A family safari in Tanzania is the ultimate family holiday. It is adventurous, exciting and offers a great variety, from wildlife and cultural activities to tropical beach life. Most of the safari camps and lodges have great swimming pools and welcome children. Since this is a private safari tour, you are in control of how much time you spend on game drives or at the beach. This Family Safari is a great mix of amazing wildlife, culture, sunshine, friendly people and fabulous beaches.
Day 1: Arrival Kilimanjaro Airport
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, your driver will meet you at the exit of the arrivals area, to transfer you to Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha. This hotel offers a spa and swimming pool and the meals include several varieties of pizzas baked on site, a big hit with children. Settle into your accommodation, relax and enjoy dinner, before your safari starts in the morning.
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast we drive in about 2 hours to Tarangire National Park, which is a true paradise for elephant and bird lovers. It is home to the largest population of elephants in East Africa and more than 550 bird species. Moreover the landscape is incredible diverse and giant baobab trees scatter the park. We will have a delicious picnic lunch in the park. In the afternoon we drive to Tarangire Safari Lodge, which has an outdoor pool and paddling pool. This lodge is built on an high ridge with panoramic views over the Tarangire River.
Day 3: Tarangire National Park
Enjoy a day of game driving in this elephant and bird paradise. Tarangire still has an authentic rawness and is as ‘wild’ as it gets in the northern circuit. The lively Silale swamp is certainly one of the highlands of Tarangire. Here you can also see the largest selections of breeding birds anywhere in the world, including orange-bellied parrots, lovebirds and the largest flying bird, the Kori Bustard. The swamp is also the place to see lots of leopards and lions. Instead of a full day game driving you can also choose to return to Tarangire Safari Lodge for lunch or to relax at the swimming pool in the afternoon.
Day 4: Tarangire – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast we head towards the Serengeti, passing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with its beautiful scenery. In the afternoon we arrive at Serengeti Sopa Lodge. This lodge is located on the edge of the Rift Valley Escarpment with great views across the Serengeti plains and has a large outdoor swimming pool. Relax at the pool and enjoy dinner before you get a good night’s rest.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full day of game drives in the Serengeti. Flat-topped acacia trees and rivers dot the landscape. The Big Five and all three African big cats are abundant, but also several very rare species like the black rhino, pangolin, black-and-white colobus monkey, Oryx and wild dog. Expect to be impressed by the natural beauty of the world’s most famous park. Wildlife viewing in the Serengeti is good throughout the year, but if you want to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, you need to be in the right area at the right time. Depending on what time (season) you choose to go on safari, your guide knows where to go in the Serengeti. Watching an endless stream of millions of wildebeest and zebra thundering the vast plains of the Serengeti, crossing rivers, is absolutely mesmerising. We return to Serengeti Sopa Lodge in the afternoon.
Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
This morning we drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. It is home to all of Africa’s famous wildlife and has its own unique ecosystem. The view from the rim into the crater floor is simply unreal with its pastel-coloured landscape and wildlife roaming the floor. Animals spotting is easy in this largely flat and open crater floor. Leopards, lions, hyenas and jackals can be found on the savannah as well as elephants, buffaloes, wildebeest, zebras, ostriches and rhinos. Lunch will be served at a lovely lakeshore in the crater. Dinner and overnight is at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, which has lovely gardens and a beautiful swimming pool.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater – Zanzibar Island
It’s time to relax and wash off the safari dust with a dip in the Indian Ocean. We drive in about 2.5 hours to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport your driver will meet you at the exit of the arrivals area to transfer you to the Breezes Beach Club. This resort has everything you need for the prefect beach holiday; a long sandy beach, a freeform pool, 4 restaurants, several bars and a spa. Settle in and let the friendly staff look after you for the next 3 days.
Days 8 – 10: Zanzibar Island
Spend the next 3 days on this tropical island at leisure. Enjoy the world’s most beautiful white sandy beaches or explore the rich coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. This island offers a wealth of activities, from snorkelling and sailing to island hopping, spice tours and cultural tours in the fascinating old Stone Town. You can also choose to stay at the resort and spend your time at the beach or swimming pool. Breezes Beach Club is a family owned hotel and children are made especially welcome.
Day 11: Departure
Enjoy breakfast and prepare to depart. Your driver will bring you to Zanzibar Airport for your departure flight. If your flight home is booked from Kilimanjaro or Arusha, we can book the relevant domestic flight for you and arrange any overnight accommodation and transfers you may need.
Note. We can create a customized itinerary exactly the way you wish. You like to add other parks or extend your stay on Zanzibar? Contact us to design your ideal safari.
Check our Travel Tips:
What to wear on safari in Africa
Best things to see and do in Serengeti National Park
Best time to see the Serengeti Migration