Family Safari Holidays in Kenya
Kenya is an East African country, considered to be the best Luxury Family Safari Holiday Destination. Wildlife safari is Kenya’s second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue, after agriculture. To offer the finest African Safari experiences to our guests, we only operate in the private conservancies in the greater Mara region. And in Amboseli, Samburu, Tsavo, lake Nakuru/Naivasha.
After years of experience visiting Kenya ourselves, and important feedback from our guests, we decided to exclude the Mara national reserve atleast in the peak season. Too many tourists, too many vehicles are entering that park in an uncontrolled manner. Instead we send our guests in the handpicked lodges/luxury tented camps either on the border of the Mara triangle (Kilima Camp, &Beyond) or inside the Mara North, Naboisho Conservancies (Saruni, Karen Blixen, Kicheche, Great Plains’).
Why Safari in Kenya
Safari in Kenya immediately comes to mind when one imagines going on an African safari. The abundant Big Cats, Mara’s wildebeest migration, the Maasai and Samburu people, the flamingos of the Rift Valley Lakes, the majesty of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, the giant elephants, the stories of man-eating lions in Tsavo are just a few of the highlights of a trip to Kenya.
Kenya’s woods are teeming with wildlife, making it a great safari destination for families. Combine that with the friendly welcome at one of our handpicked luxurious tented camps and lodges with the old African safari feel.
When to Travel to Kenya
Masai Mara’s annual land migration determines peak season to Travel to Kenya. With so many prey near the Mara river, predators are more active during the river crossing. However, it draws people from all over the world, resulting in a crazy number of safari vehicles in the park. If you visit Mara after the migration, you will have the park to yourself, accommodation costs will be reasonable, and there are many resident wildebeest and zebra. Monsoon season is also lovely for planning a Kenya Travel.
Conservancies in Kenya
There is also a number of private conservancies bordering the main national parks to Travel in Kenya. By paying a premium fee, you can stay in one of these and enjoy hundreds of thousand animals and almost no other vehicles other than yours. Night game drives and walking safaris can only be done in these conservancies, which is truly a magical experience.
Off-roading is allowed unlike in the national parks, and the animals are naturally relaxed than in the parks with less disturbances. The tourist vehicles cannot enter the conservancies from the main national parks, but the animals roam freely between the conservancies and the parks.
Masai Mara
Maasai Mara hosts the largest land animal annual migration, consisting of wildebeest and zebra to and from Tanzania. The name of this park honours the area’s indigenous Maasai people and their description of the place from afar: “Mara,” which is Maasai for “spotted”, apt to describe the circles of trees, shrubs, savanna, and cloud shadows. In addition to the big five (lion, rhino, elephant, leopard, and buffalo), Maasai Mara has lakehippos, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and many antelopes, including the Topi, bush duiker, klipspringer, oribi, bohor reedbuck and others.
We can track the migration year-round and advise you on Kenya Safari accordingly.
Amboseli
Formerly known as Maasai Amboseli National reserve, this is the second most popular in Kenya Safari plans after the Maasai Mara. The park is renowned as the best location in the world for up-close encounters with wild elephants, with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro serving as the park’s backdrop. If luck permits, you can photograph the highly sought-after baby crocodile-eating shoebill bird of Africa.
Samburu
Gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, oryx and reticulated giraffe, plus big cats like the lion, cheetah and African leopard can be seen here. Bird diversity is also quite rich in this area. Samburu is particularly popular in a Kenya Safari itinerary for the cultural experience, and ofcourse its elusive leopards.
Lake Nakuru/Naivasha
Perhaps the best place in the world to see millions of flamingos (greater and lesser), Lake Nakuru also hosts good population of eastern black rhinos and southern white rhinos. Rothschild’s giraffe is another interesting species to be photographed here.
Lake Naivasha is also popular for its flamingos. And it provides a good opportunity to photograph hipppos.
We frequently suggests one of these destinations as a transition from Amboseli to Mara in our Kenya Safari itineraries.
A Guide to Going on Safari in Kenya
- We generally use 4WD safari land cruiser vehicles with pop up Sun-Roof and sliding windows for Kenya Safari. However, if you have budget constraints, we can also arrange the usual safari van. Kindly discuss with us.
- Open side Safari vehicles for better game viewing experience in Kenya Safarican be requested with an additional charge.
- Our rates are inclusive of all meals and all park entrance fees. Drinking waters and tea/coffee will be provided, but other drinks are on your own.
- Before taking pictures of locals, get their permission. Your driver or guide will help you with this and may even be able to help you settle on a modelling fee.
- Hot air balloon during Kenya Safari costs USD 450 per person additionally. We can book it for you.
- Charter flight service is available to most of the destinations during Kenya Safari, it reduces the transportation time a lot. It is also recommended to fly if you want to visit some of the remotest locations.
- On safari, it is suggested to include dust-proof bags for your cameras and a blower to clean the front lens element frequently. lens hood is useful, so is a protecting cloth to cover the camera from direct Sun, when not in use.
- In mobile tents, real Masai warriors will be guarding you after dark for complete safety. It presents a more affordable choice and authentic safari feel.
- Negotiating and shopping are practically inevitable in any trip to Kenya. Please refrain from purchasing anything related to wildlife as it may be prohibited.
- Carry your medicines, and other essentials or talk to us in advance to arrange it for you.
- Be wary about theft and snatching in urban areas. Never display your valuables in public.
- Please check with your home country whether you require a yellow fever vaccine or anti-malaria medication.