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.

Kenya family safari and beach holidays: our 20 favourites

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Basecamp Maasai Mara
|70% (2 reviews)

During a Kenyan family holiday at Basecamp Maasai Mara, children can join in with activities offered by the Dorobo club. This camp is a great example of eco-friendliness and cooperation with local communities, for ages 6+. Walks require children to be aged 15+. More about Basecamp Maasai Mara
Borana
|92% (5 reviews)

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. More about Borana
Che Shale

We highly recommend the rustic, mid-budget Che Shale for remote family beach holidays on the Kenya coast, with children of all ages. Come for outdoor activities like watersports, beach games and walks. A children’s menu and babysitting (by staff) are available. More about Che Shale
Desert Rose
|90% (2 reviews)

The luxurious, beautifully set Desert Rose is the perfect choice for northern Kenya family safari holidays with robust, adventurous children and teens, who can enjoy a pool, local walks and a natural waterslide. Children’s food needs will be happily discussed. More about Desert Rose
Driftwood Beach Club
|87% (3 reviews)

The simple, bungalow-style Driftwood Beach Club welcomes children of all ages for family beach holidays on Kenya’s north coast. Expect family rooms, bunk beds and a good-sized pool with a shallow paddling area for children. Kids will enjoy the tuk-tuk excursion into Malindi. More about Driftwood Beach Club
El Karama Eco-Lodge
|99% (14 reviews)

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. More about El Karama Eco-Lodge
Elephant Bedroom
|92% (24 reviews)

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. More about Elephant Bedroom
Funzi Keys

The small, quirky Funzi Keys is great for relaxed family beach holidays in a pristine environment on the Kenya coast. It provides family rooms, cots, highchairs, a playroom and childcare by staff. Children under the age of three stay free. More about Funzi Keys
House on the Beach

House on the Beach comes with a ping-pong table, board games and a large deep pool with a waterslide and pool floats. Enjoy exclusive family beach holidays in Kenya at this fully staffed private house. Cots and highchairs are provided, along with snorkeling equipment. More about House on the Beach
Kinondo Kwetu
|96% (9 reviews)

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. More about Kinondo Kwetu
Laikipia Wilderness
|95% (16 reviews)

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. More about Laikipia Wilderness
Lewa Wilderness
|96% (10 reviews)

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. More about Lewa Wilderness
Lions Bluff Lodge
|80% (1 review)

Lion’s Bluff provides a great-value, imaginative two-storey family unit with fantastic views as base for family safari holidays near Kenya’s Tsavo West National Park. Children aged can learn bow-and-arrow skills and fire-making. More about Lions Bluff Lodge
Ol Kinyei Adventure Camp
|97% (7 reviews)

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. More about Ol Kinyei Adventure
Sabuk Lodge

An excellent choice for adventurous, outdoor-loving families, Sabuk's funky setup appeals to children of all ages. Lots of energetic options include horse- and camel-riding, bush walks and river activities, all accompanied by friendly guides. More about Sabuk
Satao Camp
|89% (9 reviews)

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. More about Satao Camp
Sosian
|100% (12 reviews)

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. More about Sosian
The Emakoko
|96% (77 reviews)

As the Emakoko’s owners have small children themselves, this upmarket, spectacularly set Kenya lodge is well-suited for family safari holidays with children of all ages. There are two cots, a nice pool and the Nairobi National Park nearby. Keep children closely supervised! More about The Emakoko
The Sands At Nomad
|80% (5 reviews)

The Sands at Nomad is a low key, unpretentious beach hotel where families will feel comfortable with children. There are also lots of activities to keep kids entertained during their stay. More about The Sands At Nomad
Topi House

Topi House is a very good choice for a family safari in the Maasai Mara. Experienced staff, good food, and comfortably furnished, low-key rooms make the perfect family base, while the vehicles and superior guiding offer a rewarding wildlife experience right on your doorstep. More about Topi House