7 tips for planning a family safari in East Africa

A family safari in East Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, getting you up close to big game wildlife you’ve only ever seen in books and helping to strengthen the bond you have with your kids. But it also takes some careful planning to ensure everyone’s interests are met and you’ve covered all the logistics for the best safari in Africa.

So to help you plan, we’ve put together our top 7 tips for planning an unforgettable family safari in East Africa. From finding family-friendly safari lodges to ensuring there’s something your kids will eat, we’ve thought about all the things you might not have. We’ll also share with you one of our tried and trusted secrets that will take the hard work out of planning a Kenya or Tanzania safari.

1. Starting planning early

Most East African safari lodges and camps are relatively small, with just a handful or villas or luxury tents that create their exclusive atmosphere. Tanzania safari accommodations that cater to families will typically only have one or (at most) two family dwellings that offer two or three bedrooms where adults and kids can stay together.

So if you’re set on staying at a particular property, you’ll need to plan your private safari in Tanzania well ahead of time and book early to ensure you can secure the one you want. Alternatively, you might have to book two separate rooms or suites that may or may not be located next to one another.

2. Look for child-friendly camps and lodges

Some lodges and camps don’t welcome children purely for safety reasons, so double check before you decide on a particular Kenya or Tanzania safari package. Others will be well-equipped for families, with guides who are trained to work with kids and they may even offer a range of child-friendly activities.

If you’re not sure, ask an East Africa safari expert for their recommendations on some of the best safari lodges for families to help you plan an unforgettable trip.

3. Brainstorm as a family

While it’s easy to just think about where you want to go and what you want to see, it’s much more rewarding to involve the entire family in the planning process. If your kids are old enough, ask them what they’d like to do while on safari in Africa and any animals they’d particularly like to see. Chances are they’re familiar with African wildlife from storybooks or movies and may have personal favorites that are at the top of their list. You can also suggest some different activities that you might do as a family and gauge their interest.

4. Book age-appropriate activities

While many people leave an African safari holiday until their children are a bit older, you can still have a rewarding experience with toddlers or young children if you plan age-appropriate activities. Keep in mind that activities which are appropriate for a three and five-year-old aren’t necessarily going to engage 10 and 12-year old children.

Some lodges and camps may have child minders available to look after children while you’re out on game drives and walking safaris while others will offer eco-adventures and cultural village visits that will appeal to older children and teens.

5. Check if the lodges/camps offer kid-friendly menus

A big part of Kenya and Tanzania tours is the food and you don’t want to pay for the trip of a lifetime only to discover that there’s nothing your kids will eat. If you’ve got fussy eaters, it’s particularly important to check with lodges and camps about what sorts of dishes they offer for kids and the availability of particular foods.

Remember that due to the remote setting, it may not be possible for some safari camps to access particular foods or cater to specific diets, so always check well before booking.

6. Select an appropriate safari destination

Some safari destinations will require long hours in a jeep getting to and from wildlife viewing areas (which might not appeal to kids) while others will offer animal sightings from your balcony. It’s also important to take into consideration the logistics of arriving to and departing from particular wildlife reserves and whether you want the simplicity of a family charter flight or you want to soak up the scenery while travelling by road. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be taken into account when determining the right option for your family.

7. Find an East Africa safari expert to do the hard work for you

Sometimes there’s only so much research you can do online and when it comes to the crunch, you need a local expert to help you out. This is especially true when it comes to planning a family safari in East Africa, with so many peoples’ needs and wishes to be catered to. An African holiday expert knows the destination like the back of their hands and will understand which lodges and camps will be suitable for your family and which ones won’t.

After finding a local expert online, send them a brief including what type of safari holiday you’re after and the style of accommodation you’d prefer, as well as any animals/activities you have your heart set on as a family. Then let them do the hard work of tailoring a safari adventure for you, with plenty of opportunities to tweak it and suggest revisions along the way.

While you might think that this is an expensive option, the truth is that many locally-based travel experts can access special packages and deals that you won’t find online. They’ll know which lodges and camps have outstanding safety records and are worth trusting your family’s lives with, as well as those that have received praise from other families. Chances are you’ll end up with a luxury safari in Tanzania or Kenya that’s more affordable and more memorable than you could have planned by putting in hours of online research yourself.

Health and safety considerations for a family safari in East Africa

Each African country has its own requirements when it comes to mandatory and suggested vaccinations, so check with your general practitioner to see what the current recommendations are. Your safari travel expert may also be able to advise you of any health and safety precautions and how this will relate to young children.

Be aware that some countries will require you to have a yellow fever certificate before entering the country. Others may suggest vaccinations that need to be administered weeks or months in advance, so don’t leave your research to the last minute.

Travel insurance is another essential part of any African safari, not only to cover you against missed flights or lost baggage but also medical emergencies. This is particularly important if you’re staying at a remote lodge or camp where the only option in case of an emergency may be an air evacuation, which could be incredibly costly without insurance.