Kenya (on a shoestring???)

[Broccoli]

We are a family of 7 and are really hoping to go to Kenya in the summer with a bit of beach time and a bit of safari - ideally with Nakuru thrown in for good measure! We plan to make it an amazing holiday for the kids (8,10,12,14 and 16) before GCSE revision kicks off big time for our eldest, and from then on in it will be exams all the way. We have lived overseas, and travelled a bit so that side of it doesn't bother us, and my husband and I have both been to Africa on several occasions. Our biggest obstacle is cost, just wondering if other Mumsnetters might be able to help?

a) does anyone has any recommendations of great beach hotels or safari camping/lodges they have experienced that won't break the bank

b) can anyone can recommend any travel agents here or in Kenya who might be able to help fine-tune our trip?

c) does anyone have any sneaky cost saving measures we could utilise!!

Thanks in advance for any help.....

I have been to Kenya on a shoe string (but I was a student, so it was grim but loads of fun). We spent more time in Tanzania. We stayed on the slopes of Kilimanjaro on a coffee farm which was amazing. Perhaps a semi working holiday would be good?

We did stay in one hotel in Arusha that was so surreal.it was a completely empty grand colonial hotel. They charged us pennies to stay as they simply had no other business. The dining room was set for 200 but it was just our party of 6 for breakfast.....

We booked flights as opposed to a package, but had a very savvy friend who watched the prices and swooped at the right time to get the best price.

Sounds like an amazing thing to do with your family. Now I have DCs I would love to take them on this kind of adventure! They are very lucky!