12-Day Budget Thrilling Safari In Kenya And Tanzania

12 Days

Prepare for an extraordinary East African adventure with our 12-Day Budget Thrilling Safari In Kenya And Tanzania, a remarkable journey that reveals the region’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. This immersive safari combines thrilling game drives, dramatic scenery, and authentic experiences as you explore some of Africa’s most iconic national parks across two spectacular countries.

Your adventure begins in the magnificent wilderness of Amboseli National Park, renowned for its sweeping plains, thriving elephant herds, and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the savannah. The journey continues to Lake Nakuru National Park, a scenic wildlife sanctuary famous for its flamingos, rhinos, and diverse birdlife set against beautiful acacia forests and escarpment viewpoints.

Next, explore the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, where vast golden plains teem with wildlife and thrilling game drives offer opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and more. If you travel during migration season, you may witness the dramatic Great Migration as immense herds of wildebeest and zebras move across the savannah in search of fresh grazing.

Crossing into Tanzania, the adventure unfolds across the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, including the wildlife-rich northern and central regions where predators and large herds roam freely. Continue to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO-listed natural wonder and one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five within a dramatic volcanic caldera.

The safari concludes in Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobab trees, large elephant populations, and diverse wildlife that gathers along the Tarangire River.

Perfect for adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, couples, families, and small groups, this 12-Day Thrilling Safari in Kenya and Tanzania blends unforgettable wildlife encounters, spectacular landscapes, and authentic African experiences into one remarkable journey through East Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

Cost per person:

Starting from: USD $5300 (Budget Accommodation) per person based on two travelers sharing

 1 Person2 People3 People4 People5 People6 People
Jan-April$6600$5300$5100$5000$4900$4800
May- August$6800$5500$5300$5200$5100$5000
Sept- Dec$6700$5400$5200$5100$5000$4900

Cost Per Child (Discount)

Age0-2 years old3-6 years old7-10 years old11-13 years old14+ years old
Discount Rate100%65%50%15%0%

 

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Budget lodges
  • English, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Italian, and Chinese speaking guides
  • 4X4 Landcruiser
  • 1-100 people
  • 1-90 years old
  • January - December
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport

Why This Tour?

12-Day Budget Thrilling Safari In Kenya And Tanzania

Kubwa Five Safaris invites you on a legendary East African safari with our 12-Day Budget Thrilling Safari In Kenya And Tanzania, where Kenya's iconic parks and Tanzania's wild magic blend for an unforgettable journey. Imagine tracking elephants in Amboseli, marveling at Nakuru's birdlife, enjoying Mara's Big Five, witnessing the Great Migration in Serengeti, descending into Ngorongoro's crater, and exploring Tarangire's wildlife haven. Local guides, comfortable stays, and epic adventures await. Get ready for the safari of a lifetime in East Africa's wild heart!

Kenya Tours

You will visit Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

During this safari, you will first explore Amboseli National Park. This remarkable park is one of Kenya’s most iconic wildlife destinations, famous for its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Amboseli is celebrated for its large herds of elephants that roam freely across vast open plains, wetlands, and seasonal swamps. The park’s varied habitats also support lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and a wide variety of bird species. Its striking landscapes, dramatic sunsets, and outstanding wildlife viewing make it a paradise for photographers and nature enthusiasts seeking an authentic African safari experience.

Your first destination while in Tanzania will be the legendary Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries. Known for its endless golden plains and remarkable biodiversity, the Serengeti offers exceptional game viewing throughout the year. The park is home to large populations of predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as vast herds of herbivores including wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. Depending on the season, you may witness the dramatic Great Migration, when millions of animals move across the savannah in search of fresh grazing.

Next, you will descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations in Africa. Formed from a collapsed volcanic caldera, this natural wonder creates a unique ecosystem that supports an incredible concentration of wildlife. The crater floor is home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, and the rare black rhino. With its lush plains, soda lake, and surrounding crater walls, Ngorongoro offers breathtaking scenery and some of the most rewarding wildlife viewing experiences in East Africa.

Your safari concludes in the beautiful Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem known for its giant baobab trees and large herds of elephants. The park is particularly famous for the Tarangire River, which attracts a wide variety of wildlife during the dry season. Visitors may encounter lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous bird species. Tarangire’s peaceful atmosphere, scenic landscapes, and impressive wildlife diversity make it a perfect finale to an unforgettable East African safari adventure.

