What activities are possible on a Tanzania family safari?

The act of walking makes us part of our surroundings. On a walk across a plain or beside a river, there’s something to see and to learn every few steps. A leopard track, an eagle owl in a sausage tree, hippo cavorting mid-stream. You will only touch the surface of your guide’s well of knowledge. Everything becomes interesting, even termites! Discover how everything plays its part in the fragile balance of ecology.

Walking is part of the daily menu of activities at many safari camps. At lodges like Sand Rivers you can stay out overnight at a “fly camp”. Or, we can arrange a longer walk over several days with a support team and a mobile camp. Wild southern reserves like Ruaha are best for this kind of safari and for a family, we can arrange it on a private basis. You will probably see no-one else and will feel that you have the vast African landscapes to yourselves.

Tanzania has great lakes and rivers. A safari by boat or canoe gives you another perspective of the landscapes, animals and birds. Greystoke Mahale and Rubondo Island Camp are both set beside enormous lakes and both get you out on the serene waters. Incidentally, both offer rare chances to track chimpanzees, too. The great Rufiji River passes through the wild Selous. Your reward for paddling a canoe past the elephants could be a surprise breakfast mid-stream on an island.

After walking, horseback is the second most natural way to explore the plains, forests and waterways of Tanzania. To ride a sure-footed steed across the Serengeti or through the spectacular Rift Valley is a sheer delight. The wildlife is largely unconcerned by your presence, as your profile and scent are masked by the horse. Tell us if you are interested in riding safaris, as several lodges offer it.

Vehicles are actually the best means of seeing the most animals, for photography and for getting right up close in safety. When you book your family safari with us, we usually arrange for you to have your own private vehicle, giving you freedom to set the agenda with your guide. Almost all safari lodges have vehicles and in many cases they are open-sided to give you the best view and greatest sense of adventure.