Masai Mara Family Safari

Duration: 3 nights

The unbeatable location in the Masai Mara combined with the range of activities available at the award-winning Sanctuary Olonana sets the stage for a perfect family safari in Africa. Book now and one child per family will stay absolutely FREE.

Day 01 - Sanctuary Olonana

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and after going through customs a Sanctuary Retreats representative will be waiting for you at the arrivals. You will be picked up and transferred the short distance to Wilson Airport (30 minutes) for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara – Kichwa Tembo airstrip. Your flight to Masai Mara departs Wilson airport at 09:15 or 10:00 and is a 45 minute flight.

Sanctuary Olonana is an exclusive camp built along the Mara River at the foot of the Siria Escarpment and is the only luxury camp in this part of the Masai Mara that admits children of all ages. With 14 very spacious tents (twelve with  two queen size beds) that have floor to ceiling mosquito netting, en suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush lavatories, solar lighting and large river view verandas, this is the perfect setting for a family holiday.

At Kichwa Tembo airstrip, your professional safari guide will be waiting to welcome you. You will be driven the short distance to camp and depending on your luck be rewarded with a few sightings which may range from herds of elephants, resident wildebeests, giraffes, buffalos, zebras and ever present gazelles. This does not rule out the predators such as a pride of lions, cheetahs or relaxed leopards lazing in the camouflage of the trees.

After check in relax and freshen up before a sumptuous lunch is served. If you need special food or early meals for children you can inform the reception upon check in.

The main dining room and veranda commands a dramatic stretch of the Mara River providing the perfect setting for meals – breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner star gazing.

After lunch you can take a short siesta before joining our very knowledgeable guide on the afternoon game drive. He will have stocked his cool box with plenty of drinks and snacks. This drive will take you to experience the phenomenal wildlife that Masai Mara has to offer. If jetlagged you can choose to relax by the pool and wash away the weariness of the long flight as you set yourself ready for the next action-packed three days ahead.

Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 02 - Sanctuary Olonana

This morning you will be woken up with a steaming hot tea or coffee before departing for an early game viewing to try and catch the early morning action in the park.

The Mara is a fabulous location for watching all of the big five, a variety of plains game and over 300 bird species. The plains offer a rich variety of prey for the dominant predators: lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Elephants browse amongst the large herds of wildebeest, topi, eland, buffalo, Thomson’s and Grant gazelles. In the river the hippos submerge to snort and grumble while crocodiles sunbathe, mouth agape on the river banks. From July to October, there’s the greatest show on earth – the wildebeest migration.

You will return to camp for a big breakfast after which the camp naturalist will be waiting to take you on an adventure filled nature walk. This will give you an opportunity to understand the Masai Mara/Serengeti ecosystem. The walk will start with the introduction of Sanctuary Olonana eco initiatives for example our grey water treatment plant that has earned us several accolades the latest being the Eco Warrior Award, our tree planting project and our organic vegetable garden. Then you will move out of the camp to follow the river with the escarpment posing majestically on the west. You will stop from time to time to identify animal prints, animal droppings, feathers of birds, plants, trees and wild flowers. Children can also go on a treasure hunt.

Return to camp for lunch after which you can go swimming or revitalize in our spa that has a wide range of treatments ranging from facials, manicures and full body massages.

Mid-afternoon high tea is served followed by the afternoon game drive. As the afternoon activity comes to an end, drive to a specially chosen vantage point overlooking the Mara plains. Here you will find drinks beautifully laid out in the middle of nowhere where you can sit to enjoy the drinks and the cool of the evening. You will be treated to a magnificent sunset lighting up the acacia dotted plains, transforming it into a beautiful array of red-gold colours while the children take stock of the activities of the day.

Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 03 - Sanctuary Olonana

Your wakeup call will be accompanied with hot steaming tea or coffee after which you will join your guide ready with picnic breakfast. This will give you more time in the wild to try and see the early morning all the action – a hunt maybe or even a kill or try to spot the elusive rhinoceros, after which you will drive to vantage point by the river where you will set up your breakfast to eat as you watch crocs and hippos coexist in the Mara river. After breakfast you will continue with game viewing before returning to camp for a hot lunch.

After lunch you will be ready to visit the Masai village. You will take a short walk to the village – upon arrival at the village you will be greeted with singing and dancing as you are ushered in to the “ENKANG”. Here you will meet the elders who will sit you down and take you through the history and the existence of the Maasai people. They will show in detail the practical existence of the tribe and how they have managed to hold onto their traditions for centuries. Some of the activities discussed might include the village construction, tending of livestock, fire making, marriage/wedding rites and ceremonies, death ceremonies, food, the art of bow and arrow and spear making and throwing, and stories of warriors. After a, fun-filled Masai village visit you will drive back to the camp for a bush dinner.

On this evening drive out into the bush where a private and secluded clearing has been prepared for an elegant dinner in the middle of the wilderness.

Overnight: Sanctuary Olonana

Day 04 - Sanctuary Olonana

Spend your morning game viewing or at leisure at camp. As for the children they can spend the morning enjoying storytelling by the naturalist about the adventures of Masai Mara.

In the afternoon your guide will transfer you to the airstrip for the scheduled flight back to Wilson Airport. On arrival the Sanctuary Retreats representative will be at hand to meet you and transfer you the short distance to the Jomo Kenyatta International airport for your international departure.

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