Built for families travelling together across generations, this 8-day circuit takes an unhurried route through four of Tanzania's finest parks — Tarangire's elephant herds and baobab-studded plains, Lake Manyara's tree-climbing lions and flamingo-lined shores, the vast Serengeti, and the wildlife-dense floor of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Drive times are kept short, lodges are chosen for their pools and family rooms, and each day is paced to keep younger travellers engaged — scavenger-hunt game drives, a Maasai village visit, and plenty of downtime between activities. Grandparents, parents, and kids alike come home with stories of their own.
Family rooms & pools throughout
Game drives designed for young explorers
A cultural morning the whole family remembers
This family circuit works well throughout the year. The dry season from June through October offers easy wildlife viewing and comfortable daytime temperatures across all four parks. December through March brings the calving season to the southern Serengeti, with newborn wildebeest and abundant predator sightings — a favourite with older kids. The green season from November to May is quieter and greener, with lower rates, though April–May can bring heavier rain.
Depart Arusha by private vehicle for Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. After a picnic lunch, enjoy an easy-paced afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where wildlife concentrates even in the dry season. Check in to your lodge in time for a swim before dinner.
A full day exploring Tarangire at a relaxed pace, with a scavenger-hunt checklist to keep younger travellers engaged — spot the giraffe, the baobab, the dik-dik, and more. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a shaded spot overlooking the river, then return to the lodge for an afternoon by the pool before an evening game talk with your guide around the campfire.
A short transfer brings you to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, forested groundwater trails, and flocks of flamingos along the lake shore. Enjoy a gentle game drive through varied habitats, from dense woodland to open floodplain, followed by a picnic lunch. Return to your lodge in Mto wa Mbu village in the afternoon for pool time and a stroll through the local market.
Drive up through the Ngorongoro Highlands, with a stop at a viewpoint over the crater, before descending into the Serengeti's endless plains. Break up the journey with a picnic lunch and a short stop at Olduvai Gorge to learn about early human history in an easy, story-driven way for younger visitors. Arrive at your lodge in time for a game drive before sunset.
A full day in the central Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives broken up by a relaxed lunch and pool time back at the lodge. Your guide keeps the pace family-friendly, with a wildlife scavenger-hunt checklist and plenty of stops to watch and photograph sightings at leisure. Enjoy an early dinner and an evening under some of the darkest, clearest skies in Tanzania.
Transfer to a different part of the Serengeti, game viewing along the way, and check in to a family-friendly lodge with a pool for an easy afternoon after several early starts. A short late-afternoon game drive rounds out the day, followed by a relaxed dinner and an early night.
Depart the Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping en route for a guided visit to a local Maasai village and school — a highlight for families, with a warm welcome, a look at traditional homes, and a chance for kids to meet local children. Continue to your lodge on the crater rim in time for dinner with sweeping views over the caldera.
Descend onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive among one of Africa's densest concentrations of wildlife, with a picnic breakfast by the hippo pool. In the early afternoon, ascend back to the rim and drive to Arusha, arriving in time for onward or return flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, for the complete 8-day family safari. Child rates available on request.
| Season | Dates | Price (Per Person) | Single Supp. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May | $3,250 | $450 | Available |
| Shoulder | Mar, Jun, Nov | $3,850 | $550 | Available |
| Peak Season | Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb | $4,600 | $700 | Limited |
Price includes everything: private guiding, family-friendly lodge accommodation, all meals, park and conservation fees, and transfers. Family rooms, connecting rooms, and reduced child rates are available on request. No hidden costs.
| Day | Accommodation | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Ngare Mto wa Mbu | Family Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 4–5 | Serengeti Ark | Tented Camp | ★★★★ |
| Day 6 | Elewana Pioneer Camp | Luxury Tented Camp | ★★★★★ |
| Day 7 | Ang'ata Ngorongoro | Tented Camp | ★★★★ |
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to begin your family safari. Most international airlines serve JRO via Amsterdam, Doha, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa. Your safari begins and ends in Arusha, a short drive from JRO.
Your guide will pick you up from any hotel in Arusha city center or from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Pickup time is typically 8:00 AM on Day 1. An overnight stay in Arusha before the safari is recommended, especially with young children adjusting to time zones.
The entire circuit is done by private 4x4 vehicle with regular rest stops, keeping the pace comfortable for children and grandparents alike. No internal flights are required on this itinerary.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for USD $50 (USD $100 for US citizens), including children. A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining is required for every traveller. 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 designed by parents and grandparents for families, with pacing, lodges, and activities chosen to keep every generation comfortable and engaged, from toddlers to grandparents.
Travelling with three generations, from our 6-year-old to grandparents in their 70s, we worried the pace would be too much for someone. It was perfect for everyone. The scavenger hunt kept the kids glued to the windows and the Maasai village visit was a real highlight.
— The Osei Family, USA • July 2024Every lodge had a pool, which mattered more than we expected with two young kids. The Serengeti nights felt like a real adventure without ever feeling rushed or overtiring for the little ones.
— Laura & James P., United Kingdom • September 2024
