5 Family-Friendly Safari Activities
An African family safari has been the best way to celebrate a milestone with the ones you love the most. An anniversary, a college degree, a new job, a babymoon, a birthday… are unforgettable when celebrated in a unique setting, especially in the wild heart of Africa. This safari isn’t the same as adults-only safaris like honeymoons and others of the like. Therefore, you should carefully choose what to do on this adventure.
Traveling with the family is an incredible experience that often comes with some stress. You’re trying to figure out whether your kids will enjoy it. The next day, you think of safety, and with malaria being common in most African nations, you may be afraid. Please don’t be. We’ll figure this out.
We know how difficult it is to generalize all families because they aren’t the same. Some have teens, while others have 6-month-olds in tow. But we’ve done our best to pick five family-friendly safari activities. (And we can tailor them to your family if you let us know your kid’s age and your interests).
- Game drives tailored for families.
A family game drive isn’t like other game drives. It’s different in its entirety. Kids have short attention spans. Which means if you drive for a long time, they may end up being bored. Therefore, it’s very important to keep drives as short as 1-2 hours, depending on the age of your children.
Apart from keeping game drives short, we also suggest you focus on large animals like the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). That said, you really have to choose kid-friendly parks, where there’s abundant big game. In your list, please don’t skip Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Ruaha.
If your little ones are curious and asking too many questions, sit them next to the guide. These experts always share incredible stories, which are good for kids to get focused. But if you would like an adults-only adventure, leave the kids at the lodge for kid-friendly activities like gathering insects and others.
- Guided nature walks.
Nothing is more exciting than exploring nature on foot. This activity is rewarding as it sparks curiosity among younger guests. Watch stare at little creatures like a rock hyrax, a frog, or dung beetles. Nature walks can be within the reach of the safari camp or lodge. This walk is accompanied by an expert guide who knows not only animals but also different flora species.
A guided walk in the Ngorongoro Highlands is just as rewarding as the drive in the crater. With this family adventure, you may see monkeys, giraffes, elephants, and leopards. In the Serengeti, a walking safari is a great way to watch wildebeest herds up close.
For safety purposes, we don’t take kids under 6 years for walking safaris. Kids under 10 years old are eligible for short walks, usually around the camp. And those from the age of 12 are eligible for even more challenging hikes like chimp trekking and hiking trips.
- Bush picnics and outdoor dining.
Most camps offer a spacious, private dining area for families. However, there’s magic in enjoying a mouthwatering meal under the shade of an acacia tree. That’s when a bush meal (a dinner, breakfast, or lunch). After driving for almost an hour after breakfast, your guide will find a pristine location, where you can enjoy lunch.
In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a picnic site is located near a hippo pool. You will enjoy your meal while listening to the ripples caused by large pods of hippos. In the Serengeti, you can open lunch boxes in the acacia-dotted plains in the central Serengeti or in the North.
Another experience worth trying is a candlelit dinner. Thoughtfully prepared in a secluded setting, a bush dinner is more than a meal; it’s an experience. Every detail is tailored to your family, from the flavors on your plate to the specific dietary restrictions. It’s therefore a unique, family-style way to dine under the African sky.
- A cultural visit to explore local culture.
Tanzania thrives with a healthy culture, hosting over 120 tribes. While it’s hard to explore all of them on one safari tour, we advise you to visit the most famous tribes. The Maasai and Hadzabe are the finest tribes in this fabulous country. Both are famous for their unique traditions that haven’t changed for years.
The Maasai, for example, have unique attire, dances, and traditional huts. You can let your kids watch the dances, herd cattle with Morans, or buy them jewelry like beads, necklaces, and sandals from the Maasai craftsmen. You can also join their adults-only spear-throwing challenges.
The Hadzabe, on the other hand, the only remaining hunter-gatherer tribe in Tanzania, live in the forested shores of Lake Eyasi. Keeping no livestock and growing no crops, the Hadzabe entirely rely on hunting. Kids would love to see these primitive societies.
- Wildlife photography for kids.
Want to give your kids a sense of purpose for every game drive? Hand them a simple camera or a smartphone to capture animals. Instead of focusing on the scenes, they will hunt for the perfect photos. And during downtimes, check their best captures, compliment them, or get them on social media.
The final words.
A Tanzania safari isn’t about ticking the boxes – it’s about creating unforgettable memories together. From kid-friendly drives to bush picnics and culture visits, every adventure creates an opportunity for families to bond. Let’s plan your family safari.
