Arusha, Tanzania · Licensed Tour Operator
Safari & Zanzibar Combo
Six days of wildlife on the northern circuit, then five nights of warm ocean, spice farms and Swahili sunsets on Zanzibar.
Trip overview
Start with the drama of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then let the pace drop completely on Zanzibar. It's the classic Tanzania honeymoon, but it works just as beautifully for families or anyone who wants both adventure and total relaxation.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive Arusha
Airport transfer, lodge check-in and an evening briefing with your safari guide. Meet-and-greet at Kilimanjaro International Airport with visa assistance. Time to swim, rest and swap flight clothes for safari kit. Briefing over dinner covering the full eleven-day route, bush to beach.
- Accommodation:
- Garden lodge, Arusha
- Meals:
- Dinner
- Travel:
- 45 km / about 1 hour
- Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Baobab country and the elephant herds of the Tarangire river, ending at Motto Cottages Lodge in Mto wa Mbu. Full-day game drive with a picnic lunch overlooking the river. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and over 500 recorded bird species. Afternoon transfer to Motto Cottages Lodge in the Rift Valley village of Mto wa Mbu.
- Accommodation:
- Motto Cottages Lodge, Mto wa Mbu
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Travel:
- 150 km plus game driving
- Day 3: Into the Serengeti
Climb the Ngorongoro highlands and drop onto the plains, game viewing all the way to camp. Crater rim photo stop and optional Olduvai Gorge visit. Naabi Hill Gate and the first big open-plain views. Afternoon game drive into the Seronera area.
- Accommodation:
- Tented camp, central Serengeti
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Travel:
- 245 km / about 5 hours with stops
- Day 4: Serengeti full day
A complete day of game viewing in the richest predator area of the park. Sunrise departure with a packed breakfast for the best light and activity. Leopard, lion and cheetah in the Seronera valley; hippo pool and kopje circuits. Optional balloon flight can be added on this morning.
- Accommodation:
- Tented camp, central Serengeti
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Travel:
- Full-day game driving
- Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
Morning drive out of the park and a half-day on the crater floor. Descent at first light when the animals are most active. Black rhino, elephant bulls, lion prides, hyena and flamingo on Lake Magadi. Picnic lunch at the springs, then up to a highland lodge in Karatu.
- Accommodation:
- Lodge, Karatu highlands
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Travel:
- 150 km plus crater drive
- Day 6: Fly to Zanzibar
Return drive to Arusha and the afternoon flight over the coast to the island. Morning drive down the Rift with a craft-market stop at Mto wa Mbu. Domestic flight Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar (about 1 hr 20 min). Island transfer to your beach hotel, with the evening free.
- Accommodation:
- Beach hotel, Zanzibar
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Travel:
- 190 km road plus 1 hr 20 min flight
- Day 7: Stone Town and spice farm
A guided day in the UNESCO-listed old town followed by a working spice plantation. Walking tour of the carved doors, Old Fort, House of Wonders and the former slave market memorial. Spice farm visit — taste cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom and lemongrass straight from the tree. Swahili lunch with a local family, then Darajani market. Sunset dhow cruise past the harbour before returning to the beach.
- Accommodation:
- Beach hotel, Zanzibar
- Meals:
- Breakfast, lunch
- Travel:
- Island touring
- Day 8-10: Free days on the coast
Three unstructured days on the sand, with optional excursions arranged whenever you feel like moving. Snorkelling or diving at Mnemba Atoll among turtles, dolphins and reef fish. Safari Blue dhow day trip with sandbank swimming and a grilled seafood lunch. Kitesurfing lessons at Paje, or a Jozani forest walk to see red colobus monkeys. Or simply nothing at all — hammock, book, sunset, repeat.
- Accommodation:
- Beach hotel, Zanzibar
- Meals:
- Breakfast daily
- Travel:
- At leisure
- Day 11: Departure
Last swim, then a transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Late check-out arranged where the hotel allows it. Transfer timed to your flight, roughly 1–1.5 hours from the east coast.
- Accommodation:
- Departure
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Travel:
- Up to 70 km / 1.5 hours
