Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Family Holiday (14 Days)

Our Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for families with a full summer holiday to spend. Children see lions in the Masai Mara, the vast Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, then relax on Zanzibar’s beaches with snorkelling, spice tours and turtle sanctuaries. The holiday lasts fourteen days, and the price starts from USD 4,300 per adult sharing.

Why Choose a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday?

Families often want everything: real wildlife, a sense of adventure and a proper rest at the end. This trip delivers all three. Children see three of Africa’s most famous safari areas, the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, and then spend five relaxed nights on Zanzibar’s beaches, which gives everyone time to recover and play.

We design the Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday around children. We use family-friendly camps with family tents and pools, fly between the main stops to avoid long drives and keep a private vehicle with you on safari. The trip is popular with families from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland who travel in the summer holidays.

• Three famous parks: the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater in one trip.
• Family tents, pools and children’s activities: camps chosen for how well they welcome children.
• Flights between the main stops: less time in the car and more time for wildlife and play.
• Five nights on a Zanzibar beach: snorkelling, a turtle sanctuary visit and a spice tour.
• Private vehicle on safari: your own guide and a flexible pace for the whole family.

Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday Route at a Glance

• Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi
• Day 2: Fly to the Masai Mara
• Days 3 to 4: Masai Mara
• Day 5: Fly to the Serengeti
• Day 6: Serengeti
• Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro
• Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater
• Day 9: Fly to Zanzibar
• Days 10 to 13: Zanzibar
• Day 14: Departure

The thirteen nights are made up of one night in Nairobi, three in the Masai Mara, two in the Serengeti, two in the Ngorongoro highlands and five on Zanzibar.

Day-by-Day Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday Itinerary

Days 1 to 4: Nairobi and the Masai Mara

Day 1, arrive in Nairobi. Arrive and transfer to a family hotel. An optional visit to the Giraffe Centre gives children a first close encounter with wildlife. Our Nairobi day tours page lists more things to do in the capital.

Day 2, fly to the Masai Mara. Fly to the Mara and settle into your family tent. In the afternoon, a game drive introduces the family to the reserve.

Day 3, a full day of game drives. Spend a full day on game drives at the family’s pace. Children can rest at camp when they are tired and rejoin the next drive when they are ready. Our Masai Mara safari guide explains more about the reserve.

Day 4, junior ranger activities and a Maasai village visit. Children join junior ranger activities, the family visits a Maasai village and an afternoon game drive follows.

Days 5 to 8: The Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Day 5, fly to the Serengeti. Fly to the Serengeti via Kenyan and Tanzanian airstrips and enjoy an afternoon game drive on arrival.

Day 6, the Serengeti. A full day exploring the Serengeti’s plains and kopjes, the rocky outcrops where lions and leopards like to rest.

Day 7, Serengeti to Ngorongoro. Drive or fly to the Ngorongoro highlands, stopping at Olduvai Gorge on the way.

Day 8, Ngorongoro Crater. A full-day game drive on the crater floor. The crater is a natural arena for wildlife, and children often remember it as the highlight of the safari.

Days 9 to 14: Zanzibar

Day 9, fly to Zanzibar. Fly from Lake Manyara or Arusha to Zanzibar and transfer to your beach hotel.

Day 10, a beach day. A free day on the beach, with time to build sandcastles and swim.

Day 11, Stone Town and a spice tour. A half-day tour of Stone Town and a visit to a spice farm. Children can smell and taste spices as they learn how they grow.

Day 12, snorkelling or a turtle sanctuary. Choose a snorkelling trip or a visit to a turtle sanctuary. Our beach experience page shows what a coastal stay can offer.

Day 13, a free day. Rest, swim and enjoy the hotel pool and beach.

Day 14, departure. Transfer to Zanzibar airport for your flight home.

Wildlife on a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday

The safari section is short but varied, so children see a wide range of animals and habitats.

The Masai Mara: lions and plains game

The Mara has Kenya’s best-known concentration of predators. Lions are common, cheetahs hunt on the open plains and leopards rest in riverside trees. Elephants, giraffes, zebras and large herds of antelope share the grassland, and between July and October wildebeest and zebra move through during the Great Migration.

The Serengeti: endless plains and kopjes

The Serengeti is famous for its scale. The plains seem to stretch to the horizon, and kopjes rise from the grass like islands where lions and leopards often rest. It is a landscape that children never forget.

Ngorongoro Crater: a world in a bowl

The crater floor holds lions, black rhinos, elephants, buffalo and huge herds of plains game in a compact area, so children can see many species in a single day.

Zanzibar: sea life and spice

On Zanzibar, snorkelling shows tropical fish in warm water, the turtle sanctuary gives children a close look at sea turtles and the spice farm shows where flavours come from.

Family-Friendly Features

A Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday works when the little things are right. This trip is built with them in mind.

• Family tents: camps with family tents let parents and children stay together.
• Pools: children can cool off between game drives and after the long travel days.
• Junior ranger activities: a chance for children to learn about wildlife by doing.
• Flights: shorter journeys mean fewer tired and bored children.
• A private vehicle: you set the pace, take toilet breaks when you need them and change plans if a child is tired.
• Rest time and pool breaks: we add them throughout the trip.

Children aged about six and over enjoy the holiday most, because there are many game drives. Younger children can join with a slower pace and more pool time. See our Kenya family safari packages for more family routes.

Safari Etiquette and Responsible Travel for Families

Children learn quickly, and a few simple rules help them enjoy the wildlife and stay safe. Your guide will explain them on the first day, and it helps to practise them with the children before you travel.

• Stay seated in the vehicle and keep voices low during sightings.
• Never feed animals or call to them, and keep a respectful distance.
• Keep hands and cameras inside the vehicle and follow the guide’s instructions at all times.
• Take all litter with you, including small items such as wrappers.
• Follow park rules at every entrance, and ask before photographing people.

