Family Safaris

What could be more exciting to a child than stroking a baby elephant, feeding a giraffe, watching lions rest after a meal, spotting your first leopard, learning how to make fire, rafting along a scenic river, accomplishing your first waterski, catching your first fish, following game across the savannah with a warrior as your friend… these are the joys of an ‘old fashioned’ yet exciting childhood.

Kenya is the best African destination for family holidays because of our welcome approach to children of all ages – with specific accommodation designed for families, fun child-friendly activities, cultural interaction.

Young Children up to 5 Years

At this age, attention span is short, so children can get tired quickly and they
have a different “wildlife viewing” ability or schedule to adults. We therefore
recommend that families opt for ‘exclusive use of vehicle’ (extra cost), so that
they can sit back and relax watching a troop of baboons for 30 minutes and
leaving a slumbering lion after 15 minutes!

6 – 12 Year Old Children

Kenya is a perfect holiday destination for this age group, they happily fill their
day with fun activities – identifying animal tracks, line-fishing, identifying
‘dung’ and insects, and making bows and arrows with tribal warriors. We also
recommend a day in Nairobi at the beginning or end of your safari so that you
can visit Daphne Sheldrick’s baby elephant orphanage, and feed the giraffes at
The Giraffe Centre; memories which will last forever.

13 – 16 Year Old Children

These young adults fully appreciate and enjoy the animals and the outdoors
- they are now becoming interested in more complex topics such as
conservation, cultural diversity, and have developed their own collection of
biodiversity facts. They love spending time with the traditional guides, who
in turn enjoy chatting and explaining their own lives, cultures and traditions.
From experience, we have found that some teenagers are much happier if
traveling with a same-age companion – so this may be something to think
about when planning who will travel.

Game Drives

Children love animals, and to find and be close to the largest and most
spectacular beasts in the world is a thrill for any age group. Evening game drives
are also fun, not only because of finding some of the more unusual species, but
being out in the bush using a spotlight to light up the darkness is probably the
most exciting bit!

Bush Walks

Take your time to identify tracks, dung and animal movements. Look a bit
closer at the bush, and learn about the smaller creatures, insects, and animals.
Learn which plants local tribes use for medicinal purposes, as you are led
through the wilderness accompanied by your guide, a true African warrior.

Cultural Interaction

All Kenyans adore children, and will happily spend hours entertaining and
being entertained. Whether your children want to fully immerse themselves in
a culture, or if they’re just interested to learn more about different cultures and
traditions, Kenya is the ideal destination.

Massai / Samburu / Tharaka Village Visits

To fully appreciate and comprehend how local tribes live and carry out their
daily traditions, without any need for luxuries (or owning very much at all), is
a truly a humbling and often life-changing experience. It is also fascinating to
learn how they build their homes and their livestock compounds, how often
they move, how family structures work. And don’t forget the all important
tradition of dance!

Food and Eating Times

Children’s meals – most safari camps and lodges can arrange early dinners
and/or children’s menus.