Tanzania family safari holiday

After arriving at Kilimanjaro international airport, you’ll be transferred to nearby Arusha for the first night of your holiday in a private vehicle with guide.

Arusha is the jump-off point for most safaris to Tanzania’s northern circuit. The town itself is home to numerous coffee plantations, in the shadow of nearby Mount Meru.

We prefer to stay in one of the properties built in and around the coffee plantations, or in the charming nearby town of Usa River.

You’ll have the rest of the day to acclimatise before your safari begins the following day.

Tarangire is a fantastic first stop on safari, particularly if travelling in the dry season from July – October.

You’ll be collected from Arusha in the morning by your driver-guide and make the 2.5 hour journey along a tarmac road in your private vehicle to the entrance to Tarangire National Park. From then on, you’ll be on safari. You will make your way through the park’s stunning landscape, stopping off for a packed lunch before arriving at your accommodation in the afternoon.

The following day you will experience all the delights Tarangire has to offer. We highly recommend a walking safari with an experienced local guide (age restrictions apply).

On the morning of your 4th day, you’ll have an early start, leaving Tarangire via another drive through the park (keep your binoculars and cameras handy).

On your way to Ngorongoro, you’ll stop for lunch and a game drive in the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park. You’ll then climb the Rift Valley escarpment and continue on to Karatu.

Upon arrival at Karatu you’ll be impressed by the lush greenery of the Ngorongoro Highlands. We recommend staying at one of the many properties in this beautiful area, or alternatively, on the crater rim itself. Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp offers great value accommodation and is situated close to the descent road for early morning drives to the crater floor.

The following morning you’ll leave the lodge at first light for your full-day drive down onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor. This is a one-of-kind safari destination and you’ll be blown away by the sheer drama of the landscape and the density of wildlife in the crater bowl.

This morning you’ll leave Ngorongoro and drive to Serengeti National Park.

The guide price for this itinerary is based on staying at accommodation in the central Serengeti, which offers excellent year-round game viewing.

However, if travelling from July – October, we recommend flying (additional charges apply) to the Kogatende / Lamai area of Northern Serengeti and staying in one of the mobile camps in that area. This will give you the best chance of seeing the Great Migration and is an exciting way to spend your three nights in this most spectacular of wilderness areas. Alternatively, if you’re in a large family group, you may choose to stay at a private lodge, such as Mkombe’s House.

During your three days here, you’ll explore and enjoy all the Serengeti has to offer. This is a genuine bucket list destination and you’ll be filling up your camera memory card at a rate of knots!

As well as enjoying game drives, we recommend visiting local communities and partaking in a hot-air balloon ride (additional charges apply).

On the morning of your ninth day, you’ll fly back to Arusha for your onward journey home.

Note:- we recommend adding to this itinerary with some time in the Zanzibar Islands, if you’d like to relax at the beach following your safari.