Yes, a family safari in Tanzania works well with kids, and you can start it from Zanzibar. Lekobe’s private Zanzibar departures accept children from age 1 to 5 depending on the trip, from US$460 per adult for a one-day fly-in to Mikumi up to US$2,025 for four days in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Under-5s enter Ngorongoro free.
Last updated: 21 October 2026. Prices checked against the live trip pages on lekobeadventures.com.
Taking children on safari is one of the best things a family can do together. Seeing an elephant cross the track or a lion resting in the grass gives kids a story they will tell for years. But parents from the US, UK and Europe have practical questions first: how old is old enough, how long are the drives, what does it cost, and is it safe? This guide answers them with the real minimum ages, prices and schedules from our trip pages, plus official fee and health information.
Is Tanzania a good safari destination for families?
Tanzania suits families because you can pick the pace. Short fly-in safaris from Zanzibar cut out long road journeys, and private vehicles let you stop for snacks, toilet breaks or a nap whenever you need to. Parks such as Ngorongoro and Tarangire put a lot of wildlife within a short drive, which keeps young children interested.
Most of our trips that leave from Zanzibar are private, so your family has its own vehicle and guide instead of sharing with strangers who may want a different pace. If you are still deciding between the two styles, our guide to shared vs private safaris in Tanzania explains the trade-offs.
What makes it work for children
- Flexible start days: the trips in this guide can start any day, so you can fit them around school holidays.
- Short flights instead of long drives: the Zanzibar fly-in safaris use morning flights, so you are in the park within hours.
- A beach to recover on: Zanzibar gives kids (and parents) time to relax before or after the bush.
Best age for a family safari in Tanzania
There is no single national rule for every activity, so the real limit is set by each trip and each lodge. On our Zanzibar departures the listed minimum age ranges from 1 year to 5 years. Many parents find that children of around six and older get the most out of game drives, because they can sit through a few hours in the vehicle and spot animals themselves. Younger children can still go, but a shorter trip is usually the better choice.
Minimum ages on our family-friendly trips
- 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar: minimum age 1 year.
- 2-Day Fly-in Private Safari to Nyerere NP from Zanzibar: minimum age 2 years.
- 1-Day Mikumi Fly-in Shared Safari from Zanzibar and 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-in from Zanzibar: minimum age 3 years.
- 2-Day Safari to Tarangire NP & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar: minimum age 4 years.
- 1-Day Private Safari to Mikumi NP from Zanzibar: minimum age 5 years.
Trips that are not suitable for children
Our camping safaris (for example the private camping trips to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Selous) list a minimum age of 18 years. If you are travelling with kids, choose a lodge or tented-camp itinerary instead. Ngorongoro’s official tariff also sets out walking-safari guide fees for children aged 12 to 16, so guided walks there are aimed at older children, not toddlers.
Family safari from Zanzibar: trips and prices compared
The table below lists real Lekobe trips that suit families. Prices are “from” prices per adult, taken from the live trip pages. Your final quote depends on group size, travel dates, accommodation and the ages of your children, so ask us for a family quote that includes child rates.
| Trip | Days | From (per adult) | Minimum age | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikumi Fly-in Shared Safari | 1 | US$460 | 3 years | A first taste of safari |
| Private Safari to Mikumi | 1 | US$550 | 5 years | Private day trip |
| Tarangire & Ngorongoro | 2 | US$1,186 | 4 years | Elephants and the crater |
| Fly-in Private Safari to Nyerere | 2 | US$1,235 | 2 years | Southern Tanzania, short flight |
| Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-in | 3 | US$2,068 | 3 years | Big landscapes, older kids |
| Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro | 4 | US$2,025 | 1 year | Three parks, families with babies |
| Zanzibar Beach Holiday | 5 | US$1,210 | 4 years | Beach and island activities |
| Zanzibar Beach with Mikumi Safari | 7 | US$1,815 | Suitable for all ages | Bush and beach in one booking |
Trip prices include park fees for non-residents, a professional driver-guide, transport, airport transfers and the meals listed in each day-by-day plan. Drinks, tips, travel insurance and visa fees are not included. For a full breakdown by trip length, see our safari from Zanzibar cost guide.
Sample family itineraries
One day: Mikumi from Zanzibar
The Mikumi day trip is the gentlest introduction. Pick-up is at 5:00 am, the safari flight leaves at 7:00 am and you land in Mikumi by about 8:30 am. You then have morning game drives, a picnic lunch at 1:00 pm, a final drive from 2:00 pm and a 4:00 pm flight back, arriving in Zanzibar around 4:30 pm. Lunch is included. It is a long day, so it suits children who can handle an early start. Read more about Mikumi National Park.
