*Kenya Family Travel

Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism Program Includes the Following:

One on one consultation with our travel experts
Private registration and trip page
Pretrip Packet
Handpicked accommodations
Experienced Private Guide
Artisan shopping opportunities
Our favorite tour activities
Donation to one of TVE’s community partners

Kenya is located on the northeast coast of the African continent boasting stunning Indian Ocean coastline, savannahs full of wildlife, Lake Victoria, and The Great Rift Valley. Home to the famous Maasai Mara National Park, Amboseli National Park, Samburu National Park, and many more expect to see lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, rhino and more on game drives throughout your trip.

Experience the hospitality of the people who have intertwined the culture of their ancient ancestors into everyday modern life. The Village Experience can introduce you to local communities in a unique way including cooking classes, visits to Women’s cooperatives, time with local families, walking tours, and visits to social enterprises.

An experience in Kenya should include time in the Lamu Archipelago, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and home to well preserved Islamic and Swahili cultures. A visit to Lamu Island would not be complete without several boat rides aboard a local dhow on the warm Indian Ocean. Wooden dhow boats were historically used to transport goods and spices between the Middle East, India and Africa. The influences of these journeys can still be seen throughout the island in the food, architecture and handicrafts. Add Kenya to your bucket list today.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Transfer to hotel for the evening.

Day 2 – Morning visit to Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust to see the feeding of the orphaned elephants and learn about conservation efforts throughout the country. Continue on to the Giraffe Conservation Center to get up close and personal with these gentle giants. Stop for lunch and artisan shopping in the afternoon. Return to hotel.

Day 3 – Morning safari in Nairobi National Park – the only national park in the world located within a capital city. Be on the lookout for rhino, lion, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, and more. Head over to River Cafe for lunch. Enjoy a guided hike through Karura Forest in the afternoon to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Return to hotel in the evening.

Day 4 – Morning drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Check into tented camp in time for lunch. Take the afternoon to settle in and enjoy the bonfire. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Days 5/6 – Safari days to go in search of the Big 5 – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino. All meals at camp.

Day 7 – Check out of camp and visit a local Masai Village as part of the village’s community based tourism program. Drive back to Nairobi for overnight.

Day 8 – Morning flight to the Lamu Archipelago. Meet your TVE representative and transfer via boat to Shela Village. Check into your Swahili style accommodations. Relax and enjoy the beach today. Evening sunset cruise on Hippo Dhow – part of our socially responsible tourism program on the island.

Day 9 – Spend the day with our community partners in the village. Activities can include a community cleanup project, projects with the local art center, time with a local family on their shamba, and more. Enjoy a samosa making class and dinner with the Shela Women’s Association in the evening.

Day 10 – Board Hippo Dhow this morning for a day sail around the islands. Relax and take in the beautiful scenery. Anchor on a secluded beach and enjoy the Indian Ocean while the crew prepares a fresh fish bbq right on the dhow. Sail back to Shela Village in the afternoon.

Day 11 – Free day to spend some quality family time on the island – can opt to go tubing, enjoy the beach, play at the pool, do some fishing, or tour Lamu Old Town.

Day 12 – Morning flight to Nairobi. Connect to onward flight home.

Flight Reservations

Arrival & Departure: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)