Travellers aged 17 and under get 20% off family trips from 1 January 2026
Kenya Family Safari





Explore Kenya’s savannahs, wildlife and Maasai culture as a family
Swap the bustle of Kenya's capital for the calls of flamingos, zebras and rhinos as you journey from Nairobi to Maasai Mara. Seek out your family’s favourite characters from The Lion King – including lions, cheetahs and elephants – and get to know the Maasai locals while learning about their traditional tribal culture. See giraffes up close at the Langata Giraffe Sanctuary, look for hippos playing in the shallows of the Mara River and spend a night near Lake Naivasha. Travel across the Great Rift Valley and hear native birds sing as you walk around Crater Lake. Relax at camp each night with the other families and fall asleep to the sounds of the savannah.
4.9
42 reviewsStart: Nairobi, Kenya
End: Nairobi, Kenya
- Duration
- 8 days
- Group size
- 2 to 16
- Minimum age
- 5 years old
- Style
- Basic
- Theme
Our themes categorize trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Family, Wildlife
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Spot roaring lions, African elephants and magnificent zebra on multiple safari drives in the famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
- Camp under the stars near Lake Naivasha – spend the night with your family by the campfire, then drift off to sleep to the sounds of the African night.
- Set off on a full-day safari drive through the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Then, make friends with warriors of the Maasai tribe – they'll be keeping watch for lions while you and your family camp overnight.
- Look for black and white rhinos as you travel through Lake Nakuru National Park – a large game reserve that’s home to a thriving population of these endangered animals.
- Lace up your walking shoes and set off on a guided walk along one of the trails near Crater Lake. Have your camera ready as you pass buffaloes wallowing in the swamps and birds singing from the treetops.
Itinerary
This trip generates 19 kg of CO2-e per person per day. Learn more about our climate commitment.
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you and your family arrive early, maybe head out and visit the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Or to get a glimpse of some rehabilitating animals, head to the David Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. After your meeting, maybe get to know the other families over dinner at a local restaurant.
- Heron Court Hotel (or similar) (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information for each member of your family. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
After breakfast, head out to the Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. See the animals up close and learn about the sanctuary’s conservation projects. Then, continue to Lake Nakuru National Park. Have some lunch, pitch your tents, then head out for an afternoon safari drive to hopefully catch a glimpse of this large game reserve’s endangered black and white rhinos, which can often be seen along the shore. Keep an eye out for the abundant bird life in the lush areas around the lake and maybe add a species or two to your life list! Head back to camp for dinner and sunset with your family.
- Nakuru Camp site (or similar) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 to 5 hours.
Rise early for a dawn safari drive around Lake Nakuru – one more opportunity to spot those black and white rhinos. After, drive to Lake Naivasha, stopping in a village along the way to meet the locals. Continue to Lake Naivasha – a birdwatcher’s paradise with floating islands of papyrus reeds. Be on the lookout for giraffes wandering among the acacia trees, buffalo wallowing in the swamps and colobus monkey swinging in the treetops. The lake’s large hippo population can usually be spotted whiling away the day in the shallows. The rest of the day is free for you to explore your hotel grounds at your own pace. Maybe hire a bike or simply relax or play a board game with your family.
- Osotua Luxury Resort by ICON (or similar) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Nakuru - Village walk
- Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Safari
- Lake Naivasha - Bike hire - USD12
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Fill up on a hearty breakfast, then head to Crater Lake. When you arrive, lace up your walking shoes and set off on a guided walk along one of the many trails. The waters of the lake are a haven for bird life and plains animals – if you didn’t spot giraffes, buffalos or monkeys yesterday, you likely will today! Later, maybe take the family on an optional boat ride across the lake or simply relax at camp – the kids will love the on-site swimming pool.
- Osotua Luxury Resort by ICON (or similar) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
- Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Safari) - USD65
- Lake Naivasha - Boat trip - KES4000
Your walking time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Please wear good, sturdy shoes for today’s walk.
Say goodbye to Lake Naivasha today and travel to Loita Hills. Along the way, you’ll stop in Narok to get some groceries. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's spectacular great divide – and into the remote region that’s home to the Maasai people. Today will be a real highlight, as you get to know the Maasai, one of Kenya’s most recognizable Indigenous communities, whose distinctive clothing, beadwork and jewellery reflect a rich cultural heritage. Maasai warriors will welcome you at Loita Hills, then, after setting up your tents, hear from a local elder as they teach you about their history and ancient culture. Later, you'll be shown around a traditional home and see where the resident cattle are kept, maybe getting the chance to milk them, too.