Two days: Tarangire and Ngorongoro
After a 5:00 am pick-up and a flight to Arusha, your guide meets you with a lunch box and drives you to Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants. You sleep in a tented camp, then spend day two on a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater with a bush lunch before flying back to Zanzibar.
Four days: Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
This is our most flexible family option, with a minimum age of 1 year. You fly from Zanzibar at 8:00 am, drive about two hours from Arusha to Tarangire, then continue to the Serengeti. Be aware that the transfer from Tarangire to the Serengeti takes 3 to 4 hours. Day four starts with a 6:30 am descent into Ngorongoro Crater to look for black rhino, then you fly back to Zanzibar. Lodges on the published itinerary include Mawe Mawe Manyara Lodge, Safari Haven Serengeti Camp and Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp.
Adding Zanzibar beach days
Kids love the island part of the trip. Our Zanzibar packages include the Safari Blue snorkelling trip to Kwale Island, Jozani Forest with its red colobus monkeys, and Prison Island, where you meet giant tortoises. For longer bush-and-beach plans, see our 7, 10 and 12-day safari and Zanzibar itineraries and our Zanzibar Island guide.
Park fees for children: what the official tariff says
Children pay less than adults at Ngorongoro. These are the entry permit rates for non-East African citizens on the official Ngorongoro Conservation Area tariffs page:
| Age group | Ngorongoro entry permit (non-East African citizens) |
|---|---|
| 16 years and over | US$70.80 |
| 5 to 15 years | US$23.60 |
| Under 5 years | Free |
You do not pay these fees separately on a Lekobe trip, because park fees for non-residents are included in the price. We list them so you can understand why a family quote with younger children costs less per child than per adult.
Health and safety tips for a safari with kids
Malaria and vaccinations
The US CDC travel health page for Tanzania recommends that travellers to certain areas take prescription medicine to prevent malaria, and lists all areas below 1,800 m (5,900 ft) as having transmission. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic about the right medicine and dose for each child. The same page says a yellow fever vaccine is required only for travellers aged 1 year and over who arrive from a country with yellow fever risk.
Comfort in the vehicle
- Pack snacks, water bottles, a light fleece for early mornings and a hat for midday sun.
- Bring a pair of child-sized binoculars and a simple animal checklist to keep kids engaged.
- Tell us your children’s ages when you book, so we can plan the pace and meal times.
- Remember Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound travel insurance when you plan your paperwork.
Our safari packing guide has a full checklist.
Tipping
Tips are not included in trip prices. Our guideline is US$10 per person per day; see how much to tip a safari guide in Tanzania for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best age to take kids on safari in Tanzania?
Children of about six and older usually enjoy game drives most, because they can stay focused for a few hours and spot animals themselves. Younger children can still travel: our 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro trip from Zanzibar accepts children from 1 year old, and several shorter trips start at 2 to 5 years.
Can toddlers go on a Tanzania safari?
Yes, on some trips. Our 4-day northern safari from Zanzibar has a minimum age of 1 year and the 2-day fly-in Nyerere safari starts at 2 years. Choose a private vehicle so you control the pace, plan short drives and keep snacks handy. Camping safaris are not suitable, as they list a minimum age of 18.
Do children pay park fees in Tanzania?
Yes, but less than adults. At Ngorongoro, the official entry permit for non-East African visitors is US$70.80 for ages 16 and over, US$23.60 for ages 5 to 15, and free for children under 5. On Lekobe trips, park fees for non-residents are already included in the price you are quoted.
How much does a family safari from Zanzibar cost?
Prices start from US$460 per adult for the 1-Day Mikumi Fly-in Shared Safari and from US$2,025 per adult for the 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro trip. The final family quote depends on group size, dates, accommodation and your children’s ages. Tips are extra, with a guideline of US$10 per person per day.
Do kids need malaria tablets for a Tanzania safari?
The CDC recommends prescription malaria prevention for travel to certain areas of Tanzania, including all areas below 1,800 metres. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic which medicine and dose suit each child, and book that appointment several weeks before you fly so there is time to start the course.
Can we combine a family safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday?
Yes, and it is the most popular way to do it. Our 7-Day Zanzibar Beach with Mikumi Safari Adventure is listed as suitable for all ages and costs from US$1,815 per adult. It mixes a fly-in safari day with snorkelling, Jozani Forest, Prison Island tortoises and beach time.
Plan your family safari with Lekobe
Tell us your travel dates, how many adults and children are coming and the ages of the kids, and we will put together a family safari from Zanzibar that fits your pace and budget. Message us on WhatsApp (+255 676 68 1293), email info@lekobeadventures.com, or use the enquiry form on any trip page, such as the 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar. We reply within 24 hours.
