Family Days Out in Kenya: Costs for Children

Children usually pay about half in Kenya, and the discounts follow set age bands, so a family budget is easier to build than it first looks. Here is what each outing costs for children and how to fit them into a day.

Child prices at a glance

  • Giraffe Centre: KES 750 for ages 3 to 12, under 3 free (adults KES 1,500).
  • Sheldrick elephant nursery: US$5 donation for under 12, adults US$20, in cash.
  • Nairobi National Park: US$40 for children, US$80 for adults.
  • Amboseli and Lake Nakuru: US$45 for children, US$90 for adults.
  • Maasai Mara: US$50 for ages 9 to 17, free under 9. Adults pay US$100 from January to June and US$200 from July to December.

Park fees are set in US dollars, and the KWS parks are prepaid on the eCitizen portal .

A gentle first day in Nairobi

Start at the Giraffe Centre, which opens at 9:00 and lets even small children feed giraffes from a raised platform. It takes up to 2 hours and is busiest between 11:00 and 13:00 on weekdays, so go early. Payment is by M-Pesa or card.

The Sheldrick nursery runs from 11:00 to 12:00 only, and the calves are brought out for milk and mud baths. It suits children who can stand still for an hour. Request a place well ahead through the Trust’s site , which handles bookings up to 3 months out. The Nairobi National Park fee is charged on top. Close the day with a late lunch and no further plans.

Nairobi National Park and the museums

The park is a 20-minute drive from the city and a good first game drive for children because it is short, with lions, giraffes and rhinos against the skyline. At the National Museums of Kenya, the Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park are an option on a wet afternoon, with adult non-resident entry at US$18 and children at about half. Check the current rates at museums.or.ke .

Safari with young children

The Mara road takes 5 to 6 hours each way, which is long for small children. A flight from Wilson Airport takes about 45 minutes, and lodges can arrange the transfer. Plan 2 to 3 nights and keep game drives to the cooler hours. Herds arrive in the Mara from late July, though river crossings are never guaranteed, so do not promise children a crossing.

Practical advice

  • Ask drivers for child seats before booking, since road travel is long.
  • Bring hats, sun cream and a light jacket for early starts.
  • Take a refillable bottle, as single-use plastics are banned in parks.
  • Carry cloth bags because plastic carrier bags are illegal.
  • Apply for the eTA at etakenya.go.ke before flying, about US$30 per traveller.

To save organising time, see family Nairobi tours on GetYourGuide and check what the price includes. More options are on the attraction tours page . For a coastal break afterwards, compare family hotels at Diani on Booking.com .

Verdict: book the elephants first, add the giraffes around them, and keep the Mara for children old enough to enjoy a 5-hour road day.