Junior Travel Awards / 10 February 2026

Winner: Best Family Safari Holiday Stubborn Mule | Junior Travel Awards 2026

Stubborn Mule wins SILVER for Best Family Safari Holiday in this year's Junior Travel Awards

Junior Magazine Junior Travel Awards Winner: Best Family Safari Holiday Stubborn Mule | Junior Travel Awards 2026

Winner:SILVER Best Family Safari Holiday

Who:Stubborn Mule - Tanzania, East Africa

What:Tailor-made Tanzania Safari & Beach holiday (added in 2015)

Why:

Our judges loved diving into Stubborn Mule’s exciting Tanzanian Safari offering that gives families up-close access to Africa’s iconic wildlife with a blissful visit to Zanzibar’s stunning pristine beaches.

Families travel with the same private guide/driver, chosen for their ability to engage children, with daily itineraries tailored to every age and interest. `As well as the thrilling experience of seeing lions, leopards, zebra, buffalo and wildebeest there are plenty of other wild adventures to be had on this trip. Families can enjoy bike and tuk tuk rides, cookery classes, campfires under the stars and so much more. For super adventurous families there’s even the option of arranging a Kilimanjaro family climb!

Stubborn Mule Travel specialises in crafting adventurous, tailor-made holidays for families who want more than the ordinary. Drawing on their own experiences travelling with children, the team design bespoke itineraries that balance interests, ages, and budgets — taking care of every detail so families can simply relax and enjoy their time together.

Responsible tourism is at the heart of their approach. Wherever possible, Stubborn Mule partners with locally owned lodges, guides, and restaurants, ensuring a low-impact, culturally respectful experience. Families not only enjoy unforgettable adventures but also connect authentically with local communities and traditions.

"Locations seem very well chosen, I think most kids would love it. All very shareable on social media, very educational and very much a 'trip-of-a-lifetime'. Stubborn Mule consistently get 4 - 5 star reviews - and you can see why!"

Susan Ward Davies @swdtravels

"Personalised itineraries tailored to the ages within your group. Full of adventure and once in a lifetime experiences."

Kit Bhatti, Head of Community & Social, Junior

This would be a life-changing trip for so many families, introducing them to incredible wildlife and unique experiences with the reassurance of an experienced local guide. Magical.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, Junior

What makes it Special...

Stubborn Mule’s two-week Tanzania Safari and Beach holiday combines Africa’s iconic wildlife with hands-on family adventures and Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. Families travel with the same private guide/driver, chosen for their ability to engage children, with daily itineraries tailored to every age and interest.

Beyond game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, families can enjoy experiences like biking through banana plantations, canoeing on Momela Lakes, painting with local artists, walking safely among giraffes in Arusha, and meeting the Bushmen near Lake Eyasi. Three days in the safari vehicle deliver world-class wildlife encounters, while Zanzibar offers sun, sand, and a visit to historic Stone Town.

In just two weeks, Stubborn Mule creates a perfectly balanced, immersive, and unforgettable family safari and beach adventure.

Ideal for..

Stubborn Mule Travel is dedicated to families of all shapes and sizes, with a core focus on creating shared adventures across generations. Their top-selling Tanzania Safari & Beach holiday perfectly blends safari, activities, and beach, appealing to children aged six and up, teens, and can be adapted for grandparents or toddlers.

Clients are parents who want to spend quality holiday time with their children, making memories together through immersive, tailor-made experiences designed for every family member.

Junior Fact File

Stubborn Mule Travel’s tailor-made itineraries, based on a family’s budget and typically a 2 week trip

The Tanzania Safari & Beach experience, costs from £21,000 for a family of four (two adults and two children), £5,250 per person, including accommodation, some meals, international flights, guides and domestic travel, as well as plenty of activities.