This 8 Days Serengeti Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday takes you to some of Tanzania’s premier destinations. You will start your adventure in Arusha, the undisputed gateway town to the northern Tanzania safari circuit.
You will then move to Tanzania’s flagship conservation area, the Serengeti National Park. Depending on what time of the year you travel, you could see spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings or catch the dramatic calving season. The Serengeti is home to the greatest concentration of wildlife on Earth and is a truly magnificent safari experience.
Finally, you’ll leave the savannah behind and fly to tropical Zanzibar – ‘The Spice Island’. Relax on the white sand beaches. Take day trips to the historical Stone Town, visit Prison Island, and the fragrant spice plantations. Go snorkelling, diving, kayaking, sailing, or simply just soak up the sun beside the pool or in your hammock.
Highlights
- Game drives in the magnificent Serengeti National Park
- See exotic animals on game drives in Serengeti National Park
- Overnight in a safari camp/lodge right on the Serengeti savanna
- Relax on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar
- Enjoy optional activities like snorkeling, caving, surfing, and more
- See elephant, hippo, giraffe and all the big cats year-round
- Chance to witness the dramatic Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Day 2: Flight Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Day 3-4: Serengeti National Park Game Drives
Day 5: Serengeti National Park to Zanzibar
Day 6-7: Zanzibar Optional Activities
Day 8: Zanzibar to Arusha, Depart
Details
Day 1: Arrive In Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania! This country is a wildlife lover’s paradise, home to some of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. Located in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, Tanzania is known for its vast wilderness areas.
This country is home to the Serengeti National Park, where millions of plains animals migrate around its fertile savannas. Also, here is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the only place you can see all Big Five animals on a single game drive.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel in Arusha City. Not only does this city sit at the foot of the 14,980-foot (4,566-m) Meru Volcano, but at certain places, you can also spot the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest mountain.
If you are a coffee lover, you will want to hit a cafe and sample this country’s famous Robusta and Arabica roasts. After all, Tanzania is the third-largest coffee producer in Africa, and this bean is its largest export crop.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Impala Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Kibo Palace Hotel
Midrange: Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Flight Transfer To Serengeti
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your scheduled flight the Serengeti. From there, you will take a scenic game drive to your camp or lodge. Settle in and get ready for a few days of Serengeti magic. This legendary wildlife reserve is the archetypal safari destination.
In the Maasai language, the name Serengeti means “endless plains,” and this protected area’s 5,700 square miles (14,763 square kilometers) deliver on that promise. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve that supports the largest concentration of plains game globally, including the famous Big Five animals: lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, and black rhinos.
With any luck, you’ll arrive in the Serengeti at the right time to witness the Great Migration – the biggest terrestrial mammal migration on the planet and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. The Great Migration sees around 1.5 million wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, undertaking the long trek to new grazing grounds.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge/Ubuntu Migration Camp
Midrange: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3-4: Serengeti Game Drives
Spend the next couple of days living every wildlife lover’s dream as you embark on wildlife safaris across the wondrous Serengeti. Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives to witness the wildlife in one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet. Don’t forget your camera.
Mornings are the best time to see the wild animals at their most active. During these early hours, you will likely see grazing giraffes and zebras – and perhaps even lions as they hunt wildebeest and gazelles. Other animals you are likely to spot include elephants and buffalo, with leopards and rhinos being a less common sight.
You can choose to have lunch on the road or back at camp, after which you will continue the game drive into the afternoon. Dinner will be served each night in camp or lodge. Besides the seasonal Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti National Park’s pleasant climate and abundance of resident wildlife make it is an excellent year-round game viewing destination.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge/Ubuntu Migration Camp
Midrange: Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Serengeti National Park To Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will return to the nearest airstrip for your scheduled short-haul flight to Zanzibar. This archipelago is regarded as one of most beautiful island destinations in Africa.
On arrival at the airport, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your beach hotel.
After unpacking, feel free to kick back on the white sand beach amid the tall palm trees and enjoy the stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Depending on the hotel or resort you select, you may have all modern conveniences and creature comforts at your disposal, such as a private butler/chef, rooftop deck, and plunge pool overlooking the stunning coastline.
If that is the case, you may want to spend the day at your villa and later enjoy a romantic evening. However, if you feel like venturing out, there is plenty to do.
Take a stroll down the beach, go snorkeling, scuba diving, or participate in one of the many activities available on the Zanzibar Island. If you are traveling with that special someone, you can enjoy a romantic lunch on your own private sandbank. Like in the Serengeti National Park, there is no need to rush because you will have multiple days to explore every corner of the island.
Day 6-7: Zanzibar Optional Activities
There are numerous optional activities to keep you busy on Zanzibar Island. Of course, the main attractions are its gorgeous beaches. You can easily spend the next couple of days unwinding on one of these prized stretches of sand. Or, if you are feeling social, there is no shortage of beach clubs and party vibes in the coastal village of Nungwi. If calm and relaxation are what you are looking for, head to Michamvi Beach for some isolation.
Maybe you would prefer a snorkeling or diving tour. Matemwe, on the northeast coast, is the best place for either activity, as it provides access to the coral reefs around the Mnemba Atoll. Or spend a day at Jozani Forest, home to exotic animals like the red colobus monkey.
Tour the Kuumbi Caves in Jambiani on the southeast coast for more nature. There are options besides swimming and hiking, like surfing, kayaking in mangrove forests, or cycling tours around the island. You could also head out to sea for a sport-fishing adventure to reel in some marlin and sailfish.
You will want to spend time in the main town, too. Besides beaches and nature, Zanzibar Island boasts a rich history and cultural. Stone Town, the medieval center of the capital was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This warren of alleyways, shops, bazaars, and mosques is home to some of Zanzibar’s most historic buildings. One standout is the Arab Fort, a defensive fortification built in the 17th century. A great activity is to take stroll through the Stone Town and admire its unique mix of Arabic architecture and Indian influences. You can also visit a former slave market site and learn about this sad part of Zanzibar Island’s history.
Day 7: Zanzibar to Arusha, Depart
Unfortunately, it is time to leave the tropical paradise. After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport in Zanzibar and then fly to Arusha, where you will catch your International flight home. Safe travels!
End of the Tour
Inclusions
- Concession and Park fees
- Flight from Arusha to Serengeti
- Flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar
- Flight from Zanzibar to Arusha
- Airstrip transfers
- Accommodation and meals
- Drinking water while on excursions
- A professional driver/guide
- All Taxes and VAT
Exclusions
- International flights
- Airport taxes
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa and Insurances charges
- Items of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls
