Planning a Family Safari in Kenya or Tanzania

There is no single answer, but as a rough guide:

• Under 6: possible, but long drives and early starts are hard. Some camps do not accept young children, and a few activities have age limits. A private vehicle is essential.
• 6-12: often the ideal age. Children are curious, can manage game drives and remember the trip.
• Teenagers: can do almost everything, including walking safaris in some conservancies and, from 15, gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Always tell us your children's ages when you enquire so we can check lodge and activity policies.

For families, the best routes have short transfers and variety. In Kenya, the Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha make a good combination: a 5-day Mara, Nakuru and Naivasha safari breaks up the driving and finishes with a boat ride among hippos. Nairobi National Park, the elephant orphanage and the Giraffe Centre make an easy first day in Nairobi.

In Tanzania, a slower northern circuit such as the 6-day Northern Tanzania Safari avoids very long days. Ending with a few days on the beach - such as our 4-day Zanzibar family holiday - gives everyone time to rest.

On a shared safari you follow a group schedule. In a private vehicle, you can stop for snacks, head back early if a child is tired, or stay longer at a sighting that fascinates them. For families, the extra cost is usually worth it.

• Look for family rooms or connecting tents.
• Lodges with a pool make the midday break much easier.
• In unfenced camps, children must be escorted at all times after dark, and some camps set minimum ages for this reason.

Our camping vs lodge guide explains the main accommodation types.

• Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations and malaria prevention for each child, well before you travel.
• Check yellow fever requirements for your route - see our yellow fever guide.
• Sun protection, insect repellent suitable for children, and plenty of water are essential.
• Travel insurance that covers every family member is a must.

• Give each child their own binoculars and a simple wildlife checklist.
• Let them take photos - a basic camera or an old phone works well.
• Ask your guide to explain tracks, dung and birds; good guides love curious children.
• Keep game drives shorter for younger children and plan some pool time.

Layers for cold mornings, sun hats, comfortable closed shoes, snacks for the vehicle, a few small toys or books for downtime, and any medication they need. Our packing list covers the basics.

Plan around your children's energy, not a checklist of parks. Fewer parks, shorter drives, a private vehicle and a lodge with a pool will make the trip better for everyone. A few days on the beach at the end is the easiest way to round it off.