Planning a Family Safari with Young Children in Kenya and Tanzania

A safari is one of the best trips a family can take together. Children who have only seen lions in books remember the first one for the rest of their lives. With the right planning, even young children can enjoy it as much as the adults.

What is the right age?

There is no single answer, but many families find that from around six years old children get the most from game drives: they can sit for a few hours, use binoculars and remember what they saw. Younger children are welcome on many safaris too, and on a private trip the pace can be built around naps and meals.

Some activities have age limits. Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15 in both Uganda and Rwanda. Guided walks and some camps also set minimum ages, often between 8 and 16. We check the policies for every property before we suggest it.

Why a private vehicle matters

On a shared safari, the group sets the pace. On a private one, you do. With your own vehicle and driver-guide you can stop for a snack, head back to camp early, stay longer with the elephants your children love, or break a long drive with a picnic. Every Volcan safari is private, so this is standard, not an upgrade.

The best parks for families

• The Maasai Mara for the sheer volume of animals, visible within minutes of leaving camp.
• Amboseli for large, relaxed elephant herds with Kilimanjaro behind them.
• Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha for shorter drives, rhinos, and boat trips among hippos.
• The Ngorongoro Crater for an extraordinary number of animals in a single day’s drive.
• A beach finish on the Kenyan coast or in Zanzibar, which children love after the early starts.

Pacing the days

• Plan two or three nights in each place, so the family is not packing every morning.
• Choose shorter game drives in the morning and late afternoon, with rest, swimming and lunch at camp in the heat of the day.
• Fly the longest legs if the budget allows. An hour in a light aircraft beats six hours on the road with small children.
• Look for lodges with a pool, family rooms or connecting tents, and flexible meal times.

Health and malaria

Speak to your family doctor or a travel clinic well before you go. They will advise on vaccinations and whether antimalarials are suitable for each child’s age and weight. Some families choose lower-risk areas for very young children. Pack insect repellent suitable for children, sun protection and any regular medicines. Our guide to yellow fever, malaria and visas covers the basics.

Keeping children engaged

• Give each child a wildlife checklist and their own pair of binoculars.
• Ask the guide to explain tracks, dung and bird calls. Most guides love a curious young audience.
• A simple camera or a journal gives them something to do on quieter stretches.

What does it cost?

Child pricing varies by lodge and itinerary. Many of our trips offer reduced rates for children, and some are free for the youngest. For example, the 3-Day Maasai Mara Private Luxury Safari accepts children from age two, with a discount for under-12s and no charge for under-4s. We confirm the exact child rate for every family quote.

Planning a family trip? Tell us the ages of everyone travelling, and we will build the pace, the parks and the lodges around your family.