10 Great Things to do in Tanzania With the Family
Looking for ways to switch up the family vacation this year? Want to give your kids a special experience they’ll never forget?
Pack your bags for Tanzania.
There are plenty of things to do in Tanzania that you can’t exactly find at Disney or a beach resort. It’s a beautiful country full of a lively culture, friendly people, and exotic scenes of all kinds. From the mountains to the beaches and national parks, you’re sure to enjoy every second.
First things first, though, do some research before you arrive! This way, you get the most out of the family vacation, rather than scrambling to come up with a plan for every day.
Here are the top ten things to do in Tanzania that are kid-friendly and outright spectacular.
1. Check Out the Local Markets
Upon arrival, you’re going to need some rest and probably want to get your bearings. To do a little bit of both, take a stroll through the local markets.
This is your chance to take in all the sights and sounds of a normal day in the life of Tanzania. Listen to the native tongue, check out the fresh produce, and scan the crowd for all the various styles and fashions the people of Tanzania wear.
It’s a scene unlike any other. Just one market trip can tell you so much about the destination you’ve chosen, and what you can expect from the rest of your vacation.
2. Take a Swim at the Hotel
If there’s still a bit of jetlag to kick, take the kids for a swim in the hotel pool. This gets you all up and moving. It’s a simple, yet fun way to turn your vacation mode all the way on.
Plus, this is almost guaranteed to be anything other than your typical resort pool. Your kids can splash around and you lay in the sun while Tanzania’s lovely nature provides an amazing backdrop.
Also, if your accommodation has a spa, take a little time for yourself with a massage or a facial. You’re on vacation, after all!
3. Snorkel in Zanzibar
As fun as a quick dip in the pool can be, you are here to enjoy the unique things to do in Tanzania. Trade cannonballs and a pool chair for snorkeling gear and the open ocean in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of the Tanzania mainland. Actually, it’s an archipelago – a group of small islands. Between each one lies a thriving marine life.
Take a trip out there for a day or plan a few nights to explore this part of the country. It definitely won’t disappoint.
4. Climb a Mountain
Back on the mainland, the mountains are waiting. There are plenty of things to do in Tanzania that involve hiking or climbing if your family is more apt to such activities.
Choose your destination carefully, though. No matter how old and experienced at climbing everyone is, there’s a big difference between taking on Mount Kilimanjaro versus something that’s more of a beginner’s hike.
5. Cycle Through the Banana Plantations
To keep the level of activity simple, yet still exciting, go cycling through the banana plantations. These are unlike any forest or trails you’ve ever seen. Banana fields are lush, beautiful sights to explore.
You can choose to do a short cycle or spend an entire afternoon checking out the scenery. The routes may take you past a local school or even a hospital for more of an up-close interaction with the culture.
But, nothing puts the lifestyle of Tanzania front and center like having a meal with a local family! That’s how some cycle trips wrap up. It’s a beautiful way to wind down and get some fuel back in your system after so much cycling.
6. Meet the Bushmen
To take really get in touch with the way of life here, meet the bushmen. These are migrant communities who lead their lives very similar to the way their ancestors did. Of course, Tanzania has a completely other side to it – a modern, rising nation more like you’d expect from the western world.
But, the Bushmen are still an important part of the community. Consult a local guide for how to get in touch with them and set up a visit. As migrant communities, they may take a little time to find.
7. Experience the Culture
How else can you experience all that Tanzania has to offer?
Eat as much of the local food as you can. Take a moment to listen to the singing and dancing that may occur around you. Be friendly with those who serve and support your visit, and don’t be afraid to ask appropriate questions.
Such a genuine curiosity is something your kids will catch on to. This is an important trait for them to take back home, and to use as guidance on future travels.
8. Teach Your Kids a Bit of History
Although you can learn a lot from speaking to locals and just being a little aware of your surroundings, it’s worth tapping into the historical importance of Tanzania.
As a coastal country, Tanzania played a big part in the slave trade.
Today, you can still visit some slave trading sites. While some parents may hesitate to bring young children, it’s a time in history worth educating children on.
What better way to show them the extent of the slave trade than to take them to a preserved trading site, rather than out of a textbook?
9. Go on a Safari
No matter how you choose to spend your time, no trip to Tanzania is complete without a safari. This is the ultimate choice of all things to do in Tanzania, and it should be a priority.
Save your safari for the end of the trip, or use it as a fun, exciting way to kick off your time here. Either way, make sure you don’t miss it.
A safari brings you up close and personal with the beautiful, unique wildlife of Tanzania. You and your family may see anything from a group of giraffes to a few lions or maybe even a couple elephants!
10. Do a Walking Safari
What’s better than going on a safari? A walking safari!
While this may not be suited for small children, this is a great activity for teenagers and young adults to do with their parents.
A walking safari is just as it sounds – a walk through a preserved area for safaris. Your group will be lead by a guide who is well-versed in the area. He or she will bring you close to non-dangerous animals while keeping a safe distance and offering some interesting facts.
Although some prefer riding in the back of a vehicle, other families will absolutely love this intimate experience.
Planning the Things to Do in Tanzania
Whether you want to go snorkeling, visit a slave trade site, or, of course, go on safari, you have to make a plan! Otherwise, you risk the days escaping you while you’re on vacation, or worse, finding that all the things to do in Tanzania you’re interested in are booked.
Book them before other families get a chance. Book with us.
To start scheduling your safari in Tanzania, click here.