Top 12 Family Travel Destinations in Kenya

To beat the vacation boredom, it could be useful to have a bucket-list of travel destinations before-hand. You might not have considered Kenya to be in your travel bucket-list, or you could have actually included it. Either way, let me shine the light on you with what Kenyan destinations have on offer for your upcoming holiday.

Kenya is one of the best places to enjoy a real African safari if you love wildlife encounters. For the peace-seekers, a weekend getaway to the alluring coastal beach of Diani will calm your soul. Wanderlust travelers looking for thrill and a rush of adrenaline in their veins, zip-lining at Kereita forest or bungee jumping at Sagana River would suffice you.

For families, below are kid-friendly destinations which are fun and filled with spectacular sightings:

1. Mombasa – Beauty of the Coastal Beaches

Bringing your family to this exotic beach location is really worthwhile – the shores here are dotted with fancy resorts and elegant palm trees overlooking the coral reefs. Diani beach is a tropical retreat here in coastal Kenya, boasting gorgeous blue water and silky white sands. A visit to Diani is the best way to wind up your Kenya safari for a calm and relaxing holiday experience.

Mombasa has a rich history that you could get familiar with on a visit to the Fort Jesus. This is a fortress built by the Portuguese in the late 1500s and is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Taking a tour in this bustling town you could also visit the Marine Park to explore the magnificent underwater world as well as participate in water sports there; boat rides, snorkeling, fishing, sunbathing and diving.

2. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust – Elephant Orphanage

While on your Kenya vacation you should not miss out on a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This is an elephant orphanage where baby elephants are given a safe place to stay after losing their parents in the wild. With love and special attention, these gentle giants are thereafter returned to National Parks to enjoy freedom once again.

The orphanage is not only a safe haven for elephants but also rhinos, although it is best known for working with elephants. During a visit here you will get to learn about the operations of the organization as well as its programs to save elephants. The orphanage even allows interested visitors to adopt an elephant with regular donations, so you could also become a parent!

3. Lake Nakuru – Flamingo Paradise

The big catch in Lake Nakuru is the fascinating army of flamingos gathering in the lake forming a pink layer on the surface. It takes about four hours to drive to the lake from Nairobi, making it quite a pull up for a day tour.

Lovers of nature will savor encounters with endangered species including Rothschild’s giraffes and white and black rhino. In a game drive you can expect to spot big cats such as lion and cheetah, as well as other ungulates grazing around. Leopards are often elusive due to their nocturnal nature but could be seen with some luck. This area is a birders’ paradise so keep an eye out for other bird species flying about.

4. Amboseli – Home of the African Elephant

There are large troops of elephants vagabonding the dusty trails inside this park thus its famous nickname, “Home of the African elephant. The crowning glory of the park is Mont Kilimanjaro which towers over open savannah grasslands, acacia forests and wildlife prevalent.

Along your guided game drive, the mountain’s snow-capped peak makes for an eye-catching backdrop for your safari photographs. Wildlife viewing is especially worthwhile during the dry season when birds and animals flock around water points to quench their thirst. Even though predator sighting are not as frequent as other reserves (like the Masai Mara), you could easily come across high numbers of ungulates and the endangered Masai giraffe.

5. Nairobi National Museum – A Taste of Culture

Another history and culture hot spot is the Nairobi National Museum, home to a collection of rich cultural heritage. Impressive attractions at the museum are contemporary works of art, striking outdoor sculptures, botanical garden and a perfect nature trail for afternoon wandering.

The National Museum houses galleries which examine the traditions and rich culture of the many Kenyan tribes. Collections also include numerous exhibits which are of particular interest to children. The nature pillar collection you can learn about human origins, Kenyan ecology, geology, natural diversity and the mammalian radiation.

6. Masai Mara – The Greatest Show in Africa

Along with Tanzania’s Serengeti, what Masai Mara is most famous for is hosting what is often called “The Greatest Show in Africa”. A multitude of wildebeests migrate yearly from the Serengeti into the plains of Masai Mara in search for greener pastures.

A safari game drive with your family inside this park will grant you a chance to behold the BIG 5. The rhino can be spotted, though a bit elusive due to its decreased population over the years. While roaming the vast savannah plains also watch out for smaller felines that hide in the bushes as well as hundreds of bird species.

