Kenya and Tanzania Family Safari

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 5 pm. If you and your family arrive early, maybe head out and visit the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Or to get a glimpse of some rehabilitating animals, head to the David Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre. After your meeting, maybe get to know the other families over dinner at a local restaurant.

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After breakfast, head out to the Langata Giraffe Sanctuary. See the animals up close and learn about the sanctuary’s conservation projects. Then, continue to Lake Nakuru National Park. Have some lunch, pitch your tents, then head out for an afternoon safari drive to hopefully catch a glimpse of this large game reserve’s endangered black and white rhinos, which can often be seen along the shore. Keep an eye out for the abundant bird life in the lush areas around the lake and maybe add a species or two to your life list! Head back to camp for dinner and sunset with your family.

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Rise early for a dawn safari drive around Lake Nakuru – one more opportunity to spot those black and white rhinos. After, drive to Lake Naivasha, stopping in a village along the way to meet the locals. Continue to Lake Naivasha – a birdwatcher’s paradise with floating islands of papyrus reeds. Be on the lookout for giraffes wandering among the acacia trees, buffalo wallowing in the swamps and colobus monkey swinging in the treetops. The lake’s large hippo population can usually be spotted whiling away the day in the shallows. The rest of the day is free for you to explore your hotel grounds at your own pace. Maybe hire a bike or simply relax or play a board game with your family.

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Fill up on a hearty breakfast, then head to 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 are a haven for bird life and plains animals – if you didn’t spot giraffes, buffalos or monkeys yesterday, you likely will today! Later, maybe take the family on an optional boat ride across the lake or simply relax at camp – the kids will love the on-site swimming pool.

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Say goodbye to Lake Naivasha today and travel to Loita Hills. Along the way, you’ll stop in Narok to get some groceries. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's spectacular great divide – and into the remote region that’s home to the Maasai people. Today will be a real highlight, as you get to know the Maasai, one of Kenya’s most recognizable Indigenous communities, whose distinctive clothing, beadwork and jewellery reflect a rich cultural heritage. Maasai warriors will welcome you at Loita Hills, then, after setting up your tents, hear from a local elder as they teach you about their history and ancient culture. Later, you'll be shown around a traditional home and see where the resident cattle are kept, maybe getting the chance to milk them, too.

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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 blue wildebeest who traverse the plains during their annual migration. Arrive at your camp in time for lunch, then after setting up, head out on a safari drive through the national reserve. Along the way, you’ll see animals like lions, cheetahs, elephants, gazelles and zebras roaming the plains or drinking from nearby waterholes, so be sure to have your camera ready. You might also get a glimpse of jackals and hyenas on the prowl.

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Get another early start, this time for a full safari day in the Maasai Mara National Reserve – most animals tend to be more active in the morning. Explore this diverse environment and see plenty of wildlife, like lions, elephants and cheetahs, then head back to camp for lunch. Relax during the heat of the day before setting off on another safari this afternoon. Return to the camp around sunset and relax into camp life. Maybe tell stories by the fire or stargaze before falling asleep to the sound of the wilderness.

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Set off early this morning, crossing the plains of the Mara and climbing the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa on the return drive to Nairobi. When you arrive, settle into your hotel, say goodbye to any of the families that may be departing, then have the rest of the day and evening to relax. If you didn't get a chance earlier in the trip, why not visit the National Museum of Kenya or the Karen Blixen Museum. Or, you could simply have a laidback day by the pool.

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You’ll be picked up from your hotel this morning and transferred to Arusha (crossing the border), where you’ll check into your next hotel. There will be a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight to meet with your leader and the other families travelling on the next part of your journey.

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Today, you and your family will start the day with some local Mamas (the name for female artisans in Tanzania). Learn to prepare traditional Tanzanian dishes, learn a few simple words in Swahili, and enjoy the fruits of your labour for breakfast. After, head to Rhotia and enjoy a free afternoon. If you’re up for more adventure, you can visit a Hadzabe community near Lake Eyasi – this area has been their home for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Learn how this community still lives the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and how they use locally made poisons and camouflage. Maybe even join in on daily activities, like gathering food and dancing. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use.

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Today, you’ll explore the iconic Ngorongoro – a gigantic volcanic crater home to some 30,000 animals including endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing all year round and is a perfect photo opportunity. This morning, you’ll set off in your open-top 4WD safari vehicles and head into the crater itself for a couple hours where the kids (and adults!) can enjoy spotting the animals. After lots of excitement and a break for lunch, it’s off to the Serengeti.

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Start the day with an early-morning safari drive, when the wildlife is at its most active. As you explore the vast plains, keep an eye out for lions, elephants, cheetahs and other favourites straight out of The Lion King. After your safari, return to camp for a leisurely brunch and spend the hottest part of the day relaxing, just as the animals do. In the late afternoon, head back into the park for another drive as the sun begins to set, offering another chance to spot wildlife before returning to camp for dinner. For an unforgettable family experience, you may choose to take the family on a sunrise hot air balloon safari. If pre-booked, you'll be collected before dawn and driven to the launch site, where you'll receive a safety briefing before taking to the skies. As the sun rises, drift silently above the savannah, sometimes floating at treetop level and other times soaring high above the plains for breathtaking views of the landscape and the wildlife below. After landing, enjoy a five-star bush breakfast before returning to camp.

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Set out on another safari drive this morning through Serengeti National Park before returning to Karatu in the afternoon. It’s the final chance to be on the lookout for any wildlife you haven’t seen yet and capture some potentially treasured family photos. Back at camp in the afternoon, maybe kick back and relax at the lodge swimming pool. Later, join your group a dinner of local African cuisine in the family-friendly restaurant.

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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. Continue to Arusha in the afternoon, where you’ll have some free time when you arrive.

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Your trip finishes today after breakfast and there are no further activities planned. If you’re able to spend longer in Arusha, you can arrange another activity or two ahead of time with your leader. Maybe visit a local coffee farm to learn about Tanzania’s coffee production process and taste some freshly prepared coffee with the local community. Or paddle on Lake Duluti with an experienced guide, watching out for aquatic birds and lizards. If you’re hoping to spot more freely roaming wildlife, maybe head out on an Arusha National Park walking safari in the shadow of Mt Meru.

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