Lots people ask. Is it safe to take my children on a safari in Kenya? The answer is yes! Safaris for families are educative, adventurous, fun filled and great way for a family to take a memorable holiday in Kenya.
Children aged from 2 years or older will enjoy a safari in Kenya. Game drives, lodges and tented camps with swimming pools and lots of children based activities will keep the young ones busy as the adults keep watch or awaken their inner child and partake in the fun filled activities on offer on a safari in Kenya.
Most people worry about malaria on a family safari. This should not be a problem in Kenya as long as you take the following precautions:
Take anti-malaria medication. This should be taken 2-3 weeks before you start your travel. Your doctor should be able to advice on this. The side effects are not pleasant but the adventure you are about to embark on is worth the temporary discomfort.
When in Kenya, day times are ok as mosquitoes are inactive. Wear long sleeved clothes that cover most body parts. Apply mosquito repellant on the exposed body parts and wear a hat.
Sleep under a mosquito net (all lodges and camps provide this. If it is not over your bed please request for one and it will be provided). Ensure you tuck in the net properly and this should keep the mosquitoes away.
Game drives may get boring for children if taken on full days. It is better to break the drives into morning and afternoon sessions. The time in between can be spent swimming, taking nature walks, spotting wildlife and birds that occasionally roam close to your camp or visiting Masai villages to learn about their traditional way of life.
Itinerary
Arrive at JKI Airport, pick up and drive to Tamarind Tree Hotel for rest and overnight
You have a full day in Nairobi; you shall get to visit the National Museum and Snake Park, the David Sheldrick wildlife trust where you learn about the rescue, rehabilitation, care, and eventual release into the wild of elephants. Visit the giraffe centre to hand feed the Rothschild giraffes. Have lunch. Visit the Mamba village to see Nile crocodiles. In the late afternoon head back to your hotel to freshen up before to the carnivore restaurant where they serve an excellent dinner for meat lovers (Vegetarians are also catered for). Meat includes ostrich, crocodile and camel amongst other traditional delicacies that are roasted over charcoal and carried on your dinner table. Head back to Tamarind Tree Hotel for rest and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head Northwards through the central highlands to Samburu. Arrive for lunch at Ashnil Samburu Luxury Tented Camp. Samburu Ashnil is located on Buffalo Springs Game Reserve by the banks of Ewaso Nyiro River. It has a total of 30 luxury tents providing a lovely view of the Ewaso Nyiro River and the surrounding rugged landscape. After lunch head out for a game drive before dinner and overnight at Ashnil Samburu camp.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full Day in Samburu. You have a morning game drive in the Buffalo Springs reserve spotting wildlife before returning to camp for breakfast. After breakfast as the sun heats up you can take a dip in the swimming pool. You could also take a guided nature walk on foot spotting animals or learning about the flora and fauna of the Samburu eco-system from the resident naturalist this could be fun activity for the kids. After lunch head out to the Samburu National Reserve for a game drive before returning for dinner at the Ashnil Samburu Camp. In the evening, enjoy Samburu tribe cultural talks and dances before retiring for the night.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After Breakfast and a short game drive, head from Samburu and have a short stop over at the equator. Head to Olpejeta Ranch; arrive for lunch at the Sweet Waters Luxury Tented Camp. Sweetwaters has a total of 39 luxury tents and offers extra beds and baby cots for children on request
The Camp is strategically located around a waterhole with a photography hide where you can get close to wildlife and take photos. The Camp has a swimming pool and offers lots of child friendly activities. Head out for an afternoon game drive before dinner and overnight at Sweet Waters luxury Camp.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day in Sweet Waters. Head out for an early morning game drive before breakfast. After breakfast you could take the below optional family friendly activities. Camel rides, guided bird walks, board games, cultural visit to Ereri Manyatta. All activities are chosen on site and are at an extra cost. Have lunch and relax by the pool before visiting the chimpanzee sanctuary and the Rhino conservancy. In the late afternoon head out for a game drive spotting Africa’s big cat before heading back to Sweetwaters for rest, dinner and overnight
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After Breakfast drive from Olpejeta Ranch via the coffee and tea plantations of Subukia to Thompsons falls where you stop for a view of the beautiful waterfall. Drive on to Lake Nakuru arriving for lunch at Lake Nakuru Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. The lodge is located on Lion Hill inside the Lake Nakuru National Park. It offers a great view of Lake Nakuru. In the Afternoon you shall have a game drive along the lake shore spotting flamingos, pelicans, rhinos, buffalos, lions, leopards amongst other animals. In the early evening head back to Sarova Lion Hill for rest, dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Have breakfast and a game drive on Lake Nakuru till mid-morning. Drive to Lake Naivasha arriving for lunch at the Naivasha Sopa Lodge. The lodge is located right at the edge of Lake Naivasha and is home to giraffes, waterbucks, Columbus & velvet monkeys, and hippos. Have lunch before heading out on a boat ride on the Lake spotting hippos and fish eagles as they dive to catch fish. Land on the crescent island where you have a walk around the island spotting wildlife found here before sailing back to Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge for rest, dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Have breakfast before heading down the Rift Valley. Have a bathroom stop at Narok town where you can purchase some snacks before driving onto the Masai Mara, arriving for lunch at Ashnil Mara Luxury Tented Camp. The camp is located alongside the Mara River. In the late afternoon have a game drive before dinner and overnight at the Ashnil Mara
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You have the option of taking a full day game drive in the park with packed lunch or a morning and afternoon game drive. In between game drives you could have a swim at the pool, visit the Masai Village or book a guided nature walk at the hotel reception. In the late evening return to the camp where you have dinner and on your final evening enjoy ongoing Masai traditional dances and cultural talks around the blazing fire
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Have breakfast and a final game drive. Bid the Mara goodbye and head out to Nairobi with lunch en-route in Narok Town arriving in the early evening. Drop off at the airport for your flight home.
Breakfast, Lunch
-All park entrance fees
-Accommodation at all lodges and tented camps on full board.
-1 liter per person per day bottled water for use during the safari
-Services of an English speaking experienced driver/guide
-Transport in a 4 x 4 Safari Land cruiser with pop up roof for easier game viewing and photography. Exclusive use of safari vehicle throughout the duration of the trip
– Meals as in itinerary
– All government taxes and levies
– Flying doctors air ambulance evacuation in case of a life-threatening accident or injury
– Safari accessories (First Aid kit, cool box and fire extinguisher) Emergency number 24 hours. All safari vehicles are equipped with RF radio.
– Driver tips
– Balloon safari
– Masai village visit
– Expenses of personal nature such as visas etc
– Any other expenses not noted above
