Kenya Family Safari

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you and your family arrive early, maybe head out and visit the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Or to get a glimpse of some rehabilitating animals, head to the David Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. After your meeting, maybe get to know the other families over dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, head out to the Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. See the animals up close and learn about the sanctuary’s conservation projects. Then, continue to Lake Nakuru National Park. Have some lunch, pitch your tents, then head out for an afternoon safari drive to hopefully catch a glimpse of this large game reserve’s endangered black and white rhinos, which can often be seen along the shore. Keep an eye out for the abundant bird life in the lush areas around the lake and maybe add a species or two to your life list! Head back to camp for dinner and sunset with your family.

Rise early for a dawn safari drive around Lake Nakuru – one more opportunity to spot those black and white rhinos. After, drive to Lake Naivasha, stopping in a village along the way to meet the locals. Continue to Lake Naivasha – a birdwatcher’s paradise with floating islands of papyrus reeds. Be on the lookout for giraffes wandering among the acacia trees, buffalo wallowing in the swamps and colobus monkey swinging in the treetops. The lake’s large hippo population can usually be spotted whiling away the day in the shallows. The rest of the day is free for you to explore your hotel grounds at your own pace. Maybe hire a bike or simply relax or play a board game with your family.

Fill up on a hearty breakfast, then head to Crater Lake. When you arrive, lace up your walking shoes and set off on a guided walk along one of the many trails. The waters of the lake are a haven for bird life and plains animals – if you didn’t spot giraffes, buffalos or monkeys yesterday, you likely will today! Later, maybe take the family on an optional boat ride across the lake or simply relax at camp – the kids will love the on-site swimming pool.

Say goodbye to Lake Naivasha today and travel to Loita Hills. Along the way, you’ll stop in Narok to get some groceries. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's spectacular great divide – and into the remote region that’s home to the Maasai people. Today will be a real highlight, as you get to know the Maasai, one of Kenya’s most recognizable Indigenous communities, whose distinctive clothing, beadwork and jewellery reflect a rich cultural heritage. Maasai warriors will welcome you at Loita Hills, then, after setting up your tents, hear from a local elder as they teach you about their history and ancient culture. Later, you'll be shown around a traditional home and see where the resident cattle are kept, maybe getting the chance to milk them, too.

This morning, drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve – a large, preserved savannah along the Tanzanian border known for its grassy plains, rolling hills and blue wildebeest who traverse the plains during their annual migration. Arrive at your camp in time for lunch, then after setting up, head out on a safari drive through the national reserve. Along the way, you’ll see animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, gazelles and zebras roaming the plains or drinking from nearby waterholes, so be sure to have your camera ready. You might also get a glimpse of jackals and hyenas on the prowl.

Get another early start, this time for a full safari day in the Maasai Mara National Reserve – most animals tend to be more active in the morning. Explore this diverse environment and see plenty of wildlife, like lions, elephants and cheetahs, then head back to camp for lunch. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off on another safari this afternoon. Return to the camp around sunset and relax into camp life. Maybe tell stories by the fire or stargaze before falling asleep to the sound of the wilderness.