Why Tanzania is the Perfect Choice for a Family Safari
Family always holds a special place in everyone’s heart. In our fast-paced lives, we seldom get quality time to spend with our family. When you get that time, you want to spend it with your family and cherish every moment as much as possible.
If you have planned on spending your time outdoors, away from your home, and getting some quality time with your family, we know a great way to help you do that. Family safaris provide an excellent opportunity to bond with your family, enjoy nature, educate your children, and spend your time in a healthy way, in the open air.
When you think of family safaris, there can be no better destination to enjoy nature at its best and learn about other cultures than Tanzania.
Why go on a Tanzania Family Safari?
Tanzania is one of the top destinations in the world to go on a wildlife safari. The beautiful scenery and once-in-a lifetime experience you get out of a Tanzania family safari are unmatched.
Though the concept of safari sounds like a term that pertains only to adults, children also have a memorable time on safaris. Children love to see the outside world. Going on a safari helps them learn about and appreciate nature and its beauty, meet a variety of people from different backgrounds, and get to know various cultures and traditions. In addition, they get to experience the breathtaking beauty of animals in Tanzania. Nothing compares to seeing them filled with joy and gleam when they see the majestic lion or the strikingly beautiful giraffe for the first time.
In addition to the diversity Tanzania offers, it is one of the safest tourist destinations in the World.
Things to Do and Places to Visit in Tanzania
Tanzania is a tourist-friendly destination suitable for both adults and children. Almost every place you visit has its own set of activities you can share and cherish as a family.
See the Wildlife
National parks are the perfect place to look for and observe wildlife. Each national park showcases a diverse variety of wildlife ranging from mammals to reptiles to birds. Imagine what it would be like for your children to see all of this up-close! You can choose the place to visit depending on the animals you would want to see.
For example, the Serengeti National Park is famous for the Great Migration, where around 1.8 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle migrate across the Serengeti following the rainfall. This draws great attention from predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards and crocodiles.
If you want to see elephants, then the Tarangire National Park is the ideal destination for you. It houses the largest population of elephants in Tanzania. That said, with a bit of luck, you might spot any of the Big Five in any of the national parks.
While Arusha National Park is home to the endangered colobus monkeys, Mahale Mountains National Park offers the best opportunity to go chimpanzee trekking.
If you want to see aquatic wildlife, the Zanzibar archipelago is the perfect destination for you. The marine ecosystem consisting of coral reefs, dolphins, sea turtles and many other marine wildlife, provides an unparalleled aquatic experience.The above covers only a small part of what you can expect from a family safari in Tanzania.
Broaden Your Perspective
Game drives are a wonderful way to relish the nature and wildlife of Tanzania, but there are other amazing family activities to help broaden young people’s minds.
At Sababu Safaris, we believe in a meaningful travel experience. Come along with your family and help distribute solar lights to families in Tanzania that live without electricity. This small philanthropic activity makes a significant impact in their lives and paves a way for your children to learn and take part in charitable deeds.
Education is a powerful medium that can change the world, and you can learn about the challenges the people of Tanzania face and the importance of education to relieve these challenges. Along with budding students, you will have the opportunity to take part in day-to-day activities like taking a tour around school campuses, have a traditional Tanzanian lunch with the students, and attend and participate in their music, dance, and cultural performances.
How often do we pass by the little things that light up our moment? Rather than going on a four-wheel drive, going on nature walks with your family teaches you more about the beauty of the environment surrounding you. Nature walks help satisfy childrens’ curiosity and develop their decision-making skills.
Meet the People of Tanzania
Another great way to spend your family safari is to meet the people of Tanzania, making it a great experience for children to foster gratitude and compassion.
The first person you will meet is your guide. He will accompany you and your family throughout your safari explaining the landscape, the wildlife, and the rich cultural heritage of the people of Tanzania.
Tanzania is home to over 120 different tribes that practice diverse customs. Among others, you will have the opportunity to meet the people of the Maasai tribe, the Iraqw tribe, the Hadzabe tribe, and the Datoga tribe.
Teaching children about the world and its diversity during their early years paves way for them to understand and respect the differences between various cultures.
