11 Days Tanzania Safari & Beach Package
Your first thought of a trip to Africa will probably bring to mind safaris across the vast grasslands of the continent. Along with everything you expect, this tour will take you to the island of Zanzibar where you can learn about a different aspect of African culture and laze the day away on pristine beaches.
Tanzania is a country blessed with a diverse landscape that includes plains, volcanic mountains, and barely-touched coastline. With this tour you will range through possibly the most iconic parks of African safari – the Serengeti, along with time at Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro crater. Here, your chances to discover the big five of African safari;
- Leopard
- Lion
- Elephant
- Rhino
- Buffalo
Are exceedingly high with plenty of game drives through the wilderness with an expert guide.
The ancient markets, colonial architecture, and azure blue waters of Zanzibar stand in wonderful contrast to your safari. You can go on a journey of cultural and natural discovery through Tanzania on your own private safari. If you’d like to explore other accommodation options for your hotel or resort around Zanzibar, please contact us.
Since your guide and vehicle are dedicated only to you, it’s possible to make adjustments to your itinerary to spend more or less time in each location. You can also opt to fly between locations to reduce your travel time, for an additional cost.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park (130 km, 3 – 4 hours)
The beginning of your Tanzanian safari adventure is in Arusha, where we will come and collect you in your safari vehicle from your hotel, residence, or the airport. Once on board, you will head west with your expert African safari guide and make your way through the northern countryside to Lake Manyara.
Known for its nearly four hundred bird species, Lake Manyara is an ornithologist’s dream, and a great way to start any safari experience. You’ll arrive in the late morning and roll straight into your first game drive. Along with the million or so flamingos you’re likely to encounter, other birds that you can discover here include
- Great white pelicans
- Yellow-billed storks
- Marabou storks
- Gey herons
And plenty more to keep your eyes peeled for.
Lunch will be served picnic-style inside the park so that you can have as much time as possible surrounded by nature. Early evening, you will head to your chosen camp or lodge for dinner and time to rest before your adventure continues. Included in the first day of your Tanzanian safari is:
- Accommodation at your camp or lodge
- Overnight stay inside Lake Manyara National Park
- Lunch and dinner, no breakfast
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park- Serengeti National Park (290 km, 5 to 6 hours)
Arise early for breakfast and ready for your departure. This morning you will journey through the geologically stunning plains and ranges of Tanzania, through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and across the Serengeti.
To ensure that you have as much time as possible within the wonderous scenery that packs every inch of this park, you will have a picnic lunch. You will eat with the grasses and animals of the Serengeti surrounding you, and your safari guide on hand to help you spot and identify all the creatures you come across.
The afternoon will see you continue your game drive across the plains and you will end the day at the accommodation you’ve chosen. Here, you’ll be served dinner and have chance to drink in the surround nature as the darkness sets in over the park. Your second day on African safari includes:
- Accommodation at your camp or lodge
- Overnight stay inside Serengeti National Park
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 3: Full Days in Serengeti National Park
Your first full day exploring the iconic Serengeti is in your hands. After you have breakfast you will head out into the park for your morning game drive. Morning is a special time in the savannas of Tanzania, the animals are active after their night’s rest, whilst the air is still cool and sun low on the horizon. This is a perfect chance to see such animals as
- Wildebeest
- Zebras
- Giraffes
- Crocodiles
- Hippos
- Monkeys
Depending on which area of the diverse ecosystem you visit.
Next you can choose to have a picnic lunch in the park and continue on an afternoon game drive before returning to your accommodation in the late afternoon. Alternatively, you can request to return to your camp or lodge for lunch, take time to relax and rest and then head out on an evening game drive. Watching the sunset and the park transition in the routine of the night is a worthwhile experience.
However you structure you day, dinner comes in the evening, with chance to sit on the terraces, listen to the nocturnal calls across the Serengeti, and watch the stars pass overhead. Day three of your safari in Tanzania includes:
- Accommodation at your camp or lodge
- Overnight stay inside Serengeti National Park
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 4: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
As if experiencing safari in one of the most famous parks of Africa wasn’t enough, you are presented with a truly unique opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti as dawn breaks on a new day for the majestic creatures. Along with the balloon ride you are treated to a champagne breakfast and a chance to witness the down chorus from a fresh perspective, all for an extra fee of $425.
You can opt for breakfast at your accommodation and a morning and afternoon game drive that will include a picnic lunch, if you’d rather. Whichever way you choose to explore the forested and grassed areas of the vast expanse of protected territory, you are sure to be treated to a most memorable experience.
There is an abundance of wildlife that inhabits the lands of the Serengeti. Your expert Tanzanian safari guide will be able to help you track, spot, identify, and find the best and safest way to photograph the animals you’ve travelled so far to see. Your last evening in this part of the Serengeti is rounded off with dinner and time to gather your thoughts ready to move to new territories in the morning.
Included in the fourth day of your safari in Africa is:
- Accommodation at your camp or lodge
- Overnight stay inside Serengeti National Park
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 5: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Another early start for breakfast before you set out on a game drive south towards the Ngorongoro Crater. On the way, you are invited to visit a village of the Masai people. These nomadic people have lived on the lands for thousands of years and have a deep knowledge and respect for the plains. They will welcome you with a traditional dance and singing, followed by a chance to walk around the village and visit one of their traditional homes, all for an additional fee of $20 per person.
As well as being home to the wonderous beasts you’ve been discovering, these lands of the Great African Rift Valley were the place we evolved into humans. Dr Leakey found myriad tools, fossils, and other evidence to show that proto-humans had lived here nearly two million years ago. For $45 you can visit the museum and archaeology site of Dr Leakey at Oldulvai Gorge.
