Unforgettable Memories: Family-Friendly Tanzania Tours

Are you looking to create unforgettable memories with your family? Tanzania, as a prime family-friendly tour destination, not only offers you scenic views and wildlife, but also an amazing cultural experience, diverse cuisines, festivals, and friendly people.

Whether you are looking to enjoy wildlife viewing or other outdoor activities, a family tour to Tanzania is your ticket to adventure.

The best time to visit Tanzania for tours is during the dry season, spanning from June through September and January to February.

Prepare to pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable journey through magical Tanzania. Rest assured, your time spent here will be well worth it.

Family-friendly Tanzania Tour activities

●     Safari Adventures

Nothing beats the experience of safari adventures in Tanzania as it is renowned for its large national parks and reserves which offer a sanctuary to a wide range of animals. There are around 22 national parks, many of which are part of the larger protected ecosystem. These parks are preserved to maintain Tanzania’s natural heritage.

Some of these parks are The Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha, Ruaha, and Gombe among others.  Animals in the parks include and are not limited to big cats, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests, gazelles, and many more.

For the best wildlife viewing experience, game drives are the perfect way to enjoy with your family. The animals are usually active at sunrise and at sunset, therefore, these are the perfect times for game drives. Experienced and well-trained tour guides will accompany you and your family, ensuring a memorable experience. What you will need on these game drives will just be an adventurous spirit and a camera to capture the moments as they happen.

The Great Migration is also an interesting family-friendly tour activity, allowing you to enjoy the annual movement of large numbers of Serengeti wildebeest, gazelles, zebras, and impalas.

Another magnificent thing you wouldn’t want to miss is the calving season, lots of calves are birthed during this period and it is truly a worthwhile experience for you and your family.

●     Bird Watching

For families who enjoy bird watching, you can never exhaust the large numbers of birds found in Tanzania. Large flocks of pink flamingos and pelicans can be seen along Lake Manyara. The Serengeti also has rare bird species like the red-throated tit and the grey-crested helmet shrike among others.

The fact that you can see and hear them chirping makes it all the more interesting. I would highly recommend walking along the short trails as this gives you a chance to also view other animals along the trails.

You might also wonder how to find the best spots for birdwatching. Fortunately, Tanzania offers available bird guides to ensure a fulfilling experience. You will be in safe hands.

●     Cultural Immersion

Interested in exploring Tanzanian culture?  I hope your answer is a big yes because, here you get to integrate yourself into the culture while interacting with the locals to understand their ways of life. And who knows, you might even borrow a leaf from them. On Sababu Safari’s tours in Tanzania, you will experience these and much more.

Tanzania’s national language is Kiswahili. The locals are very friendly people and they can teach you and your family a few basic words and phrases that you can use to communicate while on the tour.

Some of the indigenous communities include the Maasai, Datoga, Chagga, and Hadzabe. The Maasai and Datoga are pastoralists. A tour of their villages is also an activity you and your family should consider, as this allows you to learn about their traditional pastoral lifestyle and also enjoy their traditional meals. You can do the tour on a bike or trek into the villages and you can even have a taste of their traditional foods.

You can also walk around the towns, engaging with the local vendors as you buy souvenirs for loved ones back home. Some of the items sold along the streets include wood carvings, Maasai shukas’, beaded necklaces, baskets, and many more.

There are also open-air food vendors along the roads selling snacks like mandazi, samosa, cassava chips, and juice made from tamarind.

●     Island Exploration

You wouldn’t want to miss out on experiencing the Tanzanian islands. Zanzibar is a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean, 23 miles from mainland Tanzania. It is mainly known for the slave and spice trade. It is here that you and your family can enjoy sailing, water sports, and spectacular views of the sandy beaches.

Water sports that you can indulge in include surfing, kiteboarding, snorkeling, jet skiing, and diving. Underneath the waters lies coral reefs with colourful marine life.

There are also several luxurious resorts with good amenities for your accommodation needs.

●     Hiking and nature trails

For hiking enthusiasts, embarking on a Tanzania tour with your family will offer you that opportunity and more. Mount Kilimanjaro, described as the “ Roof of Africa” is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing peak in the world.

Before commencing the hike, assembly is at the gates to Kilimanjaro National Park where you officially sign in. The trek starts with guides from the local communities leading the group as they are familiar with the routes to take.

The summit is known as Uhuru Peak and there are 6 official and a few non-official routes leading up to it. Lemosho, despite having the most picturesque views, is the most challenging route and takes around 9 days to get to the peak. The easiest routes are Rongai and Marangu. You will notice that as you continue ascending, you will go through 5 climatic zones ranging from green forests and bushy areas to dry lands with rocks. Along the trek, you can easily spot animals like monkeys.

Other mountains that you can hike are Mt. Meru, Usambara Mountains, and Ol Doinyo Lengai. Other less-known trails include Mahale, Udzungwa, and Kitulo National Parks.

●     Conservation tours

If you have younger children who may not be able participate in mountain climbing, they can still enjoy visiting the conservation areas in Tanzania. There are initiatives and research activities conducted in these sanctuaries. For instance, the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre is a large tropical garden with net walls and a roof. It is home to numerous butterfly species native to Zanzibar. Here your family will get to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and observe pupae hatching.

Another place to visit is Jozani Sea Turtle Sanctuary, a nice place to see turtles and tortoises. There are knowledgeable guides who explain everything about the animals. The employees here are very passionate and diligent with the conservation project.

Final thoughts

Whether you seek wildlife viewing adventures, nature exploration, swimming in sandy beaches, or opportunities to support conservation initiatives, Tanzania promises to fulfill your desires and more. Karibu Tanzania!!

Frequently asked questions

Can families with young children participate in wildlife tours in Tanzania?

Yes, they can participate in wildlife tours. There are available options for family-friendly tours with comfortable accommodations and can curate shorter game drives to cater to the family’s needs.

Are there any safety considerations for families traveling with children in Tanzania?

Yes, if you are traveling with children, ensure you follow safety precautions such as carrying necessary medications, staying hydrated, applying sunscreen, and following guidelines given by the guides during the tours. It’s also important to research destinations and accommodations in advance to ensure they are child-friendly and safe.

Will I need climbing equipment or mountaineering skills to trek Mount Kilimanjaro?

No, you will not need equipment. You just need to be in good shape and wear warm clothes.

Will my children be allowed to hike?

Yes, but they should be at least 10 years old.

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