ExperiencesSafari experience
Family Adventure
Turn the questions in the back seat into the best part of the trip.
- From
- $1,270 per person
- Per person sharing. Lodging + park fees at low-season rates across a core itinerary, plus baseline drive transport. Excludes international flights and activities.
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
About
About this experience.
Children notice different things on safari. Adults scan for lions; a nine year old spots the dung beetle rolling its ball across the track and wants to know where it is going. The guides who are best with families slow down for exactly those moments, and a well paced family safari in Tanzania becomes a week of questions: why zebras have stripes, how an elephant drinks, why the vultures are circling over there.
Northern Tanzania works well for families because the distances are manageable and the wildlife is easy to see. Tarangire is a couple of hours from Arusha and full of elephant in the dry season. The Ngorongoro Crater gives a whole day of animals inside one bowl, which suits children who tire of long searches. The Serengeti can be reached by light aircraft rather than a full day on the road. National park fees are free for children under five and reduced for ages five to fifteen, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area uses the same age bands.
What it is really like with children depends on the camp. Some properties specialise in families. The Manor at Ngorongoro sits on a coffee estate near Karatu with a family cottage and horse riding with an instructor, no experience required, which is a welcome change from the vehicle. Forest Chem Chem, in the Burunge wildlife area between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, is booked as a whole camp of three tents and a family tent, so your group has it to itself. On the coast, a private villa such as Kholle Villa at Jambiani, with six bedrooms and a garden pool, gives a family room to spread out after the bush.
The honest caveats. Age limits apply to some activities: balloon operators set a minimum of six or seven, walking safaris are generally for older children, with Ngorongoro's tariff pricing children's walks from twelve, and some camps do not accept young children at all. Malaria is a risk in the parks and on Zanzibar below about 1,800 metres, so speak to a travel clinic about antimalarials; the Ngorongoro rim lodges sit above that line. Long days in the vehicle are the biggest challenge, so we plan shorter drives, a pool stop, and at least one afternoon off. From October 2026, foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania also need the 44 US dollar inbound travel insurance, alongside Zanzibar's own equivalent.
Everything on a family quote is shown separately: each person's park fees at the correct adult or child rate, each night's lodging, the vehicle and any flights. Families often find this is where transparency pays off most, because child fees, family tents and private vehicles are exactly the lines that vary.
It suits families with children roughly six and over who can enjoy several hours of game viewing, though younger children are welcome at many camps with the right planning. Multi-generational groups do especially well, as a private vehicle lets grandparents and grandchildren set the pace together.
How to structure it
Building it into your trip.
Eight to ten nights is ideal. Start with two nights in Tarangire, then two on the Ngorongoro highlands with a crater day, then three in the Serengeti, flying rather than driving back. Finish with four or five nights on Zanzibar. Book a private vehicle so you can stop when children need to, and choose camps with family tents or exclusive use. Plan for school holidays early: July, August and December are the busiest months, and family rooms are limited, so we hold options while you decide.
Best time to go
When to go.
- January: best
- February: best
- March: best
- April: not a best month
- May: not a best month
- June: best
- July: best
- August: best
- September: best
- October: best
- November: best
- December: best
Best months: June to March.
Gallery
A closer look.
Common questions
Questions, answered.
Is Tanzania a good safari destination for families?
Yes. The northern circuit has short distances between parks, abundant and easy-to-see wildlife, and a number of camps that welcome children with family tents and flexible meals. Children under five enter national parks free and those aged five to fifteen pay a reduced rate. A Zanzibar beach finish gives everyone time to rest.
What is the minimum age for a family safari?
There is no national minimum for game drives, but individual camps set their own policies and some accept only older children. Balloon flights have a minimum age of six or seven depending on the operator. Walking safaris are for older children; Ngorongoro's tariff prices children's walks from age twelve. We check each property's rules for your family before booking.
Do children need malaria tablets?
UK travel health guidance rates the risk as high below 1,800 metres, which includes the main safari parks and Zanzibar, and recommends antimalarials. The Ngorongoro rim is above that altitude. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic about the right medication for each child's age and weight, and pack repellent and long sleeves for evenings.
How do child park fees work?
Tanzania's parks charge per person for each 24 hours. Children under five are free and children aged five to fifteen pay a reduced rate, while sixteen and over pay the adult fee. On your Savannah & Sands quote each traveller's fees are shown individually at the correct rate, so there are no surprises.
What should we pack for children?
Neutral coloured layers, a warm fleece for early mornings and the Ngorongoro rim, sun hats, sun cream, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle. Children's binoculars make a real difference to how engaged they are. Small activity books help on longer drives. Most camps offer laundry, so pack light.
Do we need travel insurance?
Yes. Foreign visitors to Zanzibar have needed a specific inbound travel insurance policy since October 2024, and from October 2026 a 44 US dollar policy is also required for mainland Tanzania. You should still have your own comprehensive cover including medical evacuation. We list these requirements clearly when you book.
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Plan a family adventure trip.
Tell us when you can travel and what you most want to see. We'll build a custom itinerary around Family Adventure with transparent pricing throughout.
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