Our Family Safari: Exploring Kenya & Tanzania

Ash and I had gone on safari years ago, before we were married. It was one of those life-changing experiences—early mornings chasing the sunrise, watching elephants bathe in golden light, and feeling the sheer awe of being in the wild. Ever since that trip to South Africa, I had dreamed of taking the kids on a family safari. But life happened, and despite all our travels, a safari just never made it onto the itinerary—until now.

Choosing the Perfect Safari Destination

This year-long adventure was all about making lifelong memories together, but we also had to be mindful of budget and logistics. We’d always heard incredible things about Botswana, but when we started researching, we realized that Kenya and Tanzania offered a more affordable option without compromising on the experience. The combination of these two iconic safari destinations gave us access to some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing in the world, all within an eight-day itinerary.

Our Unforgettable Family Safari Itinerary

Our journey took us through some of East Africa’s most stunning landscapes:

Nairobi, Kenya – We kicked off our adventure in Kenya’s capital, where we visited the Giraffe Centre. Here, we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hand-feed Rothschild’s giraffes—an experience that had the kids grinning from ear to ear.
Lake Nakuru National Park – A haven for flamingos and rhinos, this park gave us our first taste of the breathtaking wildlife we would see throughout the trip. Seeing a rhino up close was a moment none of us will forget.
Masai Mara National Reserve – This was everything we imagined a safari to be. Vast golden plains, massive herds of wildebeest, and a front-row seat to lions on the hunt. The game drives here felt like stepping into a nature documentary.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we crossed into Tanzania and entered the legendary Serengeti. This was where we saw the sheer scale of the Great Migration—zebras and wildebeest stretching as far as the eye could see. It was beyond anything we had ever imagined.
Ngorongoro Crater – Our final stop was this breathtaking natural wonder, home to an incredibly dense population of wildlife. It felt surreal descending into the crater and being surrounded by elephants, lions, and even a rare black rhino.

More Than Just Wildlife: Cultural Encounters

One of the most special parts of our family safari was the chance to connect with the people of the region. In the Masai Mara, we visited a local village where we met Masai villagers, learning about their traditions and way of life. The kids were fascinated by their jumping dances and intricate beadwork. Later, at one of our safari camps, we spoke with a Masai warrior who shared his experience of life in the wild—including his own story of killing a lion as part of his rite of passage.

A Moment of Gratitude

They say you are lucky if you get to experience a safari once in your lifetime. As we climbed into the safari jeep on that first morning, watching the kids’ eyes widen in wonder, I had never felt so grateful. This was a dream come true—not just for me, but for our entire family.

The thrill of seeing a leopard slink through the grass, the joy of watching baby elephants play, and the quiet moments of simply absorbing the vast, open landscape—these were the moments that made our year of travel truly unforgettable.

A family safari isn’t just about spotting animals. It’s about experiencing the wild together, stepping away from the distractions of modern life, and connecting in a way that few other experiences allow. If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your family on safari, do it. Trust me, it’s worth every penny and every mile traveled.

Africa will always hold a special place in our hearts, and this safari—our family safari—will forever be one of the greatest adventures we have shared.