Best family safari camps in Kenya
A family safari works best when the property itself fits the way your family actually travels together. You need space, flexibility, the right age setup, and enough going on beyond simply climbing into a vehicle twice a day.
At Saruni Basecamp, we welcome children aged 5 and above across a wide range of our family safari camps and lodges. The best fit really comes down to what your family values most — privacy, that classic Mara atmosphere, or a more adventurous stay up in Samburu.
Best family safari camps for privacy and flexibility: Basecamp Mara Houses
If you want to shape each day around your own rhythm, Basecamp Mara Houses is one of the strongest family safari camps in our portfolio. Each house comes with its own dedicated team, private guide, and safari vehicle, so there’s no shared schedule to work around.
We’ve seen how much this matters with younger children especially, meal times, game drives, even an unplanned afternoon nap can all follow your family’s pace instead of the camp’s. It’s the difference between a holiday that bends around your children and one they have to keep up with.
Best family safari camps for classic Mara atmosphere: Basecamp Masai Mara
Basecamp Masai Mara is a wonderful choice if you want a classic Mara base with real cultural access and hands-on family experiences. The camp sits along the Talek River, and its family tents come with two separate wings plus a larger balcony for the whole family to gather on.
It’s also home to the Enjoolata Educational Centre and the Young Explorers Club, and we love watching children arrive a little shy and leave completely absorbed, tracking animal prints, learning Maa words, asking guides question after question. Safari stops being something they watch and becomes something they’re part of.
Best family safari camps for adventurous families: Basecamp Samburu
For families who want something a little different from the usual Mara route, Basecamp Samburu is unforgettable. The family tent has two bedrooms connected by a central lounge, set right in the dramatic landscape of Kalama Conservancy.
This one tends to be a favourite with families who have older children, there’s a rawness to Samburu, a sense of being properly immersed in the north, that teenagers in particular seem to respond to.
Best for guided learning
One of the things we’re proudest of across our family safari camps is the Warriors Academy and Young Explorers Club. These aren’t token kids’ activities, children learn real bush skills, spend time with local guides, and connect with the landscape and traditions in a way that feels active, not passive.
This is usually what turns a family holiday into the memory a child carries for years, long after they’ve forgotten the flight home.
A few practical family notes
We recommend that families with children under 12 book exclusive use of a safari vehicle, it makes a real difference to how relaxed the game drives feel, for parents and children alike. Babysitting is also available on request, at an extra cost.
If you’re not sure which camp fits your children’s ages or the pace you’re after, enquire first and let’s talk it through, this is honestly one of our favourite parts of planning a family trip.
Plan your family safari
Ready to plan the trip? Enquire today and let our team help you choose the right region, camp, and itinerary for your family, this is genuinely one of our favourite parts of the job.
Already know your dates and which camp feels right? You can book online, and we’ll take care of the rest.
FAQ
What are the best family safari camps in Kenya?
It depends on what your family needs most. Basecamp Mara Houses is excellent for privacy and flexibility, while Basecamp Masai Mara is especially strong for educational and cultural activities.
Can children stay at Saruni Basecamp properties?
Yes. Children aged 5 and above are welcomed across a wide range of our camps and lodges.
Do families need a private safari vehicle?
For families travelling with children under 12, we recommend exclusive use of a vehicle for a more relaxed safari.
