Travelling with children requires a different kind of resort calculation. The view matters less when you have a six-year-old asking ‘but can we swim?’ for the third hour of the drive. The food options matter more. The safety of the pool matters enormously. And whether the kids will actually have something to do — rather than follow you around looking bored — often determines how relaxing the trip is for everyone.
Jaqanaz Resort in Naro Moru has become one of the more genuinely family-friendly options in the Mount Kenya region, and it is not because they have put a slide next to the bar and called it a kids’ area.
The Heated Pool (Both of Them)
Let us start with the most important thing for most families: the pool is heated. All of it. The half-Olympic main pool and the separate baby pool are both kept at a comfortable temperature — which matters a lot at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level where unheated water can be genuinely cold.
Parents who have made the mistake of booking a highland resort with an unheated pool know exactly why this is worth mentioning first. Guests from January 2026 confirmed the heating is currently working well.
And then there is Josphat. The lifeguard at Jaqanaz comes up by name in multiple reviews specifically for his attentiveness with children. That is not a small thing when you want to relax poolside without spending the whole afternoon on high alert.
The Zipline Over the Pool
The resort’s zipline runs directly over the swimming pool. From the water, you can watch people flying overhead. From the zipline, you are crossing directly above swimmers below. It is the kind of feature that immediately becomes the thing every child talks about — and that most adults secretly enjoy more than they expect to.
Obstacle Course and Kids Animation Park
Beyond the pool, the resort has a full obstacle course on the grounds. It is primarily marketed toward corporate team-building, but families use it just as enthusiastically. There is also a dedicated Kids Animation Park for younger children — a proper activity area, not just a repurposed corner of the lawn.
Rooms That Actually Fit a Family
Family Rooms sleep up to four guests and are designed to give parents and children enough space to coexist without everyone feeling like they are in a budget accommodation. All rooms feature large windows — at least two per room — to bring in the mountain views and light.
At night, staff place hot water bottles in the beds during turn-down. Children who have never experienced this tend to find it deeply exciting. Parents find it practical.
Feeding Everyone (Including the Picky Ones)
Breakfast is a full buffet: sweet potatoes, nduma (arrowroots), sausages, and a live omelette station. For lunch and dinner, the menu spans enough ground to cover most family preferences — and it explicitly includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The kitchen is more capable than the price point would suggest.
Day Trips the Kids Will Not Stop Talking About
The resort’s location puts several excellent family excursions within easy reach:
- Solio Game Reserve is just 3 km away — possibly the most effortless wildlife trip you will ever organise.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy is 19 km away (~28 min) — where children can see the last northern white rhinos.
- Mau Mau Caves are 18 km away — a memorable and educational half-day for older children.
For families searching for the top resort in Mt Kenya — one that keeps both children and parents genuinely happy — Jaqanaz delivers on the things that actually matter.
