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Family-Friendly Travel in Kenya: Top Stays

Traveling with your children is amazing! Their happy faces and enthusiasm are a joy, but it also requires a lot of preparation. From toys and snacks to the essential cuddle toy, everything needs to be packed. If you want to relax and enjoy your holiday as parents, then a child-friendly accommodation is a must!

Charlie's Travels | Blog | Family-Friendly Travel in Kenya: Top Stays

What makes a good accommodation?

If you, as parents, also want to have an enjoyable and relaxing time, our experts (see the bottom of this article) believe that accommodations should meet a few key criteria. First and foremost, all parents opt for private accommodations. When your children take an afternoon nap or go to bed early in the evening, you don't want to be cramped on the tiny balcony of your hotel room. Instead, you want to relax on the veranda of a tented camp, enjoying the sounds of the savannah, or sit by the pool of your private house, watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean. Your children are within earshot, but you can still savor the romance of the African nights.

Plonsen en smeren!

A swimming pool is another must-have. If your kids are entertained, you’ll have time for yourself. So pack those floaties and beach ball, and let your kids splash around! Don’t forget the sunscreen, though. Unless you want a crying child with sunburned shoulders next to your bed at night, applying waterproof SPF 50 is an absolute necessity!

Wi-Fi is essential because you’ll want to share live updates.

Today's youth must have constant access to Instagram, as their phone or iPad is practically an extension of their arm. To avoid a grumpy teenager at the dinner table because they can’t share live updates, Wi-Fi is a must. However, keep in mind that on vacation, there’s no guarantee of a) network availability or b) a fast connection. Electricity is, of course, another requirement for Wi-Fi. Ensure all beloved devices stay alive with enough universal plugs, adapters, and cables. And don’t forget fully charged power banks! It’s worth noting that you may experience power outages lasting a while. Also, Kenya can be quite dusty. No matter how stunning the pristine white beaches are, the sand and the humid, salty sea air aren’t great for your devices' longevity. Now that we’ve covered these tips and requirements, here are 5 accommodations in Kenya that have passed the family-friendly test from fellow travelers: Maji-Moto-Eco-Camp

The Brandy Bus, Nairobi

In Karen, Nairobi, you’ll find this converted old-school double-decker bus, transformed into a super cool 6-person accommodation. There’s a lovely garden, a tennis court, and a dog to play with. Recently, wifi has also been set up. You’ll need to prepare your own meals, but there’s a fully equipped kitchen and shops (and restaurants) nearby.

Timau River Lodge, Nanyuki

For a trip to the north, a stop at Timau River Lodge is a great option. Run by Indians, you can join in for a meal with whatever is being served. There's a zipline, a rabbit hutch where you can cuddle with the bunnies, a trampoline, a waterfall, and the shallow river is perfect for building a dam. The log cabins can be a bit cold, but luckily, there's a cozy fireplace. The lodge is about 5 hours' drive from Nairobi, just an hour from Ol Pejeta, around 3 hours from Samburu, and Mount Kenya National Park is nearby.

Amboseli Bush Camp, Amboseli

With the mighty Kilimanjaro in the background, sitting on the balcony of your stilted tent, you look out over a watering hole for elephants. Do I need to say more? Oh yes, stone oven pizza! Want to know more about this beautiful area? Check out the Amboseli page!

Mwamba Conservation Centre, Watamu

Just 80 meters to the beach and the National Marine Park, that should be a short walk on a laid-back destination, right? In Watamu, on the north coast of Kenya, you’ll find this research institute where, in addition to enjoying all your meals, you can also join in the activities they do. How fun is it for your kids to help release baby turtles, tag birds, or even get a lesson in 'rockpooling'?

About this blog series: Kenya with your kids

This blog is part of a series about how wonderful it can be to travel with your children in Kenya. Kenya has something for everyone. Want to be active? There are plenty of amazing hikes, mountain biking routes, and water sports opportunities. Want to relax? White sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas await you on the coast, with super helpful and child-friendly Kenyans caring for your kids. Want adventure? Camp between wild animals, or experience the life of the real Masai during a tribal trek. And if you want to avoid malaria areas? No problem, there are plenty of options to fill three weeks with unforgettable experiences! Yes, you need to be a little flexible, but hey, you have to be on any vacation, right? In exchange, you'll get an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience! I’ve been living in Kenya since 2014 and have two daughters, aged 2 years and 6 months. But to share more than just my own experience, I’ve spoken to a few ‘experts’: other Dutchies who live in Kenya with their children.
  • Cornelia has lived in Kenya for 30 years with her two children, aged 10 and 12. She works as a personal assistant at the French School in Nairobi.
  • Jessica moved from South Africa to Kenya last year, and now lives here with her 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.
  • Janet moved to Kenya eight years ago for love and now has two sons, aged 2 and 5.
  • Joep made Kenya his home 15 years ago and lives here with his three children, aged 11, 10, and 8. He runs Expats to Expats.
  • Ayan moved to Mombasa to be closer to her mother. She has daughters aged 19, 17, 15, 6, 5, 3, and 1 year, and a son aged 13.
  • Annemarie has lived in Nairobi for two years with her 8-year-old daughter and owns a rental property in Diani.
  • Yga moved to Kenya with her family for work two years ago. She has a 4-year-old daughter, a 2.5-year-old son, and they are expecting their third.
  • Yoon is an IT specialist who moved to Kenya with his wife a year and a half ago. He is the father of two sons and one daughter, aged 18, 14, and 7.
  • Marion came to Kenya 30 years ago and has four children aged 27, 24, 21, and 15. She is the founder of the Sarakasi Trust.

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