Kenya Family Adventure

01 - Overview

Seven days.
A lifetime of memories.

Kenya is unlike anywhere on earth for a family. In seven days your children will hand-feed giraffes, watch lion prides wake at sunrise from a safari vehicle, meet Maasai warriors, and fall asleep to the sound of the Indian Ocean. This itinerary has been put together specifically for your family - every activity checked for ages 7 and 9, every detail considered.

🎈 Important - Hot Air Balloon Age

The balloon operator sets a minimum age of 8 years. Your 9-year-old fully qualifies. Your 7-year-old does not. The solution: one parent goes up with the 9-year-old while the other parent and the 7-year-old do a private dawn game drive - peak lion hour. They reconvene for the champagne bush breakfast. Both children get an unforgettable morning, just different ones. You can also skip the balloon entirely for a shared family experience - your call, and I'll note your preference below.

💡 April Travel Advantage

April is Kenya's shoulder season - the Mara is lush and green, wildlife is excellent, and lodge rates are 20–30% lower than peak season (July–October). Fewer vehicles on the roads means more private, intimate game viewing. Your dates are genuinely well chosen.

🦁Maasai Mara Safari

              Kenya's most celebrated reserve - Big Five, cheetah, vast plains.
              Two full days minimum across all tiers.
            
✓ All ages

🦒Giraffe Feeding

              The Giraffe Centre, Nairobi - hand-feed Rothschild giraffes at eye
              level. Purple tongues. Pure joy.
            
✓ All ages · ~£9 pp

🎈Hot Air Balloon

              Float silently over the Mara at dawn. Champagne bush breakfast on
              landing. One of the world's great experiences.
            
✓ Age 8+ · ~£440 pp

🏹Maasai Village

              Genuine community visit - warrior jump, fire-making, bead
              jewellery with the children. Not a tourist show.
            
✓ All ages · Included

🐘Elephant Orphanage

              Baby elephants, mud baths, bottle feeding. Sponsor one in your
              children's names. Deeply moving.
            
✓ All ages · ~£6 pp

🏖️Diani Beach

              White coral sand, warm Indian Ocean, Colobus monkeys in the trees.
              Two days of complete rest and family joy.
            
✓ All ages · Included

02 - All Experiences & Pricing

Everything on offer.

Every activity available on this itinerary, with real approximate costs. Highlighted in green are the ones your family specifically requested. Starred items are ones your children at ages 7 & 9 will especially love.

	Experience	Destination	Ages	Est. Cost
📍 Nairobi
🐘	★ David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Your request · baby elephant mud bath & feeding · sponsorship available (£50, named for your children)	Nairobi	All ages	£6 pp
🦒	★ Giraffe Feeding - Giraffe Centre Your request · hand-feed Rothschild giraffes face-to-face from raised platform · purple tongues!	Nairobi	All ages	£9 pp
🦁	Nairobi National Park Game Drive Optional add-on - lions and buffalo with Nairobi's city skyline behind them. Genuinely unique in the world	Nairobi	All ages	£45–£65 pp
📍 Maasai Mara
🦁	★ Safari Game Drives Your request · Big Five, cheetah, giraffe · private vehicle (Luxe) or shared max-6 (Premium/Budget) · morning & afternoon drives daily	Maasai Mara	All ages	Included
🎈	★ Hot Air Balloon Safari Your request · 1 hour floating over the Mara at sunrise · champagne & juice bush breakfast on landing · minimum age 8	Maasai Mara	Age 8+ only	~£440 pp Incl. in Luxe
🏹	★ Maasai Village Cultural Visit Your request · warrior jump, fire-making, bead jewellery for the children · genuine community manyatta - not a tourist show	Maasai Mara	All ages	Included
🎨	Junior Ranger Programme Child-led bush walk - animal tracks, bird calls, plant identification with a Maasai ranger · kids get a certificate	Maasai Mara	Age 5+	Complimentary
📿	Maasai Bead Jewellery Making Sit with a Maasai artisan and make a bracelet · children take theirs home as a keepsake	Maasai Mara	Age 5+	£15–£25 pp
📸	Family Safari Photography Session Professional shots of your family against the Mara landscape - a keepsake to bring home	Maasai Mara	All ages	Incl. in Luxe
🌅	Boma Campfire Dinner Outdoor dinner with Maasai warriors, storytelling and singing around the fire under the stars	Maasai Mara	All ages	Incl. at lodge
📍 Diani Beach
🏖️	★ Diani Beach Days Your request · white coral sand, warm shallow ocean, Colobus monkeys in the trees, beach football, swimming	Diani Beach	All ages	Included
🌿	Colobus Monkey Forest Walk Guided coastal forest trail - rare Angolan Colobus monkeys, butterflies, and coastal birds	Diani Beach	All ages	Free
🐴	Horse Riding on the Beach Gentle guided sunset beach ride · must book one day ahead · both children qualify	Diani Beach	Age 5+	£35–£50 pp
🦕	Shimba Hills Half-Day Excursion Elephants and rare sable antelope in a quiet coastal forest reserve · 30 min drive from Diani	Near Diani	All ages	£40–£65 pp
🍳	Swahili Cooking Class Learn chapati, pilau rice and coconut fish with a local cook · children enjoy this enormously	Diani Beach	Age 6+	£25–£40 pp
🐊	Mamba Village Croc Park Giant crocs, tortoises, snakes behind glass · casual 30 minute visit · children love it	Diani Beach	All ages	£8–£12 pp
📿	Maasai Bead Jewellery Making Sit with a Maasai artisan and make a bracelet · children take theirs home as a keepsake	Mara · Day 3–4	Age 5+	£15–£25 pp
🍳	Swahili Cooking Class Learn chapati, pilau rice and coconut fish with a local cook · children enjoy this enormously	Diani · Day 6	Age 6+	£25–£40 pp
🌅	Boma Campfire Dinner Dinner outdoors with Maasai warriors, storytelling and singing around the fire under stars	Mara · Evening	All ages	Incl. at lodge
🦒	Nairobi National Park Game Drive Optional add-on - lions and buffalo with Nairobi's city skyline behind them. Genuinely unique in the world	Nairobi · Day 2	All ages	£45–£65 pp

