Kenya Family Holiday (2009)

Drive to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the 24,000-acre Sweetwaters Reserve at the foot of Mount Kenya. The private reserve offers escorted bush walks and night game drives. The chimpanzee and rhino sanctuary is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. It is also home to chimps from the Jane Goodall Institute in Burundi, where a great many were placed after being rescued. Glimpse some of the abundant game on this afternoon's safari drive. Sweetwaters Tented Camp B L D

After breakfast, travel to the semi-arid bush country of the Samburu Game Reserve. On an afternoon game drive, look for elephant as well as unique northern species. Samburu National Reserve offers what is arguably Kenya's greatest - and least changed - encounter with the wild Africa of yesteryear. Buffalo, lion and leopard can all be seen along the Uaso Nyiro River, and the 400-plus species of birds are positively spectacular. The reserve is also the home of the Samburu tribe, cousins of the Maasai, who share the same nomadic, cattle-herding existence and an even stricter adherence to their ageold rites and customs. Samburu Intrepids B L D

See more of Samburu's typical species, including the Somali ostrich, and visit a traditional Samburu village. Children's activities include wildlife study on game drives and encounters with Samburu's "Special Five" (the reticulated giraffe, long-necked gerenuk, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra and the beisa oryx). Young safari-goers also enjoy educational presentations by the resident naturalist, guided walks with a focus on game tracking, butterfly catching and opportunities to meet with the Samburu people to learn about their lifestyle. There is always time for outdoor games and activities at Samburu. Go on treasure hunts, play football or volleyball, swim, ride camels or bring out your artistic side through painting and drawing. Samburu Intrepids B L D

Awaken to the sounds of the wilderness. After breakfast, board a flight across the Great Rift Valley to the land of the Maasai, a cattle-herding people still proudly maintaining their traditional way of life. Arrive at your tented camp beside a sweeping bend in the Talek River, where you spend the afternoon driving across the limitless plains viewing the abundant game in one of Kenya's most spectacular areas. Mara Intrepids Club B L D

Spend two days in this magnificent savannah country, home to Kenya's most varied animal populations. Game viewing is never dull in the Mara, and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings. Lion are found in abundance throughout the park as are elephant, giraffe and zebra. Cheetah and leopard are also regularly seen and, with luck, you may also find rhino. Activities for children include mammal study on morning and afternoon game drives, guided walks with the resident naturalist to identify animal tracks to cast in plaster, and nature walks with lessons on herbal medicine. In addition to game drives, visit a Maasai village to learn about tribal home life, attending a short lecture and interacting with young children, warriors and elders. Learn the arts of beadwork and leatherwork and participate in various cultural activities. Discover the abundant birdlife and learn how to identify them through their calls, bills, feet, habitats and plumage patterns. In the evening, there is traditional singing and dancing. Naturalists present a slideshow and discuss the Maasai culture: their roles in the community, the different stages of life and their folk tales. On one of your mornings here, consider adding an optional hot air balloon safari. Mara Intrepids Club B L D

Fly to Nairobi, where lunch is held at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant, a meat eater's paradise. The focal point of the main restaurant is the "roasting pit" where a staggering array of both game and domestic meat is roasted on huge metal spears. Waiters bring these different meats to the table and carve onto piping hot plates. For herbivores, there is an extensive vegetarian menu. Waiters continue their rounds until you admit defeat and lower the flag that is perched on your table. Continue on a brief sightseeing tour of the Karen Blixen Museum, made famous by the film Out of Africa. Visit the nearby Giraffe Center, home to several endangered Rothschild giraffes. These include some of the offspring of Daisy, the giraffe made famous by Betty Leslie-Melville's book, Raising Daisy Rothschild. Transfer to Nairobi Serena Hotel, where dayrooms are reserved until departure for your homebound flight. Nairobi Serena Hotel (dayroom) B L

Today, you arrive in the USA or Canada.