A family safari should be more than a string of early mornings and long game drives. It should give you time to slow down, laugh together, and experience the magic of Kenya without feeling rushed. This 10-day luxury family safari is designed around exactly that.
This journey begins in Nairobi, giving your family a gentle introduction to Kenya before heading into the wild. From there, you will proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park, where the Great Rift Valley scenery sets the stage for your first taste of safari. The adventure continues to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most important conservation areas, where wildlife encounters are paired with fascinating conservation experiences, then continues to Samburu National Reserve, where the landscape changes dramatically, and the final chapter takes you to the legendary Masai Mara.
Throughout the journey, carefully selected luxury lodges and tented camps provide luxurious retreats after each day of exploration, bringing together some of Kenya’s most remarkable experiences in one thoughtfully paced journey.
Itinerary
Exploring all that Africa has to offer is a dream for many. From epic Kenya safari adventures spotting Africa’s Big Five, going on a Gorilla trekking in Uganda or relaxing at Diani Beach: Africa has it all. Good news: Africa Safari Trips can build a custom-made itinerary that suits all your wishes.
Our most popular itineraries can help you find some inspiration. A lot of our clients love to end their exciting safari with a few days of relaxation on Africa’s most stunning beaches. Would you like that as well?
Whether you choose one of our popular itineraries or prefer to customize your journey, we are here to assist you. Come aboard and get ready to explore Africa at your own pace, exactly the way you like it!
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Your luxurious family safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital and perfect introduction to the country. After arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, your private safari guide and driver will meet your family and transfer you comfortably to your luxury hotel.
The rest of the day is kept relaxed, giving everyone time to recover from the journey. Depending on your arrival time and the children’s energy levels, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, relax by the pool, or explore a nearby attraction like a visit to the Giraffe Centre, where children can get surprisingly close to the Rothschild giraffes.
In the evening, you will return to your hotel for a delicious dinner and a restful night before the safari adventure properly begins.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Emara Ole Sereni
Day 2
Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, your family leaves Nairobi and begins the journey towards Lake Nakuru National Park, a beautiful wildlife destination known for its dramatic landscapes, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, and birdlife.
You will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before check-out. Your private safari guide will assist with luggage and brief the family about the day ahead.
You will travel by a 4*4 private safari vehicle through the Kenyan countryside and towards the Great Rift Valley. The driver offers beautiful scenery with opportunities to stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint along the way, offering you a great family photo opportunity and giving your children a chance to stretch before continuing with the journey.
On arrival, you will head to your lodge or camp and enjoy lunch before heading out for your first game drive.
After lunch and a little bit of rest, you will set out on a private game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park and enjoy rewarding wildlife viewing.
In the evening, you will return to your accommodation, relax, enjoy the views, swim if the facilities are available, or simply unwind together.
Later, enjoy dinner before settling in for the night.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold The Cliff
Day 3
Lake Nakuru to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, you will leave Lake Nakuru behind and continue to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a very beautiful private conservancy in Laikipia. The day combines a scenic journey with a relaxed afternoon of wildlife and conservation experiences.
In the morning, after enjoying your breakfast at your accommodation, you will check out. Your private guide will prepare the vehicle and luggage while the family gets ready for the next destination.
Along the way, you will notice the changing scenery from the Great Rift Valley landscapes to the open plains of Laikipia, making the journey interesting for the whole family.
You will arrive at the conservancy around lunch time, check in at your luxury accommodation at Ol Pejeta and enjoy lunch before settling in.
Later in the afternoon, you will head out for your first game drive in Ol Pejeta. The conservancy is famous for its rhinos while sightings can also include lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and other wildlife species.
After the afternoon game drive, you will return to your accommodation and enjoy some down time. Depending on the property, Your family can use the swimming pool, enjoy the gardens or enjoy the gardens or simply relax together. You will later enjoy a relaxed dinner at the lodge before settling in for the night.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Kicheche Laikipia
Day 4
Full-Day Ol Pejeta Conservancy
This day is dedicated to discovering Ol Pejeta Conservancy at a relaxed family-friendly pace. With a full-day here, you can combine exciting wildlife encounters with meaningful conservation experiences.
You will start with the day with an early morning game drives when wildlife is most active. You can either head back to the lodge for breakfast or a special breakfast surrounded by the sounds and scenery of the conservancy.
During the drive, you will spend time learning about Ol Pejeta’s rhino conservation efforts. This is particularly rewarding for children as they get to see how conservation teams protect endangered wildlife.
You can also visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, home to rescued chimpanzees. You and your family can learn about the chimpanzees, their stories and the importance of protecting their natural habitats.
You will then return to your accommodation for lunch, and a relaxing afternoon.
After lunch, you will head back into the conservancy for another wildlife drive. Having two game-drive opportunities in one day increases your chances of seeing different animals and observing behaviours that you may have missed.
As the afternoon comes to an end, enjoy a family sundowner overlooking the Laikipia landscape. It is a beautiful unhurried way to finish a day in the wilderness.
You will then return to the lodge for dinner and a comfortable evening.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Kicheche Laikipia
Day 5
Ol Pejeta to Samburu National Reserve
This day takes takes the family from the wildlife-rich plains of Ol Pejeta into the dramatic landscapes of Samburu where you will encounter a completely different side of Kenya.
You will enjoy your breakfast at your accommodation before checking out. Your private guide will prepare the safari vehicle and luggage for the journey north.
You will travel through Laikipia towards Samburu. The scenery gradually changes from green highlands and open plains to the drier, rugged landscapes of northern Kenya.
