Experiences
Family safaris
Shorter drives, kids who are kept busy, and a guide who has done this with her own family.
A family safari works when the days are shaped around the youngest person in the vehicle. We plan shorter drives, mid-morning breaks, pools in the afternoon, and guides who turn spotting into a game. Parents get to watch the crater from the rim with a coffee while the children count zebras.
How we pace a family trip
Game drives of two to three hours rather than six. Lodges with pools and family rooms. A picnic that is actually fun. Optional afternoons off. And a guide who knows when to stop for the dung beetle as well as the lion.
What ages work
Most lodges welcome children from six. Some tented camps set a minimum of eight or twelve, and we route around those. Under-fives are possible on private trips with the right accommodation; ask us and we will be honest.
Safety
Private vehicles only, guides trained in first aid, and a park itinerary that keeps you close to help when you need it. Your guide can carry a satellite communicator on remote routes; ask when booking.
Keeping them interested on a long drive
Every child gets a checklist and a pair of binoculars they do not have to share. Our guides hand over the radio, set spotting competitions between the back and middle rows, and stop for the small things: a chameleon on a branch, a dung beetle rolling a ball twice its size, a weaver building upside down.
Questions
Asked by people planning this trip
Is there a minimum age?
We recommend six and up. Younger children can travel on private trips at lodges that allow it. Balloon flights and walking safaris have their own age limits.
Do children pay full price?
Park fees for children are lower and most lodges discount children sharing with parents. We show the exact child price on every itinerary.
What if a child gets ill on safari?
Your guide is first-aid trained and the vehicle carries a kit. Arusha and Karatu have good clinics, and the lodges we use can reach a doctor. Tell us about allergies and medication when you inquire, so nothing is a surprise at 6am in the Serengeti.
Are the long drives really that long?
The Serengeti is a long way from Arusha, and on a family trip we would rather fly one leg than spend eight hours in a vehicle with a six year old. Tell us the ages and we will show you both versions with the cost of each.
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