As you wrap up this 12-Day Thrilling Safari In Kenya And Tanzania, the wild beauty of Amboseli's elephants under Kilimanjaro's shadow, Nakuru's flamingo-filled lakes, Mara's Big Five action, Serengeti's endless migrations, Ngorongoro's crater wonders, and Tarangire's wildlife paradise will linger big in your heart and memory – the sounds of the savannah, the thrill of wildlife encounters, the magic of local cultures, and the untamed power of East Africa's wild heart will stay with you long after the adventure ends.

The journey may conclude, but East Africa's call will remain, beckoning you to return to this land of contrasts, wild magic, and unforgettable memories, where the rhythm of the savannah will forever echo in your soul, inspiring you to dream of your next African adventure.

Highlights

  • Game Drives
  • Balloon Safari
  • Maasai Cultural Interaction
  • Hot Air Balloon Safari
  • Bike Safari
  • Boat Safari

Tour Plan

  • Day
    01

    Arrival In Kenya | Transfer To Amboseli National Park | Evening Game Drive

    On arrival in Kenya, you will be welcomed and picked up by our Kubwa Five Safaris guide who will be holding an A4 paper with your name printed on it at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and then be transferred to Amboseli National Park.

    After all the time you've spent planning and dreaming about going on safari, this is where it finally starts. Your guide will meet you and explain everything you need to know and answer any questions you might have. And then we'll go out on safari together.

    It's time for you to explore Amboseli National Park, which is one of Kenya's best parks. While you're here, you'll be unable to take your eyes off Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m): Africa's highest mountain might be in Tanzania, but the best views of the mountain are from Amboseli. It's a fantastic park for wildlife too. 

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    There aren't many places in Kenya where you can get this close to elephants, and the park is also good for lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, wildebeest, giraffes and more. And every time the clouds clear on the mountain's summit, you'll want to line up a photo of these animals with Mt Kilimanjaro in the background.

    Going on an evening game drive is one of the highlights of any safari. This is when temperatures cool, the light becomes softer and the wildlife begins to get active. Not only will you be out when the light is best for taking photos, but it's also one of the best times of day for seeing the animals.

    Meals and overnight at Nyati Safari Camp / Amboseli Gateway Hotel / Amboseli Mountain View Camp.

  • Day
    02

    Full Day Game Drive In Amboseli National Park

    After breakfast, you will head out for a full day game drive in Amboseli National Park.

    Amboseli is the best park in the whole of Africa with stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Amboseli National Park is possibly the best wildlife area in the whole of Africa to experience elephants at close range.

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    Spend more time getting to know magnificent Amboseli National Park.

    Meals and overnight at Nyati Safari Camp / Amboseli Gateway Hotel / Amboseli Mountain View Camp.

  • Day
    033

    Transfer To Lake Naivasha National Park | Optional Boat Cruise At 40 USD Per Person

    After breakfast, you will be driven to Lake Naivasha National Park. You're almost guaranteed to see hippos when you visit Lake Naivasha, the highest of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes at 1884m above sea level. You might also see zebras and giraffes close to the shore of the lake. 

    Depending on your arrival time, you will go for the evening boat ride on Lake Naivasha as an optional activity (US $62 per person).

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    Lake Naivasha is the busiest and highest of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes. The lake has a fascinating history, as a weekend escape for the wealthy during the colonial era. These days, it serves a similar purpose for a refreshingly diverse cross-section of Kenyan society. There is lots to do along the southern shore, and keep an eye out for hippos, zebras and giraffes.

    Meals and overnight at Burch Resort / Lake Naivasha Lazarus Lodge.

  • Day
    04

    Transfer To Hell's Gate National Park | Cycling (Safari Biking) | Transfer To Lake Nakuru National Park | Evening Game Drive

    After breakfast, you’ll go on a two-hour bike riding in Hell’s Gate National Park, after which you’ll be driven to Lake Nakuru National Park. Upon arrival you will have lunch and then head out for an evening game drive.

    Hell's Gate National Park
    Hell's Gate National Park is largely predator-free, so you can get out of your vehicle, something you can't do in any other Kenyan park. Enjoy looking for zebra, giraffe, impala, buffalo and rock hyrax, and exploring the beautiful gorge scenery.

