10-Day Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Tour with Scenic Flights

10 Days Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Skip long road transfers with scenic flights from Arusha to Serengeti and Serengeti to Zanzibar
02 Track the Big Five in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, including the rare black rhino
03 Explore Tarangire National Park, known for giant baobab trees and large elephant herds
04 Descend into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, home to more than 25,000 large mammals
05 Unwind on Zanzibar's white-sand beaches with time for swimming and optional island excursions
06 Sail on a traditional wooden dhow for a magical Zanzibar sunset over the Indian Ocean

Experience the perfect blend of raw African wilderness and pristine coastal paradise on a carefully paced journey through Tanzania. This itinerary takes you from Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the world-famous endless plains of the Serengeti to the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar. Designed with comfort in mind, it uses domestic flights between destinations to avoid long, tiring road transfers and keep you relaxed throughout the trip. Expect Big Five wildlife viewing, iconic landscapes, and time to unwind by the Indian Ocean.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Arusha, Zanzibar, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park

Languages Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Arusha, Safari Parks, Serengeti and Zanzibar Escape

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha & Relaxation

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Arusha Airport (ARK), you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, overcoming jet lag, and preparing for the safari adventure ahead.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park (The Home of Giants)

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its massive baobab trees and large herds of elephants. Enjoy a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. In the evening, drive to the cooler highlands of Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Tour (The Eden of Africa)

Descend early into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a natural wonder harboring over 25,000 large mammals. Spot the rare black rhino, lions, hippos, and flamingos. After a scenic picnic lunch on the crater floor, ascend and drive back to Arusha for a restful evening.

Day 4: Fly to Serengeti National Park & Evening Game Drive

Skip the long, bumpy road! Take a scenic morning flight from Arusha Airport directly into the heart of the Serengeti. Meet your safari guide at the airstrip and embark on your first evening game drive in the endless plains.

Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti (Tracking the Big Five)

Spend a full day exploring the vast Serengeti. Depending on the season, you will track the Great Wildebeest Migration or seek out resident predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Enjoy a beautiful sunset over the African savannah before returning to your camp.

Day 6: Seamless Transition: Fly Serengeti to Zanzibar Island

Board a morning flight from the Serengeti airstrip directly to the spice island of Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your beach resort. The afternoon is yours to unwind, swim in the turquoise waters, and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Day 7 & 8: Zanzibar Beach Relaxation & Optional Activities

Enjoy two full days of pure leisure. You can choose to lounge on the pristine beaches, swim, or book optional excursions such as snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, a Spice Farm Tour, or exploring the historic, winding streets of Stone Town.

Day 9: Coastal Leisure & Sunset Dhow Cruise

Spend your morning relaxing by the beach or pool. In the late afternoon, embark on a magical, traditional wooden dhow cruise to witness a breathtaking Zanzibar sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Day 10: Departure Day

After a relaxing breakfast and some last-minute souvenir shopping, you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your outbound flight back home.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

All ground transfers: Private airport pick-up at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and drop-off at Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), plus all transfers to airstrips.
Domestic flights (2 flights).
One-way scenic flight from Arusha Airport to Serengeti Airstrip.
One-way flight from Serengeti Airstrip straight to Zanzibar Island.
Private 4x4 safari transport: Exclusive use of a customized 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing and photography during the mainland safari.
Professional guiding: Services of an experienced, registered, English-speaking professional safari guide and driver.
Park & conservation fees: All national park entrance fees, concession fees, and the UNESCO Ngorongoro Crater service fee.
Accommodations: 9 nights of accommodation on a double/twin sharing basis (mid-range to standard luxury lodges/tented camps in Arusha, Karatu, Serengeti, and a beach resort in Zanzibar).
Meals: Full board on safari (breakfast, packed picnic lunches, and dinners) and half board/bed & breakfast in Zanzibar (as per your specific resort contracts).
Activities: Explicitly listed activities, including a private evening sunset dhow cruise in Zanzibar.
Bottled water: Complimentary mineral water provided in the safari vehicle throughout the game drives.

What's Not Included

International flights: Round-trip international airline tickets to Tanzania/Zanzibar.
Tourist visa: Tanzanian entry visa fees ($50 for most nationalities, $100 for US citizens).
Zanzibar infrastructure tax: The mandatory local hotel tax paid directly by guests at checkout in Zanzibar (typically $2-$5 per person per night depending on hotel rating).
Optional Zanzibar excursions: Activities not explicitly listed in the main itinerary (e.g., Mnemba Atoll snorkeling, Stone Town walking tour, or Spice Farm tour fees).
Tips and gratuities: Tips for your safari guide, airport drivers, hotel/camp staff, and the boat crew.
Travel insurance: Personal medical, emergency evacuation, or trip cancellation insurance.
Personal expenses: Laundry services, telephone charges, souvenir shopping, and alcoholic or premium beverages at the lodges.

What to bring

Clothing for Safari & Beach:

Neutral-colored clothing: Khaki, tan, olive green, and beige for safari (avoid bright colors, and avoid blue or black as they attract tsetse flies).
Lightweight layers: Mornings in Arusha and the Ngorongoro highlands can be quite cold (12^\circ\text{C} - 15^\circ\text{C}), while the afternoons are hot. Bring a fleece, light jacket, or sweater.
Respectful beachwear: Lightweight, breathable cotton clothing for Zanzibar. Ladies should bring a sarong or lightweight clothing to cover shoulders and knees when walking through Stone Town (Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim).
Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for safari, and sandals/flip-flops for the beach.

Electronics & Optics:

Binoculars: Essential for spotting distant leopards or rhinos in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Camera gear: A camera with a good zoom lens (200\text{mm} - 400\text{mm}) and extra memory cards.
Universal adapter: Tanzania uses UK-style Type G plugs.
Power bank: To keep your phone and camera charged during long game drives.

Health & Personal Care:

Sun protection: High SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed safari hat.
Insect repellent: Containing DEET to protect against mosquitoes and tsetse flies.
Personal first-aid kit: Include antidiarrheal medication, motion sickness pills, pain relievers, and any personal prescriptions.

Know before you go

Luggage restrictions on domestic flights: This package includes local bush flights (Arusha to Serengeti, and Serengeti to Zanzibar). These small aircraft have a strict luggage limit of 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, and bags must be soft-sided (duffel bags). Hard-shell suitcases are often not permitted because they cannot fit into the plane's small cargo hold.
Plastic bag ban: Tanzania has a strict ban on single-use plastic bags. Avoid packing items in plastic grocery bags or Ziploc bags in your main luggage. However, Ziploc bags specifically used for carrying toiletries are generally permitted at customs.
Tipping culture: Tipping is a customary and highly appreciated way to reward excellent service in East Africa. As a general guideline, consider budgeting $20 - $30 USD per day for your professional safari guide (per vehicle, not per person) and $10 - $15 USD per day for general lodge/camp staff.
Currency & payments: The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted in tourist areas, hotels, and for tipping. Important note: US Dollar bills printed before the year 2013 are widely rejected by local banks and businesses due to counterfeiting concerns. Ensure your cash is crisp, clean, and printed after 2013.
Drone regulations: Flying a drone for photography in Tanzanian National Parks is strictly illegal without high-level government permits and commercial filming licenses. It is best to leave your drone at home to avoid confiscation at airport customs.

Logistics