Masai Mara: Family Holiday

Taking your children to see fantastic animals such as lion, cheetah and wildebeest in their natural habitat will be a wonderful experience in the Masai Mara. However, most safari lodges will not accept children under eight, although this is sometimes flexible, so it’s worth asking at individual camps and lodges if you think your child is up to the challenge.

Remember that the drive to the Masai Mara is a long one if you’re not flying into the reserve, and that a stay in a safari lodge usually involves early starts, a long rest during the middle of the day, and then game drives and dinner in the evening. In safari vehicles in the Masai Mara, guests often need to be still and quiet in order to get the best viewing opportunities, so if your child is a fidget, it might be best to wait until they’re a little older to visit the Masai Mara. However, surely few children could fail to be amazed by seeing the sort of wildlife they only see on TV, and a visit to the Masai Mara could turn out to be the holiday of a lifetime for them.

Some holiday companies do offer family-friendly safaris, with children’s menus and the opportunity to book Kenyan nannies to look after the children. Some are even surrounded by electric fences to keep wildlife out, which could be comforting to parents! The Heritage Group’s camps in the Masai Mara even offer children’s activities for 4-12 year-olds in their Adventurer’s Club.