Experience extraordinary wildlife on a luxury family vacation in Kenya
Stunning landscapes, experienced guides and incredible wildlife make for big adventures and meaningful cultural connections on your luxury family trip to Kenya. Seek out the Big Five in the Maasai Mara, find huge elephant herds in Amboseli, go on guided bushwalks in Lewa and embark on exclusive game drives in the private Mara Conservancies.
A Kenya family safari is all about seeing extraordinary wildlife and experiencing true adventure in style. You’ll be awe-struck by spectacular game, scenery and culture. And, along with our expert planning and comprehensive knowledge, you will experience the best the country has to offer.
Our travel designers will create an itinerary that suits you all. One that’s as memorable as it is relaxing, with first-class service all the way. We’ll help you decide on the right style of safari experience. Perhaps you’d prefer a lodge that combines wildlife activities with secure borders so the younger ones can run around safely. Or for the more adventurous, tented camp safaris and trekking with one of East Africa‘s most iconic indigenous communities (the Maasai).
Get in touch with our experienced travel designer and personal concierge team today to begin planning your incredible family adventure to Kenya.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
Train as a Maasai warrior in the Mara
Attend Maasai Warrior school in the Mara Conservancies
Meet the anti-poaching team at Lewa
Learn about conservation and meet the anti-poaching team in Lewa
Observe the big five at dawn in the Maasai Mara
Wake up early, hop into your jeep and set off on dawn game drives to find the big five in the Maasai Mara National Park
Walk a sunrise safari in the Loita Forest
Lace up your hiking boots for walking safari at sunrise in the Loita Forest
A patrol with the K9 anti-poaching unit
Walk with the anti-poaching K9 unit in Laikipia
A word from one of our experts
Kenya is one of my favourite family safari destinations – bright, vibrant and full of friendly characters and of course, incredible wildlife. It’s such an exciting destination for little children (and big ones), everyone always feels so looked after – the local guides make everyone feel special and have lots of tricks up their sleeves to keep everyone entertained.
Travel Designer
Luxury family accommodation in Kenya
There are many incredible family-friendly places to stay in Kenya. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Family safari expertise
We offer extensive knowledge and years of expertise in Africa crafting family safari trips for all generations. Many of our travel designers have first-hand experience of going on safari with their own families, providing invaluable tips and advice based on their own travels in Africa.
Tailored wildlife experiences
To ensure every family member’s passions and wishes are fulfilled, each trip we plan is tailored for families of all ages. Led by trusted nature guides, safari activities will captivate your family’s interests, while respecting the landscapes and communities you visit.
Perfect planning
Balancing activity and relaxation is key to a successful family safari. Keeping everyone engaged matters, and so does finding time to unwind. We know how to strike the perfect balance between wildlife adventure and downtime, and the best destinations to enjoy both.
Kenya trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Kenya family safari example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Where to go in Kenya
Amboseli
A thriving elephant population set against the backdrop of mount kilimanjaro makes Amboseli any budding wildlife photographer's dream. Meaningful cultural experiences combined with exciting safaris means there’s days of adventures to be had here.
Borana Conservancy
The Borana Conservancy focuses on conservation, endangered species and is an essential stop for families concerned with preserving environments for future generations. A particularly beautiful location with snow-capped Mount Kenya in the distance.
Chyulu Hills
Chyulu Hills isn’t like anywhere else in Kenya. Volcanic cones, craters, rocky outcrops and lava fields dominate the landscapes which can be explored on foot or by horseback. Wildlife now thrives here after years of hunting with lions and black rhino in the area.
Kenyan Coast
A wonderful addition to any family safari trip. Laid back resorts on white sand beaches are the perfect base for fun activities to discover coral reefs and hundreds of brightly colored fish.
Lake Nakuru
Nakuru national park is a small, but perfectly formed park. Lake Nakuru itself, in the middle park, is home to pretty pink flamingos who feed in the shallow waters. Large game and hundreds of bird species can be found here for an exciting safari experience by the water.
