Tanzania/Zanzibar

[LiquoriceAllsorts2]

I am looking at holidays for summer 2027 for me, my husband and two sons who will be 3 and 6.

Currently thinking Tanzania and Zanzibar, has anyone been with these ages and what would your recommendations be?

Any other ideas? I have also thought about Sri Lanka and Thailand

If you're thinking of a safari, they might be too young. You need to sit still and be quiet - difficult for adults sometimes!
Check malaria prevention as well. I don't know if the tablets and deet are suitable for children.

There are lots of quite upmarket hotels in Zanzibar now, I think that part would work well but I don't think there is much to do in Tanzania that is suitable for kids that young. My husband and I went to Tanzania and went on safari in the Serengeti, so definitely loads to do for adults but you would really need to research if any lodge options take kids that young. We are going to Namibia with our kids this summer and youngest will be 11 and honestly still not entirely sure they will sit still and be quiet for long on safari. It's a family trip though so other guests will have kids too, but minimum age is something like 8.

That's very young for Tanzania. I have a close friend who runs up market small group safaris there and she doesn't take kids under 10 as they just don't get their money's worth at that age. Me and DH went with her a few years ago and I didn't see any small children with other tour groups either.

When we were in Tanzania with 2 small kids in our camp, they were running of steam all evening. I can't imagine sitting still for an hour + to watch lion stalk a zebra, or to get a leopard to move so you can see him which took about 90mins - worth it though when he moved into the tree and we were about 10m away!

I would take them somewhere much easier such a S.Africa or Namibia. Much more wild safari park vibe and you can do lots of other things too.

You can find child centred family holidays to Kenya but Tanzania - 3 is too young. It is for Kenya too really. I’d leave it a bit. You might find self drive in South Africa a lot easier!

There is paediatric Malarone and children can use DEET repellants.

You have far more control over a young dc on a self drive though. You cannot have a 3 year old annoying other keen animal watchers.