Safari Advise Archives - A Family Safari Blog

A Perfect Family Adventure Safari, in Kenya

For adventure-seekers, nature-lovers, animal-lovers & those looking for memory-making family-time, this really is a Perfect Family Adventure … in Kenya.

It’s Brief This Time ;o)

I’m not going to bore you to death again with my endless adventure stories, my children not quite behaving as they should or my rather strong points of view of how the soft-furnishings should be; instead I’m going to present you with a photo collage of my new favourite Safari Adventure with Children, a handfull of days at Tumaren Camp (a fabulous little base camp for the fabulous Karisia walking Safaris), in Laikipia, Northern Kenya. I think this family safari is best summarized in the words of our children ‘that is my favourite and bestest camp we’ve ever stayed!’ Billy (our son), ‘me too’ exclaimed Zia (our daughter) … and we have stayed in 100’s folks, its what we do!! We truly had the most amazing time!!

Thank you!

Kerry, Jamie (the adventurous and super-fun owners) & the incredible Samburu guide that is Gabriel … & Tumaren Camp so very much for putting up with this mucky, mad, energetic, scalliwag family … you made our dreams come true!

Kenya, unlike Southern African countries, welcomes families travelling with young kids, with open arms. See more on this.

Practicalities:

Tumaren Camp – For those looking to experience a real safari, in comfort! T umaren offers so many incredible, natural activities giving a family the most incredible opportunity to bond and to form life-long memories together.
The Area – is rugged, dry, dramatic and eye-poppingly beautiful. You’re here for arid lands, the unexplored territory, the real culture and real life, and that is indeed what you get.
For those travelling to Kenya with kids – Do it, if there’s one thing you should do in life, come here for at least 3 nights, with your kids. I would even suggest two or three families. No Ipads, no TV, no shopping …. instead you will have time … time to chat, to sing, to have your meals under an umbrella tree in the bush, to walk, to ride camels, to rock climb, to watch the sun go down, to swim in the river, to see wildlife, to witness real Samburu culture … ahhhh heaven!
Weather – warm days and mild nights.
What to Pack? – A good camera and binoculars (even for the kids, it’ll help them get into it more). Layers … jeans and a warm jumper / jacket for the evening and early mornings and shorts and a t-shirt for the day. High SPF sun cream, hats .. and a big smilie face!
Price – USD450 per adult, per night (before conservation fees) – this includes all accommodation, all food (really delicious food!!), all drinks, all fully guided activities (walks, camel safaris, rock climbing, river-swimming, cultural experiences … etc.).
My advise – People go on holiday for very many different reasons, if you are looking to experience a safari how it always was, at an agreeable rate, but with all the luxuries you need (comfy beds, beautiful tented rooms, cold drinks, yummy bush food, great hosting etc.) Tumaren will suit you perfectly.
How to Book it? Kenya is not a country gifted with ‘ease of booking via bookings.com or hotels.com’ its always best to use a trustworthy, knowledgeable company who can help you book. We suggest contacting either Chania who can organise your entire safari from the minute you touchdown to the minute you take off! Or one of the incredible magicians at The SAFARI Company, who daily turn adventure-dreams into real-adventures!! Fancy finding out more about this rather special company?

To book a Family Adventure Safari tailored to YOUR unique & dynamic bunch click here!

Our Family-Friendly Guide to The World’s Most Impressive Wildlife Spectacle, The Annual Wildebeest Migration

If it’s the very best wildlife spectacle on earth that you’re looking to witness, with your family, the Annual Wildebeest Migration is indeed the World Cup of Wildlife, this is what you’re looking for. If it’s to get off the beaten track, away from the crowds, this guide is as helpful … just keep away😊!

What is the Annual Wildebeest Migration?

The annual wildebeest migration is the movement of over 1.5m wildebeest, 500,000 Burchell’s zebra, 200,000 Thompson’s gazelle and 18,000 eland antelope across 40,000 square kilometres; the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve & its surrounding conservancies in Kenya … these masses of wildlife are in search of green grass, they’re following the rain … hence the exact dates are not 100% predictable, but there is a continuous movement that generally takes place at the same time each year.

This movement is over expansive plains, accross crocodile infested rivers and through forests; it offers the viewer unbelievable experiences, both incredibly beautiful, awe inspiring, flabberghasting & brutal to the core. Put your seat belts on!

Our Advise

First & foremost, we would like to inform you that the wildlife viewing in the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara is excellent all year round, so any time is a good time to travel to either places, you just need to know where to base yourselves, and this is where we come in handy (did we mention we also own a safari organisation company?). Please feel free to contact us and we will help! Being one of the 7th Wonders of the World, don’t expect to be here alone, you will be sharing this spectacle with many other cars … unless you know someone who knows something 😉 and we will book you in little private conservancies away from the traffic jams, but close enough to dip in and out as you like!

Our Guide

Please use this only as a guideline when planning your East African safari as it is indeed weather dependent…. We’ve had double migrations before, early ones and late ones of course!

Map of Annual Wildebeest Migration Route

When & Where to view The Great Migration

- January to March – The big herds are often in the South / South East Serengeti (mainly Ndutu & Kusini). Calving often takes place in Jan / Feb, therefore there are loads of young, lots of predators and great visibility. A great time to travel here.
- April & May – The herds are now generally moving towards central Serengeti (Seronera). This is typically the time of the long rains in East Africa; generally rain appears in short bursts leaving dramatic skies and beautiful sunsets and game viewing is still excellent. NB. There are some great discounts available at lodges and camps throughout Kenya & Tanzania, and at The SAFARI Company, we love this time of year for photographers!
- June – The large herds of wildebeest are generally in central Serengeti (Seronera) as well as western Serengeti (Grumeti) in June. We love this time of year, the grass is usually greet, lots of young, beautiful skies and low volumes of visitors.
- July & August – They start to head north towards the Mara River (the river in between the Serengeti & the Maasai Mara). July is usually when the annual wildebeest migration all kicks off. River crossings may be seen in both the Western Corridor (Grumeti area) and the North (Mara River) within the Serengeti… as well as the northern Maasai Mara, The Mara Triangle and Musiara area.
- September & October – The herds have indeed filled up the Maasai Mara plains at this time of year as they move north and then east through the Masai Mara (from The Triangle, they move through Musiara, through Mara North Conservancy, Olare Orok Conservancy, Naboisho Conservancy and the Talek area, Siana and Olderkesi, starting to cross back to Tanzania in October / November.

Of course if this incredible experience is enticing you ….. have a little look at our other amazing itineraries, that are all reduced in price at the moment!!

For more stories, specials, reveals, news & views on The Great Migration and all other African travel deliciousness, please do follow The Safari Co Ltd on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

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Find out about our family safaris that we have put together, for you, as a result of our adventures.