Tanzania is one of the leading safari destination in Africa known for its large unspoilt national park that carries a flawless feel of nature and all it has to offer. The world’s oldest national park, Serengeti, is situated in the northern region of the country and is famed for the great wildebeest migration one of the most famous overland migration. With a lot to offer in bush experience, Tanzania is undoubtedly one of the best picks for families seeking to get the wildest travel memories .
Though the country does not have adequate accommodation facility to support family safaris, in this guide we shall cover some of the places you can pick and get unmatched stay alongside an exciting bush experience.
1. Serengeti National parks
Ranked as one of the world’s most idyllic places, Serengeti tops our list of the best family destinations in Tanzania. The national park can be accessed by road from Kilimanjaro Airport though we recommend you go for a scheduled flight if you have small kids who may not withstand the stress of 8 hours long drive. Here families are treated to an exciting view of wildlife and the migration. The Serengeti migration starts with the calving season in southeastern Serengeti where over 500,000 young wildebeest are birthed between December and April each year. With all the 3 Africa big cats inhabiting this wilderness, Serengeti is one of Africa best places to sight hunting epics. Serengeti Serena safari lodge is the most ideal family safari accommodation being centrally located for easier approach to all regions of the wilderness. The lodge has a children program to keep them active throughout your stay.
Others family- friendly accommodation include sayari camp, four seasons safari lodge, Faru Faru lodge and Singita Serengeti house
2. Ngorongoro conservation Area
Ngorongoro is famed for being the worlds largest crater that is still uneroded. The park is just 5 hrs drive from Kilimanjaro Airport and can also be accessed by Air via Lake Ndutu Airstrip. Here safari drives takes places inside the 20 km wide crater that host over 25000 large animal among them zebras, wildebeest, lions, hippos, buffaloes and leopards. Ngorongoro Serena lodge set on the rim of the crater is the most ideal accommodation for family safari.
From here families can go for a
joint family game drives, family bush breakfast and lunches, and Masai village visits. The facility offers children specific programs like watching wildlife documentaries and visiting
near by schools. Other family friendly accommodations include Neptune Ngorongoro luxury lodge, Ngorongoro sopa lodge and ngorongoro wildlife lodge.
3. Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara national park is the most rewarding destination that can be accessed from Kilimanjaro in less than 4hrs and also the most visited lake park in Tanzania. The seasonal lake is famed for its large flocks of flamingo that inhibit the lake in the wet season. The adjacent park form one of the most diverse ecosystem in Tanzania featuring savannnah grasslands, wetlands and a dense mahogany woodland canopy forest. The park boast an impressive population of elephants, lions, buffaloes, wildebeest and zebras. Lake Manyara tree lodge is the best pick for families and has opportunities for joint game drives excursion, shoreline walk and primate tracking canopy walk. Lake Manyara Serena safari lodge is a good alternative.
4. Arusha National park
This is the closest National park to Kilimanjaro Airport. The little known park features a variety of habitat zones among them lakes of different alkalinity levels, marshlands, savannah grasslands and mountain forest. The highly diverse wilderness offers one of Tanzania’s best location for sighting large flocks of flamingos, waterfowls, elephants, hippos, zebra and African buffaloes. Here Hatari lodge is the most dependable family style accommodation.
The lodge is in the north eastern edge of the park near momella lakes and the most sought after part of the park. With a capacity of only 9 guest Hatari lodge creates a personalized experience for families especially large groups wanting to hire an entire camp.
5. Tarangire national park
The park draws its name from Tarangire river that cuts across the National park. The river plays a pivotal role to sustain life in the entire Tarangire ecosystem. Over the scathing dry season, most of the grasslands drys up leaving the floodplains along the river as the only refuge for wildlife in the park mostly elephants. Tarangire is known for hosting one of the world largest elephant concentration. Here Tarangire safari lodge is the best family style accommodation. Set along Tarangire river the lodge is in a keenly appointed position for families who would like to enjoy the view of the impressive tuskers congregating along the river banks. Families can engage in joint game drives, bush walk and traditional village visit. The facility has a shallow splash pool for kids.
6. Mikumi National park
Mikumi is situated in Southern circuit and it is accessed via a major highway that pass through the park from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and commercial hub. The park is
the 5th largest national park featuring impressive views of wildlife like lions, cheetah, giraffes, gazelles, elephants, giant elands and hump-backed wildebeest. Here, Stanley’s kopje is the most ideal family accommodation and the only facility inside the immaculate wilderness.
From here you can embark on joint family safaris or relax on the private deck perfectly raised to offer a sweeping view of the drama. Alternative and more affordable family accommodations are available in the nearby Morongoro city.
7. Selous/Nyerere national park
The national park in southern Tanzania is one of the world’s most extensive game countries with over 55,000 square kilometres of unspoilt wilderness. With a dramatic ecology featuring savannah plains, miombi woodlands, marsh areas and hilly landscape, Selous is alluringly diverse. Selous has a number of flora-rich oxbow flood plains along the great Ruaha river that ends in an equally waterlogged delta plain, making it the most scenic game hotspots in the southern circuit. Siwandu camp is the best family safari accommodation with open sided game drives , walking safaris(16 years and over), and boat cruise. Underage children have a trail program taking them to the wilderness surrounding the camp. The facility also has a private unit for families seeking a home-style experience.
8. Ruaha national park
Ruaha National park is the most unique park in Tanzania set on at the point where the East Africa open savannah plains overlaps with the South African miombo woodlands. The park is the second best big cats safari destination in Tanzania after Serengeti having some of the largest lion prides you can encounter while on a safari. Groups of Spotted hyena and elephants are also very common. Here Mwagusi camp is the most ideal family facility and the only all weather accommodation in this wilderness.
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Keywords: family safari, Tanzania
