Kenya Family Safaris

4.6/5 – 898 Kenya Reviews

If you are able to travel with your kids, you should do it. There is no better way to bring a family together during precious holiday time. As family vacations go, a Kenyan safari is hard to beat. The country’s big wildlife densities and varied landscapes make it perfect for first-time visitors. And why not end the holiday with some time on one of Kenya’s picture-perfect beaches. Your kids will love you for it, but there are a few things to consider when planning your trip. Below some common questions are answered.

1-20 of 486 family safaris to Kenya

5 Questions About Kenya Family Safari

Expert

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She first visited Kenya 27 years ago. Since then she has been back many times to explore the country’s parks and reserves.

› More about Ariadne

Is a Kenya family safari recommended?

“Of course, it’s a privilege for children to be able to go on safari. When planned carefully, you’ll find that a safari with kids is an enriching experience for both them and you. Nothing stimulates the senses more than spending time in the bush and children, with their inquiring minds, possibly benefit most. Kenya’s wilderness, in particular, is the perfect choice for a family safari. And the high density of animals makes wildlife viewing easy and accessible for young ones with shorter attention spans. There are plenty of child-friendly accommodation options, and camping is a big winner too. There is no better way to introduce your kids to a bush holiday. ”

Where should I go in Kenya with kids?

“Wherever you go in Kenya will be interesting and exciting for your children. Top on the list is the Masai Mara National Reserve. You can time your visit to catch the annual wildebeest migration, when millions of hoofed animals migrate towards greener pastures. Seeing the wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River is one of the most thrilling wildlife encounters ever. There is lots of predator action at this time too. You’ll definitely see four of the Big Five here, but rhino, although present, is not always easy to find. Therefore, you should make a stop at Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is centered around the scenic Rift Valley lake, and both white and black rhino are common here. Most kids love elephants and there is no better place to see these giants in big numbers than at Amboseli National Park. You’ll see some seriously big tuskers here, and if you’re lucky the sky might open up to create that picture-perfect moment of elephants in front of Mt Kilimanjaro. Slightly more off-the-beaten-track is Samburu National Reserve. This is the place to see dry-country animals, such as gerenuk, Beisa oryx and the handsome reticulated giraffe. You’ll see local people herding their cattle on the outskirts of the reserve, and a visit to a traditional Samburu homestead is always a big hit with kids. ”

Is it safe to go to Kenya with children?

“Kenya is generally a very safe country. This is the case too when traveling with children. As long as you book with a reputable company, there is no need for any concerns. Note though that for safety reasons there are age limits for certain activities, such as walking safaris. Your guide will look out for your family’s safety, but parents obviously have a responsibility to keep a close eye on their children too. Therefore it is a good idea to choose your accommodation carefully; some are more child-friendly than others. Things to look out for include whether the accommodation is fenced or not and whether there is direct river access. As anywhere in the world, there is crime in Kenya’s big cities, and Nairobi in particular has a bad reputation. Walking around the city unguided with your children is not recommended. However, an overnight stay and a guided city tour or excursion to one of the city’s many attractions is totally fine. Otherwise, you can safely get around with a registered taxi.”

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What is the minimum age for children to go on a Kenya holiday?

“Compared to some other safari destinations, there are not many limitations on traveling with children in Kenya. Some lodges and hotels have age restrictions, and there might be age limits on tours. Always check with operators before booking. All packages on SafariBookings indicate applicable age limits. Group tours usually have a minimum age, but when booking a private tour, most operators are flexible. These limitations aside, you should also consider whether your children are ready for a safari in Kenya. There is no point paying a lot of money for a holiday that your children are too young to appreciate. Most safaris entail sitting in the car quite a lot. Therefore, I wouldn’t recommend taking toddlers on a safari in Kenya. Children should have quite a mature attention span and ideally a pre-existing interest in nature. As a rule, children that have been exposed to and enjoy bush camping and other such outdoor activities will be ready for a Kenyan safari at a younger age than children without any such experience or interest. Most children over about eight years old will gain a lot from a Kenyan safari if planned carefully.”

Are there special activities for children on a Kenya family safari?

