7-Day Family Wildlife Explorer: Tanzania Safari

Day 1: Arrival At Arusha and Head to Tarangire National Park

Your family’s Tanzanian adventure starts from Arusha which is the starting point for the Northern Circuit. After landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be welcomed by your friendly guide who will take your family on a 2.5-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Named the “Elephant Playground,” Tarangire is an amazing way to get to experience Tanzania’s wildlife. It has vast savannas that are filled with giraffes, zebras, and most importantly, elephants. In addition to that, there are baobab trees along with the Tarangire River. Once you arrive, there will be an early afternoon game drive designed specifically for families. There will be a lot of stops and your children will be entertained – they will hear fun animal facts from the guide so that they can start getting curious about the world. You will stay at Maramboi Tented Camp which is a midrange lodge that offers family suites, a pool, and wonderful views. You will reconvene for a welcome dinner where the guide will tell you about all the fun activities planned for the week.

Accommodation: Maramboi Tented Camp or similar.

Wake up to the sounds of Africa’s beautiful wilderness and enjoy a filling breakfast before heading out to explore Tarangire National Park. Go on a morning game drive during the best time for wildlife viewing – the herds of elephants and wildebeest, along with lions and leopards, are much easier to spot. Kids also engage with a “Junior Ranger” activity about ancient animal tracks or huge baobab trees, led by your guide. A picnic lunch at scenic viewpoints allows families to reminisce and share stories. Continue exploring the park’s diverse scenic landscapes where birds, including lilac-breasted rollers, can be spotted. In the evening, head back to Maramboi Tented Camp where families can enjoy a campfire telling them African folklore while their parents enjoy a sundowner.

Accommodation: Maramboi Tented Camp or similar.

After breakfast, begin driving from Tarangire to Serengeti National Park, which will take about four to five hours. During the journey, you can stop at a Maasai village, which is great for cultural immersion for the entire family. Kids can try their hands at bead making or even some traditional dance, while the adults learn about Maasai customs. Arrive in central Serengeti’s Seronera region in the early afternoon to begin an exciting family game drive. The Serengeti has vast, endless plains with the Great Migration taking place where huge herds of wildebeest and zebras can be spotted. During the drive, look out for lions, cheetahs, and giraffes and listen to your guide tell age-appropriate stories about the animals. Settle into the comfy tented camp that features a pool and playground for the children. Enjoy a family dinner beneath the stars, where you receive a briefing for the next day’s activities.

Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp or similar.

Spend a full day together seeing the fascinating sights of Serengeti, with activities designed for a family to bond and enjoy together. To start, have a game drive at dawn for a chance to catch some predators in action. They can search for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Your guide will make it fun by offering kids wildlife checklists for easier animal spotting. Enjoy a bush breakfast, which is especially exciting for the kids, amidst the vast savannah. The afternoon game drive includes looking for hippos and crocodiles in places like the Seronera River. While parents unwind, kids can have fun at camp in a Junior Ranger session, creating animal footprint castings. For older children and adults, there's a thrill. An optional hot air balloon safari (available at an additional cost) provides a magical birds-eye view of the Serengeti. Top it all off with a family wildlife documentary movie night under the stars.

Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp or similar.

Start your day with breakfast and a final game drive in the Serengeti for animals your family hasn’t seen yet. Depart towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a 3-hour drive with a picnic lunch stop on the way. Upon reaching Ngorongoro Crater’s rim, check into a stunning lodge with panoramic windows and family-friendly amenities. Join a guided nature walk in the afternoon (if permissible) around the lodge, where children can learn about the local vegetation and bugs. In the evening, have a family dinner, where children’s special meals will be provided. After dinner, listen to stories about the wildlife of the crater. Your guide will explain everything you need to know about the next day’s adventure in the crate, which is a highlight of the safari.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar.

Have an early breakfast and visit a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site called the Ngorongoro Crater, which is often called Africa’s “Noah’s Ark” for its abundance of wildlife. Enjoy an early morning game drive where you and your family will have the opportunity to observe black rhinos, lions, and flamingos in a breathtaking volcanic caldera view. While driving, the guide will help kids stay interested by sharing fun facts, trivia, and scavenger hunts of different animals to look out for. Enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, and in the afternoon, head to Lake Manyara National Park, just two hours away. This small park is good for families with short game drives, spotting lions that climb trees, baboons, and great flocks of flamingos. You will also check into a nice lodge close to the park where children can swim or play while their parents rest, gather, and have a relaxing time. After this, have a wonderful family dinner with good food and lots of stories about the safari.

Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge or similar.

On your final day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by a morning activity in Lake Manyara National Park. Choose a short game drive to spot more wildlife or a village visit to learn about local farming and crafts, with kids joining in hands-on activities like painting. Depart for Arusha, a 2.5-hour drive, stopping at a craft market to shop for souvenirs like Maasai beadwork or wooden carvings. Arrive in Arusha by early afternoon and enjoy a family lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. As you leave Tanzania, your family will carry cherished memories of wildlife, culture, and togetherness.