susanne100

Hi, My name is Susanne. I have recently been looking into going on a safari with my husband and three kids. We are a really outdoor family, and so we thought this would be a great family adventure. On that note, I want to make sure it's safe. I saw this website www.kenya.com and it looks legitimate and like a great travel resource but I am wondering if anyone knows anymore about this website. Is Kanya safe to take a family to right now? Does kenya.com looking like a reliable and trustworthy website to you?

Let me know your thoughts,
Susanne

divine54

hi susanne,

i cannot comment on that website - i simply don't know the operator.

regarding your questions:

- kenya is as safe as an african country can be - generally speaking as long as you use your common sense. you should be fine there especially as you won't do a safari on your own incl. taxi rides or selfdrive.

- safari is not a particularly "outdoor" adventure especially in view to kids! i mean you are outdoors doing game drives in safari vehicles but you most certainly wouldn't do a game walk with kids. and some - or most - of the camps don't have swimmingpools for that kind of fun.
the lodges (serena e.g.) might offer more for kids than tented camps.


also in view to tented camps: mostly they don't accept kids under 12 years of age for obvious reasons.

pls provide us with more specifics as

- age of the kids
- budget
- interestes/specifics
- length of holiday

etc.

the more the fodorites know the more they can advise.

div

DJCat

Hi Suzanne,

Imaginative Traveller, a British company offers family trip to Kenya. You might want to check them out. http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/

sandi

Kenya is perfectly safe for family safaris. All of the "big" and expensive suppliers, as A&K and Micato (and others) have programs specifcally tailored to families.

There are some camps (Intrepid's Camps of the Heritage Hotel group) that have programs for young adventurers and for rangers (young teens), so it's obvious they cater to young ones.

Ideally, children are ready for safari at age 8, when they can understand rules & regulations. And, sharing rooms or tents with parents offer discounts.

Read the various trip reports under title East African Trip Report Index where there maybe reports of family travel.

Do further research for companies who cater to families, but it's just as easy to design your own - where, how many days, type of accommodations, activities, etc. In fact, check out the itineraries offered by A&K or Micato, then contact an East African safari specialist in your country or an in-country Kenyan outfitter (there are many listed on Fodor's), have them price and/or tailor to your needs.

Safari is a wonderful and educational experience for people of all ages, and safe.

Dana_M

Hi Susanne,
Welcome to Fodors. How wonderful you will be going on a family safari. Kenya is a great place for a first safari. My first trip to Africa was to Kenya and Tanzania, and I loved every moment. Sandi is, of course, absolutely correct. Kenya is perfectly safe for a family safari. She gave you some other great advice as well.

I have never heard of the website you mentioned, but I'd be quite hesitant to plan a trip around a website. Post more information about yourself, your family, when you'd like to travel, your budget, etc., and we can offer advice. Also read the trip reports Sandi mentioned. You'll find the names of some good agents in those reports.

Dana_M

Here's the link to the trip report Index

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860283

bittty2000

Hello Susanne . I am Bitty . The web is very reliable but what you will need in this case is a tour operator who do family safaris with children . Kenya has alot of tour operators but very few do family safaris . I have been with Servas Travelers [www.servas.org ] and in any time they visit me , especially families , We have used MICATO SAFARIS for luxury family safaris and ISAAC SAFARS for mid range or budget family safaris. THEIR EMAILS ARE;
[email protected]
[email protected]

This are the best family tour operators i could recomend to you.

Bitty.

Patty

Here are a few trip reports of Kenya safaris with kids to get you started:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34892411

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34854664

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860246

atravelynn

Now is a good time to plan for June through Aug of 2009, which is probably when you'll be going with kids. Plus it's a great time throughout most of Africa.

Kenya is safe, but I'd expand your research beyond that website, which is not familiar.

You've been given some good links.