Travelling with Kids on Safari – Best Tips for Tanzania

Tanzania offers not only a safe safari experience for kids but also stands among the most beautiful places on Earth—a true lifetime gift for adventurous families.

This destination boasts stunning attractions, from wildlife and sandy beaches to family-focused guides, creating an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy superb lodges with swimming pools and favorable weather conditions.

Tanzania’s safari options are grouped into two travel regions, the northern and southern tourism circuits, each offering unique and exciting experiences for children on safari.

Which regions in Tanzania are best for children on safari?

Northern Tanzania

This is the safari hub for wildlife tourism in Tanzania, filled with mega travel hotels and lodges. It’s a safe place to take your kids on vacation.

Kids will see animals, experience culture, and even join other kids by visiting orphanages or child-care centers. Many lodges and luxury camps offer family suite rooms.

To accommodate families with kids on safari, these tourism circuits might not be cheap, but they are worth visiting.

The beautiful Island of Zanzibar

The island itself is enough to make kids’ dreams come true on safari in Tanzania. But Zanzibar is the perfect family destination.

Many hotels also have swimming pools (ideal for passing the time while the tide is out), spacious grounds, and a wide choice of child-friendly cuisine.

Zanzibar Island is well-developed in terms of tourist facilities, including lodges, hotels, and hostels.

Prices may vary based on your selection. Many lodges are built along the beach to give you and your family an authentic safari experience in Tanzania.

Zanzibar offers many excursions, but some may not be suitable for children, especially those under 5. Many excursions are suitable for children.

Scuba diving, snorkeling, and safari blue visits to Prison Island and Jozani Forest. It’s better to plan and get all the clear information. Also, know which activities are suitable for children while in Zanzibar.

North-East Tanzania

This is a less-visited part of the country, but it is worth spending time with kids on safari while in Tanzania. Notable parks to visit include Saadani National Park and Bagamoyo.

Saadani is a beautiful park with its beaches. The extensive beaches in Saadani are incomparable to any other part of Tanzania.

The white-sand beaches with less traffic will allow children to enjoy and relax.

The area is accessible from Dar es Salaam via Msata. Bagamoyo is an old city with a lot of history and many places to visit.

Bagamoyo is the cultural center of the Swahili coast. There are many things for kids to learn and enjoy.

Learning is the main reason for traveling with kids. Kids can learn many things during their safari in Tanzania.

What are the recommended safaris for children in Tanzania?

Wildlife safari

Tanzania is the best country in Africa to visit for a wildlife safari. This country offers a diverse range of national parks and game reserves for wildlife safaris.

What are the best safari destinations for children in Tanzania?

Ngorongoro Crater

It is the best destination for a game drive and an African Big Five experience. Ngorongoro Crater is the only place in Tanzania to see endangered black rhinos.

Kids will also be able to see lions, elephants, buffalo, impalas, and many other animals found in Tanzania.

The good news is that Ngorongoro Crater is a well-established destination for the best places to stay for kids and families on safari.

Best lodges and luxury camps offer family suite rooms for overnight stays and all other extra services required by kids on safari.

Read more about 21 Facts About Ngorongoro Crater 

Saadani National Park

Saadani is the best place where the bush meets the beach. Is the beautiful park with amazing views suitable for kids and families during their stay?

You can organize a short trip from Dar es Salaam or Arusha for your family.  Kids can enjoy wildlife and the beach.

If you need an escape from traffic, Saadani National Park is the only choice. You might not think of it while in Tanzania with kids on safari.

While at Saadani National Park, kids can enjoy beach sports and beach meals. There is camping along these beautiful beaches.

There are a few lodges and hotels in this area, including the Saadani Pak hotel.

Serengeti National Park

This large park in the north is a strong destination to consider. However, children under five are not permitted to go on game drives.

Suppose you are traveling with children ages 9 or 10. Many facilities offer a 50% discount on accommodations.