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    Lake Nakuru National Park
    Lake Nakuru National Park has also earned a reputation as an important haven for endangered species—particularly the Rothschild giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, waterbuck, buffalo, and baboons are all residents here.

    Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya’s renowned soda lakes and is world-famous for attracting millions of flamingos to its alkaline shores. Witnessing these legions of fuchsia-pink flamingos feed on the abundant algae that grows in the warm and shallow waters is a sight to behold.

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    It's not surprising that some of the aerial scenes from Out of Africa were shot here in Lake Nakuru National Park, with its fabulous views of the escarpment, lake and acacia forest. What also makes Lake Nakuru such a special place to visit is its populations of black and white rhinos, tree-climbing lions and endangered
    Rothschild's giraffes. You might also see leopards, flamingos and many different kinds of birds too.

    Evening Game Drive, Lake Nakuru National Park
    Going on an evening game drive is one of the highlights of any safari. This is when temperatures cool, the light becomes softer and the wildlife begins to get
    active. Not only will you be out when the light is best for taking photos, but it's also one of the best times of day for seeing the animals.

    Meals and overnight at Hotel Citymax/ Marlin Guest Resort/ Sleepway Cottages.

  • Day
    05

    Travel To Maasai Mara National Reserve | Maasai Cultural Visit | Evening Game Drive

    After breakfast, you will be transferred to Maasai Mara National Reserve. You will pass through the floor of the rift valley and arrive in the evening.

    On arrival, you will visit the local Maasai village for a cultural tour. Learn about the Maasai community and interact with the local  people.

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    The Maasai Mara Game Reserve offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe over 450 species of animals has been recorded here.

    Later, you will go for an evening game drive.

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    Meals and overnight at Rhino Tourist Camp/ Tayari Luxury Tented Camp/ Destiny Eco Camp Mara.

  • Day
    06

    Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari At 485 USD Per Person | Full Day Game Drive

    After breakfast, you will spend the whole day in the park  in search of its well-known predators and their opponents like zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalos and other animal species.

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    It is the Maasai Mara National Reserve that perhaps has the most spectacular event of the natural world . This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeests and zebras from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture.

    Optional activity: A balloon safari at USD 485 per person can be organized early in the morning on this day, then proceed with the normal program.

    Meals and overnight at Rhino Tourist Camp/ Tayari Luxury Tented Camp/ Destiny Eco Camp Mara.

  • Day
    07

    Last Day In Kenya | Transfer To Northern Serengeti National Park | Evening Game Drive

    After an early breakfast, you will be driven to the Kenya—Tanzania border at Isebania with a packed lunch. Here you’ll meet with our Tanzania Guide, change safari cars, and complete immigration formalities before driving to Northern Serengeti National Park.

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    On your visit to the Northern Serengeti, there's a good chance that you will see big cats, elephants and more.

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    Just as special as the animals you'll see is the scenery you'll get to explore. Far more so than elsewhere in the park, the north is dominated by rolling hills, mixed with grasslands and light forests. There's also the Mara River which marks Tanzania's border with Kenya.

    Going on an evening game drive is one of the highlights of any safari. This is when temperatures cool, the light becomes softer and the wildlife begins to get active. Not only will you be out when the light is best for taking photos, but it's also one of the best times of day for seeing the animals.

    Meals and overnight at Heritage Mara Camp.

  • Day
    08

    Early Morning Game Drive In Northern Serengeti National Park | Transfer To Central Serengeti National Park | Evening Game Drive

    After breakfast, you will embark on an early morning game drive in Northern Serengeti National Park.

    Imagine being out in the soft, early morning light, wrapped in a blanket, just as the animals emerge from their night’s rest or from the shadows of their nighttime adventures. The world feels fresh and new on an early morning game drive, the sun has yet to beat down upon the earth, and it may end up being your favorite time to be out on safari.

    Thereafter, you will be transferred to Central Serengeti National Park where you will have an evening game drive.

    You're going to be exploring the extraordinary heart of the Serengeti. Here in the Central Serengeti is where wildlife populations are largest, and it's especially good for seeing all three big cats. 

    It's here also that you get to experience the classic savannah grasslands and
    acacia trees that are the signature landscapes of the East African safari.

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    Meals and overnight at Serengeti Taji House.

