Kenya safari and sandcastles holiday

The ultimate safari destination that has inspired countless journeys, films and works of literature.

Within easy reach of Nairobi, and the Serengeti just over the border, the Mara has plenty to offer a Kenya family safari. The landscape typifies East African savannah: 1,100 square miles of endless plains under vaulted skies, thorn trees, winding rivers, dense forests, kopjes and undulations skirted by rivers, and the magnificent Oloololo Escarpment to the west.

The reserve is bordered by private conservancies and the accommodation and experiences on offer are wonderfully diverse. For first timers and old hands alike, this is our ultimate Kenya luxury family safari holiday destination.

There’s no better way to wind down from the wild than sunshine and seaside, and the Kenyan Coast offers an abundance of each. Finish your luxury family safari enjoying the white sands and turquoise waters of Diani beach.

This is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a safari. For those more active members of the family there are plenty of activities. Enjoy excellent snorkelling, SCUBA diving, deep sea fishing, kite-surfing, traditional dhow cruises, and much more.

This is without doubt one of our favourite hotels in Kenya – elegant in an understated way, Hemingways Nairobi delivers it all, all of the time.

Perfect for a night between safaris, or on arrival and departure, it also lends itself to a longer stay if Nairobi is to be explored. From Hemingways Nairobi, guests can easily access Nairobi National Park, as well as the shopping districts of Karen and the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage. The proximity to Nairobi Wilson Airport also makes transfers for domestic flights for safari destinations very convenient.

The service and food are second to none, meaning a relaxed and enjoyable visit, every time.

The suites are delightfully comfortable with gloriously spacious bathrooms, and all are named after a notable person in Kenya’s history. The hotel’s grounds are luxuriant, full of birdlife and begging to be explored. A dip in the outdoor pool is also very welcome in the warm Nairobi afternoons.

Angama Mara has a prime location, overlooking the Mara Triangle, along the edge of the Oloololo escarpment. The views from the lodge are simply breathtaking, and this one of our favourite areas for game-viewing in all of East Africa.

Walk in the footsteps of some of the most iconic scenes from the film Out Of Africa, filmed just below where the lodge sits, 1,000 metres above the Mara plains.

The tented suites are truly unique – canvas on three sides, and glass at front, to take advantage of the jaw-dropping views of the Masai Mara from every room. At dawn, hot-air balloons float past silently as the sun rises, creating an unforgettable tableau.

The wine cellar is worth investigating, and the cuisine is consistently excellent, making great use of the home-grown produce. Children are welcomed into the kitchen to try their hand at being a baker for the day, and will leave the kitchen with their own Angama apron and a copy of the recipe they made – together with the goods of course!

Alfajiri Villas is an idyllic retreat on the Kenyan coast, on the powder-soft Diani beach, comprising three different villas set in lush tropical gardens, a stone’s throw from the sea.

These completely unique villas are set far apart, and can be booked individually from each other. There are not too many other places on this pristine and beautiful stretch of the Kenyan coast that offer the mix of decadence, privacy and exclusivity that Alfajiri does. The service is discreet and friendly, the owners on hand to host you, and the cuisine is ocean fresh and out of this world.

You can walk for miles down the beach in either direction from the villas, and the villa facilities themselves offer the utmost in relaxation – think private pools, butlers, daily massages and oodles of space. Unwind in your own haven of luxury, the perfect end to your luxury family safari.

Nairobi boasts a vibrant array of cultural activities beyond its renowned National Park.

Visitors can contribute to wildlife conservation by supporting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where orphaned baby elephants can be visited and even adopted. Giraffe Manor provides an exceptional opportunity to feed giraffes through manor windows, creating unforgettable moments.

Beyond wildlife, the Maasai Market beckons with its cultural richness, offering an irresistible shopping experience with unique treasures and gifts.

The suburb of Karen, named after ‘Out of Africa’ author Mrs. Blixen, is a picturesque area near the domestic airport, featuring charming artisan shops, cafes, and restaurants.

In the vast plains of the Mara there’s wildlife around every corner, up every tree and in every thicket: journeys of giraffe, crashes of rhino, dazzles of zebra, prides of lion, pods of hippo… and the ideal environment for cheetah in full sprint. Famous for the Great Migration and the Big Five, the very fortunate might glimpse roan antelope and bat-eared foxes too.

Descend from Angama Mara’s magnificent escarpment where the terrain flattens out and take a game drive into the game-rich Masai Mara plains.

For the more energetic in the party, there is a host of activities available nearby – deep sea fishing, scuba diving, kite surfing, camel rides, snorkelling, boat trips, golf and jet skiing, to name a few.

Diani Beach is a paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The crystal-clear waters host vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Divers can explore underwater caves, encounter colorful fish, and witness the diverse ecosystem of the ocean floor.

With its warm temperatures and excellent visibility, Diani Beach provides an ideal setting for both novice snorkelers and experienced divers seeking unforgettable aquatic adventures along the stunning Kenyan coastline.