Patti - I will check out Sangare!

Is 4 nights in the Mara better than 3?

Is Lamu the only "special" place on the beach in Kenya? In other words, are the beache snear Malini and Mombassa pretty much like going to the beach anywhere?

I am probably worrying too much about this itinerary as it will all be great, I am sure.

For a stay in the Mara, I feel 3/nts are the minimum; 4/nts is better, but is up to your routing and budget.

Lamu is "special" in that it's remote, not crowded and off-the-beaten path... few vehicles, much as it was a hundred years ago.

Malindi, as Lamu is way off the beaten path, frequented by many Italian families and full-time residents.

If you absolutely have to spend some time on a beach, and though large, many like the Voyager or White Sands in Mombasa, both are full-service resorts.