Overview
Our comprehensive Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari offers families with children of all ages the ultimate East African adventure. This carefully designed 14-day journey combines iconic national parks across both countries with family-friendly accommodation and activities, creating unforgettable memories that will last a
Inclusions / Exclusions
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary.
- Transportation in a specially equipped 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for excellent wildlife viewing.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- All game drives and safari activities as specified in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as specified in the itinerary.
- All applicable park entrance fees, crater service fees, and conservation fees as specified in the itinerary.
- Complimentary mineral water: 1.5 litres of bottled drinking water per person per day during the safari.
- Emergency evacuation coverage in case of an emergency.
- All government taxes and levies.
- All domestic or international flights and associated taxes.
- Travel and personal health insurance.
- Laundry services.
- All personal expenses, such as telephone, fax, email, and similar charges.
- All optional activities and additional services not specified in the itinerary, such as Maasai village visits, Olduvai Gorge excursions, and hot-air balloon safaris.
- Tips and gratuities for hotel, lodge, and camp staff, as well as safari driver-guides.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and meals not specified in the itinerary.
- Visa fees.
Itinerary
Embark on your safari adventure with a scenic drive from Nairobi to The Ark Lodge in Aberdare National Park. Your journey begins with a warm and knowledgeable driver-guide who will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in Nairobi and take you through Kenya’s spectacular landscapes toward the Aberdare region.
Travel through Kenya’s lush green highlands, renowned for their vibrant tea and coffee plantations, before arriving at the Aberdare Country Club, where you will enjoy lunch. From there, continue to The Ark Lodge, nestled in the heart of Aberdare National Park.
The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, attracting a wide variety of wildlife. Inspired by and named after Noah’s Ark, the lodge features three viewing decks with numerous balconies and lounges, offering excellent vantage points for observing wildlife. To ensure you do not miss any special sightings, night guards will alert your room whenever notable animals visit the waterhole.
Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours
Accommodation: Overnight at The Ark, a mid-range lodge located inside Aberdare National Park, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
After a delicious breakfast at The Ark, you will travel to the Aberdare base hotel, where you will meet your friendly safari driver-guide. From there, continue north towards Samburu National Reserve.
Along the way, you will stop at the Equator for an interesting demonstration and a short break before continuing to Samburu, where a hearty lunch awaits you. In the afternoon, get ready for your first game drive, immersing yourself in the captivating wildlife of Samburu. As the sun sets, you will return to your lodge.
Samburu’s rugged and secluded atmosphere sets it apart from other parks, offering a more intimate wildlife experience. The reserve is home to unique species such as Grevy’s zebra and the reticulated giraffe. Although the journey is relatively long, the changing landscapes and the opportunity to encounter these rare animals make the adventure well worthwhile.
Driving Time: Approximately 2 hours
Accommodation: Overnight at Samburu Simba Lodge, a mid-range, unfenced lodge bordering Samburu National Reserve, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Samburu National Reserve is a gem in northern Kenya, renowned for its arid landscapes and rare wildlife. Today, you will explore this unique reserve through morning and afternoon game drives.
The Ewaso Ng’iro River, which flows through Samburu, attracts a remarkable variety of wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, and more than 450 bird species. The full-day schedule also allows you plenty of time to relax at your lodge or camp between activities.
With relatively few visitors, Samburu offers a peaceful and intimate wildlife-viewing experience. In this truly wild setting, the day provides a perfect balance of adventure, wildlife encounters, and relaxation.
Accommodation: Overnight at Samburu Simba Lodge, a mid-range, unfenced lodge bordering Samburu National Reserve, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
After a relaxed breakfast, depart Samburu and travel south towards Ol Pejeta Conservancy, arriving in time for a delicious lunch at Sweetwaters Serena Camp. After lunch, take some time to explore the camp and its beautiful surroundings, including the waterhole beside the bar, where wildlife frequently gathers to drink and wallow.
