Who hasn't dreamed as a child of discovering Africa and the world's greatest animals on a safari? Tanzania is an ideal destination to turn those childhood dreams into reality, and offer your family an extraordinary journey encountering majestic wildlife. You'll surely be amazed both by the animals parading before you and by the wonder in your children's eyes... Here's our guide to planning a successful family safari in Tanzania.

Why Choose Tanzania

Tanzania is home to some of Africa's and the world's most beautiful wildlife reserves. With its numerous national parks, it's the ideal place for a first safari. Well-equipped, the parks allow you to encounter wildlife by vehicle, on foot, or by boat, in varying degrees of comfort depending on your budget. It's entirely possible to visit with children and travel safely and comfortably amid the animals.

Moreover, Tanzania offers tremendous ecosystem diversity: you can observe a wide variety of animals and satisfy everyone's wishes. During the dry season, animals are very easy to spot as they gather in large numbers around watering holes. Tanzania is also the country that hosts the world's greatest migration, offering travelers an unforgettable spectacle where wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes cross rivers by the thousands and battle for survival. Depending on the season, you may also witness animal births, which typically captivate everyone...

Tanzania is renowned as the premier destination for seeing Africa's great animals; furthermore, nature remains pristine, and the parks are unfenced, allowing travelers to experience authentic wilderness at the heart of nature.

For a family vacation, Tanzania is an ideal destination because, besides going on safari, you can relax on pristine beaches, hike, and combine other activities to keep your children entertained and happy.

Planning Your Trip

For a family trip, it's always better to plan well in advance: book your trip and plan your itinerary in detail, take time to pack carefully, and prepare your children for this great adventure. If your children know what to expect, it will help them stay patient on the plane and during travel. You can ask them to keep a travel journal, or challenge them to spot a certain number of animals.

To travel to Tanzania, no vaccinations are mandatory. However, it's best to keep all vaccinations up to date, and if possible, vaccinate your children against hepatitis B and typhoid. Depending on the areas you visit, consider giving them preventive antimalarial medication and always be cautious about mosquito bites.

A successful trip also depends on your packing, especially when traveling with family. For a safari, the essentials are binoculars (bring several so there's no jealousy among the children), a camera with a good zoom, extra batteries and memory cards, and a video camera. You can bring disposable cameras for your younger children. It's also important to pack your clothes carefully—dark, light, and long. Don't forget hats and good sunscreen. For younger children, remember to bring formula, wipes, diapers, and other necessities, as shops are scarce outside of cities. Finally, don't forget a first aid kit with all your medications and essentials for basic care.

During the trip, ensure your children drink water regularly. It's also important to stay calm during safaris to avoid disturbing the animals and getting into dangerous situations: avoid shouting, sudden movements, jostling...

Where to Safari with Family

Tanzania offers many safari options and choosing can be challenging, as each park has its own attractions and treasures. But for a family safari, it's best to opt for shorter routes and limit travel time. It's also preferable to travel with children in areas where animals gather in large numbers, to facilitate viewing.

Near Arusha in the northern part of the country, the national parks of Arusha and Manyara are perfect for a day trip. They can be explored on foot during short hikes ideal for children. Two hours from Arusha, Tarangire National Park is one of the most beautiful to visit without too much driving. Here, you can observe elephants, cheetahs, lions, zebras, and many other species that come in droves to drink from the river. Though more distant, Ngorongoro Crater is a truly exceptional place to visit, where the Big 5 (lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, leopards, and buffalo) coexist with hippopotamuses, wildebeest, gazelles, zebras, and many other magnificent animals around an enormous crater.

If you're traveling with children, it's best to opt for private organized tours, which can adapt to your pace and family needs. During your safaris, you can choose to stay at a lodge or go camping. In any case, a ranger ensures your safety, and the accommodations are very comfortable.

Other Family Activities

When traveling with children, it's always good to vary activities and landscapes. This is entirely possible in Tanzania, where after your safari, you can relax on paradise beaches and enjoy water sports, go cycling, or hike with your children. A trip to Tanzania is also an opportunity to meet its warm-hearted people and discover unique traditions. Take time to visit small villages and tribes, spend a few nights staying with local families, and participate in cooking, painting, or weaving classes as a family for a truly unforgettable stay.

Marion Biremon