Kenya and Tanzania Family Safari





The ultimate East Africa Family Safari
Experience East Africa with your family as you discover the wildlife, history, people, culture and beauty that spans across this incredible landscape. Roam the famous Serengeti National Park, nearly 15,000 sq km of rolling savanna that shelters an astounding array of animals, from miniature dik-dik antelopes to the noble African elephant. Spot wildlife while taking in mind-blowing views from the edge of Ngorongoro Crater and listen to the sounds of the African night in a thrilling camping experience. This is also a human journey that puts you in the heart of the valleys once inhabited by some of humankind's earliest ancestors – where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from the Maasai community – hear about the customs and traditions of village life and even prepare a local Swahili dish. If you’re looking for a family adventure full of friendly folk and some of the best game-viewing in Africa, then this will truly be a trip to remember!
4.5
4 reviewsStart: Nairobi, Kenya
End: Nairobi, Kenya
- Duration
- 16 days
- Group size
- 2 to 16
- Minimum age
- 5 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Family
- 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
- Meet some Maasai Mamas (the name for women artisans in Tanzania) and learn about their village life, including how to prepare a local Swahili dish.
- Encounter roaring lions and magnificent zebra in the famous Serengeti National Park as our small safari vehicles get you close to the action in this spectacular wildlife arena.
- Keep your eyes peeled for black and white rhinos on an adventure through Lake Nakuru National Park
- Make friends with warriors of the Maasai tribe around the camp fire; they'll be on guard for lions while you and your family camp overnight
- Venture into the incredible Maasai Mara National Reserve for a full-day game drive
Itinerary
Jambo! Welcome to your Kenya and Tanzania Family Adventure. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you and your family arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.
- Heron Court Portico or similar (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
- Nairobi - Karen Blixen museum - USD14
- Nairobi - Bomas of Kenya - USD12
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary - KES1200
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.
Hit the road after breakfast as you drive across the border to Tanzania and your overnight stop, Arusha. Located at the base of volcanic Mt Meru, Arusha is the gateway to safari destinations and to Africa's highest peak – the 5895 m Mt Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometres northeast. After setting up the campsite on arrival, you and your family can relax and have a swim in the pool.
- Summit Lodge or similar (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Driving time: 5 hours
Take a short drive to the small town of Kisongo where you and your family get to enjoy a fun day with some local ‘Mamas’ (the name for female artisans in Tanzania) First, the women will teach you how to prepare a local Swahili dish for lunch. After enjoying your creations, you’ll get the chance to take a closer look into their lives. With help from a translator, the women will lead smaller groups around their village. Visit their homes and see how a traditional boma (small hut made of mud and cow dung) is set up. You’ll also get to meet their families and learn about Maasai culture. After this illuminating day, drive to the small town of Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Have a good night’s sleep before we head on safari tomorrow!
- Kudu Camping Ground with facilities or similar (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Kisongo - Cooking class, crafts & village walk
Travel from Karatu to the gate of Serengeti National Park and have a picnic lunch at the entrance. Enter the Serengeti and enjoy a game drive on the way to your campsite. The vast plains of the Serengeti – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Flat and rolling, with long grass and acacia trees, these plains get their name from the Maasai word siringet – 'The place where the land moves on forever'. Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.
- Serengeti NP Camping Ground or similar (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Driving time: 4 hours plus game drives
Start the day with a game drive at dawn. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing, as the animals do, depart again at dusk for another adventure through the wild before returning in time for dinner. There's also the option of a balloon ride over the park today, which makes for an excellent family activity. If you have pre-booked this activity (please see the ‘Notes' section) you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the sunrise, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, before being returned to your camp.
- Serengeti NP Camping Ground or similar (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited.
Enjoy a game drive on your way out of the park today. After lunch you and your family will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation area. A gigantic, perfectly intact volcanic crater, Ngorongoro is home to some 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round, and the photo opportunities here are unrivalled. We jump in some 4WDs and head into the crater itself for three to four hours where the kids (and adults!) can enjoy spotting the animals. Leaving the park we head to Karatu - our overnight stop were the kids can take a swim in the campsite pool.