03 - Day by Day

Six days.
Every detail planned.

Monday, 6 April 2026

Arrival - Nairobi

ArrivalLand at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Private driver meets the family in arrivals. 40-minute transfer to hotel.

Check-inFamily rooms ready. Freshen up after the overnight flight from London.

EveningLight dinner at the hotel. Early night. Adventure starts tomorrow.

✈️ TipBritish Airways or Kenya Airways fly direct London Heathrow → Nairobi overnight. Depart ~9pm, arrive ~7am. Children sleep on the plane - no full day lost.

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Nairobi - Elephants & Giraffes

9:00 AMDavid Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage - 11am mud bath. Baby elephants, bottle feeding, close encounters. Sponsor an elephant in the children's names.

12:00 PMThe Giraffe Centre, Karen - feed Rothschild giraffes eye-to-eye from the raised platform. Purple tongues and pure joy.

1:30 PMLunch at a Karen restaurant nearby. Nairobi's leafiest suburb - very relaxed.

AfternoonOptional: Nairobi National Park game drive (lions against the city skyline) - or pool rest at the hotel.

EveningEarly dinner. Early rest. Transfer to Wilson Airport (domestic) for the 6am Mara flight tomorrow morning.

Wednesday, 8 April 2026

Into the Maasai Mara

6:00 AMWilson Airport - board light aircraft to the Maasai Mara. 45 minutes over the Great Rift Valley. The children will press their faces to the window.

ArrivalMet at the airstrip by your lodge team. Welcome drinks. Check-in. Let the landscape settle over you.

3:30 PMFirst afternoon game drive - lion, giraffe, zebra, elephant. Your guide reads every movement on the plains.

SundownerBush sundowner stop - drinks and snacks set up in the wild as the sun turns the Mara golden. Juice for the children, wine for the adults.

EveningDinner at the lodge. Campfire. Stars. Sleep.

Thursday, 9 April 2026

Balloon Morning + Maasai Village

5:00 AM🎈 The family splits for the ultimate morning: one parent + 9-year-old to the balloon launch site. Other parent + 7-year-old on a private dawn game drive - peak lion hour.

~6:00 AMBalloon lifts off at first light. One hour floating in silence over the Mara. Lions below. Nothing above.

~8:00 AMBoth groups reunite for the champagne & juice bush breakfast - white linen table in the open wild. Children compare adventures.

MiddayRest at the lodge. Swim. Recover. The morning will need time to sink in.

2:00 PMMaasai village visit - genuine manyatta, warrior jump, fire-starting, bead jewellery for the children.

4:30 PMAfternoon game drive - look for leopard and cheetah in the last golden light.

EveningBoma campfire dinner. Maasai warriors, storytelling, stars.

Friday, 10 April 2026

Final Mara Day → Diani Coast

MorningFinal morning game drive. Day 3 in the Mara often produces the best sightings - the wildlife has become familiar with your vehicle.

Late AMLight aircraft Mara → Nairobi → Ukunda Airstrip (Diani). Total travel approx. 2.5–3 hours.

ArrivalCheck in to your beach resort. The Indian Ocean is in front of you. The children will run for the water.

EveningFresh seafood dinner. Warm coast evening. Completely decompress.

Saturday, 11 April 2026

Diani Beach - Full Day

MorningBeach morning - swimming, sandcastles, Colobus monkey watching in the forest trees. The ocean is warm and shallow behind the reef.

MiddayOptional: Shimba Hills half-day (elephants, sable antelope, 30 min drive) or Mamba Village croc park for the children.

AfternoonHorse riding on the beach · Swahili cooking class · or simply the pool and ocean.

EveningSunset dinner on the beach. Lanterns, bare feet, the sound of the ocean.

Sunday, 12 April 2026

Diani → Nairobi → London

MorningFinal beach breakfast. Last swim. Pack. Let the trip settle into your family's story.

MiddayTransfer to Ukunda Airstrip. Connecting flight to Nairobi JKIA.

EveningBoard overnight flight London Heathrow. Arrive morning of 13 April.

