TANZANIA AS A FAMILY

Discovering Tanzania as a family is a priceless opportunity to share unforgettable experiences with your children among wild animals and wide open spaces, and to experience authentic, human moments with ancestral tribes far off the beaten track.

Tanzania is one of the few African countries that allows you to combine a safari with a relaxing extension on the paradisiacal beaches of an Indian Ocean island, such as Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba.

Tanzania is an ideal destination for children.

Discover all our tips for a successful Family trip to Tanzania.

Is Tanzania safe for children?
Visit Tanzania is the only country in Africa that has never known civil war. It's a pacifist country where people have been living harmoniously together for a long time. Tanzanians are very fond of children, and your children will be king here. In the national parks, all you need to do is follow the safety rules that your guide will give you, and keep an eye on your children. There are no compulsory vaccinations, but a yellow fever vaccine is only required if you come from or spend more than 12 hours in a high-risk endemic country. Your attending physician will prescribe preventive treatment for mosquito-related malaria, although this is not available everywhere.

Which itinerary is best for a family trip to Tanzania?
Tanzania is an unforgettable destination for children and parents alike. Safarissafaris, even for the youngest visitors, are an extraordinary experience. For children under 7, however, we recommend short safari tours ( 1 day, 2 days or 3 days ) and limit
hours of travel by selecting different parks for their proximity.
For example:

To make your Tanzania family tour even more memorable, kids will love it before or after the safari, walks and cultural activitiessuch as:

a short hike to the Materuni waterfall, where you can cross
small local villages, coffee plantations and a swim in one of the world's largest
Tanzania's most spectacular waterfalls,
swimming in the Kikuletwa hot springs, numerous buoys
and ropes for hanging off and jumping into the water.
Visit visit to our NGO's Massai school for 230 children
a immersion in a real Massai village off the beaten track (in the family
of Kaira)
Making beaded Maasai jewelry with the Maasai women of the
village of Kaira and participate in women's emancipation
cycling to Mto wa Mbu or around Lake Manyara

Extend your stay under the coconut trees at Zanzibar will be the icing on the cake with heavenly beaches to make a few sand castles with the white sand.

There's never a dull moment on Zanzibar, and with good reason. excursions will interest
the whole family:

Discover the seabed and sandbanks of Mnemba Island by snorkelling.
aboard a traditional dhow for a day's sailing, it's not uncommon to come across
meet schools of dolphins in their natural environment.
Discover the town of Stone Town and its narrow streets, eat some ice cream and
appreciate Zanzibar's history and historic buildings, stroll through its market
African.
Stroll through the Jozani forest and meet the red colobus monkeys
Discover a spice farm
Bathing in the crystal-clear waters of the Cuza cave
Bathing on a sandbank far from mass tourism
Cycling and discovering Zanzibar's small villages with the local population
visit the Sea Weed Center in Paje and support women's emancipation (Zanzibar women cultivate seaweed)
collecting shells on the beach at low tide and discovering the life that
hides in it.

On a family trip to Tanzania: What's a day on safari like with children?

On safari, we're actually in the car most of the day, but we stop at picnic areas for lunch, where the kids can run around. The 4×4s have a roof that lifts up: kids can put on their socks, climb into the seats and have their heads "up in the air" 360 degrees. This keeps them moving and amazed!

The guide will suggest that you adapt your day to suit your children's pace, when the program and driving time allow. In the evening, meals are taken at the lodge or campsite, depending on the type of accommodation.

Children's meals
When you book, we send you a questionnaire about tastes and dietary requirements. The different lodges, or the cook if you're camping, will adapt to your children's tastes.

Our selection of lodges and accommodation with children.

Depending on your type of trip and your budget, different accommodation are available. Camping in national parks is also suitable for families with children, even the very young. All you need to do is follow the safety rules set out by your guide and keep an eye on your children. They'll love this adventure. It's also the least expensive option.

As for the lodges, rooms in family configurations will be reserved. Some lodges feature a swimming pool, allowing children and parents alike to relax after a day of safari or adventure. Apart from
national parks, lodge rates will be less expensive. In Arusha , the Fun retreat resort will please your children with its swimming pool equipped with games and slides,

In the Manyara region, the Manyara Best View Lodge, with its swimming pool, is ideal for a family trip to Tanzania!
Ngorongoro Farm House

In Zanzibar, The Sands beach Resort,

are addresses not to be missed with children.

