Family Holidays Kenya - Cheap Safari Holidays to Kenya

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With a little searching it is possible to find cheap family holidays to Kenya and with loads to keep the whole family happy, Kenya should be on your list of places to go on a family holiday.

Nairobi

In Langata just out of Nairobi, there is a nature trail and the giraffe center. The nature trail is an example of what Nairobi looked like only about a hundred years ago.

The Giraffe Centre Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
The Giraffe Center was set up to protect the endangered Rothschild Giraffe a subspecies of the giraffe family which has unique markings. By 1973, only 130 Rothschild Giraffes were known to exist on a 18000-acre ranch in Western Kenya. Jock Leslie Melville (JLM) started a programme to save these animals from extinction. He and his wife captured baby giraffes and began their breeding program from their home in Langata, which is still the home of the present day center and you can still view their homestead when you go to visit.

The main attraction is to be able to feed the giraffes from the observation deck, these decks are pretty high up and it really make you appreciate how tall these animals are. I was also struck by just how gentle they are. For anyone who has fed horses before, getting horse slobber all over your hands, well this is a totally different experience, with their almost finger like tongues, giraffes are able pick the pellets from your hand. Useful for not getting slobber all over you and very useful to the giraffe being able to locate the tiny leaves on an Acaia tree around all the thorns. Highly recommended for any family holiday to Kenya.

Karen Blixen Nairobi House - Out of Africa
Just outside of Nairobi in a suburb called Karen is also the home of Danish writer Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) whose life was made into the Hollywood epic: Out Of Africa. Karen Blixen started schools for the local Kikuyu people and is still remembered today.

Nairobi highlands
Banana Village is located in the highlands north of Nairobi. The distance from the capitol is about 60 minutes local 'Matatu-time' -on a good day that is. As the poetic name indicates, we are dealing with farmland and lots of bananas. if there is a center of Banana it doesn't look of much. Like in most Kenyan villages the shops are mainly shanties over painted with adverts for Sportsman cigarettes, Tusker beer or ENO. With the highlands around Nairobi and the Rift Valley it was love at first sight. Probably because of the green mountains and the quiet village life in climate much like an English summer.

The Train from Nairobi to Mombasa
If you are planning on traveling from Nairobi to Mombasa, the Mombasa­Nairobi train is an excellent cheap alternative to flying. Definitely something the kids will enjoy and for the adults you cant help but feel you are actually taking a ride on Kenyan history. The railway from the Kenyan coast to Lake Victoria and Uganda was constructed in the late 1800's by the British. The Railway changed the country as it went ahead. Maybe most important it marked the beginning of Nairobi.

The old train runs in both directions at 7pm every day. 1st class is recommended and actually pretty comfortable. The fare includes a compartment for 2 persons, dinner and breakfast and the most amazing views. Most of the journey is at night and you arrive in Nairobi around 9am and the feeling of waking up in the morning with the African bush rushing past you as you cover the last few miles into Mombasa is worth the ticket price alone.

Approximately 32,000 indian workers were building this amazing railway, for the British to get a line into Uganda and central Africa before the Germans got there. When the railway had reached almost halfway, Nairobi was founded as a tent camp. In the beginning of this century Nairobi started to grow.

Adventure Company Family Friendly Safaris in Kenya

The Adventure Company offer over 60 infant, teenage and family adventures all around the world including a good selection of all inclusive safari holidays in Kenya, specifically designed for families.

Example Family Holidays from the Adventure Comapany:

Land of The Masai Family Safari Holiday

This Safari Holiday in Kenya is specifically designed for the whole family, where you will get to explore giraffes and elephants at the Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes, the world famous Masai Mara National Park and get to meet and learn about the Masai people. The tour lasts for 10 days and costs from £1300 per adult and £1000 per child and is fully inclusive of all flights, transfers and accommodation)

Giraffes & Elephants in Nairobi
In bustling Nairobi you meet the animals supported through local conservation projects, namely giraffes and elephants. Your safari begins at the Naro Moru River where Mt. Kenya towers in the distance.

Explore the Rift Valley Lakes in Kenya
The Sweetwaters Game Reserve offers excellent game viewing, and has been instrumental, through its breeding programme, in helping to conserve the endangered black rhinos. Onwards to the Rift Valley lakes - Nakuru to see flamingos and rhinos; Naivasha to view hippos from a cruise boat (optional).

Masai Mara Game Reserve
You’ll descend into the Great Rift Valley and rolling grasslands of the world-famous Masai Mara Game Reserve. Sightings of the ‘Big Nine’ (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and hippo) are common, as are herds of wildebeest which roam across the plains.

Masai Culture
You will also get to know some of the semi-nomadic Masai tribesman to learn about their fascinating culture - including a lesson in how to throw a Masai hunting spear. Stand well back, please!

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Family Friendly Safaris

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Family Safari Holidays

For more on family safari holidays throughout Africa, check out my guide to Family and Kids Safari Holidays.

Safari Guide Maps - Map of Africa

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