Lion at dawn, Masai Mara, Kenya

Kenya Safari Holidays

One of the prides of the African continent. After trekking through the Masai Mara and meeting lions, giraffes and wildebeests, head to the shores of the warm Indian Ocean to unwind and reminisce.

Home to some of Africa’s best wildlife, dramatic landscapes, rich and colourful culture and beautiful Indian-Ocean beaches, Kenya is the ideal destination for first-timers, honeymooners, families and seasoned safari hands alike. The big-game-rich Masai Mara attracts all the attention, but the country is dotted with pioneering wildlife conservancies, as well as a host of beautiful national parks.

View from Sarara Camp, Matthews Range
Sarara Camp, Matthews Range, Kenya
End of the migration, Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya
Kenya Leopard, Talek River in Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya

What to Expect on a Kenyan Safari

From the lush plains of the Masai Mara to the arid desert of the Northern Frontier, Kenya offers a landscape as diverse as its people. The small, privately owned lodges that we use offer outstanding levels of service and good food. The local guides – many of whom grew up on the land they now guide on – provide a warm welcome and wealth of knowledge.

Vehicle and lion pride, Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya
Dusky rays burning through cloud over acacia tree, Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya
Walking, Offbeat Mara Camp, Masai Mara
Offbeat Mara Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

The Masai Mara

Situated in the southwest of Kenya, the Masai Mara is part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Huge herds move through the sweeping plains on their annual migration followed by a supporting cast of predators. It has gained an unfair reputation as being too busy or too commercial, but this is simply not true.

The knowledge of Steppes’ Kenya experts highlights this misconception of the Masai Mara as too busy. We know the places to avoid – where the crowds can seem overwhelming. Instead, we can take you to small, privately owned conservancies, where the wildlife is every bit as prolific, but the viewing is private and infinitely more memorable.

Family Safari, Masai Mara, Kenya
Masai Mara, Kenya
Giraffes necking, Lewa, Laikipia, Kenya
Laikipia, Kenya
Looking out from small hill, near Sarara Camp, Matthews Range, Kenya
Matthews Range, Kenya

Kenya Family Safaris

Combine all of Kenya’s highlights on a fun, family-friendly holiday that includes both spectacular wildlife and lots of activities. Go mountain biking, try horse riding and dive off waterfalls in Laikipia, before learning Maasai bush skills and spotting big cats in the conservancies of the Masai Mara.

Kenya’s interior offers a mix of adventure and wildlife for all ages, whilst the coast is the perfect place to unwind and relax on beautiful white beaches.

Some ideas for a family holiday in Kenya:

  • Adopt an orphaned elephant and visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi
  • At the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, spot big cats and meet the last three surviving northern white rhinos
  • Try snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, wakeboarding and more from the beautiful beaches that carpet Kenya’s Indian-Ocean coast
  • Learn bush skills, such as tracking and making bows, under the tutelage of fantastically knowledgeable local guides
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Explore Kenya

  • Laikipia
  • Masai Mara
  • Samburu
  • Lake Turkana
  • Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Tsavo

Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Kenya Mother elephant with a baby, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Kenya

Mara Elephant Project

Join Mark Goss, the CEO of the Mara Elephant Project, on an aerial reconnaissance mission to track the collared elephants, enjoy the view of the Mara from above and support the work of the project.

Holiday idea

Elephants drinking from Singing Well, Matthews Range, Kenya
Kenya

Visit the Singing Wells

Spend time at the local Singing Wells – sacred water sources that provide both the Samburu and their cattle with vital water, as well as the wildlife.

Suggested property

Camel back safari at Ol Malo, Laikipia, Kenya
Kenya

Kenyan Adventure

Explore on camel-back, camping by rivers and jumping off waterfalls.

Elephant Watch Camp, Samburu, Kenya
Kenya

Visit the local children of Elephant Watch Camp

Gain an insight into growing up in the bush – hang out with the children from This Wild Life at Elephant Watch Camp.

Suggested camp stay

Family on camels, Kenyan coast, Kenya
Kenya

Coastal Adventures

Try sailing, kayaking, wakeboarding and more from the beautiful beaches that carpet Kenya’s Indian-Ocean coast.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Chimp, Ol Pejeta, Laikipia, Kenya
Kenya

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

At the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, visit the chimpanzee sanctuary, spot big cats and meet the last two surviving northern white rhinos.

Walking Safari, Masai Mara, Kenya
Kenya

Bush School for Children

Learn bush skills, such as tracking and making bows, under the tutelage of fantastically knowledgeable local guides.

Schoolgirls with paintings, One Horizon Charity, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya

Visit the Local Community

Take a tour of a local school, sit down to dinner with elders and interact with the local community with One Horizon.

Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya

Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

Adopt an orphaned elephant and visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi.

Feeding baby elephant, Reteti Orphanage, Kenya
Kenya

Reteti Elephant Orphanage

Visit the Reteti Elephant Orphanage, where local Samburu people care for rescued elephant orphans.

Suggested camp

Need inspiration?
Browse our Kenya holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

House in the Wild £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari Lodge

Tucked away in Naretoi on a 1,000-acre private estate within the Enonkishu Conservancy, House in the Wild sits on the banks of the Mara River.

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Lewa Safari Camp £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari Lodge

Sprawling over the rolling plains north of Mount Kenya, Lewa Safari Camp is charming and homely with an excellent reputation.

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El Karama £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari Lodge

El Karama – meaning ‘treasured possession’ in Swahili – is a small, family-run lodge with a reputation for great, home-produced food and impeccable sustainable travel credentials. Murray and Sophie live on-site with their two young children and provide one of the most heartfelt safaris in Kenya.

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Angama Mara £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’, Angama Mara is set high on the Oloololo Escarpment, hanging from the edge of the Rift Valley.

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Il Ngwesi Lodge £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Owned and run by the local Laikipiak Maasai community, Il Ngwesi is a beautiful eco-lodge but also a community empowerment and wildlife conservation project. It stands out for its commitment to the local community, with 6,000 local stakeholders having supported the lodge for more than two decades.

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Alex Walker’s Serian £££££

  • Kenya
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Situated in the award-winning Mara North Conservancy, Alex Walker’s Serian has a prime location overlooking the Mara River and Oloololo Escarpment.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Illona has visited Kenya numerous times, as well as spending time in the Masai Mara as a safari guide at one of the camps. Having explored much of the country and stayed at a variety of camps and lodges, she always enjoys the diversity of activities on offer, including her personal favourite, horse riding.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Chris Johnston

Chris has explored much of Africa over the years, yet holds firm the belief that Kenya offers the best big-game experience in the world. He has walked, driven, mountain-biked, ridden and paddled past some of Africa’s most exciting wildlife whilst on safari in Kenya. And such is the style and comfort of the country’s lodges, all this was whilst within easy reach of an ice-cold G&T.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Frequently asked questions about Kenya

When is the best time to go to Kenya?

What are the best options for a family safari in Kenya?

What are the differences between the parks?

What is a typical day on safari?

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What advice would you give on photography in Kenya?

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