What You Need to Know: Our family safaris are private: one Land Cruiser and driver-guide for your family only, in family-friendly lodges, so you decide when to stop, picnic or head back. Children aged 5 and under travel free, children from 6 to 15 get 30% off the adult price, and every family booking gets an 8% family discount on top. A short family safari starts from US$1,320 per adult for three days in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater; safari-and-Zanzibar trips of 8 to 12 days are what most families ask us for. The best months are June to October and late December to February, which fit the summer and winter school vacations.
Family Safari Packages in Tanzania
Every trip below runs as a private family safari. Prices are per adult for two adults sharing at mid-range lodges; children's prices and the family discount come off that, as explained in what children pay.
10-Day Family Calving Season Safari
Arusha National Park, the crater and three nights at Ndutu among the newborn calves, with rest days at both ends
8-Day Family Migration Safari
Tarangire, two nights by the Mara River in the summer vacation, a Maasai village and the Ngorongoro Crater
9-Day Family Safari and Zanzibar Holiday
Tarangire, the crater and the Mara River, then a flight straight from the Serengeti to three beach days on Zanzibar
9-Day Zanzibar and Mikumi Family Holiday
Stone Town, Prison Island's tortoises and the beach, then the ferry and train to Mikumi and a Maasai boma, with no flights
20-Day Family Safari and Zanzibar Holiday
Three unhurried weeks: Arusha, a waterfall swim, five parks with rest days, two nights on the crater rim and a beach week at Kendwa
3-Day Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro
Short drives and both nights in the same Karatu lodge: the easiest first safari for young children
4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Tarangire's elephants, a night in the Serengeti and a morning in the crater, for children who can manage one long drive
5-Day Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara
A full day in the Serengeti with two nights there, so nobody spends the whole safari in the car
6-Day Northern Circuit Safari
All four northern parks at an easy pace, with a night on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
5-Day Calving Season Safari: Ndutu and the Crater
Newborn wildebeest calves on the Ndutu plains in the winter-break months, then the Ngorongoro Crater
10-Day Big Five Safari and Zanzibar Holiday
The northern parks in the dry season, then beach days on Zanzibar to finish the family holiday
3-Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro from Zanzibar
Fly in from your Zanzibar hotel, see two parks and be back on the beach on the third evening
3-Day Mikumi Safari by Train, with a Maasai Village
The electric train from Dar es Salaam, game drives in Mikumi and an afternoon with a Maasai community
Zanzibar Family Beach Holidays
Stone Town, the giant tortoises of Prison Island, Jozani's red colobus monkeys and the beach
How Our Family Safaris Work
A family safari only works if the children enjoy it as much as the adults, and that comes down to control of the day. Because every family trip we run is private, your driver-guide plans around your children: an early start when they are fresh, a picnic when they are hungry, back to the lodge pool in the heat of the afternoon, and a slower pace on the days with longer drives. Nothing is shared with strangers, so nobody minds a toilet stop or an extra ten minutes with the baby elephants.
- Your own vehicle: a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, at most 6 guests and a window seat for everyone, a fridge for drinks, binoculars and charging points. Children love standing up under the roof when the vehicle stops at a sighting. See our safari vehicles.
- Experienced guides: our driver-guides trained at the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka and have at least five years of safari guiding. They speak English, and French, Spanish, German or Chinese on request.
- Family-friendly lodges: we book lodges and camps that welcome children, ask for family rooms or rooms next to each other, and check each lodge's child policy against your children's ages.
- Food children eat: the packed lunch on the first day is prepared to your family's needs, vegetarian or otherwise, and we pass every diet on to the lodges.
- Peace of mind: evacuation cover with AMREF Flying Doctors, a licensed company (TALA licence 014271) and our team in Moshi on WhatsApp throughout your trip.
