Bush & Beyond packages
A family adventure Safari
An epic 12 days Journey across Kenya.
A 12 days Journey Across Kenya.
Destination:Nairobi/Laikipia/Samburu/Masai Mara
There is no better place for a family safari than Kenya. Renowned for people’s friendliness you’ll feel like you’ve left home when you leave. The wide range of activities that lodges and camps will keep your children entertained throughout the day. Crab catching in springs on Lewa, riding camels in Laikipia, spear making in the Mara are all just a glimpse of things to do whilst on safari. Our selection of properties for your ideal family getaway are carefully handpicked as the ideal locations to bring a family.
Family Safari -Sample Itinerary
Days 1-3 The Emakoko
Arrive at Nairobi’s International airport and within 20 mins you are starting your Kenyan safari adventure in Nairobi National Park. Home to both Black and White Rhino, Leopard, Lion, Buffalo and with a visit to The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust you can leave Nairobi having seen the Big Five.
Welcome to Nairobi National Park, an island of incredible flora and fauna surrounded by a sea of humanity. Nowhere in the world is there a National Park of this magnitude, home to some of the most endangered species on the planet, next to a capital city. Where on earth can you land on an international flight and be amongst four of the big five in less than half an hour of clearing customs.
The Emakoko-Property Overview
The Emakoko allows people to start and finish their safari in the wildlife environment they have traveled so far to enjoy. Within 15 minutes of clearing customs you can be viewing game in Nairobi National Park. The only “transfer” delays likely to be encountered en route to or from The Emakoko are the natural pauses to watch a pride of lions or waiting for a rhino or journey of giraffe to cross the road.
Experience & Activities
The Nairobi National Park, despite its proximity to the capital city of Kenya, boasts a spectacular assortment of birds and wildlife, with over 400 species of bird recorded in one day. With an excellent possibility of spotting four of the Big Five, many Nairobi residents find the lodge a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. By staying at The Emakoko you are directly contributing to the protection and conservation of Nairobi National Park and its wildlife.
Days 3-5 Lewa House
A transfer to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport will see you catching a schedule flight to the North of Kenya. Arrive on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy airstrip where a guide and vehicle will be waiting for you to take you to Lewa House. On arrival your hosts will talk you through the multitude of activities on offer for your next few days – including crab catching in the spring, learning about the hand axe sites and so much more.
Lewa Conservancy
Lewa is a 45,000 acre private game ranch located 30 miles north of the equator at the foothills of Mt. Kenya, and is home to the world famous Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. There are very few private houses and camps on the reserve so game viewing is as exclusive as it can get. The area is probably one of the best in Africa for viewing rhinos. The reserve not only has Big 5 but the largest population of the rare Grevy’s zebra as well other rare northern species. There are many activities to engage in, including horseback riding, scenic flights, night drives, walking safaris, camel riding, and photographic hides.
Lewa House Property Overview
Lewa House is set on top of a hill with an engaging panoramic view of the rolling landscape of the Conservancy, and overlooks the luggas (valleys) and hills, with the horizon rising to the eye-catching views of the Mathews Range and the sacred mountain of the Samburu, Ol Lolokwe. The property features three family cottages (two adjoining ensuite rooms – one double and one twin, not interconnected) and four individual Earthpods with ensuite bathrooms. A maximum of 18 guests are on property, and children of all ages are welcome.
Experience & Activities
Activities and experiences include: day and night shared game drives, guided walks, pre-historic site visits, bush breakfasts, picnic lunches, sundowners, visit to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy HQ, visits to Il’Ngwesi cultural boma (entrance fees extra and payable direct), a visit to Ngare Ndare forest with canopy walkway and swim in the waterfalls. Horse rides and camel treks are subject to availablity.
Days 6-8 Sarara
Drive through the spectacular Northern Frontier to Sarara Camp. Once you’ve arrived at Sarara your hosts will talk you through your activity options for the next couple of days. A visit to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary should be high on your list of things to experience!
Namunyak Area Overview
The conservancy is itself community-owned and is one of the best examples of indigenous communities building sustainability for people and wildlife through truly unique and experiential safari experiences. Camel supported safaris are very popular as are walking safaris and visits to the amazing community run Reteti elephant sanctuary. To the eastern side of the conservancy is the new Sera conservancy and rhino project and really one of the last frontiers of conservation before heading towards Lake Turkana and the northern frontier.
Sarara Property Overview
In the northern frontier of Kenya lies the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, an area of 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Mathews Range. The savannah plains of the conservancy are home to elephant, leopard, reticulated giraffe, wild dog and kudu in ever increasing numbers. This remote and dramatic landscape is also home to the local Samburu people whose age-old traditions, including the famous “singing wells,” are as much a part of the fabric of this land as the wildlife.Sarara is a conservation brand that partners with indigenous communities to build sustainability for people and wildlife through truly unique and experiential safari experiences. Part of the community-owned Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in the heart of the Mathews Range, and in partnership with the Northern Rangelands Trust, Sarara has fast become a flagship model for community conservation across Africa.
Experience & Activities
Activities include day and night games drives, horseback riding, walks and bikes, optional fly camping, a seasonal water slide, village visits, the giraffe viewing platform, and of course the wonderful Reteti elephant orphanage. One of the most authentic cultural experiences to be had in the country is to visit the “Sarara singing wells.” Especially in the dry season, the local Samburu herders visit “wells” that they have dug in the dry river bed, sometimes five men deep and each belonging to a specific family. They then sing to their livestock who recognize the song and know where and in what order to come to drink. In keeping with the whole community and conservation ethos of Sarara, these same wells are then utilised at night by local wildlife, including elephants and leopards.
Days 9-11 House in the Wild
Today you will fly from Sarara’s closest airstrip to the world famous Masai Mara and stay at House in the Wild which has a swimming pool and plenty of activities for the family ensuring that the children do not get bored
Masai Mara
The Mara conservancies are Maasai owned group ranches that have combined to conserve a total area nearly the size of the Maasai Mara National Reserve itself, covering 1450 km2 (560 mi2) across fifteen conservancies. The wildlife in the conservancies can be comparable to the main Maasai Mara game reserve, and in fact some areas have higher densities of predators than in the central reserve. Because there are fewer camps, the conservancies can offer a more exclusive experience than in the central reserve, with generally fewer game viewing vehicles around sightings. There are opportunities in some conservancies to do night drives, walking safaris, as well as visits to some of the villages of the local Maasai who own the land
House In The Wild
Enonkishu Conservancy, on the northern edge of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Surround yourself with the rich traditions of East African life and share a sense of well-being and calm, hosted by a welcoming team to look after your every need, whilst having direct access to some of the world’s best wildlife viewing.The lodge consists of a main lounge, dining and bar area, a swimming pool with a thatch gazebo, and five cottages.
Experience & Activities
Activites include unlimited game drives in Enonkishu, Ol Chorro and Lemek Conservancies, bush breakfasts, picnics, guided nature walks and bike rides within Naretoi, Rhino Sanctuary visits (entrance fees extra and payable direct), community project visits, and sundowners.
Day 12 Departure
A schedule flight from the Mara to Nairobi gets you back to Wilson airport. The afternoon can be spent touring Nairobi before heading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.