12 Day Wildlife Safari and Zanzibar Beach Escape
Duration
Physical Rating
Minimum Age
Starting From
$6,099.00
*Starting prices are listed per person in USD.
Destination Highlights
Tarangire National Park
Mto wa Mbu Village
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park
Zanzibar
Trip Overview
This 12-day Comfort-Plus Safari and Beach Holiday takes you through Tanzania’s top wildlife parks, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti, offering close encounters with elephants, lions, rhinos, and (seasonally) the Great Migration. Cultural visits to Mto wa Mbu and a Maasai village add local flavour before you fly straight from the bush to Zanzibar. End your journey relaxing on the island’s pristine beaches, with optional tours to Stone Town, Prison Island, and spice farms. Comfortable, well-located lodges and camps ensure a seamless blend of adventure and relaxation.
Highlights
- Explore Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti on guided game drives
- Spot the Big Five and experience the Great Migration (seasonal)
- Visit a local village and Maasai community for cultural insight
- Stay in elevated comfort-plus lodges and safari camps
- Fly directly from Serengeti to Zanzibar for beach relaxation
- Unwind on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches with optional tours
- Discover Stone Town, Prison Island, and spice farms (optional)
- Perfect mix of wildlife, culture, comfort, and coast
Full Itinerary
Best time to visit:
• June to October – Dry season, best wildlife viewing
• January to March – Lush Landscape and Serengeti wildebeest calving season (Excellent for predators’ actions)-Hot and humid weather with possibility of little rain in January.
Day 1: Arrival day | Meeting Day
Welcome to Tanzania! After clearing immigration at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be greeted and transferred to your lodge in Arusha. Depending on arrival time, you may visit the Shanga Workshop (a social enterprise for people with disabilities), the Cultural Heritage Centre, or simply relax and enjoy views of Mount Meru.
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Tips: Ask about a short farm or coffee estate tour if you arrive early.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Depart Arusha after breakfast for Tarangire National Park, known for its majestic baobab trees, rolling savannahs, and large elephant herds. Game drives reveal resident wildlife including lions, giraffes, leopards, and over 500 bird species. The Tarangire River sustains life during the dry season and attracts an array of animals to its banks.
Accommodation: Nyikani Tarangire Camp
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3: Mto wa Mbu Cultural Walk & Maasai Encounter
Drive to the fertile village of Mto wa Mbu at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. This melting pot of over 120 ethnic groups offers a vibrant walking tour: see rice paddies, banana plantations, local craftsmen, and traditional homes. After lunch, continue to a Maasai boma for an authentic cultural exchange, then drive up to the Ngorongoro Highlands.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farmhouse
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater
Today’s highlight is the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife. Descend 600 meters into the crater for a full-day safari with a picnic lunch. Spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, flamingos, and hyenas, all within a compact and stunning ecosystem.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farmhouse
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Tips: Morning game drives offer the best light for photography and animal activity.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park “The Endless Plains”
After breakfast, drive through the highlands to Serengeti National Park, entering via Naabi Hill Gate. The Serengeti offers some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife viewing, expect to see lions, cheetahs, wildebeest herds, Topi, gazelles, and more. During your stop at Naabi entrance gate enjoy the scenic views of Serengeti plain from the top of Naabi hill.
Accommodation: Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6: Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Explore deeper into the Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may track the Great Wildebeest Migration or focus on resident wildlife. Optional packed bush breakfast and lunch allow you to spend a full day in nature, visiting areas like Retima Hippo Pool, Moru-Kopjes, or the Barafu region.
Accommodation: Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp (2nd night).
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Tips: Bring a scarf or buff for the dust and layers for changing temperatures.
Day 7: Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. Arrive in Stone Town and transfer to your beach hotel on the northeast coast, known for its tranquil beaches and coral reef. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or in a hammock under coconut palms.
Accommodation: Nungwi Beach Resort
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
Tips: Nungwi is one of Zanzibar’s few beaches swimmable at all tides, no need to plan around high tide.
Day 8: Zanzibar Beach Leisure
Wake up to the soothing rhythm of the ocean and spend the day at leisure in the heart of Nungwi. Bask on the soft white sands, float in the calm turquoise waters, or join optional activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, or yoga. For a touch of indulgence, retreat to Maua Wellness for a couples’ massage or a spice-inspired spa ritual. Every moment is designed for pure relaxation.
Accommodation: Nungwi Beach Resort (2nd night)
Meals: Breakfast
Tips: Book a signature Maua Wellness treatment for the ultimate Zanzibar-inspired rejuvenation.
Day 9: Zanzibar Spice Tour & Stone Town
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egin the day with a guided visit to a spice plantation, where you’ll discover Zanzibar’s rich history as the “Spice Island.” Learn about cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, lemongrass, and tropical fruits, and enjoy a tasting session or a Swahili-inspired lunch flavoured with the very spices you’ve seen. In the afternoon, explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with highlights including the Sultan’s Palace, the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the slave market memorial.
Accommodation: Nungwi Beach Resort (3rd night)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Zanzibar Safari Blue Tour
Embark on the famous Safari Blue Tour, a full-day adventure across Zanzibar’s sparkling turquoise waters. Sail by dhow to pristine sandbanks and uninhabited islands, where you can swim, snorkel over coral reefs, and spot dolphins in their natural habitat. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood barbecue served under the shade of tamarind trees before relaxing on the white sandy beaches. As the day winds down, return by dhow with the warm glow of the late afternoon sun over the Indian Ocean.
Accommodation: Nungwi Beach Resort (4th night)
Meals: Breakfast
Tips: Pack sunscreen, swimwear, and a waterproof bag for cameras and valuables
Day 11: Zanzibar Beach Leisure
Savour your last full day in Zanzibar exactly as you wish. Dive into adventure with a scuba excursion or a snorkelling trip to the renowned Mnemba Atoll or simply enjoy the serenity of the resort’s lush gardens and oceanfront hideaways. Curl up with a good book, sip cocktails barefoot in the sand, or steal a quiet moment for meditation. As the sun sets, elevate your evening with a private candlelit dinner on the beach, an unforgettable finale to your island escape.
Accommodation: Nungwi Beach Resort (5th night)
Meals: Breakfast
Tips: Candlelit private dinner for a romantic last night can be organised on requested.
Day 12: Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) for your departure flight. If your flight is late, you may opt for a short visit to Jozani Forest, (home to red colobus monkeys), Prison Island or a final swim.
Meals: Breakfast
Tips: Have your yellow fever certificate and onward ticket ready if you’re transiting through mainland Tanzania or Kenya.
Planning
To make your trip planning easier, we’ve prepared a simple list of what’s included in your tour package and what’s not. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect, and you can make any additional arrangements ahead of time for a smooth and enjoyable journey!
Includes
• English peaking Safari Guides (Multilingual Guide available on request)
• 4×4 Safari Land cruiser
• Three meals (Breakfast, lunch + dinner)
• One-way domestic flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar.
• All parks’ fees and Taxes
• All activities mentioned under the program.
• All accommodation under the program.
• One way transfer from JRO-Arusha
Excludes
- Tanzania Visa fee US $50 p/p & US $100 p/p for U.S.A passport holder
- Zanzibar Insurance and infrastructure fees
- Laundry services
- Optional Activities
- Travel insurance
- Tips for Guides
- International Flight
- Bank charges for online transfer
- An increase of taxes and/or park fees
- All things of personal nature
- Multilingual Guide