- Flamingo Lodge campsite or similar (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
You will notice some Maasai villages in the region of the Ngorongoro crater offering a cultural experience. Intrepid recommends avoiding these villages, as they can impact negatively on the Maasai culture and travellers' perceptions of it by selling an artificial experience.
After breakfast take a short 30-minute drive to Mto Wa Mbu where you will camp for the night. Upon arrival, join the local community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming areas, milling machine and local homes before enjoying a traditional meal. This afternoon you can relax around the campsite or have a swim in the pool.
- Twiga Lodge & Campsite or similar (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Mto wa Mbu - Village walk and lunch
Driving time: 30 minutes
Set off early this morning (around 7.30 am), heading for the border with Kenya and then on to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you'll be dropped at tthe hotel where the rest of the day is yours to relax.
- Breakfast
Driving time: 7-8 hours
You will have a free day to do as you please, if you didn't get a chance the first day why not head out to the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Or simply have a day by the pool.
You will have a meeting at 5pm to talk through the next part of your trip in Kenya. The meeting will take place in the foyer.
- Heron Court Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Today will be a long day of adventuring. After breakfast, you will visit Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. This conservation project allows you to see the animals up close while learning more about them and their plight in the modern world.
After lunch, head out of Nairobi towards Lake Nakuru (approximately 4-5 hours), arriving in time to pitch a tent at the campsite before the sun goes down.
The alkaline waters of Lake Nakuru once supported an extremely large colony of flamingos – estimated to be up to two million strong! Over the course of the year the lake changes size considerably, shrinking to its smallest in March at the end of the dry season, and changing the type of birdlife and wildlife that inhabit the area. Unfortunately changes in water levels and chemical concentration caused the permanent population of flamingos to move elsewhere in the 1970s, however the lush area around the lake remains known for its bird life.
- Nakuru Camp site (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
Driving time: 4-5 hours
Head out on an early morning game drive around Lake Nakuru. Keep a lookout for the white rhinos that can often be found around the shores.
Afterwards, encounter friendly locals on a village visit before moving on to Lake Naivasha (approx: 2-3 hour drive). Lake Naivasha is a birdwatcher's paradise with floating islands of papyrus reeds. Afternoon wind and storms can cause the lake to become suddenly rough and produce high waves. For this reason, the local Maasai christened the lake Nai'posha meaning 'rough water’, which the British later misspelt as Naivasha.
There is an option to hire a bike and pedal around the lake this afternoon if you wish to stretch your legs after the drive.
- Fish Eagle Inn (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Nakuru - Village walk
- Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Lake Naivasha - Bike hire - USD12
Driving time: 2-3 hours
After a camp breakfast, head towards Crater Lake and take part in a guided walk along one of the many trails. The waters of the lake draw a great range of game. Giraffes wander among the acacia, buffaloes wallow in the swamps and Colobus monkeys call from the treetops, while the lake’s large hippo population while away the day in the shallows. The easy walk is takes 3 hours and we recommend you bring with you good sturdy foot wear. Later you may like to take an optional boat ride across the lake or simply relax at camp and take advantage of the swimming pool.
The afternoon is free to relax around the camp and take advantage of the swimming pool.
- Fish Eagle Inn (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
- Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Game Drive) - USD65
- Lake Naivasha - Boat trip - KES4000
The Crater Lake game walk and Hell's Gate National Park will also incur a USD50 transport fee per vehicle. The boat trip is for one hour and no additional fees are required.
Depart Lake Naivasha, making a short stop in Narok to do a spot of food shopping. Continue to Loita Hills (approximately 5-6 hours), stopping for lunch en route. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley, Africa's immense and spectacular great divide, and takes you into the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the traditional Maasai people. Visit the Maasai, who are known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewellery, and gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. After setting up your tent, meet your Maasai hosts. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk about the Maasai and their history and culture. You'll be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept. Showers, upgrades and WiFi are not available at tonight's bush camp.