Learn About Local Traditions
During your visit, you will have the opportunity to learn about different traditions of the people of Tanzania.
For example, the Maasai tribe’s traditions personify strength, beauty, and valor. You can learn their traditional bead-making techniques from the women of the tribe and create your own. You can also learn spear-throwing methods from the men. Going on donkey rides in Maasailand is a fun, simple, and influential journey.
The people of the Hadza tribe live closely with nature. They are excellent hunters using traditions from centuries ago. You can learn survival techniques, and how to track, stalk, and catch prey using their traditional hunting methods.
Additional Things to Do in Tanzania
In addition to the game drives and meeting the people of Tanzania, there are some other activities for a pleasant family time in Tanzania.
The Momella lakes of Arusha National Park and Lake Duluthi are great places to go canoeing where you can enjoy a relaxed and adventurous time.
Zanzibar is a great place for a family vacation because of its beaches, rich culture and history, as well as its many excursions available, such as a visit to the tortoise sanctuary on Prison Island, a day trip going snorkeling and sailing or tasting the many spices of the island.
When it comes to a family safari in Tanzania, there are no right or wrong destinations. From going on game drives in the African bush to relaxing at white sandy beaches - the choice is yours. Pick the places to visit from a variety of destinations and we will help create your own itinerary. If you’re having any doubts regarding your safari, please contact us or refer to our sample itineraries.
How to Plan Your Family Safari in Tanzania?
We know the places to visit and the things to do in Tanzania. Here are some additional things to consider when you plan your Tanzania family safari.
Best Time to Visit
Tanzania is a great place to travel all year round. However, there are some events that are only happening during certain times of the year. Each national park has its own season to visit depending on its wildlife, landscape, and vegetation.
It is better to avoid the rainy season (April and May). This is because rains affect the feasibility of traveling between places, which could be hard to manage, especially with children. The grass is also taller in the rainy season, making it more difficult to spot animals.
The best time to visit would be the dry season (June-October). The cooler and drier climate provides an ideal environment for both animals and humans. During this time, animals grouping near watering holes will be a spectacular opportunity to see nature’s food chain at its best. However, this season is also a time when the parks will be more crowded. The Calving Season between January and March is a great alternative if you’d like to avoid peak travel times.
Properly Plan Your Visit
Always make sure to plan your journey ahead. Since you'll be traveling as a family together with children, it is advisable to have a detailed itinerary for your trip. Plan your places of visit wisely and ask your safari tour operator for an itinerary that is ideal for your particular family members.
Pick the Right Accommodation
Tanzania offers a wide variety of accommodations depending on your place of stay and the budget of your safari.
Choosing your safari lodges and camps in Tanzania can be quite tricky. Some safari camps have age restrictions due to safety concerns or not having the proper infrastructure to accommodate children.
However, there are a lot of family-friendly lodges that are more than happy to welcome children of all ages. Some safari camps even offer fun activities for children to keep them engaged and enthusiastic throughout the journey. It is recommended to opt for a safari camp with a swimming pool to beat the heat and keep the children occupied when you return to your accommodation after your game drives, along with trained staff to support and assist you during your stay.
Ensure Safety Measures are in Place
Tanzania is a safe country with its acclaimed hospitality making it an ideal tourist destination. But, there are also some things you should consider during your planning. Make sure you have proper gear like firm shoes, hats, sunscreen, binoculars and mosquito repellent. Most importantly, apply or renew your travel insurance when traveling. And last but not least, adhere to what your guide tells you.
Conclusion
Tanzania is an ideal destination for every type of safari. Whether you are going as a couple or traveling with your family, Tanzania provides a variety of experiences every time you go there.
There are many options in Tanzania when it comes to choosing a family safari. More importantly, the time you’ll be spending with your family exploring Tanzania will be priceless. Read our testimonials to see how our Tanzania Family Safaris prove to be unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Your children might have seen wildlife on television or read about them. But it doesn’t come close to the in-person experience you will have as a family on a Tanzania safari.
At Sababu Safaris, we will curate a personalized Tanzania family safari itinerary based on your preferences. For more information and any queries relating to this, feel free to contact us and we will plan an amazing safari for you and your family.