Giraffe Centre, Hand in Hand Meeting Africa's Gentle Giants
Olduvai Gorge, Written in Stone The Crater, Before the Crowds
Kenya & Tanzania Family Safari
(Trip Overview)
Few destinations reward a family's curiosity quite like East Africa, and this safari through Kenya and Tanzania is shaped around exactly that - moving from the elephant-filled plains of Amboseli to the Ngorongoro Crater, the legendary Serengeti, and the wide grasslands of the Maasai Mara, with every generation in mind. In Nairobi, hand-feeding Rothschild's giraffes and meeting young elephants rescued by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust set a tone of wonder that carries through the entire trip, long before the first big cat is ever spotted. What sets the days apart is the attention paid to keeping everyone, young and old, genuinely engaged. Specially designed safari vehicles give every seat a clear view, expert guides bring tracking skills that turn a search for wildlife into a shared discovery, and a dedicated Child Activity Coordinator keeps younger travelers entertained without ever pulling focus from the adventure itself. An early entry into the Ngorongoro Crater, ahead of the day's crowds, offers a rare kind of stillness rarely available to families traveling together. Beyond the wildlife, moments like a private visit to Olduvai Gorge and time spent with a Maasai village elder add depth that resonates differently across ages - history for the curious teenager, storytelling for the youngest in the group, and cultural insight for everyone in between. Rounded out by a meaningful community visit, this is a safari built not just to entertain a family, but to give every member of it something to carry home.
4 National Parks
Lodge & Tented Camp
12 Days
Ideally - Minimum 2 Guests
Safari Inclusions
Daily game drives in 4x4 safari vehicle
Full-board accommodation (lodge/tented camp)
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Park entry & conservation fees
All meals & bottled water included
Airport & lodge transfers
Flying doctor / medical evacuation cover
Sundowner drinks & evening campfire
Daily housekeeping at camps/lodges
Guided nature walk or cultural village visit
(Itinerary Gallery)
(Trip Details)
Day 1 | Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya
Your East African adventure begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital and the perfect gateway to the country’s spectacular wildlife destinations.
After arriving and settling into your hotel, meet your dedicated Child Activity Coordinator, who will help make the safari enjoyable and engaging for the whole family. You may even receive your first warm “jambo” — Swahili for hello.
Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel
Day 2 | Nairobi – Giraffes, Elephants & African Stories
Begin your Nairobi experience at the Giraffe Centre, where you can get close to Rothschild’s giraffes and even hand-feed them.
Continue to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you’ll meet orphaned baby elephants and watch them interact with the keepers caring for them as they prepare for eventual return to the wild.
Later, head to Oloolua Forest for a special storytelling experience. Gather around as a local storyteller brings generations-old African folktales to life.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your family.
Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 | Amboseli National Park – Beneath Mount Kilimanjaro
Leave Nairobi behind and travel south to Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most iconic safari destinations and renowned for its large elephant herds.
The park combines open savanna, woodlands, wetlands and seasonal lakebeds, all set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the way, keep watch for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, cheetahs and an impressive variety of birdlife.
After lunch and some time to relax at the lodge, younger guests can enjoy a fun traditional spear-throwing activity with the Child Activity Coordinator.
Later, head out on your first Amboseli game drive.
Overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 | Amboseli National Park – A Day Among Wildlife
Spend another rewarding day exploring Amboseli on morning and afternoon game drives.
Move through open plains, acacia-dotted landscapes and lush wetlands in search of the park’s impressive wildlife. With its spectacular scenery and concentration of elephants, Amboseli offers countless opportunities for memorable family photographs and close encounters with nature.
Overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 | Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania – Into the Lost World
Cross into Tanzania and continue towards Arusha. Along the way, visit Kafika House, an initiative providing specialised healthcare and support to children living with disabilities.
After lunch in Arusha, fly towards Manyara before continuing by road to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
Your lodge sits high on the crater rim, overlooking one of Africa’s most extraordinary natural landscapes. Formed by an ancient volcanic collapse, the UNESCO-listed crater is surrounded by towering walls and contains vast grasslands inhabited by an exceptional concentration of wildlife.
With some luck, you may encounter all of Africa’s Big Five within the crater.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 | Ngorongoro Crater – Wildlife at First Light
Rise early and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater while the wildlife is at its most active and before the area becomes busy with visitors.
Explore the crater floor, watching for lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeests and other species moving across the plains.
Later, visit a nearby Maasai community and meet a village elder. Learn about traditional ways of life and try your hand at creating the distinctive beadwork for which Maasai communities are renowned.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 | Serengeti National Park – Following the Footprints of History
Journey towards Tanzania’s legendary Serengeti National Park, stopping along the way for a privately guided visit to Olduvai Gorge, one of East Africa’s most significant archaeological sites.
Continue into the Serengeti, where seemingly endless golden plains provide a spectacular setting for wildlife viewing.
Covering thousands of square miles, the Serengeti supports huge populations of lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, antelopes, hyenas and many other species. Depending on the season, you may also witness part of the extraordinary Great Migration.
If time allows, enjoy your first game drive in the Serengeti before settling into your lodge.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 | Serengeti National Park – Beyond the Big Five
Dedicate the day to exploring the Serengeti on morning and afternoon game drives.
Search the plains and woodland for Africa’s famous Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros - while also keeping an eye out for cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas and countless bird species.
With every drive bringing different wildlife encounters, the Serengeti offers an unforgettable safari experience for the entire family.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9 | Maasai Mara, Kenya – Into the Great Rift Valley
Fly north into Kenya and continue overland to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations.
Known for its exceptional year-round wildlife viewing and vast open grasslands, the Mara is home to an extraordinary variety of animals and hundreds of bird species. Its landscape is particularly famous for lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs and the spectacular seasonal movement of wildebeests and zebras.
After arriving at your camp near the Mara River, head out on your first game drive.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10 | Maasai Mara – Safari Adventures for the Family
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across the Maasai Mara, following fresh tracks and searching for wildlife across the open plains.
Between activities, younger travellers can join the Child Activity Coordinator for a fun bush treasure hunt, turning the natural environment into an exciting outdoor adventure.
Later, watch your chef prepare a traditional local dish and learn more about the flavours and ingredients of Kenyan cuisine.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11 | Maasai Mara – Your Final Day on Safari
Make the most of your final full day in the Maasai Mara with another series of game drives.
As you explore the reserve, you may encounter members of the Maasai community and gain a closer appreciation of their longstanding connection with the land and wildlife.
You’ll also learn about the LifeStraw Project, an initiative supporting access to safe drinking water for local communities.
In the evening, gather together for a special farewell dinner, celebrating the memories made across Kenya and Tanzania.
Overnight: Mara Intrepids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12 | Nairobi – Departure
After breakfast, fly back to Nairobi and enjoy the use of a reserved dayroom before your onward journey.
At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your departure, bringing your family safari through Kenya and Tanzania to an end.
Dayroom: Nairobi Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Hand-feeding giraffes and meeting baby elephants at Sheldrick had our kids completely hooked before we'd even left Nairobi, and it only got better from there. Entering Ngorongoro Crater before anyone else arrived felt like having Africa to ourselves, and our Child Activity Coordinator made sure our youngest never had a dull moment between game drives. Every one of us, from our teenager to our grandparents, found something that made this trip unforgettable.
The Harrington Family
Toronto, Canada
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