“A game drive is the ultimate activity on a safari in Kenya with kids. Giving kids a pair of binoculars or a little camera to use all helps to engage them. While game drives are most productive in seeing lots of wildlife, it can get a bit monotonous for children after a while. Ideally, you should break up your time with some other activities. A nature walk is ideal to stretch the legs and focus on small things that are easily overlooked on drives, such as animal tracks and insects. A real highlight for old and young alike is a balloon safari. Toddlers aren’t allowed, but for kids over three years old, a flight over the wide-open savannah of the Masai Mara is an unforgettable experience. Some lodges offer star-gazing after dinner. To look at the star-studded sky with the sounds of the African bush around you is pure magic. There are some great activities for kids in Nairobi too. A trip to the David Sheldrick Trust/Elephant Orphanage is always a winner. But be warned, your little ones might convince you to adopt an elephant before you leave. For a small fee, you’ll get an adoption certificate and regular updates on the calf you’ve sponsored. Equally entertaining for kids is a visit to the Giraffe Centre. The center is a breeding place for endangered Rothschild giraffes. It’s great for conservation and lots of fun too. Imagine the look on your child’s face when standing on a platform and feeding a full-sized giraffe at eye level. ”

Kenya Reviews

4.6/5 898 Reviews

Expert

Stuart Butler –

Stuart is a travel writer and author of numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

East Africa’s Most varied Nation

5/5

Kenya is the original home of the safari. This is the land of the world renowned Masai Mara National Reserve where tawny coloured lions feast off the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest that annually migrate into the country from...

Full Review

Expert

Mark Eveleigh –

Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for CNN Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.

Home to ‘the greatest wildlife real-estate on Earth’

5/5

The Masai Mara has been called ‘the greatest wildlife real-estate on Earth’ and for the sheer density of its wildlife it probably as no competition anywhere in the world. For a first time safari these days you probably still can’t...

Full Review

Ryan S. –

Reviewed: Jul 26, 2021

Majestic

5/5

This was by far the greatest trip I have ever experience. Seeing these animals in person, staying at the lodges Bonfire paired me with, and having a great experience with our driver Tony was everything. Thank you for making my dream Africa...

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Shelmith –

Reviewed: Oct 14, 2020

Kenya is amazing!!

5/5

Safari bookings took us to this amazing hotel ,ole sereni hotel which was close to wildlife.there was an amazing scenic view I would never forget .the roof top was exceptionally beautiful .We went Nairobi national park, we had an...

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John –

Reviewed: Jul 20, 2020

All we hoped for and more.

5/5

Our Kenya holiday was everything we hoped for and more, thrilling fascinating breathtaking emotional and beautiful. The thrills came from spotting the many different animals we were lucky enough to spot on our game drives and a visit to...

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MD –

Reviewed: May 20, 2020

Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020

4/5

Went on two 3 day safari's in Kenya, first to the Masai Mara and the second to Amboseli. All in all the two trips were good value given the low price, I've listed the pros and cons below. Pro's- -Amazing scenery and wildlife, you cannot...

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Kenya Family Safaris

4-Day Masai Mara Only with Walking Safari Experience

5-Day Ol Pejeta Conservancy/Lake Nakuru /Masai Mara

7-Day Safari (Including Maasai Mara) & Mombasa Extension

3-Day The Greatest Masai Mara Safari

6-Day Classic Kenyan Safari

7-Day Best of Kenya Safari - Big 5 Migration Safari 2022

4-Day Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru NP Safari

3-Day Masai Mara Air Package with Limited Slots

3-Day Explore - Masai Mara Mid-Range Private

12-Day Ride, Walk and Surf Kenya

6-Day Magnificent Safari from Nairobi

5-Day Masai Mara-Lake Naivasha- Amboseli Safari

9-Day Kenyan Communities and Wildlife Safari

4-Day Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Amboseli - Mid Range

7-Day Mara/ Lake Nakuru/ Lake Naivasha/ Amboseli Safari

6-Day Hakuna Matata Safari Special

10-Day Kenya & Tanzania National Parks Safari

9-Day Bush and Beach Honeymoon Package

3-Day Masai Mara Classic

3-Day Masai Mara +Luxury Camping Safari

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5 Questions About Kenya Family Safari

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

5 Questions About Kenya Family Safari

Is a Kenya family safari recommended?

Where should I go in Kenya with kids?

Is it safe to go to Kenya with children?

What is the minimum age for children to go on a Kenya holiday?

Are there special activities for children on a Kenya family safari?

Kenya Reviews

East Africa’s Most varied Nation

Home to ‘the greatest wildlife real-estate on Earth’

Majestic

Kenya is amazing!!

All we hoped for and more.

Kenya Safari- Masai Mara and Amboseli- January 2020