The Family Holidays Safari in Tanzania

Tanzania is fantastic for family safaris and Holidays! As the country is situated within Africa’s malaria belt, we don’t recommend traveling here with children under 6 years. However, it’s a great destination for wildlife-loving youngsters aged 6 years and over.

For the sheer concentration of animals, Tanzania is hard to beat! Game drives are action-packed out here, for example in the areas making up the country’s famous Northern Circuit. These areas are among the most affordable destinations in Africa for family safari holidays. And the larger your group is, the more economical the trip becomes, as the cost of using a vehicle is split among the family. The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania’s south region is worth considering too, and there’s the exciting option of combining your safari with a beach break in Zanzibar!

Throughout the country’s north and south, a lot of properties are well set up for families. For example, they have family rooms or interconnecting rooms. Additionally, some have swimming pools and larger communal areas. And a few companies offer private activities for families, so you can take a flexible approach to your holiday.

Family travel – especially big or extended families traveling together – can prove a bit chaotic and more costly, but there is something so special about experiencing and sharing superb safari experiences with your children and partner. Most safari camps and lodges also have one or two family suites where adjoining rooms or tents allow mom and dad their own space, while still ensuring the kids are close by and safe, because you can move between the family tents or rooms at night without having to step outside and worry about wild animals. From a family perspective, it is also worth emphasizing that Tanzania is a largely safe country where violent crime against foreigners is incredibly rare.

Where to go in Tanzania on your family safari
Tanzania’s northern safari circuit is a prime wildlife-viewing country. Although not renowned for its affordability, kids will love seeing the well-habituated animals, as well as the vibrant Maasai culture. A good selection of child-friendly lodges, camps, hotels, and restaurants ensures that there is plenty of choices. The southern safari circuit is definitely a more adventurous option and should probably be restricted to families with older children who will better appreciate longer and wilder safaris in open-top game viewing vehicles.

The mellow beaches of Zanzibar and the other Spice Islands are reason enough to recommend the Indian Ocean islands as ideally suited to families and children. Many Zanzibari hotels also have swimming pools (ideal for swimming with kids in a controlled environment when seas are rough or while the tide is out) as well as spacious hotel grounds where kids can run wild and burn off energy in a safe place. Because many families visit Zanzibar, there is also a wide choice of child-friendly cuisine on almost every menu.

The Serengeti – from witnessing the Great Migration to catching sight of the big cats that follow the herds, you and your children will be mesmerized by this national park every time you set off on a traditional game drive!

Ngorongoro Crater – the views from the Crater rim are sure to have you and your little ones gasping with awe. Well worth a visit for the scenic vistas alone, the Crater is also steeped in history, so the kids can enjoy a little learning as you cruise along the caldera floor.

Selous Game Reserve – the Selous is a watery world filled with palm trees, boat cruises, and of course some wonderful wildlife. This reserve is perfect for a quieter family safari!

Zanzibar – you can't beat family time spent on the beach, and that's why we recommend a few days' post-safari along the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar!

RECOMMENDED FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN TANZANIA
Family Game Drives
Game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are pretty special. If you stay at a property that supplies a private vehicle for your family, you’ll be able to explore well away from the crowds. These areas also offer cultural activities with appeal to all ages. Adults can enjoy interacting with work-age and elderly members of a community, while kids can meet the local children.

Family Activities in the Serengeti
The Serengeti really excels when it comes to safari activities for youngsters – tracking, making bows-and-arrows, and going on walks around camp with staff, are just a few examples of what kids can get up to here. There’s always something to look at close to camp, from birds to smaller mammals, and the staff is great at entertaining children.

Family Activities in the Selous
In the Selous, there’s fishing and canoeing, at least for older children. Walking has a minimum age requirement of 15 years, so this activity is available for mid-to-late teenagers. Walks provide thrilling opportunities to experience the bush, offering a different perspective from game drives.
Family Activities in Zanzibar
Zanzibar offers plenty of things to do too, such as playing on the beach, trying a few watersports, and taking trips to spice farms, Jozani Forest, and tortoise-plastic Prison Island!

Family flying Safaris
Flying safaris also open up a number of northern Tanzania’s most expensive properties: &Beyond’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Serengeti Under Canvas and Mnemba Island Lodge all have family units. Find out more about the advantages of opting in for comfort and style on a breathtaking Tanzania flying family safari holiday.

HIGHLIGHTS
Families traveling with small kids and tighter budgets might find it easier to base themselves in major centers like Arusha (where there are shops, medical facilities, and other support services) and do shorter excursions from that base. An example of an easy and rewarding day trip would be to nearby Arusha National Park where there is plenty of wildlife, but for the full experience a trip further afield to Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, or Lake Manyara would be more impressive.

Ngorongoro Crater with its nearby family-friendly accommodation is especially well-suited to families and young children, while the extremely relaxed and abundant wildlife should keep even the most restless children engaged and excited. Furthermore, children under eighteen also get sizeable discounts on daily park fees and permits to climb Kilimanjaro.

It would be unfair – almost cruel – to bring your children to Tanzania and not finish off with at least some time to explore the Spice Islands and enjoy the surrounding warm-water and white-sand beaches. Zanzibar Island has an abundance of lovely east-coast beaches with soft sand and calm seas, while most resorts also have a swimming pool. For families with more of a sense of adventure, or looking to get away from the crowds, Mafia Island with its little beaches, exciting dhow rides and top-quality snorkeling is the place to head with your children.

Travel Tips
Tanzania may initially seem daunting for travel with children: prices for accommodation and park entry fees can add up, road travel distances can be long, and vehicle rental is rather costly. But for families with a sense of adventure, it’s a destination brimming with wonderful attractions, including wildlife, beaches, friendly people, and great weather. Having a real sense of adventure (and humor) is invaluable as you explore the wilds of Tanzania, but proper planning for family travel is equally important. Contact us today for a specially customized Tanzania Family Safari Itinerary created just for your beautiful family.