Many people ask the question, Can children do a safari or trekking. The short answer is yes, though there are a few things to notice for each age group.

On safaris, children of any age can go, but it is not recommended to go with children who are too young. Children below the age of 5 years would usually not get much out of the safari.

Keep in mind when choosing a safari itinerary that young children often get tired on long transit drives. It is therefore better to focus on parks close to each other and spend more time in each of them. Once the animals start appearing, the hours fly by, and a day in a car will not be tiresome to children (or adults!).

There are no age restrictions in the national parks. There are, however, some age limits for Trekking/Climbing mountains and such in Tanzania and Kenya.

• Tanzania
  • Mount Kilimanjaro: There is an age limit of 10 years of age.
  • Mount Meru in the following is the rules. (Mt. Meru is steeper than Mt. Kilimanjaro)
    • Under 10 Years: Allowed to hike only up to Miriakamba Hut.
    • 10-16 Years: Allowed to trek up to Saddle Hut.
    • Over 16 Years: Permitted to continue to the summit.
    • Parental Supervision: All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • For Other Treks around Tanzania, like the Udzungwa Mountains and others, there are no age restrictions.
• Kenya
  • Mount Kenya: There is no official age limit for trekking Mount Kenya. A minimum age of around 7 years is recommended for lower-altitude treks. Older children and adults should be in good health and physically fit.
    • Fitness and overall health status are more critical than age, so a medical check-up is advised for older adults and those with chronic conditions before attempting the climb.

• For all treks and Climbs in Tanzania and Kenya:
  • Considerations for different age groups
    • Children: While younger children can do day hikes, older children (around 8-10 years and up) can attempt summit hikes if experienced in hiking and have trained for endurance. It’s crucial to ensure proper acclimatization and that they can communicate discomfort.
    • Older Adults: Age is not a barrier, but fitness and health are paramount. Older trekkers should undergo medical evaluations and focus on stamina and cardiovascular fitness. Some tour operators offer senior-friendly treks with personalized pacing and extra support.

There are different age restricting, for different things like Hotels, Flights, National parks and such.
In Tanzania kids below the age of 5 are free of charge on safaris. Generally, children at the age of 12 and up are considered adults by hotels and lodges, while for the national parks, they are considered adults at the age of 16 and up. But it differs slightly between Tanzania and Kenya. Se more here below

In Tanzania National Parks, children under five years are considered children and generally enter for free. Children aged 5 to 15 pay a reduced fee for park entry. However, many private safari lodges and tour operators have their own minimum age restrictions. Some from 8 years, while most is 12 years old, due to safety and the nature of activities like game drives.

• Park Entrance Fees:
  • Under 5 years: No fee.
  • 5 to 15 years: Pay a reduced park entrance fee.
  • 16 years and above: Pay the full adult fee.
• Hotels:
  • Most Hotels, Beach resorts, Lodges and safari camps consider children over the age of 12 years to be adults. Which means they will typically pay adult rates. Children below 12 will stay at lower rates. Children below 2 to 4 years of age stay for free at some hotels.
  • Some hotels have age restrictions for children to be above 6 or 8 years for stays, for safety reasons. There are also adult-only hotels available.
• Flights:
  • Infants (under 2 years old)
    • Lap infant: You can generally travel with a child under 2 years old on your lap without purchasing a separate seat.
    • Optional seat purchase: You have the option to purchase a seat for your infant at a reduced rate.
    • One infant per adult: Typically, only one lap-held infant is permitted per ticketed adult.
  • Children (2 to 11 years old)
    • Required seat: Children aged 2 to 11 years must have a purchased seat and a child fare.
    • Seating arrangement: Seated in the same cabin as their accompanying adult, ideally in the same row or adjacent to the adult.
    • Reduced fares: Airlines may offer reduced fares for this age group, though this depends on the destination and the airline’s policy.
  • Children (12 years and older)
    • Adult fare: Children turning 12 during the journey need to be booked as adults for the entire trip, paying the adult fare.

• National Parks:
  • Child means a person from five (5) years but below 18 years;
  • Infants/Children under 5: Access the parks for free.
  • Children (5-17 years): Are charged a reduced “child rate”.
• Hotels:
  In Kenya, hotels often classify children aged 0-6 years as staying free or at a lower rate.
  • 0-6 Years: Many hotels offer free stays for children in this age group, especially when sharing a room with adults.
  • 7-12 Years: Children in this age range often incur a discounted rate, such as a percentage of the single room rate.
• Flights:
  • Infants (Under 2 years old)
    • No Separate Seat: Infants do not require a separate purchased seat and can travel on a parent’s lap.
    • Proof of Age: A birth certificate may be required to verify their age.
  • Children (Aged 2 to 11 or 12)
    • Required Seat: Children aged 2 and older require a purchased seat and ticket, with fares that are often discounted.
  • Unaccompanied Minor Status: For unaccompanied travel, the specific age can vary by airline, but it often starts at 5 years and can go up to 14 years for mandatory service.
  • Adult Fares: Children 12 and older are typically considered adults for fare calculation and do not receive child discounts