Safari with kids in Tanzania
If you have kids, you have surely looked at some picture books with African animals at some point. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see these animals in their natural habitat? Not only your little ones are dreaming about that, but probably also you, right? However, going to Tanzania on a safari with your kids might cause you some worries, and let us tell you: you are not alone! After all, you’ll be in a country far away with wild animals roaming around closely, wherever you are.
So it’s no surprise that we often get asked: “Is it even possible to go on a safari in Tanzania with kids?” We can tell you: yes, it is! And it’s much easier than you might think. In this article, our experienced travel consultant Vienna shares some insights, tips, and tricks for your family vacation in Tanzania. Spoiler alert: seeing the Big Five with your own eyes will leave you, your kids, and even your teens in awe – and we all know how hard it can be to impress them.
How old should kids be for a safari?
There is no minimum age to enter Tanzanian national parks. And it gets better: as long as your kids are under the age of 15, you even pay a lower entry fee for them. Is it a sign? We think so! But let’s hear what Vienna recommends.
“You as parents know your kids the best. When it comes to accommodation, we work with partners who are accustomed to kids. Do you need an extra bed for kids of any age? Simply book it on top. Do you want to enjoy one or two hours by yourself? Some lodges in Tanzania even offer childcare services with great programs for the older kids!’
But just to give you an idea: most families who book a family-friendly safari with us have kids who are at least six years old. If you think that your kid is still a little too young for a safari, have a look at a holiday on Zanzibar, a paradisiac island just off the Tanzanian coast. Or you simply wait one, two, or three more years – Tanzania will be waiting for you.
It’s all about the right preparation
Of course, there are a lot of things to organize when traveling with children.
“If you plan a family holiday in Tanzania with toddlers and your kids, best check with your doctor or health office regarding recommended vaccinations and medication. It’s also advisable to take out an additional Flying Doctors insurance. If something happens (knock on wood it won’t), a helicopter can transport you to the nearest hospital straight away.”
And what about packing? It only needs a good system 😉 “Since you change accommodation several times, packing can become annoying at some point. I recommend you already pick out the outfits at home and pack them into the suitcase as a set – underwear, socks, t-shirt, trousers, skirt, jumper, etc. If you stack all of these clothes on top of each other and then roll them up, you can save a lot of space. This way, you can simply take out the next outfit each morning, wrinkle-free! Put the dirty clothes in a separate bag, done!”
5 tips for the perfect child-friendly safari
No matter if the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, or Arusha National Park – it only takes a few little things to make your family safari unforgettable.
“We want to make sure that you can travel comfortably with your kids, for example with booster seats that can be rented for the cars. The safari jeeps are often also equipped with a fridge for milk etc. and if you let us know special dietary wishes of your little ones beforehand, we can accommodate them as well.”
On top of that Vienna has five more tips for a hassle-free safari for the whole family:
- Bring some toys or order Wi-Fi in the car in case your kids get a little bored.
- Bring snacks and drinks, or order special snacks and drinks with us, so that no one of you gets angry during the adventure.
- Always have some baby wipes at hand.
- Diaper bags are handy if you have to change diapers but don’t have a bin somewhere close.
- Don’t forget sunscreen and insect repellant – that’s always important, no matter if you travel with or without kids
We hope that we can shed light on family safaris in Tanzania. If you want more info on what your itinerary could look like, have a look at our family-friendly trips and get in touch as soon as you have picked a favorite. We cannot wait to organize everything just the way you like it and make your family’s dreams come true.