On arrival, you will head straight to your accommodation, check in, enjoy lunch and take sometime to relax before your afternoon adventure.
You will then head out into Samburu National Reserve for your first game drive. Looking for the region’s distinctive wildlife including the Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa Oryx, and Somali Ostrich often referred to as the Samburu Special Five.
After the drive, return to your luxury lodge or camp and enjoy some family downtime.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Saruni Samburu
Day 6
Full-Day Samburu National Reserve
Day 6 is dedicated entirely to exploring Samburu giving your family plenty of time to enjoy its unique wildlife, dramatic landscapes and cultural character without having to pack and move again.
You will begin with an early morning game drive when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is active. Afterwards, you will return to your lodge or where arranged, a special bush breakfast in a scenic setting, a memorable way for the family to experience the wilderness beyond the safari vehicle.
After the morning drive, You will visit a local Samburu community to learn about their traditions, lifestyle, crafts, and relationship with the surrounding environment.
Afterwards, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some downtime. Take advantage of the swimming pool, gardens, or other facilities while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Later, you will head out again for an afternoon game drive, another opportunity to explore the reserve.
In the evening after the drive, end your drive with a beautiful sundowner overlooking Samburu’s rugged landscape.
Enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Saruni Samburu
Day 7
Samburu to Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 7 marks the transition from the northern Kenya to the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. To keep the journey comfortable for a luxury family safari, the recommended option is a morning flight from Samburu to the Mara, rather than spending most of the day on the road.
Enjoy breakfast at your Samburu lodge before checking out. There is time for a relaxed morning before transferring to the airstrip.
Take a short scheduled or private charter flight from Samburu to the Masai Mara. Flying saves considerable travel time and gives the family an opportunity to enjoy aerial views of Kenya’s changing landscape.
On arrival at a Mara Airstrip, your local safari guide will meet you and transfer you to your luxury lodge or camp. The transfer itself can become an exciting introduction to the Mara with wildlife sightings possible along the way.
Arrive at your lodge, check in, enjoy lunch before settling into your room or family tent. Take some time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Head out for first drive in the Masai Mara in search of wild animals across the open savannah.
Your private guide can tailor the drive to your family’s interests allowing children to learn about animal behaviour, tracks, and the Mara ecosystem in an engaging way.
In the evening, you will return to your luxury accommodation, enjoy dinner and relax around the camp before getting a good night’s sleep.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Kicheche Camp Mara
Day 8
Full-Day Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 8 is also dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve, giving the family a full-day to experience its incredible wildlife and landscapes without changing accommodation.
Start before sunrise and head out into the Mara while wildlife is particularly active.
After the morning drive, enjoy a special breakfast in the bush, where arranged and permitted. Sitting down to a meal surrounded by the Mara plains makes it a memorable family experience.
After breakfast you will return to your luxury camp or lodge for lunch and some downtime. Children can swim or enjoy the facilities while parents relax before the afternoon adventure.
You will head out again to explore different areas of the reserve. Your guide can focus on wildlife your family has not yet seen and follow fresh sightings.
Finish the afternoon at a scenic location with refreshments as the sun sets over the Mara plains as you return to your accommodation for dinner and relax around the fire before another comfortable night in the Mara.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Kicheche Camp Mara
Day 9
Full-Day Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 9 gives your family one final day to experience the Masai Mara, with a slower and a more flexible pace. Since you have already experienced several game drives, your guide can focus on the wildlife and experiences your family has enjoyed the most.
Set out before sunrise for one final wildlife drive of the 10-day Kenya safari trip and explore different parts of the Mara in search of wild animals. Spend time following interesting wildlife sightings rather than rushing from one animal to another.
Where arranged and permitted, you can enjoy another special bush breakfast in the wilderness. This gives your family a chance to step out of the vehicle and enjoy the Mara in a peaceful setting.
Afterwards, visit a Masai community to learn about their local traditions, lifestyle crafts and the community’s relationship with the surrounding wildlife. Children can participate in age-appropriate activities and learn about Maasai culture directly from local hosts.
After the Maasai Visit, return to your luxury accommodation for lunch and a relaxing afternoon break. You can take a swim, enjoy the lodge facilities or just rest while taking in the views.
Head out for your last major game drive in the Mara as your private guide uses the your family’s previous sightings to target animals or areas you particularly wanted to see again.
End your final safari with a private sundowner overlooking the Mara Plains. Enjoy refreshments, take family photographs and reflect on the wildlife experiences of the past few days.
Return to your accommodation for dinner as you prepare for the journey back to Nairobi the following day.
Activities:
Accommodations:
- Gold Kicheche Camp Mara
Day 10
Return Flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi
Day 10 brings your 10-day luxury family safari trip to a relaxed close. After breakfast, you will leave the Masai Mara and travel back to Nairobi, with the option of flying to save time and make the final day more comfortable and flexible for the family.
After checking out, your guide will transfer you to the nearest airstrip. Along the way, you may still encounter wildlife, making the journey to the airstrip part of the safari experience.
On arrival, you will take a scheduled or private flight from the Mara to Nairobi. Flying is the most convenient option for a luxury itinerary and avoids spending several hours on the road.
On arrival in Nairobi, your private driver will meet your family and transfer you to your preferred location. Whether that is your Nairobi hotel, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for an onward flight or another agreed location.
Your safari ends with a private transfer and a warm farewell from your safari team, leaving your family with ten days of wildlife, culture, landscapes and unforgettable memories.
