake Nakuru National Park is one of the best places to see the endangered black and white Rhino.

Enjoy an African sunset experience with drinks and canapes.

Overnight Stay: Lake Nakuru National Park

Visit the Mission in Action Orphanage and hear the stories of how it was started by an Australian family. Continue to the Masai Mara National Reserve – Kenya’s most renowned game reserve offering wonderful scenery and plenty of wildlife. Arrive at your tented camp for lunch and a little bit of leisure time before you depart on an exciting game viewing drive. The rolling plains and grasslands, stretching far into the horizons as far as the eye can see is home to the black-manned lion, the savannah elephant, the Cape buffalo, wildebeest, the elusive leopard, cheetah, the spotted & stripped hyena, the rhino, topi, Burchell’s zebra, the Maasai giraffe among many others.

Three Night Stay: Masai Mara Game Reserve

DiscoverMORE
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (extra expense, please book on tour)

Enjoy a full day in the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives.

Visit a traditional Maasai Village and experience the culture of this world-famous community. The Masai still live as they did for centuries -interact with these nomadic people and experience their way of life as you learn about their customs and traditions.

Another day of game drives with an opportunity to see more of the big five that Maasai Mara is famous for. These include the lion, savannah (African) elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the black rhino.

Dine under the stars tonight.

Fly back to Nairobi this morning. This afternoon a visit to the Giraffe Centre followed by the Karen Blixen Museum. Enjoy dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant.

Overnight Stay: Nairobi

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mahe, The Seychelles.

Your tropical cruise begins in Mahé island, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and embark on your discovery of the Seychelles. In the afternoon, we sail to Sainte Anne Channel.

Docked: 17:45

Sainte Anne Island is encircled by a Marine National Park, home to incredible marine life including more than 150 species of fish. Sainte Anne is now a significant nesting site for Hawksbill turtles.  

Late morning, we sail to Cousin, a small island renowned as a haven for seabirds. The granitic islet was a private property until 1968 when it was purchased by the International Council for Bird Preservation to transform it into a nature reserve. It’s the most protected island in the archipelago, providing a breeding ground for eleven sea bird species annually and a habitat for five birds native to the Seychelles. We stay overnight in Praslin. 

DiscoverMORE
Visit to Moyenne Island (extra expense, must be pre-booked) 
Step ashore on enchanting Moyenne Island, located within the protected waters of Sainte Anne Marine National Park. Once a neglected island, Moyenne was lovingly restored by former newspaper editor Brendon Grimshaw, who transformed it into a flourishing nature reserve and sanctuary for wildlife. After transfer by dinghy from the ship, guests enjoy a guided walking tour along scenic trails that wind through native vegetation and shaded pathways. Meet the island’s resident giant tortoises, discover educational displays detailing Moyenne’s fascinating conservation story, and take in spectacular views across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. This tranquil escape offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Seychelles’ smallest national parks, rich in history and biodiversity, before returning by dinghy to the ship. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 

DiscoverMORE
Cousin Island Birding Hike (extra expense, must be pre-booked) 
Discover the extraordinary biodiversity of Cousin Island, a legally protected Special Reserve under Seychelles law. Managed for conservation, research, and carefully controlled ecotourism, Cousin is a sanctuary where wildlife protection takes absolute priority. Guests are transferred by small island boats directly onto the beach—an impressive landing manoeuvre designed to prevent the accidental introduction of pests and preserve the island’s fragile ecosystem. Upon arrival, visitors are divided into small groups and guided by one of the Reserve’s expert Wardens, who provide fascinating insight into the island’s rare birdlife, endemic species, and ongoing conservation efforts.The guided walk lasts approximately two hours and offers a flatter, smoother path suitable for guests preferring a gentler experience. After the walk, guests return to the beach for staggered departures back to the ship.
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours

Anchored: 19:00 (previous day) – 11:30 | 14:00 – 18:00  

Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is visually stunning with tropical jungle-fringed beaches, emerald waters and powdery sand. Anse Lazio beach has been voted one of the world’s best several times and there’s a dazzling reef just offshore brimming with coral and marine life. On land, coconut palms and granite boulders create a picture-postcard landscape. In the centre of the island, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. 

Included Excursion
Anse Lazio Beach shuttle

DiscoverMORE
Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve & Anse Lazio (extra expense)  
Explore the natural treasures of Praslin Island on this captivating island escape. Departing from Baie Ste Anne Pier, your first stop is the legendary Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seychelles’ most extraordinary natural sanctuaries. Walk beneath towering palms in this primeval forest, often described as a natural cathedral, and discover the iconic Coco de Mer, producer of the largest seed in the plant kingdom. Keep watch for the rare Seychelles Black Parrot, endemic to Praslin, and listen for its distinctive high-pitched call echoing through the forest canopy. Following your forest visit, enjoy a scenic drive to the breathtaking Anse Lazio, where you will be welcomed with fresh coconut drinks and have leisure time to relax, swim, or soak in the beauty of one of Seychelles’ most celebrated beaches before returning to the pier. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes 

DiscoverMORE
A Day of Golf on Praslin: Constance Lemuria Resort (extra expense) 
Enjoy a premier golfing experience on Praslin Island at the spectacular Lemuria Golf Course, located within the elegant Constance Lemuria Resort. Beautifully designed by Marc Antoine Farry and Rodney Wright, and inaugurated in 2000, this is the only 18-hole golf course in Seychelles. Set against a dramatic backdrop of lush hills and the Indian Ocean, the course features stunning terraced greens and the iconic 15th hole, widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking in the region. Golfers can look forward to both a scenic and rewarding challenge. This comprehensive package includes 18 holes, green fees, rental clubs, a shared club car, water per person, 10 golf balls, and return minivan transfers between Praslin Jetty and the resort.
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 5 hours

Anchored: 23:00 (previous day) – 7:00 (next day) 

Early in the morning, we sail to La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. Like Praslin Island, it also possesses world-famous beaches, with one of the most recognisable being Anse Source d'Argent. It has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. We will navigate to Curieuse later in the evening. 

