Create lifelong memories with your family on our specially designed 6-day safari adventure through Tanzania's most spectacular wildlife destinations. This family-friendly itinerary balances thrilling game drives with engaging cultural experiences and kid-friendly activities, ensuring every member of the family — from grandparents to young children — has the adventure of a lifetime. We've carefully selected family lodges with swimming pools, spacious family rooms, and flexible meal options, while our experienced family-safari guides know exactly how to keep young explorers engaged with animal tracking, bird identification, and bush survival skills. Shorter driving distances and a relaxed pace make this the perfect introduction to Africa for families.
Activities for all ages
Maasai village & school visits
Tree-climbing lions & flamingos
Iconic parks with easy game viewing
This family safari is wonderful year-round, but the dry season from June through October is ideal for families with young children — animals are easier to spot near water sources, roads are dry and comfortable, and the weather is pleasant with warm days and cool nights. The green season from November through May offers lush scenery, baby animals, and fewer tourists, making it perfect for families who prefer a quieter experience. School holidays in July-August and December-January are the most popular times, so early booking is recommended.
After breakfast at your Arusha hotel, your family guide will pick you up in a spacious 4x4 vehicle with a pop-up roof — perfect for kids to stand and spot animals. Drive to Lake Manyara National Park (approximately 2 hours), a compact gem of a park at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, but children will be equally captivated by the large troops of baboons, blue monkeys, and the shimmering pink shoreline of flamingos on the alkaline lake. Your guide will engage young explorers with animal tracking games and bird identification challenges. After a picnic lunch, continue game viewing before heading to your family lodge, where the swimming pool awaits.
After a relaxed breakfast, drive toward the Serengeti through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Stop at a Maasai village where the whole family can experience traditional Maasai culture — watch warriors perform their famous jumping dance, learn about bead-making, and visit the local school (if in session). Children can try their hand at Maasai spear throwing and fire-making. Continue to the Serengeti, entering through the Naabi Hill Gate where a short walk to the viewpoint reveals the vastness of the plains stretching to the horizon. Enjoy an afternoon game drive as you make your way to your family-friendly lodge, keeping an eye out for giraffes, zebras, and the first big cats.
A full day of family adventure on the Serengeti plains! Start early when animals are most active and the light is magical for photos. Your guide will tailor the day to your family's interests and energy levels, with plenty of breaks. Visit the Seronera River Valley, known for its high density of predators — lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Kids will love the "Big Cat Tracker" challenge, ticking off each species they spot. Stop at the Retima Hippo Pool to watch hundreds of hippos wallowing and grunting. Enjoy a picnic lunch under an acacia tree while your guide shares fascinating bush facts. The afternoon brings more game drives, and every child receives a Junior Safari Ranger certificate at the end of the day.
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, perhaps visiting the Moru Kopjes where black rhinos are sometimes spotted, or the Maasai Kopjes where lions love to bask on the warm rocks. After brunch, drive south through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with game viewing en route. Visit Olduvai Gorge, where your family can see actual fossil casts of early human ancestors and learn about human evolution in a child-friendly presentation at the museum. Continue to the Ngorongoro Highlands and check into your lodge on the crater rim. The cooler highland climate is refreshing, and the lodge's gardens are perfect for children to explore safely while parents enjoy the spectacular caldera views.
Today's adventure takes you 600 meters down into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera — a natural amphitheater teeming with wildlife. The crater floor is one of the few places in Africa where you're virtually guaranteed to see the Big Five in a single day: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and the rare black rhino. Your guide will navigate to the best wildlife spots while keeping the experience fun and engaging for children. Watch massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, spot warthogs running with tails erect (always a children's favorite), and visit the hippo pool for a picnic breakfast. The soda lake attracts thousands of flamingos, creating a shimmering pink border. After a full morning of game viewing, ascend the crater wall and return to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon.
After a leisurely breakfast with final views over the highlands, drive back to Arusha through the scenic Great Rift Valley. Stop at a local cultural heritage center where children can try their hand at Tingatinga painting and visit a snake park to learn about Tanzania's reptile species (optional). Arrive in Arusha in the late afternoon, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Every child departs with their Junior Safari Ranger certificate, a bush journal, and memories that will last a lifetime. For families wanting to extend their adventure, we can arrange a Zanzibar beach extension or a day trip to Arusha National Park.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Children under 12 receive a 30% discount.
| Season | Dates | Price (PP) | Child (Under 12) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May | $2,400 | $1,680 | Available |
| Shoulder | Mar, Jun, Nov | $2,800 | $1,960 | Available |
| Peak Season | Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb | $3,300 | $2,310 | Limited |
Children under 12 receive a 30% discount. Children under 5 travel free (sharing with parents). All prices include park fees, family lodge accommodation, meals, and activities.
| Day | Accommodation | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge | Family Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 2–3 | Serengeti Sopa Lodge | Family Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 4–5 | Ngorongoro Farm Lodge | Family Lodge | ★★★★ |
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), approximately 60 km from Arusha. Most international airlines serve JRO. From Europe, flight times are approximately 8–10 hours. Many airlines offer child-friendly services and family boarding. Consider overnight flights so children can sleep during the journey.
Your guide will pick you up from any hotel in Arusha city center or from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Pickup time is typically 8:30 AM on Day 1 (a slightly later start to accommodate families). An overnight stay in Arusha before the safari is recommended if arriving on an international flight.
If you're already in Tanzania, you can reach Arusha by road from Dar es Salaam (approximately 10 hours), Moshi (1.5 hours), or Mwanza (8 hours). Domestic flights to Arusha are also available from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and other cities. We can arrange private transfers for families with young children.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at JRO for USD $50 (USD $100 for US citizens). Children under 16 do not require a visa in many cases. A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining is required. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an endemic area.
Arusha, Tanzania • Established 2015
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Our family safaris are led by guides specially trained in child engagement and family dynamics, ensuring that every member of your family — from the youngest to the oldest — has an enriching and enjoyable experience. We believe that introducing children to Africa's wildlife is one of the most powerful ways to build the next generation of conservationists.
"Our kids (8 and 11) were absolutely captivated from start to finish. Our guide Emmanuel had an incredible ability to engage them — the animal tracking game was a huge hit, and they still talk about their Junior Ranger certificates. The lodges were perfect for families, with pools to cool off in after game drives. Best family holiday ever!"
— The Johnson Family, UK • August 2024"Travelling with three generations (grandparents, parents, and kids) we were worried about pacing, but Nashivai nailed it. The shorter drives, flexible schedule, and family-friendly lodges made everything easy. The Ngorongoro Crater was the highlight — even Grandpa got emotional seeing the rhinos."
— The Chen Family, Singapore • July 2024