Family Trip to Tanzania

Why Choose This Trip:

This family trip to Tanzania is designed for parents who want to make their first safari with their children, to see animals in the wild and learn about other cultures and realities that they do not see in Europe or other countries.

It is a trip designed by us, Trip to Help, and that we have done with our 2 year old daughter. In addition, we have the experience of organizing every year, routes and customized trips to Tanzania with families with children of all ages.
An authentic approach to slow travel for families, with time to connect with people and places rather than rushing through tourist attractions. Ideally, you should mix varied activities such as safari with cultural immersion and walking tours adapted to children.

We have seen that other agencies “sell” family trips, where we do not see the focus on children that a trip with children must have. It is not about putting family trip to a title of a trip, and selling it to families, there are many more things to take into account. In addition, your trip will have a (real) positive impact on the territory since more than 80% of your trip stays in the community through an NGO with which we work closely.

That is why we have designed this trip, which is not exclusive for families, it can be done by anyone, but with an eye on the little ones.

If your children are over 11-12 years old and have adult pace, you can do that trip, but you can also do any of the other trips to Tanzania that we have on the web.

The itinerary:

Part 1: Arriving in Tanzania

We will start the trip in the Arusha area, very close to the National Park. There, we will spend 3 nights in a beautiful rural area, where we will be able to see and meet local people working in the projects of the NGO we work with.

During the first days, we will mingle with local people. In a quiet area, without tourists, we will be able to see how the local people live, and the work that the NGO does so that they can have a more dignified life. The family trip in Tanzania directly finances the same NGO that you will be able to visit during the first days.

We will visit schools, a medical center, an orphanage, but we can also make excursions to see sunsets, or to see a walking safari in the Arusha National Park. We will mix culture, with respect, with excursions adapted to children.

Part 2: The Safari in Tanzania

That is the most awaited part of the whole world: going on safari with children is truly an unforgettable experience. Although we will have already done a few days before with a walking safari in Arusha National Park, in this part of our family trip in Tanzania, we start our road trip that will take us on safari in Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara.

In these 3 days we will be able to see most of the animals and the Big Five.

• Tarangire National Park: it is famous for its huge baobabs and for having one of the largest elephant populations in the country. Children are fascinated to see how they move in herds, how they bathe in the river or how the little ones play with each other. We can also see giraffes, zebras and wildebeest that usually concentrate in large numbers, which makes it a very special place to start the safari.
• Ngorongoro Crater: considered one of the natural wonders of the world, almost all the animals of the African savannah are concentrated here in a relatively small space. This makes it easy to spot lions, black rhinos, buffalo and flamingos in the crater lake. For children, it is like entering a real “zoo without cages”, where nature rules and every bend in the road surprises with a new animal.
• Lake Manyara: it is a smaller park, but very diverse. Here it is common to see hippos resting in the water, monkeys jumping from branch to branch and, with a little luck, the famous tree-climbing lions resting on the trees. In addition, the birds of the lake – pelicans, flamingos and storks – make the landscape very colorful and entertaining for the little ones.

The combination of these three parks makes the experience very complete: large herds, predators, unique landscapes and moments of calm to enjoy watching the animals with time, without rushing and adapting the pace to the children.

Accommodation during the safari with kids

Accommodation during the safari can be chosen. But we recommend a safe and secure lodge outside the National Parks. We have chosen a lodge that is enclosed and is a safe environment where children can move around safely. Obviously, there is the possibility to stay inside the Tarangire National Park, which can turn the experience into a true family luxury trip to Tanzania, but small children should be with adults at all times as sleeping inside the park we may encounter animals.

During the 3 days of safari, we will stay, if the family wants, in the same lodge to facilitate the stay.

Part 3 of the family trip to Tanzania: Cultural immersion

Respectful cultural immersion is the third part of our trip with children in Tanzania. We will stay in a hotel run by Maasai that allocates all the profits to the schooling of Maasai children. Guests can choose between two options: a more luxury lodge with greater comfort, or a simpler and more economic accommodation for families who prefer authenticity and proximity. In both cases, the stay directly supports education projects. We will be able to see how the Maasai really live, outside the typical visits to tourist Maasai villages. Here we will discover their reality, not just make a quick stop for a photo. The idea is to share time and experiences with them.

During these days, families will have the opportunity to participate in daily activities of the community, such as helping to collect water, learning how they prepare their traditional food or listening to stories around the fire at sunset. For the children, it is often a magical moment: playing soccer with other children, and realizing that even though they live in very different realities, laughter and curiosity are universal.

We will also be able to learn about their traditions, their way of organizing themselves as a community, the importance they give to the livestock and the nature that surrounds them. It is not only about observing, but also about sharing and understanding that our way of living is not the only possible way.

This close and authentic contact helps the whole family – and especially the younger ones – to develop a more open and respectful view of the world. At the end of the trip, many parents tell us that this cultural part of the trip was even more transformative than the safari, because it leaves a deep and emotional mark in the memory of young and old.

Extension: Zanzibar Island

If you want to end your family trip on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, it is also possible. Being a trip designed by Trip to Help, we can adapt the journey and finish in Zanzibar with as many nights as you want. This option is perfect for those looking for a relaxing beach escape after their family luxury trip to Tanzania.

The ideal plan is to spend 1 night in the capital Stone Town and the rest of the time in front of the beach. However, in Zanzibar it is difficult to experience cultural immersion or responsible tourism. The extension in Zanzibar is mainly for families who want to spend the last days enjoying the ocean.

How to Book Your Family Trip to Tanzania

It’s normal to have questions, so first of all, we suggest arranging a video call to get to know each other. To schedule the call, you can send us a WhatsApp message or simply click the “Check Availability” button. Once we have your details, we’ll get in touch with you.
Once we’ve met, we’ll explain the next steps to complete your reservation. We can’t wait to welcome you!