Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Travel to Tarangire National Park – Afternoon wildlife drive
- Day 2: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park – Wildlife viewing and canopy walk
- Day 3: Travel to Serengeti National Park
- Day 4: Full-day wildlife drive in Serengeti
- Day 5: Additional day in Serengeti for more wildlife viewing
- Day 6: Travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Visit to a Maasai homestead
- Day 7: Wildlife drive in Ngorongoro Crater + rim walk
- Day 8: Travel to Arusha and fly to Zanzibar
- Day 9: Guided tour of Zanzibar City, Prison Island, and a spice plantation
- Day 10: Boat tour and time at the beach
- Day 11: Free day for personal activities
- Day 12: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Tarangire National Park – Wildlife drive in the afternoon
Begin your safari with a morning departure from Arusha. The drive to Tarangire National Park takes around 3 hours. Known for its elephant groups and iconic baobab trees, this park offers a wide variety of animal sightings.
Upon arrival at your lodge inside or near the park, check in and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, set out on a wildlife drive where you may spot gazelles, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, and many species of birds. At sunset, return to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay in the Karatu area.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Drive to Lake Manyara National Park – Wildlife tour and canopy walk
Following breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park. Once inside the park, begin your wildlife viewing drive. Here you may see elephants, lions in trees, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, gazelles, warthogs, and several antelope species.
The park is also home to numerous bird species, making it a good destination for birdwatching. Later in the day, walk along a suspended trail through the forest canopy. After the tour, return to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast, check out and begin your journey to Serengeti National Park. This drive includes optional stops at Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro viewpoints. You may also stop at Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site offering insight into early human history.
After lunch along the way, continue to Serengeti. As you enter the park, begin spotting wildlife en route to your lodge. Check in, enjoy dinner, and spend the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Full-day wildlife drive in Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, head out with your guide for a full day of wildlife viewing. With packed lunch provided, you’ll spend the day exploring different areas of the park.
Depending on the time of year, you might head toward the Mara River in the northern part of the park to see large groups of migrating animals. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions, hyenas, antelope, buffaloes, and more. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Additional wildlife tour in Serengeti
After breakfast, return to the plains for more wildlife viewing. Today you’ll visit different areas of the park not explored the previous day. Spot animals such as rhinos, leopards, wildebeest, hippos, and other species.
Later, visit the hippo pool, where large numbers of hippos can often be seen. You may also observe predators resting on rocky outcrops. After your day in the park, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Visit to Maasai Homestead
After breakfast, begin your drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, visit a local Maasai homestead to learn about their way of life, including their clothing, livestock, and traditional homes.
Continue to a viewpoint overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater. Afterward, head to your lodge. Check in, relax, and have dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Wildlife drive in Ngorongoro Crater + Short Walk
After breakfast, begin your descent into the crater for a day of wildlife viewing. You will stop at Lake Magadi, located in the center of the crater, where flamingos and other waterbirds gather.
The crater is known for housing lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, and many grazing species. Later, take a short walk along the crater rim for scenic views before heading back to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Arusha and Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, leave for Arusha Airport with a packed lunch. Board your flight to Zanzibar. Flights are operated daily and offer several departure times.
Upon landing in Zanzibar, your driver will take you to your hotel. After checking in, relax and enjoy dinner before spending the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: City Tour – Visit Prison Island, Spice Farm, and Stone Town
Start with breakfast at your hotel, then take a private boat to Prison Island. Here, you’ll see the giant tortoises and have the option to snorkel.
Return to Stone Town for a walking tour. Visit local markets and historical buildings. In the afternoon, explore a local spice plantation to see how various spices are grown. After the tour, return to your hotel for dinner and rest.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Boat Ride and Coastal Relaxation
After breakfast, head to the beach for a traditional wooden boat ride. You’ll be served a seafood meal, snacks, and tropical fruits while you relax on the water.
After returning from the boat tour, spend time at the beach or enjoy your hotel’s amenities. End the day with dinner and another overnight stay.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Free Day
This day is set aside for personal activities. You may spend the day at the beach, go for a short walk, visit nearby villages, or simply relax at your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Departure
Enjoy breakfast before checking out. A driver will take you to Zanzibar Airport for your outbound flight, bringing your 12-day safari and coastal tour to an end.
- Meals: Breakfast