Lamu Archipelago
Situated in the twinkling waters of the Indian Ocean sits the unspoilt paradise of the Lamu Archipelago. Off the beaten track, this perfect beach hideaway offers a rich cultural heritage, ready to be discovered.
Lewa
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is one of the most family-friendly locations in Kenya. Family run lodges cater to all generations with an array of excursions to help everyone explore the local wildlife and learn about the fascinating culture here.
Loita Forest
Loita Forest is the place of birds; diverse habitats of wooded areas, swamps and rivers are a haven to many Kenyan and migratory bird species. No large predators allows for abundant walking trails, guided by local Maasai for an authentic and rewarding experience on foot
Maasai Mara
The ultimate safari destination is an exciting place for families to explore on game drives and hot air balloon rides. Here, the Great Wildebeest Migration thunders through the Mara River as crocodiles and lions lie in wait.
Mara Conservancies
Flexibility is often key when travelling as a family. This small collection of private conservancies bordering the Masai Mara can deliver a wonderful assortment of activities and safari experiences for travellers young and old.
Meru National Park
Meru has an abundance of water; regular rainfall, swamps and several rivers coursing through the landscapes attract a diverse range of wildlife. Get caught up in the touching story of Elsa the lion cub from the novel ‘Born Free’ which was set in Meru.
Nairobi
Scratch the surface and you’ll find there’s more than meets the eye in this bustling metropolis. Have tea with giraffes and visit the real-life inspiration for the Lion King, just two hours from the capital.
Samburu
The home of the Samburu and an area of great cultural significance. Meet with anti-poaching tracker dogs or search for unusual creatures such as the Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich and Gerenuk antelope.
Solio Private Reserve
Solio is Kenya’s leading rhino sanctuary and a wildlife haven to many other creatures including over 300 species of birds. Another shining star of conservation that offers varied safari experiences.
Meet your safari experts
When to visit Kenya
The best time for a family safari in Kenya is during the dry season, from late June to October. That’s when you’l find the best wildlife viewing, including the chance of seeing the Great Migration, all while enjoying comfortable and dry weather. If you would prefer to avoid the crowds, then January to March offers warm, sunny days, excellent birdwatching and game concentrated around water.
Safari
June–October
River crossings
July–September
Birdwatching
October–April
The Big Five
July–October
Plan your family safari trip to Kenya
Whatever you want from your family safari in Kenya, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Ask our experts
What are the best family-friendly destinations in Kenya?
Some of the best family-friendly destinations in Kenya are the Maasai Mara and Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which both offer fantastic wildlife viewing and luxury family-friendly accommodation. In Ol Pejeta, families can also benefit from the exclusivity and flexibility of being in a private conservancy. Another great family-friendly destination in Kenya is Diani Beach, a tropical, white sand beach where you can complement a family safari with watersports and relaxation.
Are there age restrictions for children on safari in Kenya?
Yes, there are age restrictions for children on safari in Kenya. As a rule, children must be aged six and over to go on game drives, and private vehicles are usually required for children under 12, although specific rules may vary between lodges. Kenyan culture is generally very welcoming towards families, and safari lodges in Kenya often have excellent child-friendly activities on offer.
What activites are available for children on safari in Kenya?
Some of the activities available for children on safari in Kenya include learning aspects of Maasai culture with Maasai guides, such as warrior workshops, basic survival knowledge or beading classes. Children can also enjoy guided nature walks or junior ranger programmes, in which they can learn how to track and identify different animals.
Is Kenya a good destination for multi-generational family trips?
Yes, Kenya is a great destination for multi-generational family trips because it offers a wide range of activities to suit people of all ages – beyond traditional game drives, you can enjoy guided bushwalks, community and cultural activities, and hot air balloon and horseback safaris. Kenya’s many private conservancies and exclusive-use or family-friendly properties offer families a good level of privacy and flexibility for their trip.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
