Classic Kenya Family Safari

This itinerary is designed for those thinking of a Kenya family safari vacation. You jet into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you will be picked up by your private driver and transported to Ngong House in the upscale neighbourhood of Karen nairobi. Set in 10 acres of lush gardens, Ngong House’s luxurious ‘tree house’ or cosy log cabin accommodation is the perfect place to unwind after a long flight.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast prepared by Ngong House’s expert chefs before being collected by your personal driver for the short trip to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Part of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which desnares, rehabilitates and conserves elephants and rhinos in Tsavo National Park (the largest reserve in Kenya), the elephants are cared for and protected after being separated from their family groups, often because of poaching. This is a thrilling outing for children especially, who will relish being so close to baby and juvenile elephants.

After a blissful night’s rest at Ngong House, you will be taken to make the acquaintance of statuesque endangered Rothschild’s giraffes at the Giraffe Centre. A major highlight and unmissable photo opportunity here is to participate in a harmless but fun ‘giraffe kiss’ – holding a food pellet in your mouth, the giraffe will bend its enormous neck to gently take it from you!

Say farewell to the cheerful staff at Ngong House as you board a chartered flight to Tortillis Camp on the outskirts of Amboseli National Park. Settle into the rhythms of a Big 5 safari – morning wake-up calls, game drives, brunches, high teas and sundowners – in the privacy and comfort of your own house, which has splendid views and its own swimming pool. Families or friends will love having their own ‘space’ to unwind between activities. In addition to your own home, you will have your own 4x4 and driver-tracker team at Tortillis Camp, allowing you to spend as much time as you like at sightings without worrying about other guests. The team will take you for forays into Kitirua Private Conservancy, which has low vehicle and visitor numbers. Amboseli is famous for its large tuskers and you have the rare privilege of learning more about elephants and their complicated family structures when you visit the Cynthia Moss Elephant Research Centre. Moss is a world expert on elephants and has devoted her life to studying these fascinating pachyderms.

To Kenya’s most famous national park: the Masai Mara is synonymous with golden savannahs, thousands of migrating wildebeest (from about August to October although the cycle depends on the year’s rainfall) and red-cloaked Maasai villagers. It is an age-old land that is a must-see for every safari-goer. Your home for three nights is Ol Seki Hemingways Mara, a luxurious tented camp in the exclusive Naibosho Conservancy. If you are travelling as family or with young children, you will settle into a 2-bedroom suite with a private kitchen area. There is much to do by day and night. Wake at dawn for game drives that are topped with bush breakfasts and celebrate an afternoon drive with traditional sundowners at a scenic spot where you can witness a classic ‘blood red’ African sunset. At night, gather around the telescope to take advantage of the clear skies and lack of light pollution to see constellations in the Milky Way. During your stay here you also get to experience a hot air balloon safari and a bush breakfast there after. As you make your way back to Nairobi after eight days, you will remember kissing giraffes, seeing elephants who were given a second chance at life, the smell of dawn as you set out to find the Big 5 and, most importantly, how your family loved it all.