The park and crater fees included in the price help pay for rangers and conservation, so your Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday teaches children that wildlife is worth protecting.

Accommodation and Pace

You stay in a family hotel in Nairobi, family tents in the Mara, camps or lodges in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro highlands and a beach hotel on Zanzibar. Browse our Kenya lodges and camps to see the style of accommodation we use in Kenya.

The pace of the Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday is designed for children. Game drives are limited to what suits the family, flights replace long road journeys and there are free days on Zanzibar to rest. Meals on safari are on a full-board basis, which keeps mealtimes simple when children are hungry.

Who the Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday Suits

The holiday works best for families who like variety and have a full summer holiday to spend.

• Families with children aged six and over: the game drives are most rewarding for children who can enjoy a morning in the vehicle.
• Families with a mix of ages: younger children can join with a slower pace and more pool time.
• Multi-generation groups: flights and a private vehicle reduce the strain of long road journeys.
• Families who want both adventure and rest: five beach nights balance the safari days.
• Summer-holiday travellers: July and August fall in the dry season and in the migration months.

If your children are younger or your holiday is shorter, ask us for a shorter family route.

A Typical Safari Day with Children

Safari days follow a rhythm that suits most children.

• Early morning: a game drive when animals are most active, or a lie-in if the children are tired.
• Mid-morning: breakfast and time at camp.
• Midday: rest, pool time and lunch while it is hot.
• Afternoon: a second drive or a camp activity such as junior ranger fun.
• Evening: dinner at camp, stories about the day and an early night.

Because you have a private vehicle on safari, you can end a drive early or stay longer at a sighting the children love.

Best Time for a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday

The best times are July and August, Easter and December, which match family holiday dates in Europe.

• July and August: the dry season, with the Great Migration in the Mara and northern Serengeti.
• Easter: school holidays and good beach weather, though the rains can start in April.
• December: warm weather, short rains and lush scenery, with busy festive weeks.
• April and May: heavy rains, which we suggest avoiding for a family trip.

For July and August, book 9 to 12 months ahead, because family tents in the best camps fill first.

How Much Does a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday Cost?

This Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday starts from USD 4,300 per adult sharing. Most camps, parks and airlines offer child rates, which vary by age, and we include them in your quote. The final cost depends on the season, the accommodation and the number and ages of the children. For a wider budgeting guide, read how much an African safari costs.

What Is Included and Not Included

• Domestic and cross-border flights as listed
• 13 nights’ accommodation as listed
• Meals as listed, with full board on safari
• Private vehicle and guide on safari
• Park and crater fees
• Stone Town and spice tour
• All transfers

Not included: international flights to Nairobi and from Zanzibar, the Kenya eTA and Tanzania visa, the Zanzibar infrastructure tax and travel insurance, optional activities, tips, drinks and personal expenses.

Photography on a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday

On a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday, children enjoy taking pictures as much as adults, and a simple camera or a phone is enough for them. For parents, a lens of 200 to 400 mm suits most wildlife, while a wide lens helps with the plains of the Serengeti, the crater and the beach. Early mornings and late afternoons give the best light. Give each child a small notebook or a camera of their own, and ask them to keep a list of the animals they see. At the end of the trip, the photos and lists make a ready-made family album.

What to Pack for a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday

• Lightweight clothing in neutral colours such as khaki, olive or beige, plus warm layers for early mornings and the crater.
• Swimwear, sun hats and sandals for Zanzibar and the camp pools.
• High-factor sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent for every family member.
• Binoculars for the children and a camera with a zoom lens.
• Books, games and snacks for the longer journeys.
• Any malaria prevention recommended by your doctor.
• Soft-sided bags, because space on small aircraft is limited.

Visas, Health and Safety

You need a Kenya eTA and a Tanzania visa or eVisa, which also covers Zanzibar. Zanzibar requires travel insurance, so arrange cover for the whole family. Check the current requirements for each traveller’s nationality, including children. Malaria is present in parts of Kenya and Tanzania, so speak to your doctor about prevention for children and adults. For official information, see Magical Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service for park rules and fees.

Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday FAQs

What is the best age for a Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday?

Children aged about 6 and over enjoy it most, as there are many game drives. Younger children can join with a slower pace and more pool time.

Are there child discounts?

Yes. Most camps, parks and airlines offer child rates, which vary by age. We include them in your quote.

Do we need visas for Tanzania and Zanzibar?

Yes. You need a Kenya eTA and a Tanzania visa or eVisa, which covers Zanzibar. Zanzibar also requires travel insurance.

Is 14 days too long for children?

Most children love it, as the trip changes scenery often and ends with five relaxed beach days. We add rest time and pool breaks throughout.

When should families book for the summer holidays?

Book 9 to 12 months ahead for July and August, when family tents in the best camps fill first.

Is there a shorter family option?

Yes. Browse our Kenya safari packages for shorter routes, or ask about a private Kenya safari planned around your children’s ages.

Can we add more nights on Zanzibar?

Yes. Many families add extra beach nights at the end of the trip, and we can quote the extension when you ask. The Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar family holiday is flexible, so tell us the dates you have and we will adapt the route.

How do the flights work with children?

The flights between the Mara, the Serengeti and Zanzibar are short hops on small aircraft, and we handle the transfers at each airstrip. Luggage space is limited, so pack soft bags and keep snacks and games in hand luggage.

Book Your Kenya Tanzania Zanzibar Family Holiday

Send us your dates, the number of children and their ages by WhatsApp or email, and we will reply with a written, itemised quote and a suggested route. A deposit secures your camps, hotels and flights, and we send final documents and packing advice before you travel.