- Loita Hills Campsite (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Driving time: 5 - 6 hours
Travel from Loita to Maasai Mara (approximately 1-2 hours). The road is dusty when dry, and could be slippery and soft when wet, so the going may be slow. The Maasai Mara is the quintessential African experience, with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most tremendous animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch, then jump back in the truck and go for a 3 hour game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.
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. WiFi is not available here.
- Mara Springs Camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD470
Driving time: 1-2 hours
Rise early and venture into the Maasai Mara National Reserve for a full day of game driving (6hours). Explore this diverse environment and see a multitude of wildlife. Return to camp for lunch by the side of the Mara River – a great chance to spot crocs and hippos. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off again in the afternoon, expecting to return to camp around sunset. We'll stop en-route for a picnic lunch.
- Mara Springs Camp (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
Cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa on the return drive to Nairobi (approximately 6 hours). En route there may be opportunities to stop and make some final purchases. Once back in Nairobi perhaps enjoy a final dinner with the group in a local restaurant and reflect on this incredible African adventure.
If you're flying out today, please book a flight after 6:00pm.
- Breakfast
Driving time: 6 hours
Inclusions and activities
15 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 9 dinners
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Hotels (5 nights), Camping with basic facilities (8 nights), Cottage (2 nights)
- Kisongo - Cooking class, crafts & village walk
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari
- Mto wa Mbu - Village walk and lunch
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary
- Lake Nakuru - Village walk
- Lake Nakuru - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Lake Naivasha - Game Walk in Crater Lake Game Sanctuary (entrance fee)
- Loita Hills - Cultural talk and village visit
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
- Masai Mara - 4x4 Game Drive
- Nairobi - City Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
- Nairobi - Karen Blixen museum - USD14
- Nairobi - Bomas of Kenya - USD12
- Nairobi - Langata Giraffe Sanctuary - KES1200
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
- Lake Naivasha - Bike hire - USD12
- Lake Naivasha - Hell's Gate NP (Game Drive) - USD65
- Lake Naivasha - Boat trip - KES4000
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD470
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
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. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful land! Some days have driving times of 6-7 hours. Furthermore there will be early mornings, when Africa is at its best.
- 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 13) you will stay in a bush camp with basic facilities and cold showers. Hot bucket showers will be available in the morning. Wifi is not available and only minimal upgrades are available 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 allow for excellent game viewing, equipped with large sliding windows. They have no air-conditioning however, so they can get dusty and hot at times.
Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied.
The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants.
There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the night's accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability).
Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms.
Campsites do have facilities, but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all.
At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip.
The Heron Hotel
Jakaya Kikwete Road Opposite Provincial Police Headquarters
Nairobi
00100
KENYA
Description
The Heron Hotel is a charming 3-star hotel set in a prime location in the centre of Nairobi. Local tourist attractions such as Uhuru Park, Central Park and Kenyatta Mausoleum are not far from the hotel. Also easily within reach are the National Assembly Building and the Parliament Building.
The hotel's facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, coffee shop and cafe, WiFi, a gift shop and a 24 hour front desk. Guest room facilities include TV with satellite channels, in room safe, tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel is located 18kms from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Instructions
A private arrival transfer is available for pre-booking through Intrepid. Please speak to your booking agent for more information. If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, please ensure you have provided Intrepid with your arrival flight details at least 15 days before the departure of your Intrepid trip. On arrival, please look out for our representative holding a board with your name at the arrival terminal.
If you fail to see our representative, please call the following number and someone will attend to your needs +254 733 523 813
If you are making your own way to the hotel, there is a taxi stand outside the airport building. A taxi should cost approximately USD$30 to USD$50, and must be paid in Kenyan Shillings.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
3. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.
4. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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