Liz Kisiri
Over the course of my career, I have organized countless journeys to East and Southern Africa for thousands of individuals based in North America. I had the pleasure and honor of planning a special safari experience for my family this past September to celebrate our patriarch’s milestone birthday — the big 7-0! . We live in Tanzania and have traveled extensively in many parts of the world, yet we had never been on a safari together before. This was an excellent opportunity for us to explore the beauty of the country and celebrate in style.
Is there such a thing as “too young” for a safari?
Personally, I have always held the belief that there is no such thing as being too young for a safari. Of course, there are activities that simply are not safe for young children (e.g. walking safaris, balloon rides etc.), however family vacations are an opportunity to bond and create memories, and there is simply no age limit to that.
Pre-departure photo before we hit the road with our 4×4 safari vehicle
My niece (2.5 years old) and my daughter (9 years old) enjoy nature and wildlife, therefore had no problem being in the vehicle for an extended amount of time.
Ultimately, the more mature and interested your child is , the more they will enjoy the safari experience. The key to planning a family safari is understanding your family’s level of comfort and selecting camps or lodges that are capable of accommodating them. We opted for a privately guided safari experience, and a stay at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.
The advantage of a private-guided safari experience is that you are able to decide on the pace that works for you. It was important for us to maximize our game viewing while having enough down time to enjoy the facilities and services at our lodge. Edwin, our local driver-guide arrived on time for our scheduled pick-up from my parents’ home in Mwanza and was able to provide suggestions on the best timetable that would work for us.
The drive from Mwanza to our lodge in Central Serengeti took approximately 5 hours to complete.
My father at Ndabaka Gate. We celebrated his 70th birthday in the Serengeti.
The smooth drive from Mwanza to Serengeti’s Ndabaka Gate was on tarmac road and took approximately 2.5 hours to complete. The drive from the Ndabaka Gate to Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge took another 2.5 hours to complete as we enjoyed a game drive en route. We arrived just in time for a lovely a la carte lunch served at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge. Given the amount of time we had already spent in the vehicle, we opted to have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy what our lodge had to offer.
Edwin, our expert driver-guide hard at work
A Safari Vehicle Interior
Grandpa & granddaughter game viewing.
Our safari vehicle had a pop-up roof that allowed us to stand, move around freely, and enjoy a 360-degree view of the Serengeti plains.
An epic safari selfie is a must
Serengeti means “endless plains”. They call it that for a reason.
Comfort Is Key
Some people enjoy the comfort and security of lodge rooms with four brick walls, and some enjoy having all the creature comforts and amenities of a hotel suite while sleeping under canvas. My family belongs to the former category. The good thing is that there are many types of tented camps (mobile or permanent), semi-tented camps, and lodges in the Serengeti to suit every budget and preference.
I cannot emphasize enough how important your choice of lodging can be for your family vacation. It is not just about a clean place to lay your head at the end of the day; it is also about safety (particularly COVID-19 safety protocols), proximity to game-rich areas, dining options, and overall ability to cater to your needs during your stay.
What we loved about our stay at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is the ability to walk freely on the grounds during the day time. They had massages and spa services which are always welcome after spending a significant amount of time in a vehicle. A swim is always a great way to stay active while remaining cool when temperatures are at their highest.
The WiFi connection was strong which allowed us to check in with friends and family, and stream shows to keep the children entertained.
Infinity pool overlooking the Serengeti plains
The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge was the best choice for our stay because we were able to secure adjoining rooms so that the children could move freely between rooms without worrying about safety. There are no walls or electric fencing on the property, so we were required to be escorted by the lodge security between our rooms and the main dining area. This is usually the standard procedure at night time.
Main Dining room interior at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Breakfast at the lodge was a feast. The buffet featured an omelette station, fresh juices, cereals, yogurts, pastries, coffee and tea etc. High chairs are readily available to accommodate the little guests. Lunch was a la carte dining, or a picnic boxed lunch to enjoy in case you opted to spend the day out game viewing. Note: a bush breakfast or bush dinner can be arranged by the lodge for an additional cost.
If you are celebrating a special occasion like we were, the lodge staff can easily arrange for a celebratory cake ( and song & dance!) for your occasion. They have an excellent selection of well-known brands of liquor, wine and champagne.
Overall, we had a phenomenal time in the Serengeti. Everything went seamlessly, and we cannot wait to explore more of what Tanzania has to offer.
In the meantime, I will continue to live vicariously through our Braveheart Tanzania clients.
If you’re interested in viewing some unique, family friendly experiences, have a look at the following Braveheart Tanzania tours:
Tanzania Classic Safari – Bronze Experience
Explore Tanzania – Silver Experience
Highlights of Tanzania – Gold Experience
All of our tours can be customized to your liking. Do not hesitate to contact us to speak with us about your next vacation in Tanzania.
Location, location, location