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Family holidays in Kenya
Family holidays in Kenya
Family holidays in Kenya
Family holidays in Kenya
Family holidays in Kenya
Family holidays in Kenya

Spend an unforgettable family safari in Kenya...

...with a lot of things to see and learn.

Or enjoy a fantastic beach holiday on the country's remarkable coastline...

...with many outdoor activities.

A young in Mara North Conservancy

Kenya family holidays

Enjoy family safari and beach holidays in Kenya

With fun activities and the fascinating culture of the Maasai, Kenya offers great family safari holidays for older and fairly active children - who will often find the Maasai people particularly interesting to meet. At the beginning or end of your family safari head for the Kenya coast for some of the loveliest family beach holidays in Africa!

Many of the lodges and camps that we feature in Kenya are well-suited for family beach and safari holidays, although almost all of them have age restrictions. In practice, these rules can often be bended so that you can go on family holidays with children younger than the theoretical age requirement.

However, you should be aware that during family safari holidays in Kenya children need to be constantly supervised, because some camps are close to a river, most aren't fenced and game risks are usually high. Due to the layout of some lodges, for instance their high walkways, steep steps or missing handrails, parental supervision is additionally necessary.

In general, even Kenya's most child-friendly lodges rarely have specific children's programmes. Nevertheless, in most cases the staff will show a very positive attitude towards younger visitors and may flexibly arrange activities off the ordinary schedule to make your Kenya family safari holidays as enjoyable as possible.


Kinondo Kwetu

Spend your Kenya family beach holidays with various watersports at the boutique but relaxed Kinondo Kwetu, which has no age restrictions (5+ recommended). It offers interleading rooms, cots, baby car seats, toys, first-aid trained nannies and a large though very deep pool.


Borana

As well as game drives, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. These include: horse riding, mountain biking, conservation activities, forest visits and fly camping. Children under five stay free at Borana.


El Karama Lodge

Owner-managed by parents with a young family, El Karama has a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for safari holidays with children of all ages. With bush camping, a swimming pool and the immersive Bush School sessions every morning, there is plenty to do.


Sosian

Sosian is great for family holidays in Kenya with very active children, usually aged at least 5+, ideally 12+. Come for varied activities like horse- and camel-riding, game walks and drives, fishing, tennis, archery, swimming and rock-jumping in the nearby river.


Ol Kinyei Adventure

With simple, comfortable dome tents, Ol Kinyei offers a down-to-earth, great-value family safari in the wildlife-rich Mara ecosystem. The whole set-up has a feel of adventure, where families can fall asleep to the sounds of the bush around them.


Lewa Wilderness

Lewa Wilderness is a great option for a varied family holiday. Aside from doing game drives, children can swim, play tennis, visit the local village and school, and even ride horses and camels. The cottage rooms have plenty of space for families.


Elephant Bedroom

Elephant Pepper accepts children of all ages at competitive rates and the camp has a friendly, welcoming feel. Children enjoy the lawn area, hammocks and swing chairs, the nature walks and the Maasai-led activities that take place around the house.


Laikipia Wilderness

This camp has an adventurous, outdoors feel. The owners’ children have grown up with the camp and this shows in their family-friendly approach and the immersive bush experiences offered. Several spacious family tents accommodate 4 to 6 people.


Ol Kinyei Adventure

With simple, comfortable dome tents, Ol Kinyei offers a down-to-earth, great-value family safari in the wildlife-rich Mara ecosystem. The whole set-up has a feel of adventure, where families can fall asleep to the sounds of the bush around them.


Satao Camp

Satao makes for relaxed family safari holidays in Kenya with children 8+. It has cots and high chairs but no specific children’s activities. However, kids usually have great fun watching impala, baboons and giraffe right by the tents. The staff offers free child minding.

Family holidays elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Family holidays in other countries.


Family holidays in Botswana

Botswana

What was regarded unusual ten years ago, is now becoming more and more popular: at a suitable camp, ...

Family holidays in Mozambique

Mozambique

Mozambique impresses with pristine beaches and excellent marine wildlife. Therefore it's a worthwhile ...

Family holidays in Namibia

Namibia

Namibia offers fantastic self-driving family safari holidays. However, as stunning as the country's ...

Family holidays in Seychelles

Seychelles

Being free of malaria and large predators, the beautiful tropical islands of the Seychelles should ...

Family holidays in South Africa

South Africa

The Cape's excellent, malaria-free parks are a great destination for family safari holidays in ...

Family holidays in Tanzania

Tanzania

With excellent wildlife, lovely, white sandy island beaches and good transport links between them, ...

Family holidays in Zambia

Zambia

Zambia's private safari houses are definitely among our favourites for family safari holidays with ...

Family holidays in Zanzibar

Zanzibar

On family holidays in Zanzibar, you can join watersports or simply relax on stunning tropical beaches...

Family holidays in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a great option for a classic family safari. Our family friendly lodges hold anywhere ...

Where to see wildlife species in Africa

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

82% SUCCESS

2,934 sightings from 3,600 observations

Where to see lion in Africa

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

1,875 sightings from 3,986 observations

Where to see leopard in Africa

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,008 sightings from 3,047 observations

Where to see cheetah in Africa

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,472 sightings from 2,982 observations

Where to see buffalo in Africa

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

31% SUCCESS

840 sightings from 2,672 observations

Where to see wild dog in Africa

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,098 sightings from 3,799 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Africa

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

121 sightings from 868 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Africa

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,504 sightings from 3,850 observations

Where to see elephant in Africa

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

31% SUCCESS

607 sightings from 1,963 observations

Where to see black rhino in Africa

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

44% SUCCESS

476 sightings from 1,083 observations

Where to see white rhino in Africa

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,405 sightings from 2,877 observations

Where to see eland in Africa

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

79% SUCCESS

88 sightings from 112 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Africa

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,374 sightings from 3,911 observations

Where to see giraffe in Africa

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

70% SUCCESS

1,272 sightings from 1,823 observations

Where to see oryx in Africa

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,562 sightings from 2,875 observations

Where to see hippo in Africa

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

22% SUCCESS

436 sightings from 1,952 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Africa

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

68% SUCCESS

2,383 sightings from 3,524 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Africa

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

3,684 sightings from 4,366 observations

Where to see zebra in Africa

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

67 sightings from 3,205 observations

Where to see aardvark in Africa

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

52 sightings from 3,201 observations

Where to see pangolin in Africa

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