14 Magical Places To Visit With Kids In Kenya (Incase You Are Wondering Where To Take Your Family Next.)
14 MAGICAL PLACES TO VISIT WITH KIDS IN KENYA
WRITER: Emily Wekulo
Traveling with kids is always tricky for me. As a mom of three daughters, all below ten, it is extremely difficult to decide where to take my girls. I am a paranoid kind of mom and the safety of my girls always comes first. Are you the kind of parent who is keen on going to places that are safe and all fun for the children? In Kenya, we have places lined up for you, taking care of your normal parental paranoia and ensuring your child doesn’t get worked up on missing out on the fun at the same time. Check out the following must visit places for your next family trip.
- PARK SAFARIS
Kenya is a number one Safari destination in Africa. We have over fifty National Parks and Game Reserves and nature conservancies as well. The number one activity when traveling to Kenya with Your kids is book an extreme safari experience with Come Travel Kenya. You will be offered options ranginging from Tsavo East, Amboseli and Masai Mara among other parks. These parks are friendly for kids camping and safaris as well. You can take them on a day safari to spot the animals and sightseeing. Parks are parked with activities and you need to schedule for months to experience even a third of the many things you can do with your family in Kenya.
LET’S CHECK OUT NAIROBI AND ITS ENVIRONS FIRST
- NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
A day spent just walking through the park, teasing monkeys, chasing after butterflies works all the time for my girls. I have seen parents taking theirs to drives in the park as well. We once carried some sandwiches and juice, found a grassy spot and had a picnic for a few hours and it was heavenly for the kids. Anything done at the park has always been refreshing and unique. Besides watching animals, interacting with them and reading about the many species found in the Nairobi National Park, the green and shrubbery is good for the children. Nothing soothes the soul more than listening to the kids’ feet tapping on the ground as they run along, punctuated by their exciting laughter.
- GIRAFFE CENTER
Your kids will be thrilled by the sheer thought of feeding a giraffe. That’s what you do at the giraffe center in Nairobi. The giraffe center is extremely lash and open for children to run around and interact with the giraffes. They serve nice meals here as well. You won’t have to worry about what the kids will eat. There is enough space for the kids to run around and lots of animals to interact with.
- MAJI MAGIC AQUA PARK
Water always excites kids. If your kids are into splashing in the sun, this is the perfect place for you to take them. There is a lot of space and lots of fun activities for families and individuals. Bring your kids here when you visit and have them splash the day away. Maji is the swahili word meaning water. Water is relaxing. Kayaking, boat riding, waterslides name it. Your kids will waste away here and sleep well afterwards.
.TWO RIVERS MALL
This mall is packed with activities ranging from shopping to fun activities for both adults and children. It is a one stop place to have the Nairobi city experience. The Magical planet is found here. We have a themed park here. Swimming, kids spa, nice meals and snacks for the tots. The mall is also safe and one can easily track their child in the beehive of activities. Am yet to take my kids here but I have a three day plan of making my girls’ fun buds explode.
- NAIROBI ANIMAL ORPHANAGE
This is home of all orphaned animals from various game reserves in kenya. If you are into nature saving and conservation and you want to pass it down to your children, this is the best place. There are other nature conservancy parks away from Nairobi mentioned further in the article, you may want to sample them out. Read on to inculcate nature conservancy in your children.
- SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
Your kids can have a chance of feeding a baby elephant – isn’t that amazing?
- NGONG HILLS
Camping at Ngong Hills is one of the finest cheapest activities you can do with your kids. The Ngong Hills is a scenic place with many activities. You can hike, zip line, go for an excursion, check out The Kisame Giraffe Camp, go on a wind farm adventure among many more other activities. Outdoor activities are always fun for kids in addition to being educational. If they are curious with a knack for innovation, a lesson in wind energy is a place to start, you know.
- MAMBA VILLAGE
Mamba is the swahili word for crocodile. Mamba village is a home of crocodiles in Nairobi. If reptiles excite your kids, this is a place with nice kids fun facilities. They will not only feed the crocodiles to build up their adrenaline but also interact with other animals like ostriches and antelopes on the wild farm. They have enough spaces for kids to run around and just enjoy being in the wild. There is a Mamba Village in Mombasa too. You can always visit from where you are.
- MAASAI OSTRICH FARM
The drive from Nairobi to Kitengela where the farm is located is a thrill on its own. But let’s focus on the Maasai Ostrich farm. It is a spacious piece of land with a dozen of ostriches on the farm. I wonder if they serve ostrich eggs and meat… you might want to find out. Your kids will enjoy hunting for ostrich eggs and running after the tamed humongous birds.
MOMBASA AND ITS ENVIRONS
Mombasa is a place where you can camp for months. If you are looking for a place to go with your kids for even a year, it’s Mombasa. You can never explore it to the end. It is never enough. It is a beautiful island with a lot of history that can keep your kids glued for weeks. The swahili culture is beyond intriguing. There are many places to visit that are kid friendly especially the private beaches and historical sites like Fort Jesus, Mombasa Old Town among others. I have suggested two places for kids other than marine parks. You might want to avoid public beaches especially with kids for hygiene and general safety.
- DIANI BEACH,
Diani is accessible by air, that’s why I picked it. From Nairobi you can use a private jet with kids to Diani. It is a private beach with exotic hotel life. If you are looking for class and hospitality on the Kenyan Coast for your family, then Diani is the place for you.
- WATAMU MARINE PARK
Kenya has the longest water creek in Africa and this marine park is a part of it. This is the best aqua experience you will ever give to your children. They will be able to see hundreds of ocean species and get the thrill of being under water. This is the home of the famous green turtle and many coral gardens. It is an experience of a lifetime.
12.MALINDI
Lets just say Malindi is a pristine rustic town that will help your kids just relax and feel loved. It is a town for love. Many come here on their honeymoon but I love it for family vacations. Malindi is just a beautiful laid back town, with amazing people and extremely accommodating. You can visit the famous Gede Ruins, explore the Ndoro Sculpture garden, visit the Mida Creek, Malindi marine park is so beautiful and you can dine at La Rosanda and get to enjoy tasty italian cuisines.
WESTERN KENYA TOUR
- KAKAMEGA FOREST
If your children love country life or you just want to give them the experience, then Kakamega is your next stop when you visit kenya. Kakamega forest is a thriller. You get the best nature trails, real forest experience, bird watching and chasing butterflies. Your kids should be a bit older to enjoy this. I suggest above ten years, you can help them earn a scouts badge for camping in a real forest. Kakamega town is well developed and you will get a well furnished air BnB. There are a good number of star hotels here that are safe for kids. Would you pack bikes and come ride in Kakamega forest with your kids?
- LAKE VICTORIA
You probably have heard of the town by the lake already? Kisumu is a warm place, with amazing places for camping. Imagine camping by the lake, watching hippos glide in the lake, take a boat to a lone island on the lake, pitch a tent and have a family retreat, or just find a nice hotel and enjoy fresh Tilapia from the lake.
You don’t have to worry about your kids when you come to kenya. There are a dozen activities you can do with them here. so , will you start off in the parks or at the coast? Leave a comment on your decision.