With so much to discover, you’ll take lunch in the park as a picnic and take a final game drive to see you to your camp or lodge inside Ngorongoro Crater for dinner that evening. The fifth day of your Tanzanian safari includes:
- Accommodation at your camp or lodge
- Overnight stay inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 6: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crater
Millions of years ago, a volcano exploded and left behind what is now the biggest volcanic crater on the planet that’s not filled with water. After breakfast, you will set out in exploration of the area which has a wide array of mammals for you to spot. A whole ecosystem exists within the confines of the crater, with grasslands, streams and even a lake that is host to flocks of bright pink flamingos.
Ensuring you get all the time that’s available surrounded by the beauty of the scenery, you will be given a picnic lunch followed by an afternoon game drive. The luscious green plains offer an interesting background for your photography, contrasting the expectations of a dusty and dry plain that most people on safari in Africa expect.
Late afternoon will see you ascend the crater and return to your chosen accommodation. After dinner it’s time to ready yourself for a change of location and a definite change in pace, since tomorrow you will move on to the island of Zanzibar. This sixth day of your Tanzanian safari adventure includes:
- Accommodation at your camp or lodge
- Overnight stay inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha by Road, Arusha to Zanzibar by Plane (191 km, 3 to 4 hours, 1 hour 40 minutes flight)
As the safari part of your trip of a lifetime comes to a close, you will have one last chance to pass through the scenic parklands after breakfast. From Ngorongoro Crater you will track eastwards back to the capital, Arusha, with the countryside of Tanzania passing you by.
From the city, you will have lunch and then fly to the idyllic island of Zanzibar. For so many a place that is almost mythical, filled with stories of culture and exoticism, this is your chance to visit a place that doesn’t make it on to most travel lists. Upon landing you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your accommodation on the coast.
Your afternoon is yours to relax, unwind, and explore. You can discuss with the maitre d’ of your resort your options for adventurous trips and historic tours around the archipelago. Dinner will be served at your accommodation and the evening can be spent as you please – just like time at the beach should be. The seventh day of your Tanzanian adventure includes:
- Accommodation at your hotel or resort
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 8: Full Day in Zanzibar
Fresh sea breezes are stark contrast the to dry air that sweeps across the mainland plains. Your itinerary is unplanned for you time on Zanzibar, with your only commitment being meal times, all of which are included at your accommodation.
There are plenty of options to explore this island that is so steeped in history. The trading history of the island goes as far back as the eighth century and myriad cultures and religions have landed here and spread their ideas and traditions. Zanzibar is a true melting pot, brimming with Swahili, Arab, and European influences.
You can choose to take a tour around the capital of the region, Stone Town. Stories abound in this ancient trading post, with tales of Arab slavers and British cannon fire sure to offer you a history lesson like no other. All of the trips and tours that you can take during your time in Zanzibar are booked locally at additional costs.
Included in day eight of your African exploration is:
- Accommodation at your hotel or resort
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 9: Full Day in Zanzibar
After days in a safari vehicle, it’s time to let your muscles relax and let your feet loose from your sensible shoes. Is there a better feeling than warm sand between the toes with pristine ocean swirling around your feet?
Time at the beach can be as active or chilled as you choose, just be sure to be at your accommodation in time for your meals each day. Whether your idea of a beach break is a lounger, a book, and paddling in the shallows, or snorkelling, windsurfing, or even scuba diving, Zanzibar will meet your expectations.
The ocean is a perfect blue, the sand fine and white, sea air rolls in fresh and there is still plenty of nature to experience too. However you choose to enjoy your time on Zanzibar, you are sure to appreciate the difference from your time out on the savanna during your African safari. This ninth day of your Tanzanian trip includes:
- Accommodation at your hotel or resort
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 10: Full Day in Zanzibar
Once a world renowned node in the international spice trade, Zanzibar is still known for it’s plantations of cloves, vanilla, and nutmeg, among other spices and you are able to take a Spice Tour around the island to learn about the history of the trade, how the plantations developed, and the effects on local culture the international trade had.
If history, farms, and spices aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other activities including visits to the other islands that make up the archipelago. Less developed and more rugged than Zanzibar, and arguably even more stunning, a boat trip around different lands can be arranged locally and your exact itinerary matched to your requirements.
How to spend your last day on Zanzibar is entirely up to you, with any activities available from local agencies, at additional cost. Be sure to be at your accommodation for your meal times, which you can confirm at the hotel or resort you choose to stay at. The last full day in your African adventure includes:
- Accommodation at your hotel or resort
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
Day 11: Zanzibar – Arusha by Plane
(1 hour 40 minutes)
As sublime as island life can be, especially after your adventures across the Serengeti, the time always comes to return to reality. From your chosen accommodation on Zanzibar, we will collect after breakfast and transfer you to the local airport.
Your next destination is down to you. Whether you will return to Arusha to take an onwards flight or stay in the country longer, or you choose to visit Dar E Salaam to take in a different aspect of Tanzanian culture, we will see you on to your next destination.
Included in the final day or your Tanzanian safari and beach holiday is:
- No accommodation, this is the final day
- Breakfast and lunch, no dinner
- Drinking water, other drinks are extra
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
What’s Included
- All transfers
- All accommodations during the tour
- All meals and drinking water during the tour
- Flying Doctors medical, emergency, and rescue cover
- All game drives as noted in the itinerary
- Transport in a private 4 x 4 Safari Land Cruiser
- English speaking tour guides/driver
- All applicable government taxes, levies and entry fees
- Personalized private service
What’s Not Included
- International flights and taxes
- Passports and visa applications and processing
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for drivers/guides
- Personal laundry
- Alcoholic drinks
- Entrance fee for activities noted as optional