Tanzania's best family holidays
Family safari holidays
Tanzania safari lodges seldom include kids’ clubs, but the amazing wildlife and environment, combined with safari activities designed for children, will make a handful of safari camps and beach lodges stand out for families. Any child that’s in nature is in for a fascinating and fulfilling holiday.The kind of safari depends on the age and temperament of your youngest child. Children who are older and can consistently be sensible and follow instructions when asked will have more options than younger children who take direction less well. And whatever type of safari you take, remember that great guiding is the key to your child’s enjoyment of the safari.
For families with children under about 8 years old…
a great ‘first safari’ would be a privately-guided trip around Northern Tanzania. Unlike many areas of Africa that we feature, the great spectacles of Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater have a number of substantial lodges in their vicinity. These have the space and facilities of modern hotels and we can weave these together into a seamless family holiday.You’ll be driven around by a wildlife expert in your own private 4WD. S/he’ll be experienced in taking children on safari and will bring nature to life. You’ll set your daily schedule to suit you and drive together through the towns and rural areas as well as the national parks – stopping where you wish and getting a feel for the country and its people as well as the wildlife.
Families with children over about 8 years old…
have more choice. Privately-guided trips around Northern Tanzania can also include some small, tented camps rather than being restricted to large, solid lodges. These will be more open, and so will often have big game wandering through them, but older, more sensible children who follow instructions well will be able to stay here, closely monitored by their parents and staff.An additional possibility for families with these older children is a camp-to-camp fly-in safari in Southern Tanzania. In Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park you’ll find a range of smaller, more personal camps. You’ll fly between these, hopping between different environments and camps. These are often luxury tented camps that give a more 'open-air' feel – closer to nature. They’re akin to ‘very smart camping’ where everything is done for you: think ‘glamping with activities’! Older children will love the open-topped vehicles, the boat trips, the interactions with the Tanzanians in camp and sitting around campfire in the evenings.
Even at these camps, do ask us about having a private vehicle for just your family. Many camps will make this compulsory if you’re travelling with younger children, but even where it’s not compulsory, it’s often worth the extra cost even if your children are older.
For families with toddlers or very young children…
We don't usually recommend a Tanzania safari, because of the childrens’ safety with so much wildlife around, and because they probably wouldn’t enjoy it!We’d suggest that families with very young children first consider a family holiday to the Cape of South Africa, which is a great option for families with young children and can include some really superb safaris.
Family beach holidays
Because Tanzania's coast is seldom very far from its game reserves, you can easily combine a Tanzania safari with a short family beach holiday without long internal flights!Beach holidays also tend to be less costly, per day, than safaris – as they don’t include the guided activities which are the key part of the safari experience.
There are a handful of great beach options for families on Tanzania’s coast and Mafia Island, as well as so many choices on Zanzibar that the island warrants its own section of this website: see our separate page of Zanzibar family beach holidays.
Below are examples of good family holidays; look through these then contact us to plan a great holiday to suit your family:
Family holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Family holidays in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,818 sightings from 3,465 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
1,807 sightings from 3,843 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
32% SUCCESS
939 sightings from 2,921 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
821 sightings from 2,575 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
1,996 sightings from 3,661 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,288 sightings from 3,404 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,367 sightings from 2,865 observations
Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.
100% SUCCESS
28 sightings from 28 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
48% SUCCESS
1,321 sightings from 2,759 observations
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
3,379 sightings from 3,719 observations
Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,230 sightings from 1,756 observations
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.
78% SUCCESS
80 sightings from 103 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
3,233 sightings from 3,752 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,468 sightings from 2,762 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
23% SUCCESS
446 sightings from 1,924 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
22% SUCCESS
423 sightings from 1,926 observations
Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
18% SUCCESS
57 sightings from 313 observations
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.
14% SUCCESS
110 sightings from 788 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,547 sightings from 4,209 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
67 sightings from 3,106 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
50 sightings from 3,086 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
568 sightings from 1,868 observations
