Exploring Kenya with Kids: A Family’s Guide to Safari Adventures

Our family lives for adventures in nature and the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that we’ve longed to go on a family safari trip to Africa. There are so many amazing destinations to go on safari in Africa, but if you’re looking for an adventurous, educational, and unforgettable family destination, consider traveling to Kenya with kids. Kenya offers a unique blend of thrilling wildlife encounters, rich cultural experiences, and stunning natural landscapes that make it an exceptional choice for a family safari holiday.​

Our family vacation to Kenya was filled with diverse experiences that every member of our family loved. In Nairobi, we went on our first amazing safari and then got up-close and personal with some African wildlife at two outstanding family-friendly attractions.

Venturing into the wild, we embarked on safaris at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where we were lucky enough to spot a dizzying amount of African animals, including all of the Big Five.

We timed our visit with the Great Migration, witnessing countless thousands of wildebeest and zebras crossing the plains. These experiences offered our kids a firsthand look at Africa’s incredible biodiversity.​

Our stay at the Maji Moto Cultural Camp was a refreshing, authentic immersion into Maasai traditions, allowing our children to learn about local customs, sleep under the stars with Maasai warriors, and even try their hand at spear throwing.

Finally, at Lake Naivasha, we enjoyed boat rides alongside hippos and walking safaris on Crescent Island, where zebras and giraffes roamed freely.

As you’ll see, our family safari trip to Kenya provided our family with a perfect mix of adventure, education, and relaxation.

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Planning a Kenya Family Vacation

When to Visit Kenya with Kids

Kenya offers incredible wildlife and cultural experiences year-round, but timing your visit properly can enhance your family’s adventure. The dry seasons, from January to March and June to October, are best for wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water sources. These periods also coincide with school holidays, making them convenient for family travel.

The Great Migration in the Maasai Mara typically occurs between July and October, offering a spectacular natural event that’s unforgettable for kids and adults alike.​

High Season in Kenya

The high season in Kenya runs from July to October, aligning with the Great Migration. During this time, the weather is dry, and wildlife viewing is at its peak. However, popular parks like Maasai Mara can be crowded, and accommodation prices are at their highest. If you’re planning to travel to Kenya with your kids during this period, it’s advisable to book your accommodations and tours well in advance.​

Our family trip to Kenya was in late July. The weather was perfect and the animals were literally everywhere. It wasn’t cheap though – it was our most expensive family trip ever. It bears repeating… book early to have the best selection of family friendly tours and accommodations!

Shoulder Season in Kenya

January to March and November to early December are considered shoulder seasons in Kenya. These periods offer a balance between favorable weather and fewer tourists. Wildlife viewing remains excellent, and accommodations are more affordable compared to the high season. Traveling to Kenya during the shoulder season can provide a more relaxed experience for families.​

How Long to Visit Kenya with Kids

With so many world-class game parks and natural destinations, you could spend several weeks exploring the wonders of Kenya. However, a 10 to 14-day Kenya itinerary allows families to experience a variety of environments—from the bustling city of Nairobi to the serene landscapes of the Maasai Mara and the cultural richness of Maji Moto. This duration allows for a more balanced mix of adventure and relaxation suitable for children.

We spent a total of 13 days on our Kenya family adventure. As you’ll see below in our family-friendly Kenya itinerary, we achieved a good mix of activities designed to keep everyone in the family happy and engaged.

Getting Around Kenya

Traveling within Kenya can involve long distances. In theory, domestic flights are available between major cities and safari destinations, but in reality, the majority of travelers to Kenya hire a private driver for the duration of their trip. Having a private driver is the ultimate in convenience and safety for your family trip to Kenya.

If you book a Kenya tour with a private driver, you may be offered a cheaper option of a safari van. The savings may be tempting, but do not short-change your safari experience. Ensure you get a 4×4 Toyota Landcruiser for your family safari trip to Kenya.

Nearly every vehicle on safari in Kenya’s game parks are Toyota Landcruisers and they are truly the perfect vehicle for going on safari. The safari vans are not nearly as robust and are not capable of going everywhere in the game parks.

Where to Stay in Kenya with Kids

Kenya offers a wide range of family-friendly accommodations for various preferences and budgets. Whether you’re seeking the adventure of tented safari camps or the comfort of lodges, there’s something for every family.​

Safari Lodges

Safari lodges are permanent structures, often constructed from stone or wood, providing hotel-like amenities in the heart of nature. They typically feature ensuite bathrooms, restaurants, swimming pools, and sometimes even gyms or libraries.

Lodges in Kenya are ideal for families who prefer solid walls and additional facilities while still being close to wildlife. Many lodges offer family suites or interconnecting rooms, ensuring comfort and convenience for those traveling with children.

