AN EXAMPLE FAMILY HOLIDAY IN KENYA
If you’re ready to up the family holiday ante and inject some adventure into your travels, then look no further than a family holiday to Kenya. For firing your children’s imaginations, introducing them to indigenous cultures, seeing incredible wildlife in their natural habitat, and not to mention, creating memories together that will last a lifetime. Whatever your age Kenya promises unrivalled experiences and unlimited adventure.
The below is just a taster, let our experts tailor make the perfect family holiday to Kenya . Read on to find out more.
VISIT: NAIROBI - Day 1 to 2
The de facto first city of East Africa, Nairobi is a buzzing metropolis of fashion, art and design and a mosaic of vibrant cultures that is most certainly open to visitors. Explore the trendy Westlands area, full of hip restaurants and funky boutiques, visit the leafy suburb of Karen for some colonial charm or tread the pavements of the CBD for some of the continent’s finest museums. This is one of Africa’s most dynamic cities.
STAY: Giraffe Manor
Built in 1932 to resemble a Scottish hunting lodge, the Giraffe Manor and its surrounds were turned into a luxury hotel and a sanctuary/breeding centre for endangered Rothschild giraffe in the 1970s. This charming hotel sits in the Karen suburb of Nairobi where the giraffes wander around freely, totally at home with their visitors, and the interior is gorgeously comfortable. Perfect for the family expect great fun, uplifting experiences, hearty laughs, wonderful food and a super-comfortable room.
DISCOVER: Lewa Downs - Day 2 to 5
Lewa’s story begins in 1977 with a man called Ian Craig and a small cattle farm where wildlife roamed free. In the 1980s, as a result of rampant poaching, 5,000 acres was dedicated as a rhino sanctuary, soon increasing to 10,000, before the entire 45,000 acre farm was turned into Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in 1995.
Today, the conservancy is a critical part of Kenya’s conservation efforts and the pretty landscapes of gently undulating hills, savannah and patches of swampy papyrus hide an abundance of animals, including some of the rarer Northern species.
STAY: Lewa Wilderness Lodge
Established in 1972 Lewa Wilderness is one of Kenya’s original safari lodges. It has the feel of a family home, simply because that was what it once was. What started as a cattle ranch, is now a rhino sanctuary, run by a team, many of whom have been there for decades.
On the edge of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the camp is surrounded by well maintained gardens and views stretching over the valley and towards the hills.
There is rich and plentiful game viewing – by 4WD, on foot or on horseback and a host of activities, both adventurous and cultural. Lewa offers a unique safari experience. Here conservation and respect for the wildlife work hand in hand with a passionate team dedicated to creating an unpretentious and memorable guest experience.
EXPLORE: Masai Mara - Day 5 to 8
Spanning an area of 1500 square kilometres in southwest Kenya is Masai Mara, the reserve forms part of the Greater Serengeti savannah ecosystem, offering some of the best game viewing in the world. This is where antelope are chased by more predators than you could ever imagine and endless plains meet endless skies. This is where the wildebeest of the Great Migration plunge furiously across the Mara River in their annual trek. Whatever your family wish to tick off their safari bucket-list, the Mara will certainly not disappoint.
STAY: House in the Wild
Tucked away on the edge of the Masai Mara, on a private, 1000 acre estate, Naretoi, is House in the Wild. There’s the Main House that can sleep eight and a newer two-bedroom cottage in the grounds that sleeps 4 – perfect for families looking for a safari on their own terms. The estate is surrounded by the Enonkishu Conservancy, an award-winning conservation area, where huge herds of buffalo and elephant, prowling big cats and plentiful plains game, roam free and straight past your doorstep.
Relax: Diani - Day 8 to 13
Just south of Mombassa, Diani’s flawless, picture perfect beach is easy to get to and the perfect place to cast off your safari khakis and unwind. A laid-back melee of boutique hotels, private houses and castaway-chic retreats, the resort is substantially more sophisticated then some others on the coast, but still perfectly charming. By day, life is all about the warm, turquoise seas with activities such as kitesurfing, paddleboarding, snorkelling and sailing on offer for the whole family. In the evening, head into town to enjoy cocktails as the sun sinks and take your pick of the fabulous restaurants.
STAY: Kinondo Kwetu
Between Mombasa and Kenya’s southern boundary, Kinondo Kwetu sits on a beautiful beach with the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at its shore. This large lodge feels like a boutique hotel, but with plenty of space, a focus on quality, personalised service and a sense of crowd-free peace and quiet. Do as much or as little as you’d like, with an impressive list of activities available for the whole family and some indulgent spa treatments to enjoy. Lie back on your own stretch of sand, and chill.