Serengeti National Park is one of the most developed parks in Tanzania. Many services visitors need are available, including an airstrip and a range of accommodations.

Whether you are on a budget or luxury safari in Tanzania, the Serengeti is the ideal destination for a family safari. There is a high likelihood of seeing the Big Five in a short period.

With kids on safari, many facilities offer special suites and family-focused services. You can also choose Serengeti Sky Safari to save time and avoid a long drive from Arusha or Nairobi.

The road in the park is unpaved. You can expect a bumpy ride when driving to the Serengeti.

Read more about  The Ultimate Guide for Serengeti Safari

Arusha National Park

If you’re in Arusha, this park is ideal for day trips with kids on safari. It is a very small park in Tanzania, but it is wonderful.

With the best view of Mount Meru and the open sky, you could even catch a glimpse of the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Arusha National Park is ideal for both wildlife and walking safaris. If you’re traveling with children over 11, you can try something different.

Whether walking or on a full-day game drive, Arusha National Park offers the best opportunity for children to visit Lake Momella.

Enjoy wildlife near the open plain known as the miniature Serengeti.

The large number of birds and plants is also the park’s best attraction.

The picnic sites are the best places to enjoy lunch with kids in this park. You can return to the hotel or lodge afterward.

If you need to extend to other parks, such as Tarangire, it is very possible.

Ruaha National Parks & Selous

Suppose you’re planning to visit southern Tanzania for a wildlife safari. Then Selous and Ruaha are the best places to visit.

These parks are ideal for older children and also offer open-vehicle safaris. Visiting these parks may require a flight from Zanzibar, Arusha, or Dar es Salaam.

Day trips or multi-day tours are possible. Do any camps offer family-friendly suites? Also, children will have the best opportunity to experience river cruising while on the Selous.

If you’re interested in visiting Selous or Ruaha, please contact us.

Cultural Experience

Tanzania is the only country with more than 126 ethnic groups, living in peace and harmony.

Taking children on a safari to experience culture will spark their curiosity and add something new to their perspective on the world.

The Maasai are not the only tribe in Tanzania. There are many other unique experiences across the country.

You can take kids on safari to experience the Datoga or Hadzabe (Bushmen) or take them to the Chagga people in Kilimanjaro.

All these tribes love to share their culture with travelers. Children can learn to prepare coffee, African dishes, or even Milk cattle with the Maasai.

The cultural program can be customized beyond day trips. You can either live with the Maasai or the Hadzabe for days.

Request a special package from your safari specialist in Tanzania.

Read more about  5 Interesting Facts About the Maasai People 

Beautiful beaches and Lakes

Lake Victoria

Zanzibar is not only a place in Tanzania with beautiful beaches. Lake Victoria is a lovely place to visit in Tanzania, whether in Mwanza or Mara.

Lake Victoria offers very family-friendly beaches that are safe for all ages. If you visit Mwanza or Musoma in Mara, you can stay at Malaika Beach.

Visiting Tunza Beach, Tembo Beach, Matvilla, or Saanane Island with kids. Kids can enjoy fishing and beach sports.

But meals, including Tilapia and African cuisine, are also available at affordable prices.

While in Mwanza or Musoma Mara, you can organize a day trip or a multi-day safari to the Serengeti National Park.

Both Mwanza and Mara offer flights to Zanzibar or to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.

Conclusion

Before traveling to Africa or Tanzania with children, ensure you have adequate insurance coverage and have paid for your visa.

The good news is that obtaining a visa for Tanzania is easy with a few clicks through the Tanzania e-visa system.

Taking kids on safari is very safe. However, it’s important to plan. Research the best safari operators in Tanzania before traveling.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article about traveling with kids on safari.

If you’re ready to book your dream safari in Tanzania, then book any of these packages

10 Days Tanzania Family Safari 

5 Days Luxury Camping Safari 

Are you ready to start planning?

You can proceed with booking by filling out the form below. Let’s make your adventure unforgettable!