  • Day
    09

    Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari at 600 USD Per Person | Full-Day Game Drive

    You will spend the full day in this wonderful park watching its wildlife and exploring its many landscapes. We’ll rise early to make the most of our time. 

    You have the option of going on a hot air balloon safari in the park for an extra US$600 per person which you can book and pay with us before the safari.

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    Our guides will choose the best game viewing locations for the time of year. We can spend time at the hippo pool watching these majestic animals laze about in the cool water happily living alongside the crocodiles, observe a big pride of lions, and much more.

    Serengeti National Park, meaning “endless plains” in the Masai language, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas and an ongoing source of inspiration to writers, filmmakers, and photographers. It is Tanzania’s oldest game reserve and is renowned for the part it plays in the annual Great Migration, when an estimated three million antelope and wildebeest migrate to Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

    Meals and overnight at Serengeti Taji House.

  • Day
    10

    Transfer To Ngorongoro Crater | Guided Game Drive

    After breakfast, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, which is one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world.

    Ngorongoro Crater
    Nearly 40,000 animals call this place home. Here we’ll have a good chance of seeing the Big Five: lion, leopard, rare black rhino, buffalo, and elephants. You’ll
    also see herds of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle. After a picnic lunch, we will continue our game drive.

    Your first sight of Ngorongoro Crater is likely not one you’ll easily forget. As seen from the crater rim, this natural bowl, both vast and intimate, is one of Africa’s
    most beautiful natural features, stretching 19 green kilometers (12 miles) from one side to the other. Down in the crater itself, you’ll explore an astonishingly rich, self-contained ecosystem that is protected by high crater walls.

    Here, lions and hyenas hunt wildebeest and Grant’s gazelle within sight of elephants and black rhinos. Your day spent here will reveal a surprising variety of habitats, from the Lereal Forest and salty Lake Magadi to the plains that rise and fall gently all across the valley floor.

    Meals and overnight at Ngorongoro Simba Campsite / Jambo Rooms

  • Day
    11

    Transfer To Tarangire National Park | Game Drive

    On this day after breakfast, you will be transferred to Tarangire National Park for a game drive.

    Tarangire National Park
    Explore one of Tanzania’s most rewarding national parks, a land of big baobab trees, big elephants and big cats. No wonder this ends up being the favorite park in Tanzania for many visitors. Sightings of wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, baboons, vervet monkeys and zebras are also almost guaranteed. 

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    Lions are plentiful here – Tarangire is home to one of Tanzania’s healthiest lion populations. While you’ll have to work a little harder to see a cheetah or leopard, it will only enhance your excitement when you do. You can also look forward to classic safari scenery – savannah plains, river woodlands and rocky hills.

    Meals and overnight at Fanaka Lodge / Foresight Eco Lodge & Safari

  • Day
    12

    The Last Day With Us | Transfer To The Airport | Fly Back Home

    After a delightful breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight back home.

Inclusions

  • Services of an expert guide
  • Airport transfer (Airport pick up and drop off)
  • Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Ground transportation (4×4 safari Landcruiser with pop-up tops)
  • Full board accommodation and en route meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Park fees and relevant government taxes.

Exclusions

  • Airfares
  • Visa fees
  • Personal insurance
  • Expenses of personal nature, such as drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, and cigarettes
  • Accommodation and meals not indicated in the itinerary

Accommodation

Throughout this exciting journey, you will be accommodated in a variety of accommodations.

The accommodation is appropriate and will be determined by your budget. Kubwa Five Safaris offers the best service at every level. Kubwa Five Safaris reserves the right to substitute comparable or superior accommodations. If an equivalent standard hotel is not available, Kubwa Five Safaris may substitute the next best quality hotel or suggest a superior for an additional fee. Hotels and lodges provide free Wi-Fi.

Please see below for more information on the safari lodges in Masai Mara National Reserve.

How to Get There

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Transfer from and to the airport is included. Kubwa Five Safaris will pick you up from airport. 

After your thrilling vacation in Kenya, Kubwa Five Safaris will transfer you to Tanzania by road.

After your safari in Tanzania, Kubwa Five Safaris will drop you off at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your scheduled flight back home. Airport transfer is included.

Visa Applications

Please write to us for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is included in the safari package cost?

The cost covers all accommodations, meals as specified, park entrance fees, game drives, Maasai Cultural Interaction, and ground transportation throughout the safari.

