Ever wondered how a typical family in Kenya lives? The country has a whooping forty two tribes or ethnic communities. Each with unique history, value, culture, lifestyle, religion, language and food. It’s now possible to stay a night or two with a local family when a safari in Kenya.

The best laid out safari in Kenya will take you to most of the game reserves for wildlife and transverse cultural boundaries taking time in each location to experience the culture and people.

On arrival in Nairobi, one can easily substitute hotel accommodation to a small neat and comfortable house on the suburbs of Nairobi, The Rurigi house along united nations avenue comes highly recommended, homely secure and easily accessible from down town.

A location likable to many is The Rioki Kenya Cultural Centre. A community based cultural project founded on the basis of creating awareness of the moral standards, values, and practices of the people of Central Kenya.

The centre represents the true traditional homestead of the largest tribe, The Kikuyu people. Some of the services rendered include a guided walk of the village, traditional dances, a lecture on the lifestyle of the community as well as an opportunity to sample traditional cuisine and drinks among others.

Along all safari tracks in Kenya you will never miss a friendly family that is happy to welcome you for a night. The masai people whom have been considered as the most cultural of all are finally happy to host a tourist in their ‘Manyatta’ homestead.

Most visitors will not share in the small huts but are happy to pitch up a tent and share their meals.

Karuru Tuu house is a large modern family home of unusual design. Located on the shows of Lake Naivasha the double storey house has dramatic features including the deck, over looking the lake. The reception rooms are particularly spacious.

'Karuru' is a Masai word for the Fish Eagle and its haunting cry greets you most mornings. The house is set in attractive gardens spilling into the surrounding natural vegetation, which support a wealth of different bird life. This is an ideal place to share a peaceful few days with a family and friends.

The highlands Guest House is situated 12 kilometers from Sotik town, one hour’s drive to Kericho. A beautiful old style colonial brick home with lovely garden a picnic area on a long ridge planted with tea, gum and indigenous forest.

This is ideally situated on route to the Masai Mara from the Rift Valley Kisumu and Northern Kenya. A great way to experience the north rift valley culture.

The Log cabin is a creatively designed two bedroom. The home is set on ten acres of landscaped gardens and lawns overlooking Lake Naivasha and through the Green Park Golf Club in the residential area.

Guests staying at Log Cabin they are able to use all the facilities of the green Great Rift Valley Lodge.

Activities include a world class 18 hole golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pool. There is a bar and restaurant. For the self caterers there is a small local grocery shop which has all basic requirements including meat, vegetables and hard goods.

On the other side of the lake, approx an hour drive, one can hire a boat to go out on the lake. The bird life around the lake is spectacular. There is a road that leads directly to Lake Nakuru National Park for a short safari.

Kembu cottages are a favorite to many, a farm that combines tranquil and cultural experience that you cannot miss when on a safari. The host family will let you choose from a tree house to varieties of two to three bed room cottages, all spread out on the farm.

The Tree house is engulfed in a huge bougainvillea, this room suits those who enjoy the informal nature of the campsite. Appreciate the elevated view from the luxury of your double bed or private veranda.

Perfect for a couple wanting to get away on a weekend safari and enjoy the tranquility of a country lifestyle. This romantic, relaxing retreat is set aside under the world’s largest Acacia Abyssinia.

The cottage consists of a double bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Guests eat either in the conservatory, or be hosted in the main farm house. For a more informal option, meals can be taken in the bar.

The Yellow Room is an extension of the main Farmhouse with its own access from the central courtyard. It is ideal for those people who want to escape the impersonal feel of a large hotel, to enjoy a home from home feel after a busy day on the road.

The Kenana Cottage is a modern yet colonial style cottage fitting for the location. Its huge veranda spans the length of the cottage affording wonderful views over the sunken garden and on the vastness of the Great Rift Valley.

Each en suite bedroom has its own separate French windows out onto the veranda, and another door leads into the central social area. The lounge area is tucked in around a cosy fireplace between the open plan kitchen and breakfast bar, and the seated dining area.

Kenana Cottage has been designed with mobility-impaired access in mind. The whole building is on one level, with drive up access to the veranda. It has wide doorways, grab rails, easy to use taps and seating in the showers.

Mutati Cottage is named after the parasol tree growing in its own private garden. This cottage affords a perfect family getaway.

This self catering cottage has a cozy lounge with fireplace, twin & double bedrooms with shared bathroom and an upstairs balcony that offers a fantastic view over the Rift Valley.

Multitude of services are on offer and there is the option of full catering on a per person basis. Staff are available to do laundry, cleaning and washing up. A babysitting service can be organized.

The Tigoni home is hosted home that offers guest a peace and comfort. Set out in the vast tea farms of Limuru highlands the house has spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms for a maximum of 10 guests.

Open beamed ceilings, natural woodwork, log fires in the lounges and views over one of the last pockets of indigenous forest, and complement the serenity.

For those how will eventually end up at the Kenya coast line after the safari, The Salama house is a beach front Swahili styled adapted to modern use. They have kept the enchantment of the traditional Swahili architecture, but have design them to meet the needs of modern travelers.

The house has five bedrooms that can accommodate ten persons. The living room open to the courtyard, top terrace overlooking the sea and the old town, plunge pool, dinning room, small courtyard and full equipped kitchen should you require self catering.

The Kikapu’s are hosted cottages constructed of wood, reed matting and thatch. The main house over looking’s the magnificent blue Lagoon at Kenya’s Watamu beach which was once rated as the 7th best beach in the world by The Sunday Times.

Each cottage is very private with a sunbathing deck and veranda and has fantastic views of the Indian Ocean. The main house sleeps six people.

There is also a spacious dining room that overlooks the sea, as well as a beautiful large swimming pool. It’s ideal for families or small groups wanting to interact with local and at the same time have a little privacy.

Kenya’s Lamu Island is an independent traveler paradise. If you have take that dusty road safari up country, Lamu is where you need to wind up your Africa travel.

Kenya's oldest living town that has retained all the charm and character built up over centuries. There are no cars so donkeys are the main means of transport.

Children play in the narrow streets, men chat on street corners and women busy themselves through doorways. Most houses have a rooftop which is used as a patio indicative of a society where hanging back‚ and catching the breeze‚ is important.

The most friendly of all are the local habitants of Lamu, no wonder almost all the local house have been converted to accommodate guest.

The hosted Palm Beach House is nestled in the Old Lamu Town, it’s is a very luxurious beach house. Built in the traditional Swahili style around an open courtyard, facilities include a plunge pool.

The divine views of the historic town and the sparkling Indian Ocean beyond make Kenya’s Lamu houses exceptional.

My advice, try to wind up your Kenya safari experience in Lamu.