Family-friendly Tanzania Safari
If your family loved “The Lion King”, then news that you’re planning to take them on safari in Tanzania will no doubt be met with great excitement, anticipation, curiosity and, perhaps, a hint of trepidation. While some parents might shrink at the idea of taking their kids to a place that is home to some pretty wild animals, in Tanzania we agree with the catch-all phrase made famous by the movie: “Hakuna Matata” – or ‘No worries’. Everything and anything is possible. If you bring the willingness and thirst for adventure, we’ll meet you with our experience and can-do attitude; ensuring your Tanzanian Family Safari is safe, fascinating and memorable for all the right reasons.
What makes Tanzania a great family destination?
Tanzania is a peaceful, stable country situated in tropical East Africa. For most of the year, it has a dry, mild climate ideal for exciting days in the sun. Kids love animals and Tanzania loves animals and animals love Tanzania. Just think of places like Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti – they immediately conjure images of landscapes filled with wildlife. For most of the year, that is exactly how it is although the wildlife does move around.
Next, you’ve got the beaches that ring the tropical islands on the east coast. The ocean is warm year-round, the waters are clear and rich with life, and the resorts love nothing more than the sound of kids at play, catered for with various fun activities.
And last but not least, the people of Tanzania. With so much to be proud and grateful for in their country, the local people are among the most friendly and hospitable, eager to share its many wonderful attributes with enquiring young minds.
Health and Safety Matters
As wonderful as Tanzania is, we have to acknowledge that as a developing nation, services and the availability of certain items are occasionally lacking. Regarding health, you should always consult a travel clinic and ask for their advice regarding medical matters relating to your family’s specific needs. They will be able to advise you on the appropriate vaccines and suggest various medications you could take along in case of emergencies. Parts of Tanzania do fall within malaria areas, so seek advice regarding malaria prevention matters. If any member of the family is medicated for any chronic conditions, ensure that you have an ample supply of their medication for the duration of your holiday as it may not be locally available. Also, if any of you suffer from allergies, especially to certain foods, you need to ensure that your tour operator and the various establishments where you stay are aware before your arrival. Medical travel insurance which includes cover for repatriation is highly recommended.
Tanzania is a safe country, especially in the tourist areas. However, you will be in an unfamiliar environment, often with wild animals in the vicinity. Never approach wildlife, especially if unsupervised by a qualified staff member. Practice standard travel safety protocols like not walking around alone, especially after dark and securing your valuables. Always follow the instructions of your hosts and the relevant authorities where matters affecting your safety are concerned.
Travel Trauma vs Joyful Journeys
Let’s face it, after the excitement of deciding to go on holiday, the hard part is the planning and waiting. Once you’ve decided to go, select a specialist safari tour operator with a family-friendly policy and a history of successful family-based tours. They will have traveled this path before you and have a wealth of useful tips and suggestions based on experience. They will be able to tell you the best time to go according to your needs, the most appropriate way to get there and other useful information to ensure seamless travel.
The Best Time for Family Travel
As a rule of thumb, the best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry Season (June to October). This coincides with the high season, so be sure to book well in advance – more than six months – as demand is consistently high. From November to February, there may be occasional showers but the landscape is lush, birdlife is plentiful and many animals give birth to their young. Needless to say, no one wants it to rain when they’re on holiday, so avoid the Wet Season (March to May).
Getting to Tanzania
“Are we there yet?” Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the long-haul flights many visitors have to take to get to Tanzania. Suffice it to say though, with excited kids and exhausted parents it can get stressful. We recommend taking the most direct route available from your home country to minimize travel time, time spent in queues and the chance of delays. If this is not possible, ensure that your children have various activities available to keep them occupied; be it books, toys or games. A favorite plushie or comfort item can also make travel a bit less daunting.
Getting Around Tanzania
Thankfully, given Tanzania’s popularity with international holidaymakers, the country’s hospitality industry is both experienced and well-equipped to turn those frowns upside-down and let the adventures begin. Since Tanzania’s wildlife hotspots are some distance apart, the best way to maximize the fun and eliminate long road transfers, is to connect your various destinations by air. Flights in light aircraft add to the adventure and you’ll love watching the passing landscape below.
If this isn’t possible, road trips can take several hours so be sure to have those activities close at hand to help pass the time. We suggest booking private road transfers for added flexibility and comfort. With younger children, ensure that there are child safety seats available in all the vehicles you will be traveling in. When planning your itinerary, don’t try to cram in too many destinations or activities. Allow time to rest properly and enjoy more familiar activities or family time.
Please note that internet access is not reliable over much of Tanzania, so if your kids love their devices, you’ll want to download their favorite games and media before arrival. Also, if your child has a favorite snack, it might not be available in Tanzania so we suggest packing a hamper of these treats to add to their sense of comfort and familiarity.
Top Family-Friendly Destinations
Deciding where to go is part of the adventure, and is best determined by particular interests. Here is a summary of what kids can look forward to at Tanzania’s most popular destinations:
Serengeti – Animals, animals, animals. This national park is home to the Great Wildebeest Migration and seldom disappoints when it comes to the diversity and abundance of species.
Ngorongoro Crater – Big cats galore. Said to have the highest density of lions in Africa, it is also home to leopards, cheetahs and spotted hyenas.
Tarangire – Few can resist the tender moments shared amongst the large elephant population, not to mention the mischievous antics of the youngsters.
Lake Manyara – If your family loves birds, this is the place to go. There is also an exciting aerial walkway over the forest and boat-based activities..
Mahale & Gombe – For children 12 years and older who are mad about monkeys, these are the best places to see wild chimpanzees.
Zanzibar – The ideal place to unwind, the pristine beaches are a place where kids can be kids, with numerous fun activities at the resorts.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Many of Tanzania’s lodges, camps and resorts have age limits, normally put in place for safety reasons due to the absence of fences with wild animals present. However, some – such as those of Acacia Collections – welcome kids of all ages to their camps in Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks. The camps feature spacious family accommodations so you can enjoy your special time together. Child-friendly menus and activities are invaluable in keeping the kids well-nourished and entertained. If you’re traveling with an infant, cots are available for their comfort. There are discounted rates for children – and in some cases, children below a certain age stay free.
Child-Friendly Activities
As exciting as it can get, viewing wildlife can often involve traveling for long periods and waiting patiently for the drama to unfold. Understandably, this can test the patience of younger children. For that reason, many establishments offer activities that are modified to accommodate kids. Shorter excursions with an emphasis on things they find interesting, amusing or fun can be arranged just for them. This may mean some quality time for Mom and Dad too.
Game drives can be full or half-day events, so ask if it is possible for a shorter drive. Likewise, nature walks around the camp are a great way to teach kids about nature’s intricacies. For safety reasons, there may be an age limit on certain activities. For instance, chimpanzee trekking and hot-air balloon flights, where participants must be twelve years or older. Some lodges also have special kid’s programs during which kids enjoy supervised cooking, art or cultural lessons. Be sure to enquire what special accommodations (or exclusions) apply when discussing your safari plans with your tour operator.
An Educational Outdoors Adventure
Learning is so much more fun when you don’t feel like you’re having to do any work. And traveling across Tanzania, with its wealth of wildlife, dramatic landscapes and generous, hospitable people feels a lot like that. The sense of adventure also creates a sense of togetherness as families marvel at the new and exciting things experienced along the way.
While it is vastly different from what many visitors are familiar with back home, this allows families to appreciate what they have – and sometimes what they don’t need. In the care of experienced professionals on hand to answer your questions and organize your itinerary from touchdown to takeoff, you can be sure that a family holiday in Tanzania will be full of precious memories – and have them begging for more.
