The African continent is a place of wonder and awe, and a family safari is an unforgettable way to spend time together and create lifelong memories. Tanzania is a popular choice for families as it is well known for its incredible wildlife including the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra that moves in perpetuity across the Serengeti ecosystem and the opportunity to spot the Big 5.
The wide range of available accommodations for family travelers means there’s something that fits everyone. Whether you and your kids are looking forward to the adventure of sleeping in a tented camp or would prefer the luxuries of a private villa, the experts at Africa Adventure Consultants will help you find the right fit. Here, we’ll give you an armchair view of a few of our favorite family-friendly accommodations in Tanzania. Be sure to talk with your Journey Specialist to find the right fit for your customized family safari.
The only private house in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, Mkombe’s House was built with families in mind. Adults will enjoy their open-fronted rooms with sweeping views of the plains, while kids are just down the hall in an enclosed room to keep them cozy and safe. With indoor and outdoor dining areas, the family can enjoy their private meals wherever the mood strikes, while playing in the pool is a great option for burning off energy. With this private house, you’ll enjoy family game viewing at your own pace with your private guide and vehicle. Nature walks are also a seasonal option.
Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge sits in the wildlife-rich northern Serengeti and offers 15 spacious, glass-fronted tented suites which can be set up with an extra bed for your little one. Lemala loves to welcome children, and knowing small kids can get bored and restless, they have created the Lemala Cubs program. It offers kids under the age of 12 a wide range of wonderful experiences that include animal and bird identification, learning how to throw (blunt) spears and using bows and arrows, learning tracking techniques, walking with the Maasai to hear stories about their culture and way of life, and even joining the chefs in the kitchen to prepare meals or roasting marshmallows over the campfire before bed. The activities are fun, educational and interesting while also giving you time to relax.
Mwiba Lodge accepts families with children from age four and up and offers just 10 luxurious tents, two pairs which adjoin for the perfect family accommodation. Mwiba not only offers spectacular wildlife viewing in a large private concession, each booking is also provided with a private guide and vehicle, giving your family a wonderful sense of exclusivity. Additionally, Mwiba offers the chance to enjoy meaningful and authentic cultural interactions with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. We recommend three to four nights to truly immerse and enjoy all Mwiba has to offer.
TAASA Lodge is centrally located between three of Tanzania’s largest safari ecosystems: the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. TAASA is family-owned and offers family-centric amenities including 12 opulent tents (some interconnecting for families), childcare services, fun activities for all ages and different dining options including private dining on your veranda if you prefer. TAASA offers game drives in their private concession, boma dinners under the starry skies, nature walks, authentic Maasai cultural experiences and exhilarating night game drives in open-sided 4×4 safari vehicles, all tailored to different interests and ages.
Forest Chem Chem is an exclusive-use tented camp that welcomes children of all ages, offering special activities that kids love including arts and crafts, interactive cooking and learning about tracking wildlife. Cultural visits are also on offer where you and your kids can learn about local Maasai traditions or visit a local school, broadening everyone’s horizons. You’ll enjoy a private guide and dedicated safari vehicle, allowing you to pass your days exactly as you choose exploring 16,000 acres of wilderness in a private concession! The camp sleeps up to eight adults and two children in four tents, one of which is a two-bedroom, two-bath tent that’s perfect for a family of two adults and two kids.
Century-old Gibb’s Farm was founded as a coffee plantation in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Since then, generations of local families have helped to create a truly authentic, serene and memorable experience for travelers wishing for a dreamy retreat from which to explore the Ngorongoro Crater and its incredible wildlife. You can share in activities on the farm as well – from milking cows to collecting eggs, jumping in the pool, painting with the resident artist or exploring the coffee fields. The food is wonderful farm-to-table cuisine – you’ll be right in the heart of where it comes from! Gibb’s Farm offers two family houses or the choice to combine garden cottages for extended family stays.
These are just a sampling of our favorite camps for kids in Tanzania. Your Journey Specialist will talk with you through your wish list and design your custom family safari.
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Photos courtesy Mkombe’s House, Lemala Kuria Hills, Mwiba Lodge, TAASA Lodge, Forest Chem Chem and Gibb’s Farm