2. What should I pack for this 12-day safari?

Essentials include lightweight clothing, hiking boots, a rain jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, binoculars, a camera, a reusable water bottle, and personal medication. A full packing list will be shared upon booking.

4. Is this safari suitable for families with children?

Yes, this safari is suitable for families with children.

5. What type of accommodations are provided?

We use clean, safe, and comfortable budget lodges and campsites. They offer private rooms or tents with en-suite or shared bathroom facilities, depending on the location.

6. Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. We cater to most dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others. Please let us know your preferences in advance.

7. How physically demanding is the safari?

Most of the safari involves vehicle-based game drives and scenic travel, and therefore it is not physically demanding.

8. Is travel insurance required?

Yes. We strongly recommend that all participants have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.

9. What is the group size?

The safari operates in small groups of 2 to 6 travelers to ensure a personalized and immersive experience.

10. Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes, we can tailor this safari to fit your schedule, interests, or accommodation preferences. Contact us for a personalized quote.

11. Why You Should Visit Kenya

  • Kenya

Kenya safari tours and holidays offer some of the finest scenery and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife and bird watching destinations.

Kenya is the historical home of the East African safari. The country’s vast savannah grasslands are teeming with charismatic mega-fauna like Big Cats and the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino).

Other than that, the landscapes here are truly breathtaking, ranging from deserts in the north to dense forests in the west to the Rift Valley lakes in the center to a tropical coast in the east.

As a result, there is a well-established safari industry in the region, ready to show you one of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes and an abundance of exotic wildlife.

12. Frequently Asked Question about Kenya

  1. When is the best time of year to visit Kenya?

The months of June through October are perfect for visiting Kenya. Trails are more accessible and the weather is more reliable during this time. This is also in sync with the annual Maasai Mara wildebeest and zebra migration. Animals are congregating in large numbers around the remaining water sources as the dry season continues.

Unfortunately, high-season prices are in effect all year long, with the exception of June It’s also more crowded,. The crowds are also larger – in some parks, the queue of safari vehicles can take away something from your experience, and some areas of the Maasai Mara can be completely overwhelmed with vehicles during the migration. 

However, many travelers prefer the months of November through February because that is when the majority of migratory birds arrive, travel is rarely interrupted by rain, and the country is transformed into a lovely shade of green. Heavy rains are possible during this time of year, turning safari trails into muddy bogs, so most tourists avoid it. During these months, costs are reduced.

2. How are the wildlife viewing opportunities in Kenya?

Kenya’s parks offer a wide range of experiences for wildlife viewers. Many of the most visited National Parks in Kenya, including Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Samburu, and Lake Nakuru, offer excellent chances to see exotic and endangered species on safari. All of these parks have dense animal populations, making them excellent all-around safari destinations where you can see a wide variety of animals in a short amount of time.

The Big Five are commonly seen on safaris. One of the best places in Africa to see big cats is the Maasai Mara, and white rhinos are common at Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park. Thousands upon thousands of flamingos flock to the shallow waters of the Rift Valley lakes, particularly Lake Bogoria, each year in search of food.

3. Is Kenya safe for tourists?

A trip to Kenya for a safari is in most cases risk-free, but there are a few things travelers should keep in mind. There is a widespread perception that Nairobi and other major cities in Kenya are plagued by high rates of violent crime.

Kubwa Five Safaris has a good reputation when it comes to safety, and if you pay attention to the safety briefings and do as your guides instruct, you should have no problems.

13. Why You Should Visit Tanzania

Tanzania offers a complete African experience: thrilling safaris, mountain adventures, pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and unforgettable landscapes. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, honeymooner, photographer, or adventure traveler, Tanzania promises memories that last a lifetime.

14. Frequently Asked Question about Tanzania

  1. Is Tanzania safe for tourists?

Yes, Tanzania is generally safe for tourists, especially in popular safari destinations like Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar. As with any destination, visitors should take normal precautions, avoid isolated areas at night, and follow guidance from local guides and authorities.

2. What is the best time to visit Tanzania?

The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing is at its peak. If you want to witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, timing depends on the movement of the herds, but June to September is particularly popular.

3. Is Tanzania good for family travel?

Yes! Many lodges and tour operators offer family-friendly safaris with educational experiences for children, making Tanzania a great destination for family adventures.