Why Choose Tanzania for a Family Safari in Africa

Africa is a vast and diverse continent made up of 54 countries. Asking where to go on your first visit is a bit like asking which U.S. state or European country to choose. Each destination offers something unique. From the pyramids of Egypt to the safaris of Tanzania, the vibrant souks of Morocco to the wine country of South Africa, Africa’s travel and cultural offerings are as varied as they are unforgettable.

When it comes to Animal safaris in Africa, the choice gets a bit easier, but there are still about 10 countries to choose from. When I started doing my research on which country to choose, I will admit, I was overwhelmed. In the end, however, a Tanzania safari was the clear winner and here is why.

Home to the Great Migration

Almost every wildlife feature on Africa shows footage of thousands of wildebeest plunging over the edge of a riverbank to cross the Mara River between Kenya and Tanzania. If you are going for bucketlist Africa, then this is the thing to see.

I will offer a few pieces of advice here for families. The river crossings are a wait-and-see type of activity. The herds can move around for much of the day before they decide to cross. We did this at the end of our visit to Tanzania and I would suggest, if you are able to arrange your itinerary, to do it first! That is just my opinion. It is also a busy activity, as you are not the only person in Tanzania to see this feat, and there can be dozens of cars jockeying for the best position in this National Park. In every other park in Tanzania, you will have relative calm and enjoy plenty of time without crowds.

Family-Friendly Lodges

All of the lodges we visited were perfect for families. From tents with hallways running between them to perfectly appointed family accommodations, all of our lodging was perfect for our family. We had some occasions where we had a single room with multiple beds and other options with multiple rooms.

There are also plenty of accommodations with swimming pools! What more can families ask for after a day exploring in a jeep than time for the kids to burn off energy in the pool?

I will also offer another piece of advice here: take as much time as you can in Tanzania. If you have time for a half day at the lodge to enjoy the pool, do it. Especially if you have an overlanding trip! The long days in the car can be tiring for the kids and a break to play and swim goes a long way!

Variety of Wildlife and Park Ecosystems

Tanzania is well known for its array of parks. It is not a one park and done visit. While the Serengeti is the most famous, the Ngorongoro Crater offers one of the most amazing naturally baracaded environments, nestled into a vast crater.

Imagine climbing up to the edge of a massive volcano and then down the crater into an enormous ecosystem teeming with wildlife. It offers one of the highest concentrations of animals in Africa. When you are coming on a family safari, animals are the star!

Once you visit Tanzania, you realize that the animals do not notice the vehicles at all. They consider them a non-threatening part of the ecosystem and (mostly) exist without offering them a second glance.

Parks we visited while in Tanzania

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Serengeti National Park
• Tarangire National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park

High Season is not Like High Season elsewhere

I suggest traveling to Tanzania in high season. Should I suggest Paris in high season? Not really. But high season in emerging markets is different. It is the BEST TIME TO GO for a reason. It is the best time to see the animals and the best weather. I do not suggest trying to safari in the low season with kids to save a bit of money.

With that being said, the Serengeti is very busy during the great migration, but it is because there are hundreds of people wanting to witness the same experience you do and everyone is traveling in the same overland vehicle. It is still worth it, albeit a bit chaotic.

Finish your Holiday with a few days on the Beach

If variety is your kind of travel, then Tanzania has it! After spending some time on safari it’s just a short hop over to Zanzibar for some beach time! If your kids are like mine, they will love the blue waters and the sandy beaches and getting to run and play after a week in the National Parks!

Tips for Tanzania with Kids

• Pack Light: If you are taking bush planes, you will likely already know that you need soft sided luggage. Most of the lodges offer laundry services, so do not be worried about packing for the whole trip. You can read my safari packing list for more details.
• Manage your expectations (my biggest safari tip). Our kids were so excited the first few days, but by the end of the week when we got to the Serengeti, they were pretty tired of the car travel (that is why I suggested it as the start of your trip). We had wished we had pool availability at the end of the trip but many of the camps near the migration areas are temporary camps.
• Book ahead for the best availability. The lodges with better access (shorter drives) often fill up first, especially with mid-range budgets. Because we booked just 3 months in advance, some accommodations were a bit farther from the parks due to availability. Do not get me wrong, we stayed in amazing accommodations, but the drives were a bit longer due to their location.