04 - 3 Package Options

Your choice.
Same adventure, different comfort.

All three tiers cover the exact same 7-day itinerary and all six core experiences. The difference is the property quality, vehicle privacy, and transfer method. Prices are total estimates for 2 adults + 2 children.

✦ Tier One

Luxe

$15,000–$20,000 total for 4 · excl. int'l flights

NairobiHemingways Nairobi, Karen - boutique 5-star, leafy colonial

MaraAngama Mara or Mahali Mzuri or Ol Seki - ultra-luxury tented suites, escarpment views, 3 nights

BeachAlfajiri Villas or The Sands at Chale Island - private cliff villa or boutique island resort

TransfersPrivate light aircraft all legs · Private family safari vehicle · Private road transfers

StyleDedicated private guide, personal vehicle, butler service, fully bespoke days

BalloonIncluded for eligible guests

IncludesAll meals, drinks (non-premium), all activities, elephant sponsorship, airport lounge

◆ Tier Two

Premium

$8,000–$12,000 total for 4 · excl. int'l flights

NairobiNairobi Serena Hotel or Fairmont The Norfolk - 5-star city hotels, iconic

MaraGovernors' Camp, Mara Intrepids, or Saruni Mara - 4-star-plus tented lodges, 2–3 nights

BeachBaobab Beach Resort or Diani Reef Beach Resort - 4-star beachfront

TransfersScheduled light aircraft (small group) · Shared safari vehicle max 6 guests

StyleExcellent guides, well-run family lodges, full safari experience

BalloonBookable extra ~$450 pp

IncludesAll meals at lodges · good family rooms and pools at all properties

● Tier Three

Budget

$4,500–$7,000 total for 4 · excl. int'l flights

NairobiNairobi Fairview Hotel or Sarova Stanley - comfortable 4-star centrally located

MaraMara Simba Lodge, Mara Sopa Lodge - comfortable lodges, same park, same wildlife

BeachDiani Reef Beach Resort or Neptune Beach Resort - 3-to-4-star beachfront

TransfersRoad transfer Nairobi → Mara (5–6 hrs, scenic but long) + 1 flight Mara → Diani

StyleShared safari vehicles, reliable food, same national park and animals

BalloonBookable extra ~$400 pp

NoteUpgrade road transfer to a flight (~$150 pp) recommended for the children

International flights London Heathrow → Nairobi return (per person) £450–£2,500 pp

Kenya eTA visa - all 4 travellers (apply at etakenya.go.ke) ~USD $30 pp

Balloon safari (age 9 only - both if no balloon) - add-on in Tiers 2 & 3 ~$440–$480 pp

Elephant sponsorship (optional, annual, named for child) £50 each

Gratuities - guideline for guides and camp staff ~$10–15 pp/day

Travel insurance - essential, non-negotiable Arrange before booking

05 - Your Details

Let's get
everything right.

To confirm your booking, I'll need the details below for all travellers. Please fill in as much as you can - even partial details help me hold dates with lodges while we confirm the rest.

👤 Lead Traveller

Full name (as on passport)

Date of birth

Passport number

Passport expiry

Email address

Phone / WhatsApp

👤 Second Adult Traveller

Full name (as on passport)

Date of birth

Passport number

Passport expiry

👧 Child 1 - Age 7

Full name (as on passport)

Date of birth

Passport number

Passport expiry

👦 Child 2 - Age 9

Full name (as on passport)

Date of birth

Passport number

Passport expiry

🍽️ Dietary & Health

Dietary requirements (all travellers)

Any allergies or medical notes we should share with lodges

🗺️ Preferences

Preferred package

Hot air balloon preference

Additional activities you'd like included (from the list above)

Any special occasions during the trip? (birthday, anniversary - we'll arrange a surprise)

International flights - do you need help with these?

Anything else you'd like me to know

Essential Information

Before you travel.

🛂

Visa / eTA

UK citizens apply at etakenya.go.ke - approx. USD $30 per person (all 4 travellers). Apply at least 1 week before travel. Takes 48–72 hrs.

💉

Health

Malaria prophylaxis for all including children (see your GP - prescription needed). Hepatitis A and Typhoid also advised. Start tablets before travel.

🌤️

April Weather

Nairobi 20–26°C. Mara 22–28°C, lush and green. Diani 28–32°C warm and sunny. Light rain jacket for Mara mornings.

🎒

Packing

Safari: neutral colours - khaki, olive, beige. Beach: swimwear, rash vests. All: sun cream SPF50+, DEET insect repellent, hats. Closed shoes for game drives.

💵

Currency

Kenyan Shilling (KES). USD accepted everywhere. Cards at all lodges. Bring USD small bills for tips (~$10–15 per guide per day).

🛡️

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential and non-negotiable for a trip of this type. Include medical evacuation cover. Book before any deposits are paid.

Seven days.A lifetime of memories.

Everything on offer.

Six days.Every detail planned.

Your choice.Same adventure, different comfort.

Let's geteverything right.

Before you travel.

Seven days.
A lifetime of memories.

Six days.
Every detail planned.

Your choice.
Same adventure, different comfort.

Let's get
everything right.