Included Excursion
Visit La Digue Island by Camionette  
Experience the laid-back beauty of La Digue Island on a scenic island tour by traditional camionette, one of the island’s limited and charming open-sided vehicles. After tender disembarkation at the jetty, enjoy a picturesque drive through the village of La Passe, passing the magnificent La Passe Harbour, framed by dramatic granite outcrops and traditional schooners. Visit L’Union Estate, where you will explore the historic copra kiln, traditional coconut oil mill, colonial plantation house, and vanilla plantation, offering fascinating insight into the island’s heritage. Continue by camionette to the world-famous Anse Source d’Argent, celebrated for its powdery white sands and extraordinary granite formations sculpted over centuries. Enjoy time for photos and swimming before returning to the jetty, with a brief opportunity to browse local crafts and souvenirs. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes 

Anchored: 8:00 – 18:00 

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of resident Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. It was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house has a museum and visitor’s centre.

EmeraldACTIVE
Curieuse Island Hiking Exploration 
Discover the wild beauty of Curieuse Island, a small granitic island located just off the north coast of Praslin. Renowned for its striking red earth and rare endemic flora, Curieuse offers an authentic nature experience within a protected marine park. Arriving by boat at Baie Laraie, guests are greeted by the island’s iconic giant Aldabra tortoises, roaming freely near the shore. The excursion continues with a one-hour guided nature trail from Baie Laraie to Anse José, where you will discover mangrove ecosystems and endemic plant species, including the legendary Coco de Mer, a cultural symbol of Seychelles found naturally only on neighbouring islands. Upon arrival at Anse José, visit the historic Doctor’s House, once a colonial residence and now a small museum, followed by time to relax on the beach before returning by boat to the ship. 
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 

Anchored: 19:30 (previous day) – 06:00 (next day) 

Early in the morning, we sail to Aride, a nature reserve in the Indian Ocean. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than thirty rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs. 

DiscoverMORE
Forest Walk (extra expense) 
Discover the natural wonders of Aride Island on this scenic coastal exploration. Guests are transferred by small island boats from the ship to the island, arriving ashore to begin a guided walk led by island rangers. This walk focuses on the island’s shoreline ecosystem, offering insight into native flora and fauna while enjoying spectacular ocean views. Following the trail walk, guests continue with a guided stroll along the beach, where there is an opportunity to learn about the island’s turtles and their conservation. 
Activity Level: Easy, Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Anchored: 07:30 – 12:30

Mahé is the main island of the scenic Seychelles and the largest of the archipelago. It’s home to the capital Victoria, which was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British, after Queen Victoria. The island of Mahé has pristine beaches dotted with huge rocks and tranquil nature trails threaded through the Morne Seychellois National Park. 

DiscoverMORE
Mission Lodge & Botanical Gardens (extra expense) 
Discover the natural and cultural highlights of Victoria on this scenic exploration. Departing by coach, your first stop is the renowned Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, home to giant land tortoises, fruit bats, and a remarkable collection of endemic plants, including the world-famous Coco de Mer. Guests will have the opportunity to feed the tortoises and stroll through the lush tropical grounds. Continue via the scenic Sans Soucis mountain road to Mission Lodge, originally known as Venn’s Town, where liberated Africans were settled after 1861. Enjoy a photo stop at this historic site, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The tour concludes in Victoria, one of the world’s smallest capitals. Explore the colourful bazaar, browse local crafts and souvenirs, and see the iconic Victoria Clock Tower before returning to the pier.
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 4 hours 

DiscoverMORE
Ephilia Zip Lining Adventure (extra expense) 
Experience an exhilarating adventure on Mahé with a scenic journey from Victoria to the stunning northwest coast at Constance Ephelia Resort, located in beautiful Port Launay. Upon arrival, guests transfer by resort buggy to the zipline base, known as “The Icebreakers,” where the adventure begins. This thrilling experience features 8 zip lines ranging from 85 to 120 metres, soaring high above the lush forest canopy and dramatic granite boulders that define Mahé’s landscape. The zipline activity lasts approximately 60 minutes, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable adrenaline rush. Following the adventure, guests return by buggy to the resort reception before rejoining the coach for the scenic drive back to the pier and ship. 
Activity Level: Moderate, Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Creole Show 
A traditional Creole show depicting the culture of Seychelles, including Sega, Moutya, traditional dances, and guest participation. 
Duration: 45 minutes 

Docked: 07:00 – Overnight 

Your Emerald Cruises voyage concludes here. From the yacht, you will be transferred to the airport for your journey home or to continue your holiday. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Mahé, Seychelles after 11:00 AM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.