What Children Pay on a Family Safari
Children aged 5 and under travel free. From 6 to 15, a child pays 70% of the adult price, which is 30% off; from 16 the adult price applies. On top of that, every family booking gets an 8% family discount on the whole trip.
| Traveler | Price |
|---|---|
| Children 5 and under | Free |
| Children 6 to 15 | 30% off the adult price |
| Travelers 16 and over | Adult price |
| Family discount | 8% off the whole booking, for every family |
An example on the 5-day safari at US$2,630 per adult: a 10-year-old pays US$1,841 and a 3-year-old travels free. Two adults with those two children come to US$7,101, or US$6,533 after the 8% family discount. Your written quotation works this out for your exact group, dates and lodges, with a separate line for each child.
Our local day trips from Moshi, such as the Materuni waterfall and coffee tour, are free for children, and Zanzibar excursions have their own child prices, shown on each trip page.
Family Trip Ideas from 3 to 12 Days
Families usually ask us for 3 to 12 days, either on the northern circuit or the southern one, and most add Zanzibar; with three weeks, see our 20-day family safari and Zanzibar holiday. These are the shapes that work best with children:
| Length | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 days | Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha, with both nights in Karatu | Young children and a first safari: two easy days from one lodge, then the drive back to Arusha after the crater |
| 5–7 days | Tarangire, the central Serengeti and the crater, adding Lake Manyara or a third Serengeti night | Children who can manage one long drive day (Karatu to the central Serengeti takes about 7 hours with stops and game viewing) |
| 8–10 days | Arusha National Park, the crater, the central Serengeti and three nights at Ndutu in the calving season; or the central and northern Serengeti in the migration months | Families who like to stay put for several nights, including grandparents; see our 10-day family calving safari and 8-day family migration safari |
| 8–12 days | A northern safari, then a flight from the Serengeti to Zanzibar for three or more beach days | The classic family holiday: wildlife first, then rest; see our 9-day family safari and Zanzibar |
| 7–9 days | Zanzibar first (Stone Town, Prison Island, the beach), then the ferry to Dar es Salaam, the SGR train to Morogoro, a Maasai village and a full day in Mikumi | Families based on Zanzibar who want a safari without domestic flights; see our 9-day Zanzibar and Mikumi family holiday |
These come from the trips families actually plan with us. A family of eight, two parents and six children aged 5 to 15, chose five days on Zanzibar, with Prison Island and Stone Town, followed by the southern route to Mikumi by ferry and train, with a Maasai village visit and a full day of game drives. Another family, traveling with grandparents in their sixties and seventies and a 4-year-old, wanted nothing strenuous: a gentle first day in Arusha National Park, close to their hotel, then three nights at Ndutu for the calving season, so the whole family could watch the herds without moving camp every day.
Best Parks and Activities for Children
- Tarangire: about 2 hours from Arusha, with big elephant herds along the river from June to October. An easy first park.
- Ngorongoro Crater: a huge number of animals in a small area, so children see a lot in a morning; lions, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and the best chance in Tanzania of a black rhino.
- Lake Manyara: a short drive from Karatu, with forest, monkeys and birds; good for a half day when energy is low.
- Serengeti: lions, cheetahs and the migration, but far from Arusha: stay at least two nights, or fly in with younger children.
- Mikumi: the closest big park to Dar es Salaam, reached by the SGR electric train, with elephants, giraffes and zebras on open plains.
- Culture and swimming: a Maasai village visit, or the waterfall pool and coffee farm at Materuni near Moshi.
- Zanzibar: giant tortoises on Prison Island, red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, the old lanes of Stone Town, and calm beach days.
- Balloon flight: an optional sunrise balloon flight over the Serengeti, US$490 per person; the balloon companies set their own minimum age, so we check it for your children.
When to Go on a Family Safari
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June to October (summer vacation) | Dry season and the best general game viewing; the migration herds are in the northern Serengeti from July. Lodges charge more and fill early. |
| Late December to February (winter break) | Green season; the calving herds are at Ndutu in the southern Serengeti. Christmas and New Year rates are higher. |
| March | The calving season continues, and the long rains usually begin late in the month. |
| April and May | The long rains: slow roads and some camps closed. We don't recommend a road safari with children, and Zanzibar is wet too. |
| November | The short rains, usually brief showers; fewer visitors. |
Our best time for a Tanzania safari guide goes through every month in detail.
