Planning a Masai Mara Safari with Children
Prioritize private conservancies over the main reserve to minimize travel time and allow for flexible, child-friendly safari schedules. Choose lodges with fenced perimeters and swimming pools to provide safe downtime between game drives.
- Select a private conservancy. Avoid the main Masai Mara National Reserve for your base. Instead, book a lodge in a private conservancy like Mara North or Olare Orok. These areas allow off-roading, meaning you spend less time driving to find animals and have more freedom to return to camp quickly if children get restless.
- Book fly-in transfers. Do not attempt the 6-hour drive from Nairobi with children. Book a domestic flight from Wilson Airport (WIL) to the airstrip nearest your camp. It takes about 45 minutes and significantly reduces travel fatigue.
- Coordinate a private vehicle. Always pay the extra cost for a private safari vehicle. It allows you to control the pace of the game drives and ensures you aren't stuck with other guests who might want to sit at a lion sighting for two hours while your kids are ready for a snack.
- Establish a rigid sleep schedule. Safaris start at dawn. Ensure children are in bed by 8:00 PM the night before. If they are overtired, they will be miserable on the morning drive.
- At what age is a child ready for a safari?
- Six years old is the sweet spot. They have the attention span for game drives and the physical stamina for heat and bumpy roads.
- Is it safe regarding malaria?
- The Mara is a malaria-risk area. Consult a travel clinic 6 weeks before you leave regarding prophylactic medication for children.