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Best Kenya Safari Lodges for All Types of Families

We list our favourite Kenya safaris for each type of family

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Mike

Best Kenya Safari Lodges for All Types of Families

As family safari specialists, we’re often asked what are the best Kenya safari lodges for families, as the country is known as a dream destination for a family adventure.

Safaris come in all shapes and sizes, as do families, so it’s not always an easy question to answer. Below, we split families, and safari lodges, into different categories, and name our favourite luxury family safari holidays for each.

Best Kenya safari lodge for teenagers – Lewa Wilderness

Kenya Lewa Wilderness family safari

One of Kenya’s most well-established lodges, Lewa Wilderness is perfect for families with teenagers. The stunning wildlife and scenery are complemented by a wide range of activities, guaranteed to keep any teenager happy.

Highlights include:

  • Night and day game drives
  • Riding stables
  • Swimming in nearby waterfalls
  • Tennis court and swimming pool

If that wasn’t enough, the lodge also has a retro yellow biplane, used for scenic flights over the plains.

Best Kenya safari for under 10s – Cottar’s 1920s Camp

Kenya Masai Mara Cottar's 1920s family safari

It’s hard to describe all the reasons we love Cottar’s 1920s Camp. Quite simply, they are the masters at taking care of families, particularly those with young children.

The camp is found on its own private conservancy, bordering the Masai Mara. The staff have all worked here for a very long time and have a genuine affinity for children. They understand what makes parents and little ones feel relaxed and entertained on safari, and deliver every time.

Children can learn bush skills, such as archery and spear-throwing. They’ll also be taught about nature and the many species that live in this area. In the evening, mum and dad (and the kids) can enjoy their own canvas bush bath, overlooking the Masai Mara.

 

Best Kenya safari lodge for toddlers – House in the Wild

Kenya House in the Wild Masai Mara family safari

We travelled here with our toddler and have yet to find a Kenya safari lodge where we all felt so relaxed.

House in the Wild is tucked away on the northern edge of the Masai Mara ecosystem, on 1,000 acre private estate bordering a vast private conservancy. Owned and run by parents, everything has been designed to make families feel at home.

The swimming pool is a little one’s delight, with a huge shallow area to splash around in. As well as accessing the world-famous Masai Mara, families can choose to stay and explore the estate, including bike rides, games of croquet and badminton, and exploring the huge, wild vegetable garden.

The rooms are spacious and carefully designed to give parents plenty of space, whilst still being close to children.

 

Best family safari with lots of personal space – Mara Bush Houses

Kenya Masai Mara Bush Houses family safari

When a family is travelling together, it can be important to have your own space to truly relax. Exclusive-use private houses are few and far between in the Masai Mara, so these hidden gems are a rare find.

The Mara Bush Houses are airy, well-designed with a swimming pool and private staff. Tucked away in a peaceful corner of the Mara North conservancy they are the perfect sanctuary for families to relax after a day of excitement and activities.

Complete with 3-bedrooms, each has been built with families in mind, offering total flexibility for families on safari.

 

Best for spoiling the family in style – Angama Mara

Kenya Masai Mara Angama family safari

An iconic Kenya safari lodge, perched 1,000 metres above the Masai Mara plains, Angama Mara is certainly one for the bucket list.

Dotted along the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, all the tents come with jaw-dropping views. Furthermore, they have some of the most stylish and sumptuous design we’ve seen in Africa.

Game drives take place in the bountiful savanna below. At the end of the day, families can retire to the luxury of the lodge and enjoy the incredible home-grown food, as well as the well-stocked wine cellar. A stay here will make any family feel very spoiled.

 

Best Kenya safari lodge for large groups – andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp

Kenya Masai Mara Kichwa Tembo interactive kitchen family safari

Family-friendly, stylish and offering effortless experiences, andBeyond Kichwa Tembo is a Masai Mara institution.

With a total of 40 safari tents, it’s the perfect spot to visit with a large family group, as there is plenty to do for everyone. The pool is blissful, with stunning views across the Mara triangle. Kichwa Tembo is situated on a private concession, therefore, game drives and sundowners can be orchestrated to bring everyone together.

We are big fans, so much so that we took 28 members of our extended family here after our wedding in Kenya.

 

Best for conservationist families – Sarara Camp

Tess and Elsa elephants Sarara family safari

Situated within the 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness that make up the Namunyak Wildilfe Conservancy, Sarara Camp is a very special place indeed.

For families looking for a truly unique experience, Sarara is a Kenya safari lodge like no other. Its blend of experiential tourism, and community and conservation focus make it an undisputed forerunner in the world of sustainable tourism.

Guests can feel immersed in Samburu culture, visit Kenya’s first community-run elephant sanctuary and head out on horseback with local Samburu guides.

 

Best Kenya Safari Lodge for family bonding – Ol Malo

Kenya Laikipia Ol Malo Lodge family safari

One of the most memorable Kenya safari lodges, Ol Malo is set on an abundant private game sanctuary in Kenya’s remote Laikipia plateau. Owned and run by the Francombe family, the focus is on sharing their family home with visitors from all over the world.

Guests can stay in the main lodge or the Ol Malo House. Activities include:

  • Mountain biking
  • Camel treks
  • Game drives
  • Hikes
  • Helicopter tours.

There are no timetables, you set the pace. As such, Ol Malo Lodge is an oasis for family bonding.

 

Best Kenya Safari Lodge for beach-lovers – Kinondo Kwetu

Kenya Galu Beach Diani Kinondo Kwetu African safari specialists families

Kinondo Kwetu is a family-owned, boutique beach lodge, found on a private beach on Kenya’s south coast.  The lodge has a reputation as a ‘home from home’ and a visit feels like just that.

Run by a Swedish family, the lodge has accommodation in a range of shapes and sizes, making it perfectly suited to families of any type.

As well as the beautiful beach to explore, there’s a cliff-top yoga deck, two lovely pools, and the opportunity to go horse riding along the beach. Ocean lovers will delight in the array of diverse water sports.

An escape here is the perfect way to spend time as a family, either before or after a safari.

 

Best for Instagram families – Giraffe Manor

Kenya Nairobi Giraffe Manor family safari

For families looking to make their friends jealous on social media, nothing comes remotely close to the ultra-Instagrammable Giraffe Manor in the suburbs of Nairobi.

A magical place where giraffes visit for breakfast, a stay at Giraffe Manor is a one-of-a-kind experience unrivalled anywhere in the world.

This is a stately old home, full of character (aside from the long-necked residents), and families will marvel at how close and personal the experience is. Definitely one of the Kenya safari lodges to brag about to everyone back home.

Plan your dream family safari with us

Now that we’ve provided some inspiration, you may be feeling the excitement of a family adventure in Kenya.

The best way to start planning a family safari holiday is to get in touch and let us know a little bit about you, your plans, and what your hopes and dreams are for the trip.

We’ll then work with you every step of the way to put together the perfect family safari.

Start planning

Kenya Masai Mara Leopard tree

Some images used in this blog are the property of our partners. Please contact us for more details.

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Author: Mike
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