Later, set out on an exciting afternoon game drive. Your first stop will be the chimpanzee sanctuary, followed by an exploration of the conservancy, home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including white and black rhinos, giraffes, gazelles, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and many more species.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is renowned as East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary and is home to the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. It is also the only place in Kenya where visitors can see chimpanzees. The sanctuary was established to provide a safe home for chimpanzees rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
Accommodation: Overnight at Sweetwaters Serena Camp, a luxury tented camp located within Ol Pejeta Conservancy on Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Today’s journey takes you from Ol Pejeta to Lake Naivasha, with a stop at the beautiful Lake Elementaita, renowned for its large flamingo populations. The approximately 4.5-hour drive offers scenic views of the Great Rift Valley and its diverse birdlife, including elegant flamingos.
Upon arrival at Lake Naivasha, enjoy a delicious lunch and some time to relax at your lodge. Alternatively, you can take part in exciting optional activities, such as a boat ride on the lake or a walking safari on Crescent Island.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater paradise and home to hippos, African fish eagles, and a variety of other fascinating wildlife. After your drive, enjoy a peaceful boat excursion across the lake, an ideal opportunity for birdwatching and observing wildlife from the water.
The scenic drive offers a refreshing change of landscape, transitioning from open savannahs to lush lakeside surroundings. This tranquil setting provides a relaxing contrast to the excitement of traditional game drives.
Driving Time: Approximately 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Overnight at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort, a mid-range hotel located near Lake Naivasha, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to Hell’s Gate National Park, located a short distance from Lake Naivasha. Famous for its dramatic cliffs and geothermal activity, Hell’s Gate is one of the few parks in Kenya where visitors can explore the landscape on foot or by bicycle while observing wildlife.
After your visit, continue your journey to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, approximately five hours away. Renowned for its vast open plains and the spectacular annual Great Migration, the Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
To make the long drive more comfortable, you can stop along the way at souvenir shops, where you will have time to stretch your legs, take a break, and browse locally made crafts.
As you approach the Maasai Mara, excitement builds in anticipation of the wildlife encounters ahead. In the evening, enjoy your first game drive in this world-famous reserve, offering an introduction to its remarkable wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
Driving Time: Approximately 5 hours, excluding stops and activities.
Accommodation: Overnight at Zebra Plains Mara Camp, a mid-range tented camp located within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Spend a full day exploring the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where vast open plains are teeming with wildlife. The reserve is home to Africa’s iconic Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos—as well as cheetahs, zebras, and wildebeest.
If you visit during the Great Migration, you may have the opportunity to witness dramatic river crossings as vast herds move across the landscape. Although a full day of game drives can be tiring, the excitement of discovering wildlife around every corner makes the experience truly rewarding.
Your day includes exciting game drives, with time to relax at the camp between activities. This balanced schedule allows you to experience the highlights of the Maasai Mara while enjoying a comfortable and memorable safari.
For an unforgettable perspective, an optional hot-air balloon safari can be arranged. Floating above the sweeping plains at sunrise offers a remarkable way to appreciate the beauty and scale of one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
Accommodation: Overnight at Zebra Plains Mara Camp, a mid-range tented camp located within the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to the Maasai Mara airstrip for your flight to Migori. Upon arrival, you will transfer by road to the immigration office to complete the necessary border formalities before continuing to Tarime Airstrip for your onward flight to the Serengeti.
Upon landing at Seronera Airstrip, you will be warmly welcomed by your friendly Tanzanian safari driver-guide, who will transfer you towards your camp in the Serengeti. Enjoy a game drive along the way, arriving in time for a delicious lunch.
After lunch, prepare for your first afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park, where you will have the opportunity to witness incredible wildlife in its natural habitat.
Your overnight stay promises an authentic African safari experience. Located within the national park, the camp offers an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the surrounding wilderness and wildlife activity. Upon arrival, your welcoming driver-guide and camp manager will provide a comprehensive safety briefing to help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Flight Time: Approximately 4 hours in total, including the scheduled flights and connections.
Accommodation: Overnight at Acacia Central Camp, a mid-range tented camp located in the central Serengeti, Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
The Serengeti is one of Africa’s most famous national parks, renowned for its vast open plains and extraordinary wildlife. Today, you will explore different areas of the park through exciting morning and afternoon game drives.
The Serengeti is home to Africa’s iconic Big Five, as well as cheetahs, hyenas, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebras. Between game drives, enjoy some time relaxing at your camp while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding plains.
