5 Reasons Why You Should Spend Your Family Vacation in Tanzania.
Tanzania is full of wonders—from the vast plains of the Serengeti and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater to the exquisite, sun-kissed beaches of Zanzibar. There’s a unique way to explore wildlife, local cultures, and the beaches—that’s embarking on a family vacation.
A family vacation in Tanzania may take the form of a wildlife safari, beach holiday, hiking, or exploring cultures. Whatever the form it takes, every stride your family takes on the beach, in the wilderness, or through the village echoes reunion and exploration. We discuss five reasons why you should take your family to Tanzania.
To educate your kids about nature.
Imagine your little ones seeing a lion for the first time in Ruaha or Lake Manyara. They turn out to be explorers—yes, curious ones. Teens also wonder about the Great Migration. Just sit them next to our knowledgeable safari guide, who can answer all their questions.
A safari brings your family to the hustle and bustle of the wilderness. Predators chasing prey or bulls sparring in fights speak volumes about nature—something your kids love to see. They often ask, “Why does a lion kill?” or “Will all herbivores be killed?” and other questions about something they would love to ask.
Let your teens study the wildebeest migration in person. Let them watch thousands of animals crossing a river. Let them wonder, “Why do animals migrate?” To your little ones, let them tick animals from their wildlife guidebook.
The best safari lodges and camps.
The other reason you should consider a Tanzania family safari is the availability of family-friendly accommodations. They provide top-end services to your family, including your youngest guests. In most lodges and camps, you will enjoy child-friendly meals (with flexible mealtimes) and curated safari activities for families.
Where do you stay? It depends on your destination. If it’s in the Serengeti, we have our favorites there. What we love about them is their simplicity, fewer tents, and serene locations. Try Mwiba Lodge (south), Sayari Camp (north), &Beyond Grumeti River Lodge (west), Dunia Camp (central), and Namiri Plains (east-central). A friendly reminder: lodging options in the Serengeti aren’t limited to a few options.
If you go to Zanzibar, you have a myriad of places to stay—from luxurious beachfront resorts to midrange lodges. Our best picks include Tulia Zanzibar, Baraza Zanzibar, Melia Zanzibar, White Sand Villas, and Tembo House Hotel, to name just a few.
Southern Tanzania is a remote, unexplored region. Yet, families are welcome to top-notch lodges and camps. Jongomero Camp, The Jabali Ridge, Kokoko Camp, Usangu Camp, Ikuka Camp, Roho ya Selous, and Kigelia Ruaha offer some of the best safari experiences for families.
Insight: Every lodge has a child policy. But don’t worry, we will handle this for you. You just tell us the age of your children, and then everything is sorted out.
A family vacation unites all.
With everyone busy with work and others with school, it can be difficult to see each other every day. That said, a family vacation in Tanzania unites all—from grandparents to toddlers in the wild or on the beach.
In the Serengeti, you connect with nature at its prime. Picture yourself sitting around a campfire, sharing tales with little ones. You experience the life our ancient ancestors lived years ago.
Imagine those quiet bush strolls a few kilometers from your camp in the Ruaha or Nyerere. They are not only walks but also your best way to connect with nature. Those boat rides on the Ruaha River in Ruaha National Park or the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park will leave you with everlasting memories.
In Zanzibar, you can set off for a private dhow cruise on the azure-blue waters of the Indian Ocean. In addition, exploring Stone Town on foot with a local guide is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Watch labyrinthine alleys and old buildings displaying the architectural designs of the Arabs, Portuguese, Persians, Indians, and Swahili.
Tanzania is safe.
We can simply say: Tanzania is a haven for families on safari. The weather is friendly, with two distinct seasons: the dry season and the wet season.
Most family vacationers prefer the dry season—June to October—for wildlife safaris and beach relaxation. During this time, there’s clear visibility in the wilderness due to thin vegetation. Wildlife also gathers around rivers and water holes, making it easier to spot.
The country experiences frequent rainfall in November and from March to May. This time comes with lush vegetation, slippery trails, and more mosquitoes. But it offers the best birdwatching and photography opportunities.
Insight: We don’t recommend the wet season for families with kids under one year. If the drive is to avoid the crowd, shoulder months like June, September, and October are the best.
Tanzania harbors many wildlife-rich destinations.
We always recommend picking places where kids will see plenty of games. This is because long drives without a sighting turn out to be boring for them. For this reason, Tanzania wins all the credit.
The Serengeti, which is the epitome of every African adventure, harbors one of the highest concentrations of wildlife. Every game drive, every turn is epic. You will encounter big game like elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, and lions. Here, you can tick off the Big Five, trek the Great Migration, see big cats, and more.
The Ngorongoro Crater also hosts countless animals on the floor. This enormous natural formation is home to not only the Big Five but also over 25,000 animals living in just a 264 km² expanse.
If you want quiet yet wildlife-rich places, you can fly to the remote southern parks. Here, you meet Nyerere (Selous), Africa’s largest park, and Ruaha, one of the largest wildlife concentrations. You can treat yourself to the views of unique species like African wild dogs (or painted dogs), Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and sable antelopes.
We can help you.
We know how hard it is. That’s why we are here to remove the stress. We can handle every detail for you. Be it a flight or your favorite lodge, our experts are here to assist you with planning.
