The short answer
- Best ages
- About 6 and over
- Child park fees
- Under 5 free; 5 to 15 reduced
- Easiest route
- Tarangire, crater, then Zanzibar
- Malaria
- Ask a travel clinic for children's tablets
A safari is a wonderful family trip, but Tanzania's distances are long. Planning around shorter drives, private vehicles and family friendly lodges makes all the difference.
Tips for families
- Private vehicle: Lets you stop when children need a break and keep drives short.
- Short drives first: Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater are a few hours from Arusha. Fly into the Serengeti rather than spending a full day on bumpy roads.
- Age limits: Some camps set minimum ages, often 6 or more, and walking safaris usually need children to be 12 or older.
- Fees: Children under 5 enter parks free, and ages 5 to 15 pay about US$24 a day in the Serengeti.
- Health: Ask a travel clinic about malaria tablets for children, and use repellent and long sleeves at dusk.
A family friendly 9 day route
| Days | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Arusha, with a coffee farm visit or Arusha National Park |
| 3 | Tarangire |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater |
| 5 to 6 | Serengeti, then fly to Zanzibar |
| 7 to 9 | Beach time on Zanzibar's north coast, where you can swim at any tide |
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Frequently asked questions
What age is best for a safari in Tanzania?
About six and over, when children can enjoy long game drives. Younger children are welcome at many lodges, but plan short drives and a private vehicle.
Do children pay park fees in Tanzania?
Children under 5 are free. Ages 5 to 15 pay reduced fees, about US$24 a day in the Serengeti.
Is the Ngorongoro Crater good for kids?
Yes. The crater is compact, with lots of animals in a few hours, which suits short attention spans.
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026