Family holidays to Kenya

22,000km² Tsavo is the largest game reserve in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Divided into east and west by the railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi, Tsavo’s wild residents include black rhinos, lions, leopards, hippos, cape buffalo, giraffes and elephants.

• Well established Tsavo is family-friendly and accommodation ranges from camps with beautifully designed eco-lodges to luxury hotels – all within viewing range of watering holes.
• East Tsavo is larger and includes the Galana River, Yatta Plateau and Lugard Falls – it’s also drier and less green, so easier to spot wildlife.
• West Tsavo is considerably more lush and hilly and best for guaranteed sightings of larger animals.
• West Tsavo is good for bird watching and contains Jipe Lake and Mzima Springs.
• Tsavo can be visited year-round but the long, dry season from July to October is best: animals in search of water congregate in smaller, more concentrated areas – particularly in West Tsavo and round the Galana River.

One of Kenya’s most breathtaking parks, Amboseli is famous for huge herds of African elephants and the magnificent view of Kilimanjaro on the Tanzanian border.

• Often simply called, Amboseli Elephant park, other wild residents include: leopard, cheetah, cape buffalo, zebra, giraffe, lion, wild dogs, antelope and over 600 species of birds.
• Places to stay in Amboseli range from traditional thatched cottages and luxury tents to guesthouses and stunning lodges.
• Visit Amboseli with kids between July and October. The mosquito count is low, it’s easier to see wildlife and treks with local guides are a phenomenal experience in the dry season.

This high plain region to the north west of Mount Kenya is one of the country’s greatest conservation success stories and an outstanding safari experience for families. Over half of Kenya’s black rhino population are found here as well as vast herds of migrating elephants and packs of rare African wild dogs. It’s also one of the few places to see Grevy’s Zebra along with the big-5 and more endangered species than anywhere else in the country. Community conservancy is practiced across Laikipia too and local Samburu, Ilaikipiak and Mokogodo Maasai communities are involved in and directly benefit from the region’s safari tourism.

• Superb region for family safaris with a focus on conservation and adventure.
• Outstanding game spotting and close involvement with traditional Kenyan communities.
• A wide range of very high quality family-friendly lodges, camps and game-ranches across the region.
• Considerably less touristy and crowded than better known safari regions to the south of Kenya.

Kenya’s ultimate safari destination is most famous of all for the Great Migration, normally between July and August. For this and a million other reasons including a huge density of wildlife and the Masai people themselves, this is one of the busiest safari destinations in the country. So if you’re looking for a low-key, unhurried and peaceful relationship with a unique environment, a summer holiday here could disappoint.

• Very popular and the country’s leading area for exceptional lodges and camps – booking well in advance for Masai Mara is essential.
• Top destination for plain’s game including: giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and antelope.
• Good for spotting elephants, large prides of lion, cheetahs and leopards.

The sensational Great Migration happens in late summer when herds of wildebeest stream across the Tanzanian border into Kenya.