This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines now closed

User menu
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.


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.


The Emakoko

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!

Best camps & lodges for Family holidays in Kenya


Ekorian's Mugie Camp

Ekorian's Mugie Camp

Choose Ekorian's Mugie Camp for an adventurous family safari in a remote area, with plenty of activities. The tents are large, the camp has plenty of room for children to let off steam in a safe environment, and there's a range of distractions from kayaking to camel riding as well as more traditional safari pursuits of game drives and bird walks.


No reviews yet
Basecamp Mara Houses

Basecamp Mara Houses

Basecamp Mara Houses make an ideal choice for families on safari, offering the flexibility of a private vehicle dedicated to your game drive activities. This setup allows you to tailor each outing to your family’s interests and pace. Additionally, the central pool area provides a perfect space for children to play and let off energy.


No reviews yet
Kinondo Kwetu

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.


98% (29 reviews)
The Emakoko

The Emakoko

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!


96% (120 reviews)
Satao Camp

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.


90% (12 reviews)
Sosian

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.


100% (17 reviews)
Basecamp Maasai Mara

Basecamp Maasai Mara

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+.


70% (2 reviews)
Desert Rose

Desert Rose

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.


90% (2 reviews)
Elephant Bedroom

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.


93% (39 reviews)
Lewa Wilderness

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.


98% (16 reviews)
El Karama Lodge

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.


99% (16 reviews)
Laikipia Wilderness

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.


93% (39 reviews)
Lions Bluff Lodge

Lions Bluff Lodge

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.


90% (2 reviews)
Borana

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.


93% (6 reviews)
The Sands At Nomad

The Sands At Nomad

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.


83% (7 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Family holidays in Africa

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

For a truly memorable family safari, Zambia has it all: adventure, wilderness, wildlife and fabulous ...

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 Kenya

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite 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.

81% SUCCESS

3,496 sightings from 4,319 observations

Where to see lion in Kenya

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

2,259 sightings from 4,800 observations

Where to see leopard in Kenya

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

1,203 sightings from 3,645 observations

Where to see cheetah in Kenya

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

2,956 sightings from 3,549 observations

Where to see buffalo in Kenya

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.

32% SUCCESS

1,015 sightings from 3,161 observations

Where to see wild dog in Kenya

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

2,506 sightings from 4,573 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Kenya

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.

13% SUCCESS

136 sightings from 1,011 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Kenya

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

4,224 sightings from 4,640 observations

Where to see elephant in Kenya

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.

30% SUCCESS

715 sightings from 2,354 observations

Where to see black rhino in Kenya

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.

43% SUCCESS

576 sightings from 1,340 observations

Where to see white rhino in Kenya

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

1,672 sightings from 3,403 observations

Where to see eland in Kenya

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.

76% SUCCESS

105 sightings from 138 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Kenya

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

4,074 sightings from 4,743 observations

Where to see giraffe in Kenya

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

1,554 sightings from 2,225 observations

Where to see oryx in Kenya

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

3,077 sightings from 3,439 observations

Where to see hippo in Kenya

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.

24% SUCCESS

560 sightings from 2,369 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Kenya

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.

67% SUCCESS

2,850 sightings from 4,236 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Kenya

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

4,437 sightings from 5,276 observations

Where to see zebra in Kenya

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

81 sightings from 3,794 observations

Where to see aardvark in Kenya

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

65 sightings from 3,833 observations

Where to see pangolin in Kenya

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Other styles of holiday in Kenya

Discover all that Kenya has to offer


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Family holidays

Family holidays

Hand-picked camps for an incredible family safari.

Honeymoons

Honeymoons

Romantic safaris and castaway island retreats.

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Photography holidays

Photography holidays

Great holidays to suit the keen photographer.

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Solo Travel

Solo Travel

Trip ideas ideally suited for a solo traveller.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris

Explore Africa's untouched wildernesses on foot.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Wellness escapes in stunning locations

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.