Lodges We Book for Families
These are lodges and camps we have chosen for family trips, always "or similar": we pick from them, or others at the same level, to suit your children's ages, your budget and availability.
| Area | Lodges (or similar) |
|---|---|
| Arusha | Njiro Luxury Resort, Parachichi House |
| Karatu and Ngorongoro | Karatu Villa, Enjipai Ngorongoro Lodge, Embalakai Ngorongoro Tented Camp |
| Central Serengeti | Mberesero Serengeti Central Lodge, Maboresho Tented Camp |
| Ndutu (calving season) | Serengeti Classic View, Ndutu |
| Northern Serengeti | Serengeti Classic View, Kogatende; Kontiki Migration Camp |
| Mikumi | Double G Camp and Lodge |
| Zanzibar | Golden Tulip Boutique Stone Town, Tembo Kiwengwa Beach Resort |
See our safari lodges and camps for budget and luxury choices in each area.
Health, Safety and Comfort with Children
Talk to your doctor about malaria tablets and vaccinations for each child well before you travel; our travel health page lists what to ask. Pack sun hats, sunscreen and long sleeves for the evenings, which are cool on the crater rim. Drinking water is in the vehicle all day, and your guide stops whenever someone needs a break. Every traveler also needs Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance, US$44 per adult, which we help you buy.
For a fuller checklist by age, with packing, long drives and what to do with toddlers, read our guide to a Tanzania safari with kids, and our safari safety tips.
What Our Family Safaris Include
- A private 4x4 Land Cruiser and English-speaking driver-guide for your family only
- Family-friendly lodges at the level you choose, with meals as listed in your itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Airport transfers, and drinking water in the vehicle
- Flights, trains and ferries inside Tanzania when they are part of your itinerary
Not included
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance (US$44 per adult) and your own travel insurance
- Optional activities, such as a Serengeti balloon flight
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff, drinks and personal items
How to Book a Family Safari
Tell us your dates, how many adults are coming, each child's age, what your family most wants to see and any dietary needs, through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com. Our team in Moshi replies with a written itinerary and a quotation showing each adult and child price and the family discount. A 30% deposit confirms the trip and the balance is paid on arrival; refunds follow our booking terms.
Common Questions About Family Safaris in Tanzania
Is a Tanzania safari good for young children?
Yes, if the safari is private and the drives are short. Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater are all within a few hours of Arusha, and a private vehicle lets you stop, rest and head back whenever your children need to.
How much do children pay on your safaris?
Children aged 5 and under travel free, children from 6 to 15 get 30% off the adult price, and every family booking gets an extra 8% family discount on the whole trip.
Are your family safaris private?
Yes. Every family trip has its own Land Cruiser and driver-guide, and we book family-friendly lodges.
How long should a family safari be?
Three or four days for a first safari with young children; five to seven days to include the Serengeti without rushing; 8 to 12 days with Zanzibar for a full family holiday.
Can we combine a family safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, and most families do. On the northern circuit you fly from the Serengeti or Arusha to Zanzibar; on the southern route you travel by ferry and train between Zanzibar and Mikumi.
When is the best time for a family safari?
June to October for dry weather and the most game, or late December to February for the calving season. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Can you cater for children's diets?
Yes. The packed lunch on the first day is made to your family's needs, including vegetarian meals, and we pass every diet on to the lodges.
Is it safe to go on safari with children?
Yes, with sensible rules: children stay inside the vehicle in the parks and with an adult at the lodges. Our guides are trained at Mweka, and every trip has evacuation cover with AMREF Flying Doctors.
The Bottom Line
For a family safari in Tanzania, keep it private, keep the drives short and stay at least two nights in the Serengeti if you go that far. Three to four days suits young children, and 8 to 12 days with Zanzibar makes a complete family holiday. Children aged 5 and under travel free, children from 6 to 15 get 30% off, and every family gets 8% off. Send us your dates and your children's ages, and we plan the rest.