Providing a heady blend of thrilling wildlife encounters and serene landscapes – that range from forest-clad hills to acacia-dotted plains – a family safari in Kenya is the stuff that dreams are made of. It’s a case of ‘once seen, never forgotten’, so it’s not surprising that globetrotting parents who have perhaps honeymooned in a wildly romantic bush camp will want to return with their children and show them the places behind their favourite wildlife documentaries.
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE TO TAKE CHILDREN ON SAFARI?
The answer varies depending on the individual child and the places you would like to go. As a guide, we recommend eight or so as the optimum age to start. However, if you have a wildlife-mad seven-year-old who’s happy to sit still and be quiet during game drives, you’ll be fine.
ARE ALL KENYAN SAFARI CAMPS CHILD-FRIENDLY?
For a host of reasons, from safety to ambience, some camps are adult-only while others have a minimum age, and the same applies to activities. Others enthusiastically cater to children from pre-schoolers to teenagers, with activity programmes that go from storytelling sessions in camp to mountain biking trips. We’ve picked some of the best lodges and camps for a fabulous Kenya family safari below.
BEST KENYAN SAFARI CAMPS & LODGES FOR FAMILIES
LEWA WILDERNESS, LEWA CONSERVANCY
In a spectacular corner of the UNESCO-listed Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, Lewa Wilderness has all the ingredients for a memorable holiday for all ages. At its core is the glorious thatched homestead with a 100-year history, wrapped in densely planted grounds teeming with birds. A short stroll from its characterful library, veranda and dining terrace, you’ll find the three guest cottages (there are nine in total) that will most appeal to families, with two bedrooms and a sitting room to spread out in.
Younger children will have fun just running around on the endless lawns, but there’s an impressive list of more organised activities. On game drives by electric 4x4, you have a good chance of seeing endangered white and black rhinos, among many other iconic species, or you could walk the trails with a Masai guide for an insight into the smaller creatures that live here. If the children are too young for horseback or biplane safaris, they can keep busy with pony rides, crab fishing and Masai games. Nearby Ngare Ndare Forest has canopy walks among 200-year-old indigenous trees and sheltered swimming holes carved out by waterfalls, or you might want to spend a day in a nearby village meeting the welcoming locals.
LOISABA TENTED CAMP, LAIKIPIA
High on the edge of an escarpment – with panoramic views of Mount Kenya and the plains of Laikipia – Loisaba Tented Camp is a child-friendly retreat in a private conservancy. The conservancy is home to all kinds of wildlife, such as rare Grevy’s zebra, wild dogs and plenty of big cats. Its 12 generously proportioned, traditionally styled safari tents include three pairs just for families, connected by a wooden walkway, giving parents a grown-up space to retreat to.
If you can tear yourself away from the infinity pool, from where you can see for miles across the unspoiled wilderness, there’s no shortage of things to do. Game drives by customised Land Rover are complemented by bush walks with a guide and ranger, treks on horseback and mountain-biking expeditions. If your children like dogs, they’ll be excited to meet Nanyokie and Memusi, two crucial members of the anti-poaching team, while a village visit will provide an insight into the way of life in this tucked-away region. For older families, nothing can eclipse the thrill of a night under the African sky in an open-air four-poster Star Bed, with the gentle grunts of hippos from the lake below to lull you to sleep.
OL MALO, LAIKIPIA
Perched on a cliff with breathtaking views across the rugged Laikipia Plateau north of Mount Kenya, Ol Malo is set on a working ranch that’s been in the same family for almost half a century. From the warm service to the way the children will be gently roped into daily life – collecting eggs, making a fuss of the friendly farm dogs – it feels more like a home than a hotel. That is exactly the case whether you’re in one of the four Lodge airy suites of Ol Malo Lodge or have rented all or part of the equally inviting six-bedroom Ol Malo House.
This remote 5,000-acre tract of land is in the heart of Samburuland, something that is reflected in both the décor and the teenager-friendly activities. The made-to-measure options – there’s a refreshing lack of strict timetables – cover all the bases. There are not-so-standard wildlife-spotting expeditions, where you travel on horseback, by mountain bike or on foot, though safari vehicles are available too. If fly camping or heli-rides above the flamingos on Lake Logipi don’t appeal, there are immersive Samburu-led experiences such as spear-throwing with the warriors, beading workshops with the women, and the chance to learn some traditional cooking techniques.
OL DONYO, CHYULU HILLS
Ol Donyo has a verdant setting on a Maasai-owned private concession in the Chyulu Hills, with distant views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the national parks of Amboseli and Tsavo East almost on the doorstep. The thatched roofs of its nine designer-rustic suites, one of which is a two-bedroom option for families, merge almost seamlessly into the wooded landscape. There’s a focus on collaborative conservation, and the impressive roster of included activities has been curated to celebrate both the culture of the local Masai and the richness of the wildlife.
There’s a sunken hide by the waterhole where you can spend the whole day, and the night as well if you want, along with open-vehicle game drives and guided safaris on foot, horseback and by mountain bike, which will particularly appeal to thrill-seeking teenagers. Children (five years minimum) have their own Young Explorers programme, so they can learn about becoming a Conservation Ambassador, how to recognise animal tracks and how to say a few words in the local Setswana or Kiswahili languages. Community encounters such as visits to a nearby village will broaden everyone’s mind, while the gourmet cuisine of this Relais & Châteaux property promises to feed your soul.
COTTAR'S 1920S CAMP, MASAI MARA
Ideally situated on the doorstep of the Masai Mara, Cottar’s 1920s Camp has been expertly designed to evoke the allure of the golden age of safari. The original furniture, brass lanterns, four-poster beds, and vintage photography all contribute towards this – though modern additions by way of a spa and swimming pool are warmly welcomed. There are just nine private tents here, with three of them designed specifically for families. This includes a spacious, open-plan living and dining area – ideal for families looking to relax together between adventures on the reserve. The Bush Villa is also an excellent option for larger family safaris in Kenya, sleeping up to 10 guests and boasting its own kitchen, lounge and television room, and swimming pool.
With its extensive programme of children’s activities, the camp is a dream for young explorers. The Masai Warrior School offers lessons in making a bow and arrow, spear throwing, and lighting a fire by hand, while the Explorer’s Tent allows them to learn all about the identification of insects, safari game and plant life, as well as Masai culture and conservation. You’ll also want to take full advantage of the clear skies here and let your younger ones spot glimmering constellations during an evening of stargazing. The greatest thrill when on safari, of course, is getting out on the reserve and spotting the abundance of animals that roam it. Private safari vehicles are as standard here, meaning every second of your game drive belongs to just you and your family – as well as your friendly guides who will make the experience that much more engaging.
TOP ACTIVITIES ON A FAMILY SAFARI IN KENYA
- Embark on a thrilling game drive in search of the majestic ‘Big 5’
- Discover the traditions of Kenya's nomadic tribes at Samburu or Masai 'warrior school'
- Gallop across expansive reserves on a riding safari
- Visit the anti-poaching team and their dogs to learn more about local conservation efforts
- Sleep under the sparkling night sky at Loisaba’s Star Beds
- Zip across sloping biking trails on a mountain bike
- Gain a different view of the Ngare Ndare Forest during a treetop canopy walk
- Learn the art of beading at a workshop with Samburu women
- Visit a small village and try your hand at learning the local language
