Experience two very different sides of Tanzania on one carefully planned holiday. Begin in northern Tanzania with a private safari through Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, accompanied by an experienced local guide who will explain the wildlife, landscapes and local way of life along the route.
After your safari, fly from Arusha to Zanzibar and slow the pace down beside the Indian Ocean. Enjoy snorkelling, sandbanks, marine life, spice farms, Jozani Forest and Stone Town, with enough free time to relax at the beach.
From your first pickup in Arusha to your final airport transfer in Zanzibar, the journey is privately arranged so you can enjoy Tanzania without worrying about the logistics.
- Highlights
What makes this journey unforgettable
- Explore Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, with opportunities to see elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebra and other wildlife across three very different landscapes.
- Descend into the crater for a memorable wildlife experience in one of Tanzania's most remarkable natural landscapes.
- Enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar while discovering Mnemba Island, spice farms, Jozani Forest, Stone Town, Prison Island, local markets and traditional dhow experiences.
- Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti (seasonal)
- Mid-Range and Luxury accommodations
- Senior naturalist guide throughout
- Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your journey, day by day
- Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire – First Taste of Safari
Your safari begins with a private pickup in Arusha. Meet your safari guide, who will introduce you to the journey, explain the day’s plan and answer any questions before you set off.
Drive towards Tarangire National Park, where the landscape becomes drier and the famous baobab trees begin to appear.
Once inside the park, your first game drive begins. Tarangire is particularly known for its large elephant herds, but you may also see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, antelope and predators.
Throughout the safari, your guide will do more than simply look for animals. They will explain wildlife behaviour, tracks, birdlife, vegetation and how animals survive in the Tarangire ecosystem, helping you understand what you are seeing.
After your game drive, continue to accommodation and settle into your lodge for the evening.
- Meals:Lunch, Dinner
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Zuri Kilima Siri Lodge.
- Day 2
Tarangire Area to Serengeti – Enter the Great Plains
After breakfast, leave the Tarangire area and continue towards the Serengeti.
The journey takes you through changing scenery, from the farming areas around Mto wa Mbu towards the highlands and eventually the open plains of the Serengeti.
Once you enter the park, the journey becomes part of your safari. Your guide will keep watch for wildlife along the route, with opportunities to see zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, elephants and other animals.
Depending on the season, the location of the herds can change considerably, so your guide will use their local knowledge to choose the best areas for wildlife viewing. Arrive at your camp in the evening and enjoy your first night in the Serengeti.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Dove Serengeti Camp or Kontiki Camp
- Day 3
Full-Day Serengeti Safari – Wildlife All Day
Today is dedicated to exploring the Serengeti.
After breakfast, set out with your guide for a full-day game drive. There is no fixed route. Your guide will use knowledge of the area, recent sightings and the season to decide where to explore.
You may encounter large herds of wildebeest and zebra, elephants moving across the plains, giraffes feeding among the trees and predators such as lions, cheetahs and leopards.
Your guide will explain animal behaviour and the relationships between predators, prey and the wider ecosystem, making the game drive more than simply a search for animals.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon exploration.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Dove Serengeti Camp or Kontiki Camp
- Day 4
Serengeti Morning Safari – Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti. This is a good time to explore before the temperatures rise, when many animals are still active. Your guide will make the most of the morning wildlife opportunities before you begin your transfer towards Ngorongoro.
Leave the Serengeti and travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, drive towards the crater highlands.
Arrive at your accommodation on the crater rim and enjoy the dramatic views and cooler atmosphere. The evening is free to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s crater experience.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Eserian Lodge.
- Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater – Safari Before Arusha
After breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive.
The crater is a large volcanic caldera with grasslands, woodland, wetlands and permanent water sources. These habitats support a wide range of wildlife, often within a relatively small area.
Your guide will explain the crater’s ecosystem while you search for lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebra, wildebeest and other wildlife. With luck, you may also see the endangered black rhino. After the crater experience, begin the drive back to Arusha.
Arrive at your booked accommodation, where you can relax and enjoy a comfortable evening before your flight to Zanzibar the following day.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Amani Safari Lodge.
