Encounter Kenya's Wildlife

Between June and October the world’s greatest mass wildlife spectacle crosses the Masai Mara. Herds of uniquely patterned zebra, gazelle and ungainly wildebeest plunge across the Mara River seeking fresh grasses. This awesome, restless migration of well over a million animals then roams the plains, mingling with countless resident creatures. Powerful lion prides, leopard camouflaged on rocky kopjes and furtive cheetah await them.

We aim to introduce you to the Big Five — elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo and leopard. There is also a hardy bunch of characters known as the “Little Five” — elephant shrew, ant lion, rhino beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise. Your children will have just as much fun finding those. Watch carefully and you’ll notice the character of each animal emerge. You’ll laugh at a prim warthog busily trotting to the waterhole with her young, past the grumpy old buffalo.

Inquisitive children adore safaris! Whatever you encounter, your guide will have an inexhaustible supply of knowledge and stories. They’ll also have an uncanny ability to interpret sounds, tracks and behaviours to find more elusive animals. Your children will soon learn to identify a leopard track and understand the workings of a two-metre high termite mound, where millions of tiny creatures play a vital role in the balance of nature.

Many of the guides we work with are expert photographers who understand how to capture the perfect animal portrait. Some families finish their safari with thousands of photographs. It’s also fun to keep a record of what you see, including the birds. There are hundreds of species in Kenya, from imperious fish eagles to brilliantly coloured bee-eaters. See how many different ones your family can spot in a day. Your guide’s superhuman eyesight and knowledge will astound you.

Just by going on one of our safaris you will be helping to conserve Africa’s wildlife. The small, luxury lodges that we use, work with local communities to protect the animals and deter poachers. Some such as Lewa Wilderness are pioneering rhino conservation, and your family can see this in action and talk with researchers. Certain habitats favour different species, which is why it’s good to visit two or three contrasting areas on your family safari. Some, like the long-necked gerenuk antelope and the white-bellied Grevy’s zebra, are only found in the drier northern regions.