- Loita Hills Campsite (or similar) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Loita Hills - Cultural Talk & Maasai Village Visit
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
Minimal upgrades are on offer at tonight's bush camp. Hot bucket showers are available in the morning. Wi-fi is not available.
This morning, drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve – a large, preserved savannah along the Tanzanian border known for its grassy plains, rolling hills and blue wildebeest who traverse the plains during their annual migration. Arrive at your camp in time for lunch, then after setting up, head out on a safari drive through the national reserve. Along the way, you’ll see animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, gazelles and zebras roaming the plains or drinking from nearby waterholes, so be sure to have your camera ready. You might also get a glimpse of jackals and hyenas on the prowl.
- Mara Springs Camp (or similar) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Maasai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Your campground tonight is located outside of the national reserve and has flush toilets and showers. There is an option to upgrade, depending on availability. Wi-fi is not available here.
Get another early start, this time for a full safari day in the Maasai Mara National Reserve – most animals tend to be more active in the morning. Explore this diverse environment and see plenty of wildlife, like lions, elephants and cheetahs, then head back to camp for lunch. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off on another safari this afternoon. Return to the camp around sunset and relax into camp life. Maybe tell stories by the fire or stargaze before falling asleep to the sound of the wilderness.
- Mara Springs Camp (or similar) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Maasai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
- Maasai Mara National Reserve - Balloon Safari - USD500
This morning, you’ll cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa on the return drive to Nairobi. Along the way, maybe stop for lunch or at a nearby town for one final bit of shopping. When you arrive in Nairobi, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to stay longer – and it’s recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
If you're flying out today, please book a flight after 6 pm.
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
KenyaMeals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
Overland truck, 4 x 4 safari vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night), Resort (2 nights), Camping with facilities (2 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (2 nights)
Included activities
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
- Lake Nakuru - Village walk
- Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Safari
- Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
- Loita Hills - Cultural Talk & Maasai Village Visit
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
- Maasai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
Optional activities
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
- Lake Naivasha - Bike hire - USD12
- Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Safari) - USD65
- Lake Naivasha - Boat trip - KES4000
- Maasai Mara National Reserve - Balloon Safari - USD500
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Before you book you should know
- Please take into consideration if you are travelling with younger children that the going can be slow over the long distances and often bumpy roads, as travel times can sometimes be long and often on bumpy roads. Some days have driving times of 6 to 7 hours.
- Please consider the season and research the weather conditions. Remember to come prepared with adequate clothing.
- This is a participatory camping trip and everyone will embrace the team spirit by helping with camp setup, food preparation and cleaning. You and your family will be putting up and taking down your tent as you move from place to place.
- In Loita Hills (Day 5), you’ll stay in a secure bush camp with basic facilities and cold showers. Hot bucket showers will be available in the morning. Wi-fi is not available and only minimal upgrades are on offer at tonight’s bush camp, however, the rewards of experiencing the Maasai culture should more than make up for the lack of creature comforts.
- Our purpose-built overland vehicles, equipped with large, sliding windows, allow for excellent wildlife viewing. They have no air-conditioning, however, so they can get dusty and hot at times.
1. FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. CHILD AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old unless otherwise approved by Intrepid.
3. CHILD PRICE: Children aged 17 years and under at time of travel on this trip, are eligible to receive 20% off the full price.
4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room/tent to themselves. The single supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The "Add connection" feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.
Travel and visa requirements
GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS:
Family of two - All family groupings of two will be put into a twin room.
Family of three - Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in a handful of places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that, in practice, a triple room will often simply be a twin room with a mattress on the floor or a further bed squashed in. Where it is impossible to provide a triple room, you will have to decide which of your party takes the single room.
Family of four or more - You will most likely stay in two twin rooms. If and wherever possible we will aim put you in a quadruple room. Whilst we will do our very best to ensure that families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over where you will be put. You need to come prepared for this.
The Heron Hotel
Jakaya Kikwete Road Opposite Provincial Police Headquarters
Nairobi
00100
KENYA
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre trip accommodation booked through Intrepid. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer you will be met at the international arrivals hall by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign with your name. If you are unable to find your driver or need to advise of a flight delay, please call +25425059773 to reach our transfer representatives or +254 733 523 813 and our reservations team in Kenya will be able to assist.
If you are making your own way to the hotel, there is a taxi stand outside the airport building. A taxi should cost approximately US$25-30, and can be paid in Kenyan Shillings or US dollars.
Dates and prices
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