From towering Himalayan peaks to vast expanses of grassland and the steamy hills of the Western Ghats, India offers a diversity of hiking experiences like nowhere else on Earth.
27.11.2023 - 10:29 / lonelyplanet.com
Tanzania is a fantastic family-friendly destination in waiting. Whether you’re here on safari to see the country’s astonishing portfolio of animals or looking to laze by a beach along the country’s Indian Ocean shore, Tanzania does family travel particularly well.
Tanzanians are a friendly lot, but traveling with children takes things to a whole new level: opening all kinds of doors and enabling an instant point of connection. On either a safari or beach holiday, tourism sectors are well set up for the experience with family rooms, menus, and activities, all geared towards making sure families on a visit to Tanzania have the time of their lives.
If you’ve ever wondered about taking your kids to Africa, Tanzania could just be the ideal entry point.
For a start, Tanzania has world-class attractions that appeal to all ages. There are safari parks where you can see some of the most exciting animals on the planet; your kids will never be able to visit a zoo again after a visit here.
The beaches here are similarly special, with sheltered, accessible shorelines. While some activities may be age-specific for safety reasons, experiences like snorkeling amid the kaleidoscopic marine life of Tanzania’s islands and reefs could be your child’s starting point for a lifelong love affair with the sea.
Tanzania is also known for its highly experienced and professional tourism industry. Whether the focus of your trip is a safari in the country’s national parks or a beach holiday in the towns and resorts of the coast – we strongly recommend a combination of both – operators and accommodation places are well set up to welcome families, and have been doing so for decades.
More than anything though, it’s the Tanzanian people who make this a special place to visit. Watch how your new guide’s face lights up when he or she meets your children for the first time and you’ll see what we mean. Beyond the tourist industry, Tanzania may lack the child-friendly facilities you find in Europe or elsewhere: yes, supermarkets stock most supplies you might need, but nappy-change rooms for toddlers or flat footpaths for strollers are often lacking in Tanzania. Yet the second a local spots a visiting child or a family struggling to negotiate some aspect of daily life, you’ll be overwhelmed with people trying to help.
There are two main areas where traveling with kids makes the most sense. The first is northern Tanzania, which has a number of national parks to choose from. Accommodation and tour operators in this area have more experience in catering to families than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. Plus, the wildlife you can see in the country’s north is some of the best anywhere in Africa.
The second main area that’s ideal for
From towering Himalayan peaks to vast expanses of grassland and the steamy hills of the Western Ghats, India offers a diversity of hiking experiences like nowhere else on Earth.
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