Interesting activities for children of all ages include: Build your own mini Masai homestead, learn to make a fire with a pair of sticks, catch and study the brightest butterflies, plant a tree and help bring back the rains, cast big cat tracks from the real thing, make friends quiver with your own bow, learn how to identify birds of all feathers, bush orienteering, first aid, snakes, bird identification, tree identification, mammal behavior studies, and guided bush walks.
What to bring: Puzzles, playing cards, books to read, footballs, binoculars for spotting birds and wildlife. Books and footballs can also be given to Kenyan children in the villages.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1: Nairobi
Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage overlooking Nairobi National Park. As the expert handlers introduce the lively elephant and rhino orphans and feeding time begins, you will have a close encounter with these delightful little creatures which come up to visitors to be stroked. Then on to the nearby Giraffe Centre. From its tree-house balconies you can look these graceful mammals in the eye. The giraffes at the centre are so at ease with their human visitors that they will happily eat from your hand! You will also visit Kazuri Beads which specializes in the making of handmade ceramic beads. Children can participate in making their own jewellery. Lunch at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden before heading to the Nairobi Museum which houses celebrated collections of Kenya’s history, nature, culture and contemporary art. Visitors are treated to a variety of shopping and dining facilities, as well as botanical gardens that offer a serene environment. From here, you will proceed to your hotel.
Day 2: Nairobi – Samburu
Transfer to Nairobi Wilson Airport for the 1 hr flight to Samburu arriving in time for lunch. Children can take part in the various activities as offered by the lodge. Afternoon game drive in Samburu Reserve. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge/camp.
Day 3: Samburu
After breakfast, proceed for a morning game drive before heading back to your lodge/camp for lunch. In the afternoon, you can opt to relax at the lodge; have a swim or read a book as you relax by the pool. Plenty of time for and children’s activities such as learn how to identify birds of all feathers, bush orienteering, first aid, snakes, bird identification, tree identification, mammal behavior studies and guided bush walks. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge/camp.
Day 4: Samburu – Masai Mara
Transfer to the airstrip and fly direct from Samburu to Masai Mara arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge/camp.
Day 5: Masai Mara
After breakfast, spend time at the lodge/camp at leisure. Children can take part in the various activities as offered by the lodge such as Build your own mini Masai homestead, learn to make a fire with a pair of sticks, catch and study the brightest butterflies, plant a tree and help bring back the rains, cast big cat tracks from the real thing, make friends quiver with your own bow and guided bush walks. There will be a full day game drive where you will get the chance to encounter plenty of game on the rolling grasslands dotted by acacia trees and sweeping plains. You also have an optional opportunity to visit a Masai village to witness the daily lives and sacred rituals of the Masai. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience. After lunch, proceed for an afternoon game drive followed by a sundowner at a scenic spot. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 6: Masai Mara – Nairobi
Enjoy an early morning game drive and return to the lodge or camp for breakfast which will be followed by transfer to the airstrip for your flight back Nairobi.
