Safe and welcoming with wide open spaces, Kenya is a great option for hassle free family safari holidays for half term or over the Easter break. This famous safari destination is the easiest country to travel in with young children which makes a perfect family safari, particularly if it’s your first time.
Family safari experts Mike and Tess Kelly from Coral Tree Travel spent four months of the pandemic travelling across Kenya with their two-year-old daughter, Elsa. Here’s their tried and tested top ten list of where to stay for families of all shapes and sizes.
Best for teenagers
Lewa Wilderness
One of Kenya’s most well-established lodges, Lewa Wilderness is perfect for families with teenagers. The stunning wildlife and scenery are complemented by a wide range of activities, guaranteed to keep any teenager happy. As well as day and night game drives on offer, there are riding stables, trips to swim in nearby waterfalls, tennis courts and a swimming pool. If that wasn’t enough, the lodge also has its own retro yellow biplane, which is used for scenic flights over the plains.
From £625 per person per night.
Best for under 10s
Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp
It’s hard to describe all the reasons we love Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp. Quite simply, they are the masters at taking care of families, particularly those with young children. The camp is situated on its own private conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara. The staff have all worked here for a very long time, many are parents themselves, and have a genuine affinity for children. They understand what makes parents and little ones feel relaxed and entertained on safari and deliver every time.
Children can learn bush skills, such as archery and spear-throwing. They’ll also be taught about nature and the many species that live in this area. In the evening, mum, and dad (and the kids) can be spoiled in their own canvas bush bath, overlooking the Masai Mara.
From £715 per person per night.
Best for toddlers
House in the Wild
House in the Wild is tucked away on the northern edge of the Masai Mara ecosystem, on a 1,000-acre private estate. Owned and run by parents with young children of their own, everything has been designed to make families feel at home. The swimming pool is a toddler’s delight, with a huge shallow area to splash around in. As well as accessing the world-famous Masai Mara, families can choose to stay and explore the estate, including bike rides, games of croquet and badminton, and exploring the huge, wild vegetable garden. The rooms are spacious and carefully designed to give parents plenty of space, whilst still being close to little ones.
From £430 per person per night.
Best for having your own space
Mara Bush Houses
When a family is travelling together, it can be important to have your own space to truly relax. Exclusive-use private houses are few and far between in the Masai Mara, so these hidden gems are a rare find. The Mara Bush Houses are airy, well-designed and each comes with its own swimming pool and private staff. Tucked away in a peaceful corner of the Mara North Conservancy, they are the perfect sanctuary for families to relax after a day of excitement and activities. Complete with three bedrooms, each has been built with families in mind and they offer complete flexibility for families on safari.
From £415 per person per night.
Best for spoiling the family in style
Angama Mara
An iconic lodge perched 1,000 metres above the Masai Mara plains, Angama Mara is certainly one for the bucket list. The tents are dotted along the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, all with jaw-dropping views, and have some of the most stylish and sumptuous design we’ve seen in Africa. Game drives take place in the bountiful savanna below, and at the end of the day, families can retire to the luxury of the lodge and enjoy the incredible home-grown food, as well as the well-stocked wine cellar. A stay here will make any family feel very spoiled.
From £925 per person per night.
Best for large family groups
andBeyond Kichwa Tembo
Family-friendly, stylish, and offering effortless experiences left, right and centre, Kichwa Tembo is a Masai Mara institution. With a total of 40 safari tents, it’s the perfect spot to visit with a large family group, as there is plenty to do for everyone. The pool is blissful, with stunning views across the Mara triangle. Kichwa Tembo is situated on a private concession, so game drives and sundowners can be orchestrated to bring everyone together. We are big fans, so much so that we took 28 members of our extended family here after our wedding in Kenya.
From £340 per person per night.
Best for conservationist families
Sarara Camp
Situated within the 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness that make up the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Sarara is a very special place indeed. For families looking to get off the well-beaten track, and experience something truly unique, Sarara is a place of wonder. Its blend of experiential tourism, and community and conservation focus make it an undisputed forerunner in the world of sustainable tourism. Guests can feel immersed in Samburu culture, visit Kenya’s first community-run elephant sanctuary and head out on horseback with local Samburu guides.
From £690 per person per night.
Best for family bonding
Ol Malo Lodge
This memorable lodge is set on an abundant private game sanctuary in Kenya’s remote northern Laikipia plateau. Owned and run by the Francombe family, the focus is on sharing their family home with visitors from all over the world. Guests can stay in the main lodge or the Ol Malo House. There is a wealth of activities, such as mountain biking, camel treks, game drives, hikes, and even helicopter tours. There are no timetables, you set the pace. As such, Ol Malo is an oasis for family bonding.
From £690 per person per night.
Best for beach-loving families
Kinondo Kwetu
Kinondo Kwetu is a family-owned, boutique beach lodge, found on a private beach on Kenya’s south coast. The lodge is often described as a ‘home from home’ and a visit feels like just that. Run by a Swedish family, the lodge has accommodation in a range of shapes and sizes, making it perfectly suited to families of any type. As well as the beautiful beach to explore, there’s a cliff-top yoga deck, two lovely pools, and the opportunity to go horse riding along the beach, as well as an array of diverse water sports. An escape here is the perfect way to spend time as a family either before or after a safari.
From £370 per person per night.
Best for Instagram families
Giraffe Manor
For families looking to make their friends jealous on social media, nothing comes remotely close to the ultra-Instagramable Giraffe Manor in the suburbs of Nairobi. A place of wonder where giraffes come to visit for breakfast, a stay at Giraffe Manor really is a one-of-a-kind experience unrivalled anywhere in the world. This is a stately old home, full of character (aside from the long-necked residents), and families are guaranteed to be amazed by how close and personal the experience is. Definitely one to brag about to everyone back home.
From £650 per person per night.