At the top of your bucket-list on a visit to the Mara (if your pockets are deep) should be a hot air balloon safari. This unique trip above the reserve’s broad plains offers you a nice vantage point to overlook the wildlife as you fly above them. At the end of the ride you will be welcomed back on land with a stylish champagne breakfast. Other great family activities include cultural tour to the Masai village, nature walk, and even horse rides in private conservancies.

7. Samburu – The Samburu Special 5

This locale is for those intrigued with off-the-beaten-path destinations to earn bragging rights for visiting unconventional safari destinations like the Masai Mara. What to look out for during a guided safari should be the Special 5. I mentioned the BIG 5 earlier, which you might have heard of or even spotted personally, but you probably haven’t heard of the Special 5.

The Special 5 are undoubtedly the stars of the show up here in the outlying north. They are a rare category of uncommon animals that are not found in the southern reserves. They include the reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa Oryx and Somali ostrich. Spotting all these animals in a guided safari would be a real treat for your holiday vacation. Other interesting activities for your family are camel rides, cultural experiences and guided walks along nature trails.

8. Giraffe Centre – Up-close and Personal

This is a great stop in Nairobi to get up-close and personal with the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. From an elevated platform, you are able to feed and pet these gentle giants with pellets handed to you by the wardens.

Previously set up as a breeding program, the Giraffe Center is now a non-profit organization dedicated to breeding giraffes and promote conservation education. On-site there is a gift shop which displays art works that you can get as travel souvenirs. After spending quality time petting the beautiful creatures, it is well worth exploring the Nature trail at the center (It spreads for 1.5 kilometers through the contiguous wildlife sanctuary).

9. Hell’s Gate – Biking Among Wildlife

A visit to Hell’s Gate National Park is a nice addition to Lake Naivasha day trip. Cycling inside the park is a highly rewarding activity as you will be in the midst of some gracious ungulates like zebra, wildebeest and gazelle. You can also take on a guided game drive to spot the park’s wildlife and topographic sceneries.

The park also features a vibrant landscape of plunging gorges, sheer cliffs, isolated rock towers and explosive geysers. Other fun activities in the park include hiking the gorges, rock climbing and a relaxation at the park’s natural spa. You don’t necessarily need a guide to walk or cycle around the park, but if you plan on visiting the water-gouged gorges, a guide is absolutely essential.

10. Lake Naivasha – Crescent Island

From downtown Nairobi you can expect to reach the serene Lake Naivasha in under 3 hours, driving time. Crescent island can be accessed by a boat cruise, viewing various bird species along the ride. The island is a haven for wildlife like giraffe, zebra and antelope.

You can have a casual walk inside the island amongst the herbivores since there are no predators around. Lake Naivasha is frequented by flamingos just like the other Rift Valley lakes. On its shores cape buffalo can often be spotted drinking or cooling themselves from the scotching mid-day sun. Keep an eye out for hippos as well along the boat ride.

11. Tsavo West – Overland Safari

Slightly smaller than its counterpart, Tsavo West is perfect for an overland safari. Both Tsavo West and Tsavo East have good game viewing opportunities especially on a guided safari. Tsavo West covers an area of 9,065 square kilometers, large enough to host large mammals like elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions among other wildlife.

One of the incredible attractions that you can’t miss on a visit here is Mzima Springs. It is home to crocodiles and hippos easily seen roaming in the shallow waters. Rhino lovers would enjoy a visit to Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary located just within the park. There are about 80 black rhinos protected by rangers inside the sanctuary, as well as other animals like elephants and leopards. Another impressive feature in the park is Chyulu hills which acts as a partition between Tsavo and Amboseli plains.

12. Aberdare – The Green Park

Aberdare National Park is popular for its beautiful waterfalls and the rare species of black leopard, bongo antelope and rhino. One of the sensations in this park while doing a game drive is encountering an elephant emerging from the thick rainforest vegetation.

This spectacular area is a lot cooler than other safari destinations because of its high altitude, and regular rains keep the park green year round. The cool temperatures are perfect for hiking up any of the several high mountain peaks and take in the beautiful scenery from above.