December is a good time for Kenya. It is the start of the calving season in the parks, and the beaches are most lively. The country is nice and green after the short rains and there are birds everywhere. The Christmas period is a busy tourist season but if you can come before that then you’ll benefit from lower prices and a tranquil safari.

For a group with younger kids, I'd recommend up to seven days on safari, which gives you time to visit some of the main locations. Plus a few days on the beach afterwards (Lamu and Watamu are both superb for families).

The thing to know about safari is the game drives can involve long days on hot, bumpy roads. It can be pretty exhausting for anyone, especially kids. So you want to mix up the itinerary. Look for camps that accept kids younger than 12, and ideally stay in conservancies where the range of activities is more diverse (in conservancies you can do bush walks and walking safaris, in the main national parks you're limited to game drives). Laikipia is a good bet.