Family Safari Holidays in Tanzania

For sheer concentration of animals, Tanzania is hard to beat! Game drives are action packed out here, for example in the areas making up the country’s famous Northern Circuit. These areas are among the most affordable destinations in Africa for family safari holidays. The larger your group is, the more economical the trip becomes, as the cost of using a vehicle is split among the family. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) in Tanzania’s south region is worth considering too, and there’s the exciting option of combining your safari with a beach break on Zanzibar!

Throughout the country’s north and south, a lot of properties are well set up for families. For example, they have family rooms or interconnecting rooms. Additionally, some have swimming pools and larger communal areas. And a few companies offer private activities for families, so you can take a flexible approach to your family safari holiday.

Pick of our places for families in Tanzania are: 

• The Serengeti –  from witnessing the Great Migration to catching sight of the big cats that follow the herds, you and your children will be mesmerised by this national park every time you set off on a traditional game drive!
• Ngorongoro Crater – the views from the Crater rim are sure to have you and your little ones gasping with awe. Well worth a visit for the scenic vistas alone, the Crater is also steeped in history, so the kids can enjoy a little learning as you cruise along the caldera floor.
• Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) – Nyerere is a watery world filled with palm trees, boat cruises, and of course some wonderful wildlife. This reserve is perfect for a quieter family safari!
• Zanzibar – you can't beat family time spent on the beach, and that's why we recommend a few days' post-safari along the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar!

Family safari game drives

Game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are pretty special. If you stay at a property that supplies a private vehicle for your family, you’ll be able to explore well away from the crowds. These areas also offer cultural activities with appeal for all ages. Adults can enjoy interacting with work-age and elderly members of a community, while kids can meet the local children.

Family safari activities in the Serengeti

The Serengeti really excels when it comes to family safari activities for youngsters – tracking, making bows-and-arrows, and going on walks around camp with staff, are just a few examples of what kids can get up to here. There’s always something to look at close to camp, from birds to smaller mammals, and the staff are great at entertaining children.

Family safari activities in Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous)

In Nyerere, there’s fishing and canoeing, at least for older children. Walking has a minimum age requirement of 15 years, so this activity is available for mid- to late teenagers. Walks provide thrilling opportunities to experience the bush, offering a different perspective from game drives.

Family safari activities in Zanzibar

Zanzibar offers plenty of things to do too, such as playing on the beach, trying a few watersports, and taking trips to spice farms, Jozani Forest, and tortoise-tastic Prison Island!

Family flying safari holidays

Flying safaris also open up a number of northern Tanzania’s most expensive properties: &Beyond’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Serengeti Under Canvas and Mnemba Island Lodge all have family units. Find out more about the advantages of opting-in for comfort and style on a breathtaking Tanzania family safari.

Here’s a selection of our favourite family friendly safari properties in Tanzania. Many provide activities for children – for example, Lemala has a kids club called Lemala Cubs that offers identifying small animals and birds, shooting bows-and-arrows, identifying tracks, cooking in the kitchen, and experiencing the local cultures. Similar things to do are available at the Nomad properties on our list, as well as the Legendary camps and Alex Walker’s Serian.

Lemala Ndutu Camp

Ndutu, Ewanjan, and Mara, all in the Serengeti, provide really good interconnecting tents that are sufficiently spacious for most families.
They also have amazing special offers for children.

Kaskaz Mara Camp

Also in the Serengeti, specifically the northern area, this camp boasts very large tented rooms that can accommodate safari holidays for families of four, no problem. Kaskaz offers great kids’ rates too.

Serian's Serengeti Camps

These authentic camps feature a nice interconnecting family room and a child-friendly staff team. Boasting amazing views across the short-grass plains, with plenty of cool shade provided by majestic acacia trees. 

Kiba Point Selous

This is Nyerere's best private house for families, located in the heart of the reserve. As the camp is booked on an exclusive basis, you can decide when you’d like to head out on safari!

Breezes Beach Club & Spa

One of our favourite low-budget properties on Zanzibar, Breezes offers family-friendly accommodation and plenty of activities for kids to enjoy. Breezes are happy to arrange all sorts of tours and excursions around the island.

Zuri Zanzibar

Luxury resort Zuri is perfect for families looking for something special. The accommodation includes spacious bungalows with interconnecting rooms and the location is fabulous – on Zanzibar’s finest non-tidal beach!