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kenya family safari

9-day Drive/Fly Safari Designed for Families with Children

This family-friendly vacation in Kenya visits the best wildlife parks in Kenya and is an exceptionally good value. The lodges/camps on safari offer children’s educational and entertainment programs that are organized and led by carefully selected and trained local naturalists. In addition to viewing animals in the wild, your kids will have the opportunity to interact with African children of their own age. A typical day out in the Mara might include a visit to a “manyatta” village to watch a dance or to help the local boys tend sheep, learn to shoot a bow and arrow, make fire with sticks, make jewelry, learn tracking and identify animals, insects and butterflies.

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Nairobi: Upon arrival to Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to The Emakoko or House of Wain for dinner and overnight.

Luxury: The Emakoko is a family-owned and run twenty four-bed, luxury lodge artfully built into the side of a valley on the Mbagathi River, which borders the Nairobi National Park. In addition to standard rooms, The Emakoko has a private house, perfect for families. The House has two en suite bedrooms, living and dining areas and its own pool.

Deluxe: House of Wain was originally built as a private home and now has 11 private rooms. The hotel rooms can be configured to fit your family. Four of the bedrooms can be single, double or twin rooms and six of can be triples. You will find a complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar in each room as well as TVs with satellite and local channels, tea and coffee making facilities, fresh flowers and cookies that are delivered daily.

Day 2 – Laikipia (Ol Pejeta Conservancy): Depart Nairobi with your private driver-guide and 4×4 safari vehicle and drive north to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Arrive in time for a late lunch and an afternoon game drive. With 90,000 acres of wilderness, the Conservancy is home to Kenya’s largest population of black rhino and the two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos, large numbers of elephant, cheetah, lion, leopard, African wild dog and plentiful plains game. There are also a number of the rarer Northern species such as Grevys Zebra, Jackson’s Hartebeest and Beisa Oryx. Dinner and overnight at Ol Pejeta Bushcamp or Kicheche Laikipia.

Luxury: Ol Pejeta Bushcamp has six standard rooms and one family tent with king and twin rooms joined by a central shared lounge. Both rooms in the family tent have en suite bathrooms with hot-water safari bucket showers and flushing toilets. Individual verandas provide the perfect spot to while away an afternoon in privacy, watching the animals come and go along the river bank. 

Deluxe: Kicheche Laikipia has just six safari tents, with a variety of bed configurations (single, double, triple, quad, twin) to meet your family’s needs. 

Days 3 & 4 – Samburu: In the morning, visit the Chimpanzee sanctuary then proceed to Samburu National Reserve, renowned for its splendid landscapes and rare animal species. Arrive for lunch at Elephant Watch Camp or Samburu Intrepids Camp. Enjoy an afternoon game drive, followed by another full day of safari activities in Samburu. Activities vary based on accommodation but may include game drives, walking with the Samburu, a visit to Save the Elephants, village visit, hiking Ololokwe and camel safaris. Meals and overnights at Elephant Watch Camp or Samburu Intrepids.

Luxury: Elephant Watch Camp is the ultimate in eco-luxury and an unrivalled wildlife experience. The six en suite tents are crafted from all-natural materials, including trees felled by elephants, and stand in woodland by the Ewaso Nyiro River. Each tent has its own bathroom built around a tree to give guests the novel experience of showering under the stars while in complete privacy. 

Deluxe: Samburu Intrepids comprises 30 modern and newly refurbished tents, each sitting on a raised deck overlooking the river. Each tent boasts soft beds and en suite bathrooms with a steaming hot shower, twin washbasins and flush toilet. The camp also runs a fun and educational Adventurer’s Club for children to learn about the wild from Samburu naturalists who specialize in plants, wildlife and survival skills.

Days 5 & 6 – Rift Valley: After breakfast, depart for Lake Naivasha, one of Kenya’s most beautiful fresh-water lakes. Spend the next two nights at Loldia House or Olerai House with a wide variety of activities offered, such as boat trips, fishing, golf, guided forest walks, horseback riding, crater walks and local excursions to Mount Longonot (some at an additional cost). Enjoy an included day trip to Lake Nakuru National Park. Meals and overnights at your selected accommodation.

Luxury: Loldia House sits in a conservancy of 6,500 acres and has a spectacular view over Lake Naivasha. Loldia House offers en suite rooms in separate cottages in the garden, in the main house or in an exclusive location. Sitting privately atop a hill with a spectacular view over the lake, the top cottage combines an en suite double room, an en suite twin room and a double loft room, around a common sitting room and veranda, perfect for traveling groups and families. 

Deluxe: Olerai House is a charming and relaxing getaway on the shores of Lake Naivasha, where you can relax in a beautiful farmhouse on a private wildlife sanctuary. Each of the six unique bedrooms look out over the gardens and the expansive views beyond. All have en suite bathrooms with hot baths or showers. 

Days 7 & 8 – Masai Mara: After breakfast, drive to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve. The Masai Mara, named for the Masai people and the Mara River which divides it, is famous for its world-class diversity and concentration of wildlife as well as the great wildebeest migration from August to October. For the remainder of the year, the area offers some of the world’s best game viewing, with large local populations of lions, cheetah, leopard, plains game, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. Spend the next two days exploring the reserve and taking part in activities specifically designed with children in mind. Meals and overnights at Cottar’s 1920s Camp or Mara Intrepids Camp.

Luxury: Cottar’s 1920s Camp is an award-winning camp in a private conservancy less than a mile from the Masai Mara. The camp has nine tents in total (one unique honeymoon tent, four double tents and four family suites), all with en suite bathrooms. The family tents have living rooms with fireplaces. The entire camp is situated to ensure that tents are private and quiet whether for honeymooners or families with young children. The 1920s Camp provides the romance of safari under cream canvas tents, the style of the bygone era of the twenties, while at the same time supplying the amenities required by today’s modern world travelers and professional guides whose qualifications are some of the highest in Africa. Offering an abundance of wildlife, a guarantee of privacy and the highest standards of professional guiding in a luxurious and authentic safari environment. 

Children and families are invited to learn the ways of a warrior with the African bush as their classroom at the Cottar’s Maasai Warrior School. A session includes spear throwing; bow and arrow practice; Maasai jumping, dancing and singing; and tracking, depending on age and ability.

Deluxe: Mara Intrepids Camp is a short drive from the Mara River and has single, double and triple tents to accommodate your family’s needs. Each tent has en suite bathrooms with a hot shower and flush toilets, as well as a private balcony or terrace. The camp runs a fun and educational Adventurer’s Club for children to learn about the wild from Maasai naturalists who specialize in plants, wildlife and survival skills.

Day 9 – Depart: Depart the Masai Mara and return by air to Nairobi. A car and driver are at your disposal for the afternoon before your evening airport transfer and onward flights.

Interested in this trip? Give us a call or drop us an email.

Quick Facts

Perfect for:

  • Perfect for Families
  • Perfect for Big 5/Wildlife Sightings
  • Perfect for Cultural Visits
  • Duration 9 days
  • Departures Anytime
  • Accommodations Luxury or deluxe tented camps and lodges
  • Fitness Rating Easy
  • Activities Game drives, cultural activities, walks
  • Safari Type Family
  • Style Luxury or Deluxe
  • Land-Only Price* $$
    $$$

*Pricing is per person and an estimate. Contact a Journey Specialist for a customized quote.
$ = <$5,000 | $$ = $5,000 – $9,999 | $$$ = $10,000 – $20,000 | $$$$ = >$20,000

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