Contrary to popular opinion, an African safari can be an excellent option for adventurous parents with small children. Children over the age of eight will have the run of the continent, but for younger kids, Kenya is my absolute favorite choice. There are a high number of camps for all ages, a low incidence of malaria, and various cultural opportunities to keep things interesting.
I designed this itinerary for my family (with kids aged 4 and 6), and couldn’t resist sharing it. It includes a quality safari, short transfers, miscellaneous adventures, and relaxation at the beach. I was also mindful of keeping the price reasonable, as family travel can be expensive when you’re already paying for preschool.
* Based on 2 adults, one child 5+ and one child under 5
You will likely arrive in Nairobi in the evening, as most international flights are scheduled accordingly. A representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to a charming hotel in the Karen neighborhood, a quiet diplomatic area with many shops and restaurants. We like Karen Blixen Cottages, but there are plenty of options to fit your taste and budget.
After a hearty breakfast, your driver will pick you up for a day of touring Nairobi. Start with a drive through Nairobi National Park for a mini safari en route to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage. Kids will love seeing the baby elephants being called in for their regular feedings. After that, transfer to the Giraffe Centre, which is adjacent to the ever-popular Giraffe Manor Hotel. Here, you can learn about giraffes and participate in up-close feedings. End your day back at the hotel for dinner.
After breakfast, your driver will meet you for the 3-hour drive north to Nanyuki town. We like to drive one leg of this trip to save costs and get a feel for life in Kenya from the open road. Arrive at Olepangi Farm a little after lunch and settle into your room. The quirky yet stylish multi-bedroom villas are completely private and have names like “Villa Gorilla,” which are fun for the whole family.
For your first full day at Olepangi Farm, we like to take it slow, allowing everyone to rest after the whirlwind of travel. This day can be spent touring the farm, exploring gardens, milking cows, and making bread with the kids. The pool is also a fantastic place to unwind on a warm afternoon.
Today you will get your first taste of a real safari. A guide from Olepangi will drive you for 1.5 hours to Solio Ranch private game reserve for the best rhino experience in Africa. The property has done a great deal to conserve the species, and it is not rare to see ten in a group (called a crash). Enjoy a safari game drive through the fever tree forests, where you will also see giraffe and lions. On your way out or in, we like to book a visit to the Solio Rhino Orphanage to give the kids all the baby animal experiences we can.
Spend one final day at the farm on an activity of your choice. Older children can go hiking or horseback riding, or you can explore the local community or another nearby safari conservancy.
Take an hour drive to Moon’s Camp on the adjacent 60,000-acre game reserve, Lolldaiga Hills. This will be the more adventurous overnight safari in a real tented camp. The camp has a private location within the reserve, offering all the comforts you need, but with no frills – the focus is on delivering a premium wildlife experience that you’re sure to love.
The kids will be settled into the rhythm of Africa at this point, so the early wakeup call today won’t hit as hard. We love the vintage Land Rovers that Moon’s Camp has refurbished for adventures in the bush, and the conservancy is quite wild, with healthy populations of the Big Five, including plenty of elephants.
Depart Moon’s Camp in the morning for a flight from Nanyuki to Nairobi, where you’ll catch a flight to Ukunda on the coast. Your destination is Chale Island, a gorgeous tropical paradise off the coast near the popular Diani Beach.
Relax on the beach with the kids and recover from a day of travel. This is slow travel, so there is nothing on the agenda. You can SUP, kayak, snorkel, and enjoy the playful colobus monkeys on the island.
Take a trip to the mainland after breakfast to explore Diani Beach. The Diani Beach Shopping Centre is a fantastic place to pick up souvenirs, and you can enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at the famous Nomad Beach Bar on the water.
Fly back to Nairobi and catch your return flight home in the evening. Depending on flight timing, we may book a day room to relax in before departure.
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