- Day 6
Arusha to Zanzibar Island
After breakfast, your private driver will collect you from the lodge and transfer you to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.
On arrival at Karume International Airport, our Zanzibar team will meet you and arrange your private transfer to your beach accommodation in Kiwengwa or Nungwi.
The rest of the day is free. After several days of safari, this is your chance to slow down. Walk along the beach, swim in the Indian Ocean, enjoy the hotel facilities or simply relax and take in the island atmosphere.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 7
Zanzibar Snorkelling & Sandbank Experience
After breakfast, head out for a beautiful day on the Indian Ocean. Take a boat to the clear waters around Zanzibar for swimming and snorkelling.
With the help of a local marine guide, explore the underwater world and look for colourful tropical fish and coral life. Later, continue to a sandbank where you can relax, swim and enjoy a fresh seafood and tropical fruit lunch.
Return to your hotel in the afternoon for a relaxed evening.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 8
Spice Farm & Jozani Forest
Today, leave the beach behind for a few hours and discover the greener, more traditional side of Zanzibar.
Begin with a visit to a local spice farm, where your guide will introduce you to Zanzibar’s famous cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, and other tropical plants. Learn how these spices are grown, harvested, and used in local cooking, while discovering why Zanzibar became known as the “Spice Island.”
Continue to Jozani Forest for a guided nature walk through one of Zanzibar’s most important forest areas. Keep an eye out for the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, along with colourful birds, butterflies, and other forest life.
After the tour, return to your beach hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon by the ocean.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 9
Mnemba Island Snorkelling
After breakfast, head out by boat for a marine adventure around Mnemba Island, a small private island off Zanzibar’s northeast coast. Its surrounding waters are known for clear visibility, colourful coral reefs, and a variety of tropical marine life.
Enjoy time in the warm Indian Ocean swimming and snorkelling with a local guide who will show you the best areas of the reef and explain the marine life you encounter. Keep an eye out for colourful fish, sea turtles, and other reef species.
After the excursion and lunch, return to your beach hotel and spend a relaxed afternoon by the Indian Ocean.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 10
Stone Town, Prison Island & Swahili Culture
Today, discover Zanzibar’s fascinating history and Swahili culture. Begin with a short boat trip to Prison Island, where you can explore the island, learn about its history, and see the famous giant tortoises.
Return to Zanzibar and continue to Stone Town for a guided walking tour through its narrow historic streets. Visit the local market, admire the carved wooden doors and Swahili architecture, and learn how African, Arab, Indian, and European influences have shaped the city.
In the evening, visit Forodhani Gardens, where local food stalls come alive as the sun sets. Take the opportunity to taste some of Zanzibar’s popular street food while enjoying the lively atmosphere by the waterfront.
- Meals: All meals
Click to see the lodge description and photos in Zanzibar Queen Hotel.
- Day 11
Zanzibar Departure
Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Zanzibar with breakfast at your hotel and some last moments by the beach. When it is time to leave, your private driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you comfortably to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your onward flight.
Your Tanzania adventure comes to an end with memories of incredible wildlife, the endless Serengeti plains, and the warm beaches, culture, and hospitality of Zanzibar.
- Meals: All meals
- Where You'll Stay
N/A
- What's Included
- Private safari vehicle and professional English-speaking safari guide
- Guide pickup in Arusha and airport/hotel transfers
- Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro park/conservation fees
- Accommodation as listed or similar
- All meals as indicated in the day-by-day itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle on every game drive
- Airport meet-and-greet, transfers and complimentary pre-trip briefing
- Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
- Experienced local marine/activity guides
- Snorkelling and boat excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinking water during the safari
- Activities specifically listed in the itinerary
- What's Excluded
- International flights and visa fees
- Mandatory Tanzania inbound travel insurance, where applicable
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone calls, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for safari, marine and hotel staff
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g. hot-air balloon, spa, scenic flights)
- Items of a personal nature and any pre/post-tour accommodation
- Scuba diving unless specifically included in your quotation
- Quad-bike tour unless selected
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 11
- Any service not specifically mentioned under What's Included
- Tour Price Sharing Per Pax