Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The Maasai Mara, Laikipia, The Kenyan Coast
100% customisable for you
Your film-inspired family safari begins today. Gather the youngsters, charge up the tablets and make sure The Lion King films are downloaded for the eight-and-a-half-hour flight to Nairobi. Once you've had enough of Hakuna Matata (if that’s even possible), keep the little ones entertained with their personalised Sharky and George packs. You’re welcome.
Upon arrival, take a private transfer to one of our hand-picked family-friendly hotels. Kenya is only two hours ahead of the UK, so you won’t have to worry about adjusting to local time.
Rise and shine – today is all about wildlife watching. First up on the agenda is a visit to the Giraffe Centre in Langata, originally established in 1979 to protect the endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Today, the centre focuses more widely on wildlife education, and you’ll be getting up close and personal with the long-necked residents.
For the chance to meet more of The Lion King cast in real life, head to the nearby David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi National Park. This wonderful nonprofit invites visitors to spend an hour observing its very special little inhabitants: elephant calves. Watch them tuck into a midday meal and splash around in a mud bath before you learn about the trust's ongoing rescue and conservation projects.
After a day full of animal action, this evening, grab some well-deserved shut-eye in preparation for tomorrow's onward journey.
Wave goodbye to Nairobi and head to the domestic airport for your hour-long flight to Laikipia. Once you’ve landed, you’ll be transferred to a charming family-friendly lodge for your first safari experience, where you can enjoy sweeping views over Laikipia's plateau and the majestic Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-largest mountain.
This afternoon, hop in a 4x4 and enjoy a short game drive, keeping your eyes peeled for a dramatic viewpoint reminiscent of the iconic Pride Rock. As the sun sets, channel Simba and Mufasa and marvel at the landscape around you – the perfect way to settle in before a delicious dinner.
Spend the next three days making the most of your time in Laikipia. Enjoy game drives galore and spot a dazzling array of animals, from elands, kudus and gazelles to reticulated giraffes, wild dogs and, of course, warthogs (aka Pumbaa and his pals). Make sure to have your camera on hand and binoculars at the ready…
Beyond wildlife watching, there’s plenty to do. Try camel riding, mountain biking and (for the older children) thrilling walking safaris, or for the ultimate aerial safari, take to the skies in a chartered helicopter.
While you’re here, head to the ancient Ngare Ndare Forest (less than a four-hour drive away) with a picnic in tow, and spend the day jumping into waterfalls. Come evening, stargaze under the sky just like Simba and his friends. If you listen carefully, you might even hear Mufasa's voice or Rafiki rustling in the long grass.
This morning, your safari adventure continues as you fly south to the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve – the real-life Pride Lands – to meet the stars of The Lion King.
Keep an eye out for wonderful wildlife as you travel to your family-friendly accommodation in the Mara North Conservancy, where top-notch guides and incredible animal sightings await.
Once you’ve settled in, prepare for your first pre-dinner game drive (don’t worry, snacks will be provided). Then, stop off for traditional sundowner cocktails (with tasty mocktails for the youngsters) before you tuck into a candlelit dinner and relive the day's adventures.
The big safari players make their appearance first thing in the morning, so set your alarms for an early start and bundle yourselves into a 4x4. Have your camera at the ready to capture the golden sunrise over the savannah, as you scan the landscape for the Big Five (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards). Who will be the first to spot an animal?
Beyond the Big Five, you might catch a glimpse of Scar's fiendish friends, the hyenas: Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, not to mention over 470 species of birds.
Another day, another safari (lucky things). With your newfound wildlife watching skills, spotting game will feel like second nature, and you’ve got two days to see as much of the Maasai Mara as you can. If your youngsters are over 12, why not switch things up with a walking safari and follow in the footsteps of the Pride Lands lions? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of entertainment back at camp to keep younger children busy, too. Enjoy evening game drives, tuck into delicious dinners with your hosts and swap stories from your time in the Mara. On your last night, raise a toast to the unforgettable safari portion of your trip.
This morning, it's time to bid farewell to your new animal friends in the Mara. Return to the airstrip and hop on an hour-long flight to Nairobi, where you’ll board a final one-hour-and-15-minute flight to the coast. Upon arrival, take a private transfer to the picturesque beachfront hotel or villa you’ll call home for the next three nights.
Once you’ve unpacked, why not hit the beach? After the heat of the savannah, enjoy the cooling sea breeze as you stroll along the soft white sand to find a sunbathing spot. And relax…
Enjoy two full days in this beachside haven. After the excitement of early starts and animal spotting, it’s time for everyone to kick back and relax. For those who don't understand the concept of R&R (we’re looking at you, youngsters), there’s no shortage of activities to get stuck into, whether sea kayaking, snorkelling, sailing or fishing. Budding adventurers in your brood can even try their hand at kite surfing and diving.
In the evenings, the little ones might have just enough energy for an early supper before falling into their beds and dreaming of the waves. Parents, enjoy some peace and quiet (and maybe a nightcap or two).
Sadly, your Kenyan adventure comes to an end today. There’s time for one last family stroll along the beach, followed by a long, lazy lunch in the sun. Then, take a private transfer to the airport where you’ll board a short flight to Nairobi for your nine-and-a-half-hour flight back to the UK, arriving the next day. Make sure you’ve added The Lion King music to your playlist for the perfect homeward-bound soundtrack, and time will fly by…
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
