Tanzania family holiday guide

Kids and animals are always a winning combination, so it’s no surprise that a safari holiday tops a lot of family bucket lists. And if you’re thinking that wildlife spotting isn’t something you can do with children, think again – after all, there’s no family holiday quite like one where you see some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife in its natural habitat.

But a bit of planning goes a long way to make sure your trip is memorable for all the right reasons, with our top tips for a family holiday in Tanzania to start you off.

Absolutely! While it was often considered something for teens and adults in the past, you’ll find plenty of accommodation to suit families these days. And Tanzania’s long history of safari holidays means it’s well set up if you’re planning to travel around the country with kids.

Booking with the experts makes a big difference though, as you can tailor the itinerary to be more flexible as well as travelling with guides who’ll help you get the most out of the trip, finding some of the best wildlife sightings and engaging kids when the animals aren’t coming out.

If you want to head off on safari with pre-schoolers, go for it – you can even make your trip toddler-friendly. But there are a few reasons why it’s better to wait a little longer for this particular holiday.

For starters, there’s malaria in Tanzania, and kids aged under six are at more risk, so it’s a good plan to delay until they’re better protected. You’re all but guaranteed some amazing sightings at Tanzania’s national parks, but any safari holiday requires patience, plus the ability to sit still and wait quietly – not something toddlers are renowned for!

You’ll also need to be sure that your kids can follow the essential safari rules: keep voices low near wildlife, stay seated with hands/heads inside the vehicle, and always follow your guide’s instructions.

One of the big bonuses of a safari holiday in Tanzania is that it’s easy to combine more than one national park or reserve, without needing to travel too far between stops – spending hours on the road is unlikely to go down well, and tired, bored kids are not a recipe for family holiday success.

The northern safari circuit, which includes the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, is particularly good for national park-hopping, and it’s easy to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport with just one connection from the UK.

For kids (and adults!) – visiting the Ngorongoro Crater is like a glimpse into another world, a lush natural paradise packed with wildlife at the bottom of a huge crater, all surrounded by rising cliffs. Even for adults, this is a jaw-dropping sight.

Although the northern circuit is a popular one, you can still escape some of the crowds at quieter parks like Tarangire National Park, which is known for its elephant migration, and Lake Manyara, for the unusual sight of tree-climbing lions and huge flocks of vivid pink flamingos. These smaller parks are particularly good with younger kids as you’ll have shorter drives and plenty of reliable sightings along the way.

Or you can glimpse some parts of the Great Migration at the Serengeti, including a chance to see animals calving and wobbly baby zebra taking their first steps during late January and February. It’s best to skip the dramatic Mara River crossing near the Kenyan border if you’re travelling with little ones though, as there are often long waits watching for the herds to cross, lots of people, and dramatic scenes which can upset younger kids, as crocodiles pull their prey down into the water.

If you’re travelling with older kids and teens, don’t rule out the southern safari circuit either. You’ll cover longer distances across the parks, especially the vast Nyerere National Park, as well as heading further off the beaten track, but the pay-off is sights you’ll often share with few others. You can take a boat safari on the Rufiji River here too, gliding along past hippos and crocodiles.

You could even consider a walking safari in Arusha National Park, one of the few places in Tanzania where you can head out on foot – accompanied by an armed ranger alongside a guide. It’s usually an option for 6+, although it’s worth checking to ensure the walking involved isn’t too tough for younger kids, and that they’re not going to be scared rather than thrilled at the experience.

Although it’s tempting to plan day after day of wildlife spotting, adding in some other experiences and activities will show another side the country, as well as avoiding any game drive fatigue. It’s hard to imagine being bored of spotting animals but if you do nothing else for a week, even the most fervent animal lover is likely to want a change.

Experience some everyday life by meeting local Maasai and discovering more about their culture, or head to a nearby village where you could explore coffee plantations and try your hand at cooking traditional recipes. There are other activities to enjoy too, like biking in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, perfect for more active teens, or even a day hike up the mountain itself.

When you’ve got limited time in a country, it’s tempting to pack in as much as possible. But safari days start early to catch the dawn, often with a second game drive at sunset, so you’ll need some time to relax and rest.

Journeying from park to park can be just as tiring, and napping on long drives isn’t always easy if you’re travelling over rough ground in a 4×4 either. So, it’s worth making sure there’s some time just to kick back and relax, or some low-key activities lined up which you can add in if everyone’s got the energy.

Your safari accommodation can make a big difference for families, especially if you’re likely to be spending more time there relaxing. Anywhere with a swimming pool is always a winner with kids, so you can chill out after an early morning game drive or cool down in the hot Tanzanian sun.

It’s also worth checking what options there are for food if you’re travelling with kids. Many camps will have a single choice at dinner, so as well as letting them know any dietary restrictions in advance, you’ll need to be sure they can cater for kids who might be pickier – most will be more than happy to whip something up to suit your children though. Dinner is normally after the sunset game drive, so if you’re looking for something earlier, check if that’s possible or stock up on snacks to tide them over.

The gorgeous Indian Ocean beaches of Zanzibar are the perfect way to end a safari holiday in Tanzania with kids – clear turquoise seas to splash and snorkel in, and lots more chances to relax after your animal spotting. With short flights from both Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, it’s easy to hop over after your wildlife adventure and chill out on the sand.

You never want to be short of something vital when you’re travelling with kids, but especially not if you’re heading into the heart of the East African wilderness. So, as well as all the usual items on your list, your Tanzania packing list should also include the child first aid essentials. While camps and lodges will have some first aid, you’re likely to be more limited, especially when it’s for younger kids.

A good pair of lightweight binoculars will help keep kids engaged as you’re searching for wildlife, along with some way to record their finds – you can find animal-spotting books, apps or simply a notebook where they can jot it down, perhaps with a sketch of what they’ve seen.