8 Day All Asilia Family Safari (younger children)
Countries: Kenya
Destinations: Laikipia , Masai Mara
Group Size: 4
Duration (days): 8
Number of Adults: 2
Number of Children: 2
Discover the hidden wildlife gems of Kenya’s famous safari circuit with our All Asilia Family Safari offer. Families fly and drive for free between these pristine landscapes, where you will encounter unforgettable experiences.
Start your journey at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, a reserve home to a wide variety of wildlife and a sanctuary for the world’s only two surviving northern white rhinos. Next, you will head to Encounter Mara, a luxury tented camp in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, bordering the famed Masai Mara National Reserve. Witness the spectacular wildlife of the Mara ecosystem, including big cats, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, and more.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laikipia | Ol Pejeta Bush Camp |
| 2 | Laikipia | Ol Pejeta Bush Camp |
| 3 | Laikipia | Ol Pejeta Bush Camp |
| 4 | Masai Mara | Encounter Mara |
| 5 | Masai Mara | Encounter Mara |
| 6 | Masai Mara | Encounter Mara |
| 7 | Masai Mara | Encounter Mara |
| 8 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 - 3 : Laikipia
Once you have completed your passport and immigration formalities, an Asilia guide will meet and welcome you. You will drive for approximately five hours through picturesque flower farms and vibrant market towns.
At Ol Pejeta Bush Camp, you and the kids can enjoy game drives in search of lion, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, and white and black rhino. Thrilling night drives add a new layer of adventure to your family excursions, seeking out nocturnal species or predators on the prowl. A real highlight is a visit to the endangered species enclosure to meet the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. The rangers will explain the remarkable work being done to save the species from extinction; this is a humbling and memorable way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Kenya
Kenya - The grand old dame of African safaris, Kenya has been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and with iconic reserves such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Tsavo, it has earned its place in safari royalty.
Kenya's wildlife is legendary, as is its hospitality, friendliness, and scenic beauty. With the Great Rift Valley running through the country, Kenya is home to some stunning landscapes, with lakes, valleys and mountains adding to the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara.
To add to the spectacular wildlife, Kenya is one of the best countries to experience the local tribes and cultures, in particular the Masai and Samburu.
Kenyan roads are notoriously bad however, so the majority of safaris we recommend are fly-in options to the various parks. The small group scheduled safaris all operate by road, so you would need to be prepared for what is called "the African massage".
The diversity of areas to visit in Kenya is astounding, with each game reserve offering something truly unique. And to top it off, the country has a splendid coastline which invites some pure relaxation after spending time in the bush.
Laikipia
It is always gratifying when conservation efforts truly pay off, and the Laikipia Plateau is a place of much excitement!
Originally extensive farmland, a huge effort has succeeded in reclaiming much of the land between the slopes of the Aberdares and the snowy peaks of the mighty Mount Kenya. The area now boasts the second highest concentration of wildlife in Kenya - the Masai Mara topping the list!
Divided up into private concessions, the Laikipia Plateau consists of accommodation in tented camps, as well as lavish bush homes, allowing for a wonderful personalised experience.
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
As with all Asilia camps, staying at Ol Pejeta Bush Camp allows guests to contribute to conservation. You can also get involved by helping with canine training or recording lion sightings for the research team. Seven spacious, eco-friendly tents are positioned along the Ewaso Ngiro River. The peaceful camp is staffed by our warm and hospitable team and is a great place for families, with activities like the Junior Ranger Programme to keep kids entertained and engaged.
Day 4 - 7 : Masai Mara
After a final delicious breakfast you will be taken to the local airstrip to connect with your flight to the Mara Naboisho Conservancy adjoining the famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
On arrival at the airstrip, you will be met and welcomed by a guide who will drive you to Encounter Mara, your home for the next phase of your family safari adventure. After settling into your comfortable family tent, a delightful lunch will be served beneath the shade of acacia trees.
The camp is on the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, offering a high density and variety of wildlife sightings amidst a low number of safari vehicles, an ideal safari scenario. Lions, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, elephant, zebra and a wide variety of game call this conservancy home. Spend exciting days on safaris in the early morning and late afternoon into the evenings, when the wildlife is most active. Relax back in camp in the heat of the day, having a snooze or enjoying the viewing deck, where you might watch a herd of zebra strolling to the nearby saltlick and graceful giraffe promenading nearby. Pre-dinner drinks at the bar and sumptuous meals under the twinkling stars will round off perfect, fun-filled family days.
Masai Mara
It is no surprise that the Masai Mara ranks up near the top of most famous game reserves in the world. The land of the Mara is consistently covered with herds of antelope, interspersed with prides of lions, journeys of giraffe, dazzles of zebra, and almost every other collective animal noun you can think of.
The sightings are nothing short of fantastic, and it is definitely the park to visit to tick off your "wildlife of Africa" list. The scenery of the park is similar to the open plains of the Serengeti, although the Mara is dotted with more trees, and the game viewing is equal to, or can be better than, its southerly sister.
Within the boundaries of the reserve, there are certain areas which can seem quite crowded with travellers, although there are places to escape from the crowds, and enjoy the Mara in some exclusivity. Private concessions surround the Masai Mara, allowing more private safari experiences, and additional activities.
The Masai Mara is easily accessed from Nairobi, with a number of scheduled flights operated each morning and afternoon. It can also be reached by road, but be prepared that it can be quite a bumpy 6 hour drive, with sections being particularly broken up.
Encounter Mara
Situated on the edge of the savannah under the shade of acacia trees, Encounter Mara is a 10-tent camp within the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, bordering the famed Masai Mara reserve in southwest Kenya.
The conservancy is known for its prolific wildlife and award-winning sustainability model that balances the needs of local communities, wildlife and tourism. It has an even higher density of animals than the neighbouring Masai Mara National Reserve and one of the world’s most concentrated lion populations.
From the camp’s outdoor viewing deck, guests can watch zebra amble to the nearby saltlick, see giraffe strut right past camp, glimpse a mongoose running down the path right in front of you or even spot cheetah prowling the plains. Over sundowners around the campfire, listen for lion calling to each other as they start their night of hunting. From Encounter Mara, guests can soar across the plains in a hot-air balloon.
Day 8 - Day of Departure
After indulging in a final safari breakfast, your family will be transferred to the local airstrip to connect with your flight to Wilson Airport, followed by an approximate 30-minute private transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi to connect with your onward flight.