Tanzania Family Holidays; a guide to Tanzanian family safari holidays

A Tanzania safari is a delight for all ages, and as such is an ideal family holiday. The excitement of the adventure is truly shared, allowing parents, grandparents and children to treasure memories for ever after. Every safari is so different, each wildlife moment is so distinct, that even old timers cannot claim to have seen it all before…

We've created many fabulous Tanzania family holidays - however, careful consideration and planning is required on many fronts when putting together an ideal family itinerary. The availability of family suites (or extra beds), child-friendly activities and child special rates varies enormously from lodge to lodge.

Tanzania family holidays: accommodation

Family suites are relatively few and far between in our typically favoured lodges - however those that do have them available are great! Family units are available on safari at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Sasakwa in the northern Serengeti and at Lake Manze in Selous in the south. There is also good family accommodation on the mainland coast at Ras Kutani and Tides, and at Baraza and Essque Zalu, Ras Nungwi or the new White Sand Villas on Zanzibar.

Tanzania family holidays: budgeting

Lodges vary considerably and idiosyncratically in their child pricing policies. Under 12s are generally half price, although Nomad allow a child rate up to 21, and in Selous the full price is payable from the age of 12! We can help you to find the best available value according to the ages of your children.

Best Lodges for Families

Serian Serengeti North

Serian Ser South

Lamai Serengeti

Impala Selous

Lake Manze Tented Camp

Mdonya Old River Camp

Serengeti Serena

Children under 12

Children from 0 – 6 years old can go on a northern Tanzania safari, particularly if you take a private guide and stay in hotels. We would however suggest careful itinerary planning with fewer hours of driving, and for this reason we would try to dissuade you from a full northern circuit safari. Some lodges (particularly smaller ones) do not accept children under 6, and some which accept them do not allow them to go on game drives, so your lodges obviously need to be selected with care. Walking and boating are not permitted below the age of 12, and fly camping is often not permitted below the age of 16.

Children over 12

Older children will be thrilled by the wildlife on safari. They may also enjoy horse-riding safaris, hot air ballooning over the Serengeti, fly-camping in the bush, bush fires and bush breakfasts and fishing in the rivers of Selous. In Zanzibar they might like to learn to scuba dive (there are several PADI accredited diving centres), or go on a dolphin safari, snorkelling or deep sea fishing.

Whatever the ages of your children, your preferences as a family and your special requirements, we will carefully put together an itinerary to fit them all and to give you the very best possible safari experience and value for money.