Safaris are an enchanting experience at any age, and children in particular know to have fun with nature. This Kenyan family safari itinerary has been designed to ensure that children’s needs are front and centre at every stage of the way, whilst ensuring there’s plenty of interest, relaxation and luxury for the adults, too. Visit Borana’s real-life pride rock, become a junior warrior in-training at Saruni Mara’s Masai Warrior Academy and enjoy wildlife-themed arts and crafts at El Karama.
Tour Plan
Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Karibu! Welcome to Kenya. From your moment of arrival in Kenya, you’ll be swept up in the warm welcome that awaits all guests in this captivating country. At the airport, a Wayfairer Travel representative will greet you and escort you to your accommodation. The elegance of Hemingways Nairobi overlooks the jade-green Ngong Hils. Here, you can catch up on some sleep or lounge by the pool in anticipation of the adventure to come. Of course, if your family is simply itching for the adventure to begin, we know all the best spots in Nairobi. The world-famous David Sheldrick elephant orphanage is the perfect introduction to playful baby elephants and cheeky young rhinos, all of which are looked after by their dedicated ‘step-parents’. Alternatively, head to the Giraffe Centre, where you even can feed these calm and gentle creatures.
Day 2-4 – Transfer to Laikipia – on safari at El Karama Eco Lodge
This morning, rise early to board your Safarilink flight to Laikipia, a beautiful county in the heart of Kenya. Today, your animal spotting begins in earnest. Try your hand at a game of animal bingo, keep your eyes peeled for lion cubs clambering all over their snoozing parents, and learn all about the creepy crawlies that seem small, but which actually support the entire ecosystem. Your base for this leg of your safari will be El Karama Eco Lodge, which loves nothing better than helping families get back to nature. Their guides will keep the excitement rolling, with a range of fun and educational activities tailored to your children’s interests and ages. From making sculptures with termite clay to tracking footprints, their expert guides know how to keep inquisitive youngsters engaged and happy.
Day 5-7 – On Safari at Borana Wildlife Conservancy
Borana Wildlife Conservancy is perhaps ‘Lion King’ country at its finest. In fact, it is actually home to the real-life ‘Pride Rock’, said to have inspired the movie location. Here, game drives are led with children’s ages and attention spans in mind, and the guides are experts at keeping their young helpers on the look-out for the Big Five, and possibly even a Pumba or two (his sidekick Timon – a meerkat – is not actually native to Kenya). Young guests will be greeted with a safari-themed activity booklet to fill out and learn with, and days can be spent splashing about in natural springs, fishing for tilapia or catfish in the rock pools below pride rock, visiting the farm, meeting other children at the local school, or even going on an exciting bush walk around the lodge grounds. All Borana’s guides have children of their own and love spending time with youngsters, meaning that parents can relax and take a few hours to themselves at the spa or by the pool.
Day 8-9 – On safari in the Masai Mara
The most iconic of Kenyan safari destinations, the Masai Mara is a wildlife lover’s dream. Another opportunity to spot the fabled Big Five and even cheetahs, it offers a whole new experience for visitors as all game excursions are led by Maasai warriors. The warriors will welcome you and your family into their spectacular, wildlife-rich home, sharing generations worth of knowledge, folklore and local customs. Families with children will particularly love taking part in the Warriors Academy, where Maasai and Samburu Moran (warriors) teach exciting survival skills and put you through your paces as junior warriors. You will learn traditional methods of tracking animals (whilst following a real-life elephant or leopard), build a bush camp, learn traditional ways of life, as well as how to craft tools from nature’s provisions and much more. You will be based in Saruni Mara’s spacious and beautifully-appointed Family Villa.
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Day 10-13 – Beach time at Diani Beach
After a week of adventuring in the wilderness, it’ll be time for some rest and relaxation. We suggest you head to Diani Beach, where a warm breeze lifts off the Indian Ocean and cools you as you relax on the beach or by the pool, perhaps catching up on your travel journal. The Almanara Executive Villas are perfect for families and come with a private chef and butler, to ensure your every need is catered to. For those with some energy left, Diani Beach is a haven for water sports, as well as snorkeling and paddle-boarding. Take a Ngalawa – a traditional fishing boat – out to a sand island and explore the iridescent reef beneath turquoise waters, or paddle alongside dolphins and turtles. For something a little different, head to the verdant Kaya Forest, or pay a visit to the Colobus Monkey Trust. Tennis and horse riding can also be arranged.
Day 14 – Depart from Nairobi
It’s time to bid you farewell as you depart Kenya, hopefully soon to return. You will check out from Almanara and be driven to Diani Ukunda, from where you fly in a light aircraft back to Nairobi. A Wayfairer Travel representative will meet you at Nairobi Wilson and escort you to the international airport, in plenty of time for your flight home.
