Crimson Traveller 7 Days Nairobi, Lake Nakuru & Maasai Mara Family Safari

Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where the Crimson Traveller guide meets the family and handles bags and formality. A short drive into Nairobi gives time to settle. The family checks in at Ololo Safari Lodge, a riverside family friendly lodge on the edge of Nairobi National Park with interconnecting rooms and a pool. The evening includes time to unwind by the pool and a welcome dinner before an early night ahead of the first full day.

A gentle introduction to Nairobi with a morning visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to watch orphaned elephant calves at their milk feeding, followed by a visit to the Giraffe Centre where children can hand feed Rothschilds giraffe from a raised platform. In the afternoon there is a relaxed stop at the Nairobi National Museum to learn about Kenyas history and cultures before returning to the lodge for an early dinner and overnight at Ololo Safari Lodge.

Drive north into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, a soda lake ringed by acacia woodland famous for large flamingo flocks, black and white rhino, and Rothschilds giraffe. The day is a full day of game drives in an open sided safari vehicle with a picnic lunch beside the lake. The park is described as easy for younger children with short driving distances between sightings. Overnight is at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge with cottage style rooms set into the escarpment and views over the lake.

A scenic transfer south along the floor of the Rift Valley and up over the Oloololo Escarpment into the Maasai Mara. The drive includes a picnic lunch en route and a rest stop timed around the childrens energy. Arrival at the Mara camp is in the late afternoon in time for a short orientation game drive before sundown. Overnight is at Mara Explorer Family Tented Camp with family tents along the Talek River.

A full day exploring the Mara plains, home to the Big Five and in season the Great Migration river crossings. The day comprises morning and afternoon game drives separated by a relaxed lunch back at camp and downtime by the pool to keep the pace comfortable for younger travelers. The guide tailors the pace to the family and pauses longer at sightings that capture the childrens attention. Overnight at Mara Explorer Family Tented Camp with an optional evening bush baby walk near the grounds with a Maasai ranger.

Rise early for a morning game drive when predators are most active, then return to camp for a late breakfast. In the afternoon visit a local Maasai village for a guided cultural exchange featuring traditional dance, a look inside a manyatta homestead and a chance for children to ask questions, arranged respectfully and at the community pace. The final night in the Mara offers a slow evening around the fire pit before the return journey.

A final Mara breakfast followed by transfer by road or flight back to Nairobi. A Crimson Traveller representative is on hand throughout the transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for onward or international flights. No accommodation is included on this final day. The company follows up after travel to hear about the familys experience.