Kenya Family Safari and Beach Adventure

The children will be unlikely ever to forget their first breakfast in Kenya because you're staying at Giraffe Manor, where the resident giraffes regularly pop their heads through the window of the breakfast room in the not unreasonable expectation of a treat, hand-fed by delighted guests. If the children then want to know more about these adorable but endangered animals, pop across the lovely lawn to the Giraffe Centre, where the rangers will answer all their questions and guide you around the giraffe sanctuary.

You may like to take a trip to the nearby David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust where you can spend an hour watching the orphaned baby elephants as they enjoy a mud bath and a midday meal and learn about the ongoing rescue and conservation projects.

Back at Giraffe Manor, enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening in anticipation of your onward journey tomorrow.

Wave goodbye to the giraffes as your driver takes you to check in for your onward flight to Laikipia. On arrival, you'll be met and transferred to another super family friendly lodge for your first safari experience. Laikipia is home to a number of excellent lodges and camps, often located on rocky escarpments overlooking the stunning Laikipia plateau and Mount Kenya.

Wherever you stay, the family should be there in time to enjoy a short afternoon game drive before settling in for supper in your home for the next few days.

Laikipia is the perfect place for families with a huge choice of activities on offer. Your diminutive David Attenboroughs will get to enjoy game drives galore as well as the chance to try their hand at horse or camel riding, mountain biking, and (if the children are older) a walking safari. There's even the option to charter a helicopter for the ultimate in aerial safaris. On more conventional 4x4 game drives, Laikipia is home to a dazzling array of wildlife, from elands, kudus and gazelles to reticulated giraffes, wild dogs and the ever-entertaining warthogs, as well as some or all of the famous Big Five, depending on where you are staying.

One of the absolute highlights for anyone staying in Laikipia - and particularly families - is a visit to a local Samburu community to meet children at their school, watch craftswomen working on their beautifully intricate and colourful beading and to see moran warriors practicing their hunting skills or the iconic jumping dance.

This morning, your safari adventure continues as you fly south to the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve As you travel to your camp - located in the Mara North Conservancy - keep a close eye out for animals along the way.

We work with (and know well) a selection of camps and lodges in the Masai Mara, and will recommend one of the best family-friendly options. Wherever you stay, expect charming accommodation, expert guides and excellent game viewing. This afternoon the family will be able to enjoy a first pre-dinner game drive, stopping for the traditional sundowner cocktails (or mocktails for the children) before heading back to camp for a delicious candlelit supper.

Safari means early starts, so the team can hop into your comfortable safari vehicle, binoculars at the ready, to greet the animals as they start their day at sun-up. Your camp or lodge's vehicles are perfectly geared for photographing the animals, with three rows of seats and open sides meaning everyone gets a great view. During your morning drive, look out for buffalos, elephants, giraffes and hyenas as well as countless species of birds and small mammals. If today's your lucky day, you may even spot lions, cheetahs, leopards or wild dogs - your guide can show you how to recognise their tracks.

Then head back to camp with a good appetite, ready for your hearty late breakfast. After that, the family can relax during the heat of the day, before it's time for the afternoon game drive.

What's in store for the family on this morning's drive? By now your game spotting skills will have improved beyond recognition. In the Mara North Conservancy, which has balanced grazing that keeps the grass short and lush, your chances of spotting game can be greater than in the Mara Reserve itself, where cattle are not allowed. During the wildebeest and zebra migration from the Serengeti between July and October, the whole area teems with wildlife, making it one of the most incredible safari destinations in the world. At this time of year, your guide will head for the river crossings for the best observation points.

For adults and children over 12, a walking safari is not to be missed during your stay. Accompanied by an experienced walking guide and a local Masai, you'll be amazed at how much you can see from the ground, including animal tracks and plants. If the children are younger, they can learn about campfire building, how to throw a rungu (Masai club), make and fire a bow and arrow and track animals, so there's plenty to entertain them back at camp.

After your evening game drive, enjoy a final dinner with your camp mates and hosts.

This morning it's time to bid farewell to your new friends in the Mara and return to the airstrip for a flight first to Nairobi and then on to the coast. On arrival, you'll be met for your private transfer to your beachfront hotel or villa (we have a range of private hire options). After 'the bush', it's time for 'the beach', and along Kenya's coast it's all about relaxation and pleasure.

After those early starts and exciting game viewing, you now have time to completely relax and do as much or as little as you like, with activities from sea kayaking to snorkelling and sailing to fishing on offer for those who don't do R&R (read: the children). The watersports conditions here are exceptional, with kite surfing a particular speciality along this stretch of coast and tuition on hand for anyone tempted to give it a go. Diving is available for all abilities, including a pool-based 'try dive' for children aged eight.

Come evenings, the children might have finally tired themselves out, just in time to have dinner with toes in the sand.

Enjoy a leisurely last morning and perhaps a final stroll along the beach before a long lazy lunch. In mid-afternoon you will be met for your private transfer to the airport and after a short flight to Nairobi you'll arrive in plenty of time to connect onto your late night and overnight international flight back to the UK, which takes just under nine hours. A day room can be arranged at a nearby hotel should your little ones need a nap or space to run around while you wait for your home-bound flight, though flying overnight should help everyone to get a few hours' sleep.