Kenya and Tanzania Family Safari

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight. If you and your family arrive early, maybe visit the National Museum of Kenya, explore Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village, or head to the David Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. These conservation projects allow you to see the animals up close while learning more about them and their plight in the modern world. After your meeting, maybe get to know the other families over dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning, you’ll drive across the border to Arusha. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Located at the base of volcanic Mt Meru, Arusha is the gateway to safari destinations and to Africa's highest peak – the 5895 m Mt Kilimanjaro, lying about 100 km northeast. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you and your family to relax – maybe go for a swim in the nearby pool.

Today, you and your family will spend the day with some local Mamas (the name for female artisans in Tanzania). First, the women will teach you how to prepare a local Swahili dish for lunch. After eating your creations, you’ll get the chance to take a closer look into their lives. With help from a translator, the women will lead smaller groups around their village. Visit their homes and see how a traditional boma (small hut made of mud and cow dung) is set up. You’ll also get to meet their families and learn about Maasai culture. Later, drive to the small town of Karatu - the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater – where you’ll stay tonight.

Travel from Karatu to the gate of Serengeti National Park this morning. After a picnic lunch at the entrance, you’ll enter the Serengeti and set off on a game drive to your campsite – be sure to look for your favourite safari animals along the way! The vast plains of the Serengeti – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Flat and rolling, with long grass and acacia trees, these plains get their name from the Maasai word siringet (the place where the land moves on forever). Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

Start the day with a game drive at dawn. You’ll head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch later in the afternoon. As you drive, be sure to look for lions, elephants, cheetahs and all your favourites from the Lion King! After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing, as the animals do, set off at dusk for another adventure in the wild before returning in time for dinner. There's also the option of a balloon ride over the park today, which makes for an excellent family activity. If you have pre-booked this activity, you’ll be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the sunrise, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, before returning to your camp.

This morning, buckle up and set out on another game drive. After lunch you and your family will enter the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Ngorongoro is a gigantic volcanic crater and is home to some 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewing all year round, and a perfect photo opportunity. Then, jump in a 4WD and head into the crater itself for a couple hours where the kids (and adults!) can enjoy spotting the animals. Leaving the park you’ll travel to Karatu - your overnight stop were the kids can swim in the campsite pool.

After breakfast, take a short drive to Mto Wa Mbu. When you arrive, join the local community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming areas, milling machine and local homes. Learn about their culture and way of life, then sit down to a traditional meal. This afternoon is free for you and your family to maybe relax around the campsite or have a swim in the pool.

Set off early this morning, heading for the Kenya border and then on to Nairobi. When you arrive in Nairobi, settle into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

Today, you have a free day to spend however you see fit. If you didn't get a chance earlier in the trip, why not visit the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Otherwise, you could simply have a laidback day by the pool. You’ll have a meeting at 5 pm tonight to meet your new trip leader and group for the next leg of the trip.

After breakfast, you and your family will visit Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. See the animals up close and learn about the sanctuary’s conservation project. Then, continue to Nairobi National Park – a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos. When you arrive, set up camp then watch the sunset as you sit down to dinner with your family.

Get the family together, and set out on an early morning game drive around Lake Nakuru. As you drive, be sure to look out for the white rhinos that can often be found around the shores. After, meet some of the friendly locals at the nearby village before continuing to Lake Naivasha. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore camp at your own pace. Maybe hire a bike or simply relax or play a board game with your family.

After breakfast, you and your family will head towards Crater Lake. When you arrive, lace up your walking shoes and set off on a guided walk along one of the many trails. The waters of the lake draw many animals to the area. As you walk, look for giraffes wandering among the acacia, buffaloes wallowing in the swamps and colobus monkeys calling from the treetops. Later, maybe take the family on an optional boat ride across the lake or simply relax at camp - the kids will love the nearby swimming pool!

Say goodbye to Lake Naivasha as you travel to Loita Hills. Along the way, you’ll stop in Narok to get some groceries. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley and into the remote region that’s home to the traditional Maasai people. Meet the Maasai warriors, who are known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewellery. Then, hear from a local elder as they teach you about Maasai and their history and culture. Later, you'll be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept.

This morning, drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve – a large, preserved savannah along the Tanzanian border known for its grassy plains, rolling hills and wildebeest who traverse the plains during their annual migration. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch, then head out on a 4WD game drive through the national reserve. Along the way, you’ll see animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants and zebras roaming the plains or drinking from nearby waterholes, so be sure to have your camera ready!

Rise early and venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve for a full day of game driving. Explore this diverse environment and see a plenty of wildlife, like lions, elephants and cheetahs. After, head back to camp for lunch by the side of the Mara River – a great chance to spot crocodiles and hippos. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off on another game drive this afternoon. Tonight, maybe tell stories by the campfire or stargaze, before falling asleep to the sound of the wilderness.

This morning, you’ll cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa on the return drive to Nairobi . En route, maybe stop for lunch or at a nearby town for one final bit of shopping. When you arrive in Nairobi, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to stay longer – and it’s recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.