What should you pack for a family trip to Tanzania?

To keep your children occupied during the journey, and in the evenings, you can bring along games and books to keep them busy.
To protect your children from the sun, don't forget organic sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
An anti-mosquito repellent.
A first-aid kit containing basic emergency medicines prescribed by your doctor.
For babies: Baby food, powdered milk, diapers and baby wipes are only available in major cities such as Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam. So remember to buy everything you need before you start your tour.

Read our article "Packing for a trip to Tanzania

Read the testimonials of our families who have traveled to Tanzania as a family with children:

Testimonial from Marjorie and her family:

"In February we spent 3 weeks in Tanzania with our family and our 9-year-old daughter. Before our departure, we consulted a doctor to prescribe the necessary vaccines and medicines. We arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport where Kaira, our guide, was waiting for us as we left the airport. We spent 2 days on safari in the Tarangire and Ngorongoro parks. We marvelled at observing wild animals in their natural habitat. We spent the night camping in a tent with all the necessary comforts. Our cook Robert treated us to hearty meals. We then spent a day and a night in the Massai village of Engaruka,
Kaira's native village. We were able to visit her school, observe local life and sleep in a small tent next to her father's "boma". Our daughter played with the village children and took part in making traditional jewelry with the village's Massai women, an enriching human experience that left its mark on our trip. We continued our adventure at the water springs
We made our way to the hot Rundugai and Materuni waterfalls before continuing on to Zanzibar to finish our trip by the sea. We ate lunch in small local restaurants and dinner in our guesthouses. From the magic of safari to authentic human encounters, we experienced some of Tanzania's most memorable moments.

beautiful and poignant at the same time, unforgettable."

Testimonial from Emilie and her family:

"Kaira, who was our guide, really touched us with his incredible story and the humanitarian projects he is implementing for his Massai village. He was incredibly kind and our trip will remain unforgettable, as much for the organization of the safari as for the trek and the immersion of a few days spent in his native village and his family. We felt safe throughout the trip, despite our apprehensions. We were overwhelmed on a human level by all the beautiful encounters and moments we experienced.
spent with all these people who always have a zest for life and a smile on their face. Kaira also has an NGO, and we were able to visit its school for Massai children. The Serengeti is incredibly beautiful, and we recognized the Lion King landscapes that made us dream as a child. We recommend spending at least two nights and 3 days in the park, as it was well worth the effort; we saw the Big 5 and were lucky enough to see two leopards fighting for prey. The Ngorongoro was also superb, we saw a rhino, apparently it's quite rare to see one, the Tarengire park is smaller but we loved the landscapes with the Baobabs, lots of elephants along the river. Kaira was exceptional throughout, and was able to spot lots of animals that we'd never have been able to see ourselves, he really has a good eye.

The trek: we did a 4-day Massai trek from the Empakai crater to Lake Natron. We were accompanied by a forest ranger, a group of Massai men, our guide Kaira, our cook Robert (who we also had on safari) and a few mules to carry our bags and all our gear. The scenery was truly breathtaking, with a beautiful view of the volcano of the Massai gods. We didn't come across any other tourists. We passed by small Massai villages, where the people
greeted us warmly and the children came to meet us. Nights were spent in wilderness camps with the Massais accompanying us. We have fond memories of our fireside chats. At the end of the trek, we gradually gained a grandiose view of Lake Natron in the background. Following the trek, we were able to explore the area around Lake Natron, which is a magnificent place off the beaten track, with very few tourists. Immersion in a real Massai village: After the trek, we spent a few days immersed in Kaira's Massai village, where we were warmly welcomed by his family. It was an intense few days. The women were quite
shy at first, took care of the little ones, and went to fetch water with the mules, we were able to accompany them, the children played splashing with our children in the river. The women washed their clothes there. His father has 4 wives and around thirty children. The huts are lined with branches to protect the herds, which woke us up like a veritable orchestra very early in the morning. The young boys left very early to look after the herds, and we accompanied them to explore this magnificent landscape.
region. We were lucky enough to attend a circumcision ceremony that was taking place at the time, and it was truly impressive, from the singing and dancing of the women and men, to the ritual slaughter of a cow for the occasion. We had a wonderful time in Tanzania, and we'll be going home with lots of memories. "