Kenya: A Family Safari

Twelve nights, planned around the children

Kenya: a family safari

Twelve nights, planned around the children

12 nights · Kenya · For families with childrenTwelve nights, one country and no rushing, planned for families with children. Fewer stays and longer in each, so little ones can settle, with two nights at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, six in the Maasai Mara and four by the sea in Lamu. I live in the Mara with my daughter, who was born in Nairobi and has lived in the bush since she was two weeks old, so I plan this the way I would plan it for her.

Photo: Giraffe Manor

Nights 1 and 2

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

2 nights · Nairobi · Best for: your first nights in KenyaA historic manor house on the edge of Nairobi, set in a private sanctuary of Rothschild’s giraffes. They wander the lawns and lean in at the windows, so breakfast is shared with them. Two nights let you rest after the flight before the bush, and meet the giraffes properly.

Breakfast with the giraffes
Feeding them from the garden
A visit to the nearby baby elephant orphanage, which I can arrange
A quiet first evening in the garden

Why I chose it: it is the gentlest start to a trip with children, and one they will talk about for years. It books out far ahead.

Photo: House in the Wild

Nights 3 to 6

House in the Wild, Maasai Mara

4 nights · Enonkishu Conservancy, Maasai Mara · Best for: unhurried days in the MaraFour nights is long enough to stop rushing and let the Mara set the pace. Days start with game drives and can go as slowly or as actively as you like. You can swap the vehicle for an e-bike or a horse, or have breakfast out in the bush before the day warms up.

E-biking safari
Horse riding safari
For children: swimming, pony rides, shamba gardening and archery, and they are always welcome to skip a drive
Bush breakfast and shamba breakfast
Sundowners at the end of the day
Spa treatments to finish

Why I chose it: it is the base I would send a guest to for a proper Mara stay, with more than game drives to fill the days.

Optional upgrade: Wild Hill, also in Enonkishu Conservancy, yours alone for the whole stay. No other guests, just your own team and your own pace. Ask me about it when we plan.

Photo: Wild Hill

Nights 7 and 8

Forest camp, Lemek, Maasai Mara

Two nights somewhere quieter, in the wooded hills of Lemek. A different Mara: Maasai land, walks and open country, with far fewer vehicles.

Photo: Jahazi Lamu

Nights 9 to 12

Jahazi Lamu

4 nights · Lamu Island · Best for: finishing by the seaLamu is an old Swahili island town with no cars. You get around on foot, by donkey and by dhow, the traditional wooden sailing boat. After the Mara it slows everything down. Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow lanes and carved doors.

Sailing on a dhow
Walks through the old town
Quiet days on the beach
Long lunches by the water

Why I chose it: it is the opposite of the Mara. After the early starts and game drives, you can do nothing at all.

Safari with young childrenSafari with children means you do not compromise. You want the best of the best, and the trip should be built around how children actually travel.

Lodges experienced with children and set up for them
Guides who are great with children
Escorted at night, as the lodges are unfenced, so children are never on their own
Children can skip drives, and eat on the drive at sundowners when it suits them
Flexible mealtimes and snacks always available
A nanny, if you would like one, arranged personally by me
Flying doctor cover for adults and children

Giraffe Manor books out far ahead, so I confirm availability with you on the call before anything is promised.

Book a free call to plan this trip