Tented Safari Camps

Tented safari camps provide an authentic bush experience without compromising on comfort. These camps consist of large, walk-in canvas tents equipped with proper beds, furniture, and often ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers.

Some safari camps in Kenya also feature central dining areas, bar lounges, and even swimming pools. For families, certain tented camps offer family tents or adjacent tents connected by walkways, allowing parents and children to stay close.​

In addition, we included added activities we love to do (like hiking) to our itinerary. You’ll see our family-friendly Kenya itinerary tried to achieve a good balance, hopefully making both parents and kids happy and satisfied.

Kenya 2-Week Itinerary Overview

We spent just under two weeks in Kenya with our kids, and it was the perfect mix of wildlife, culture, and adventure. Here’s how we broke it down:​

• Days 1 – 2: Nairobi
• Days 3 – 5: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Days 6 – 8: Lake Naivasha
• Days 9 – 10: Maji Moto Cultural Camp
• Days 11 – 13: Maasai Mara National Reserve

This 2-week Kenya itinerary gave our family a great balance between game drives, cultural experiences, and active outdoor fun.​

13 Day Kenya Safari Itinerary for Families

Days 1-2: Nairobi with Kids – A Wild Start

We started our family Kenyan adventure in the capital of Nairobi, and we’re so glad we did. There’s a surprising amount of family-friendly activities in the city, and our 2-day visit gave us a gentle introduction to the country.

Nairobi National Park

Just minutes from the city center, Nairobi National Park offers a unique safari experience. Being so close to the city, we had low expectations for our first safari in Kenya, but we had an excellent outing! We saw rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, and even lions; all with the skyscrapers of the city skyline in the background. Our safari in Nairobi National Park was a great start to our Kenya safari vacation!

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was a heartwarming experience. We watched orphaned baby elephants and a tiny rhino being fed and playing in the mud. It was both educational and adorable.​

Giraffe Centre

The Giraffe Centre was another fun and exciting animal encounter in Nairobi. Here we were able to feed Rothschild giraffes from elevated platforms. We couldn’t help laughing when the giraffes’ long, sticky tongues grabbed the pellets from our hands. What a great opportunity to get up close to these gentle giants.​

Ol Pejeta Conservancy Game Drives

We were lucky enough to go on five amazing game drives in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. All of Africa’s Big Five call Ol Pejeta home, and we almost saw them all, except for the ever-elusive leopard! From elephants and rhinos to lions and giraffes, each game drive was filled with excitement.

Chimpanzee Sanctuary

The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary was another highlight of our visit to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. We arrived in time for their morning feeding, then we learned about the rescued chimps and the efforts to provide them with a safe and nurturing environment.​

Baraka the Blind Rhino

During our visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, we were grateful for an opportunity to meet Baraka, a blind black rhino who resides in a special enclosure due to his inability to survive in the wild. Baraka lost one eye in a territorial fight and the other eye to cataracts, rendering him completely blind.

We were able to feed him carrots and even touch him through a fence. What an incredible opportunity to connect with this magnificent black rhino.

The Last Two Northern White Rhinos on Earth

After meeting Baraka, we visited the northern white rhino enclosure, where we met Najin and Fatu, the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, along with a southern white rhino who helps guide them.

From the safety of our safari truck, we learned about their incredible story, fed and touched them, and witnessed firsthand the promising conservation efforts to save the species. It was a deeply moving and hopeful experience.

Hiking in Hell’s Gate National Park

We love hiking in beautiful locations around the world, so we couldn’t pass up a chance for a family hike in Hell’s Gate National Park. We hiked through dramatic gorges and past towering cliffs, all while spotting African wildlife. It was very exciting to see the park’s landscapes, which inspired many iconic locations in the original animated “The Lion King” movie!

We also visited a natural hot spring used by locals for bathing and laundry, then met the women of a nearby village who sang for us and showed us inside their traditional mud homes. We loved that this wasn’t a roadside attraction for mass tourism – this was a fun, interactive, and meaningful cultural experience for the whole family.

Sunset Hike in the Hills

One of the many fun kid-friendly experiences we enjoyed at Maji Moto was the sunset walk in the hills. The guided walk up the nearby hills was fun & educational, and they led us to the perfect spot to watch the sunset. It was magical!

Campfire Songs

Our first evening at the Maji Moto Cultural Camp was spent around a roaring campfire with our new Maasai friends. They shared stories about their culture and sang traditional songs for us. It was the perfect ending to our first night here.

Daily Life in the Maasai Village

We woke early on our second day, so our daughter could help the women in the village milk the goats. Later in the day, some kids from the nearby village came over with a soccer ball and invited our kids to join them in a game. I love how kids can always find a way to connect with each other, despite the language barriers.