Ultimate Family Bush & Beach Safari

After a relaxed family breakfast, your driver transfers you to Wilson Airport for a scenic light-aircraft flight north over Mount Kenya; Landing at Lewa, 62,000 acres of private conservancy and one of Africa's great rhino sanctuaries, you're driven to Sirikoi House: your own private home in the wild, complete with dedicated chef, private safari vehicle and guide. An afternoon game drive eases everyone into safari rhythm.

With your own guide and vehicle, the day is built entirely around your family u2014 no fixed schedules, no sharing with other guests. Track black and white rhino in the morning, return for a swim in the pool while giraffe drift past the waterhole, then head out again when the children have recharged. Guided bush walks, bird watching, bush meals and sundowners are all on the menu; your guide will read the family's energy and plan accordingly.

At Sirikoi, days are as action-packed or as relaxed as desired. The lodge offers a range of activities to experience the wildlife, explore the wilderness and understand the culture of the local communities. These include Guided Game Drives u2013 day and night, Guided Bush Walks (weather dependent) Bird Watching, Bush Meals, Picnic Excursions and Sundowners. Between the activities, you will get a chance to swim in the heated Infinity Swimming Pool while watching wildlife or even a workout in the gym.

On this day after breakfast, your guide will transfer you back to Lewa Downs airstrip for a Mid-morning shared scheduled flight to the Maasai Mara. Your light aircraft descends over the Siria Escarpment and the Mara Triangle unfolds below ,vast, golden and alive. At Manzili Mara, one of East Africa's most extraordinary private homes, the afternoon game drive awaits before sundowners on the deck and dinner under the stars.

Rise before dawn for an early morning game drive u2014 the Mara at first light is something else entirely. Big cats on the move, elephants crossing the plains, the air still cool and quiet. Return to the house for a leisurely breakfast before heading out again in the late afternoon. The Mara Triangle is consistently regarded as the finest game viewing area in the entire Maasai Mara ecosystem u2014 and days like this show you exactly why. End the evening with a private bush dinner, the sounds of the African night all around you.

Before dawn, lift silently above the plains in a hot-air balloon; drifting over elephant herds, lion prides and the silver thread of the Mara River below, before a champagne (and fresh juice) bush breakfast in the golden morning light. (Balloon Ride is available for children aged 8yrs and above) Back at the house, the afternoon is unhurried: a visit to a nearby Maasai community, spear-throwing lessons, or one final drive in search of anything still on the family wish-list.

One last sunrise game drive, breakfast on the terrace, then fly via Nairobi's Wilson Airport to Manda airstrip on the Lamu archipelago. A short boat ride delivers you across the channel to Pamba House, your private Swahili home by the sea. Barefoot from here on: the children in the pool before the bags are unpacked, dhows drifting past, and dinner of fresh seafood and Swahili spices as the call of the island slows everything down.

The Indian Ocean sets the agenda. Snorkel the reefs, sail aboard a traditional dhow, or wander the carved doorways and donkey-width lanes of Lamu's Old Town u2014 a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living lesson richer than any classroom. Back at the house, lunch by the pool and an afternoon of absolutely nothing, gloriously.

A day entirely at leisure u2014 beach walks at low tide, sandcastle engineering, a sunset dhow cruise with the whole family aboard. Your house team will happily arrange anything from a Swahili cooking lesson with the children to a beach barbecue under the stars for your final night together.