Lewa and Laikipia

The highland air is fresh and clear, and majestic Mount Kenya’s craggy peaks remind you you’re in montane country. Dramatic vistas across open savannah grasslands and lush valleys are interspersed with attendant game and a bounty of birdlife.

It’s tough to top the wild abundance of rare species here; you’re likely to be welcomed with lions at the Lewa airstrip and observe Africa’s largest black rhino population in Ol Pejeta. Near-extinct Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Somali ostrich call this home, and in case your family safari holiday bucket list wasn’t already brimming over, you might spot a mountain bongo or two – and the wild dog population is on the rise.

Lewa Downs is famed for its spectacular game-viewing and leading rhino conservation efforts, but adjacent conservancies offer wonderful wildlife plus the kind of exclusivity that lends itself to a Kenya luxury family safari. Further north, the Laikipia plateau sets the stage for unforgettable fun: think quad biking, camel rides and helicopter flips with the stunning Mathews Range as a backdrop.

October to May sees some rain showers, but there’s still plenty of sunshine to light up your family safari holiday; the rest of the year is cooler and drier, and excellent for game viewing.

It’s the innumerable activities on offer that really knock this destination out of the ballpark. From game drives and walking safaris to horse- and camel-riding, to fishing, fly-camping, mountain- and quad-biking, to cultural visits, visits to farms, gardens, park headquarters, ranger posts… there’s guaranteed to be something that makes this Kenya family safari memorable for everyone.