Although the park covers an enormous area, your experienced safari guide knows where to look for rewarding wildlife sightings, helping you make the most of your day in this remarkable wilderness.
Accommodation: Overnight at Acacia Central Camp, a mid-range tented camp located in the central Serengeti, Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
After an exciting morning game drive in the Serengeti, you will journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a drive of approximately three hours. Ngorongoro is renowned for its spectacular crater, the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, which supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife.
The crater’s steep walls form a natural enclosure, creating one of the best places in Tanzania to observe a wide variety of animals within a relatively compact area. From elephants and buffaloes to lions and other remarkable wildlife, the crater offers excellent opportunities for unforgettable encounters.
Although travelling between destinations can sometimes feel like time away from wildlife viewing, the dramatic scenery and the prospect of exploring the Ngorongoro Crater make this journey a rewarding part of your safari adventure.
Accommodation: Overnight at Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp, a luxury tented camp situated on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Depart the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and travel to Tarangire National Park, a remarkable destination renowned for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. The scenic drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, leaving plenty of time to appreciate the changing landscapes along the way.
The Tarangire River flows through the park, attracting a wide variety of wildlife, particularly during the dry season when water becomes scarce elsewhere. Although Tarangire may receive less attention than some of Tanzania’s more famous parks, its quieter atmosphere, distinctive scenery, and abundant wildlife make it a true hidden gem.
In the afternoon, enjoy an exciting game drive through this beautiful wilderness, discovering its remarkable wildlife and peaceful surroundings away from the busier safari routes.
Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation: Overnight at Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp, a luxury tented camp located within Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Depart Tarangire National Park at 7:30 AM and travel via Arusha towards the Kenyan border. Upon arrival, proceed to the immigration offices at the One-Stop Border Post to complete the necessary border formalities. After clearing immigration, meet your Kenyan safari driver-guide, who will take you to Amboseli National Park, approximately two hours from the border. You will arrive in time for lunch.
At 4:00 PM, set out on your first afternoon game drive in Amboseli. Explore the park’s diverse landscapes, including acacia woodlands, freshwater swamps, bushland, and open plains, while searching for fascinating wildlife. Some areas feature dry lakebeds where mirages shimmer above the sun-baked ground, creating a striking and memorable landscape.
As the sun sets, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Please Note: You may choose to continue your wildlife safari in Amboseli today, or travel via Arusha Airport to Zanzibar for an optional three-day beach extension.
Driving Time: Approximately 4.5 hours, excluding border formalities and stops.
Accommodation: Overnight at Kilimanjaro Safari Camp, a mid-range tented camp located on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
After breakfast, depart the camp with a packed lunch to enjoy in the wilderness. Spend the day exploring the swamps and wetlands of Amboseli National Park, which are sustained by underground water channels originating from Mount Kilimanjaro.
These permanent water sources support lush vegetation and provide abundant grazing throughout the year, attracting elephants and a wide variety of other herbivores. As you explore this remarkable landscape, enjoy opportunities to observe wildlife in its natural habitat and appreciate the park’s unique ecosystem.
After a full day discovering the beauty and wildlife of this approximately 392-square-kilometre park, return to your camp in the late afternoon to relax and enjoy the evening.
Accommodation: Overnight at Kilimanjaro Safari Camp, a mid-range tented camp located on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park, Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Your safari adventure concludes with a return journey to Nairobi, approximately 4.5 hours away by road. After breakfast, depart Amboseli and travel towards Kenya’s vibrant capital.
As you journey through the scenic countryside, take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable experiences of the past two weeks. You will leave with lasting memories of breathtaking landscapes, remarkable wildlife encounters, and the warmth of the people you have met along the way.
Whether you are heading to the airport for your onward flight or planning to explore more of Nairobi, this safari promises memories that will stay with you long after your journey ends.
Please Note: Additional accommodation can be arranged after your safari, or you can extend your journey to discover the beautiful coastal beaches of Diani in Kenya or the tropical island of Zanzibar.
Driving Time: Approximately 4.5 hours to Nairobi.
Accommodation: No accommodation (safari ends).
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast included (lunch and dinner not included).
- Drinking water included (other beverages not included).
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