Really, it’s OK to pet the rhino

KENYA

GO where the wild things are on a safari to Kenya that caters to families.

The 11-day tours, offered year round, visit Tsavo National Park, the Central Highlands, Masai Mara National Reserve, Mombasa and Nairobi.

Children “get to pet a rhino, feed a giraffe and play with baby elephants,” said Karin Jones, who designed the trip.

Families also stay in the area where research was done for the Disney movie “The Lion King.”

Participants will have opportunities to view herds of zebra, elephant, giraffe as well as large predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Lodgings include a working ranch in the Laikipia region of the Central Highlands, where park rangers take the kids to see wildlife or plant trees. Guests also stay at a luxurious Alfajiri villa in Mombasa on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Guests staying at the villas are attended by butlers, nannies and a chauffeur.

Cost: $5,245 per adult and $3,150 per child (and up, depending on the season), including airfare from Los Angeles, internal airfare, lodging, meals, unlimited green fees, massages and private car and driver during three nights at an Alfajiri villa.

Contact: African Travel Inc., Glendale; (800) 421-8907 or (818) 507-7893, www.africantravelinc.com.

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CALIFORNIA

Half-day cruises follow the whales

WATCH gray whales migrate through the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary on half-day excursions daily through March.

The excursions, on catamarans departing Ventura Harbor or by powerboat from Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, leave at 1:30 p.m. daily, returning at 5 p.m. On weekends additional trips are available beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Naturalists on board explain marine ecology and identify wildlife. “It’s quite an educational opportunity,” said Linda Benedik of Island Packers tour company.

“This time of year [the whales] tend to be near the Channel Islands as they travel south. Later in the season, when they return with their babies, they tend to be closer to the shore.”

The whales are in the middle of a 12,000-mile round-trip journey to their winter breeding grounds in Baja -- the longest migration undertaken by any mammal. The number of whales going south peaks in January; the number going north peaks in March.

Passengers may bring a lunch and drinks or purchase snacks on board.

Cost: $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $17 for children 12 and younger, including cruise and lectures. Full-day cruises are $60 for adults, $55 for seniors and $45 for children.

Contact: Island Packers, Ventura and Oxnard; (805) 642-1393, www.islandpackers.com.

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ENGLAND

London theater tour, and more

EXPLORE the culture capital on an eight-night spring theater tour to London with Pasadena City College.

The tour, which begins April 14, includes five shows, shopping on Oxford Street, museum hopping and tours of Leeds Castle and the historic Globe Theatre.

The group has a day at leisure to explore sights such as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

Cost: $2,415 per person, double occupancy ($730 single surcharge), including airfare from Los Angeles, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, show tickets, bus pass and airport transfers. Airport taxes and tuition are not included.

Contact: Michelle Banks, Pasadena City College Theater Department, Pasadena, (626) 585-3148.

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CHILE

Blazing trails and exploring

BUILD a trail and take a hike on a working vacation to Patagonia on March 18.

The nine-night excursion, sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with Chile’s park service, includes two days of leisure to explore Torres del Paine National Park and two nights touring in Santiago.

While in the park, participants perform trail work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days, with an hour off for lunch. They stay in a hostel with hot showers at the park.

Cost: $2,500 per person, including round-trip international airfare to and from Santiago from Los Angeles, internal airfare, hostel lodging, boat transportation and meals.

Contact: Richard Tobin, director of Conservation Partnerships, Los Padres National Forest; (805) 961-5748. Or the Patagonian Foundation, San Francisco; (888) 570-1122, www.thepatagonianfoundation.org.

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IRELAND

Emerald Isle’s greens beckon

TEE up on six-night golf tours to Ireland available during the month of April.

The package includes four rounds of golf at courses, including Old Ballybunions, near Tralee.

Cost: $699 per person, double occupancy ($189 single surcharge), including bed-and-breakfast accommodations, breakfast daily, manual transmission rental car and greens fees. International airfare and car upgrades are available but not included.

Contact: Brian Moore International, Boston; (800) 982-2299.

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The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Tour organizations that wish to participate can send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or write via e-mail to travel@latimes.com.