10 Day Safari & Zanzibar

Ngorongoro Conservation Area · Serengeti National Park · +3 more

10 Day Safari & Zanzibar

10 days / 9 nights · Private tour

Operated by forever safari Verified
Duration
10 days9 nights
Tour format
Private tour
From
$3,750per person
Starts
Tarangire National Park
Ends
Zanzibar
Country
Tanzania

Overview

The journey at a glance

Category

Safari

Travel styles

Wildlife

Discover the very best of Tanzania with six unforgettable days on safari through Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, followed by three relaxing nights on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, seamlessly connected by a scheduled flight from the Serengeti.

This itinerary answers the question most first-time Tanzania travellers ask us: can we do both safari and beach in one trip without it feeling like two separate holidays bolted together? Done properly, with the right connecting flight, yes, and this route is built specifically around making that transition seamless.

The safari leg follows Emnel's core route: a 2-hour drive from Arusha to Tarangire for two nights among elephant herds and ancient baobabs, then roughly 3.5 hours via Karatu to Ngorongoro for a night on the crater rim before a full morning on the crater floor itself, one of the most reliable Big Five experiences in Africa. From there it's approximately 3 hours to central Serengeti for two nights of game drives around Seronera's rivers and kopjes.

Rather than flying back through Arusha, day six uses a direct scheduled flight from Seronera to Zanzibar, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours including a routing stop, landing you on the island by early afternoon with three full nights ahead of you to genuinely decompress. We recommend at least one half-day exploring Stone Town's UNESCO-listed old town, its spice market, House of Wonders and winding alleys, but the rest of the Zanzibar leg is intentionally unstructured: snorkelling, a sunset dhow sail, a spice farm tour, or simply the beach, entirely at your own pace and on your own schedule.

This combination works particularly well for honeymooners and first-time visitors who want the adrenaline and wonder of a safari without ending the trip abruptly, and for families wanting a genuine rest period after several days of early game-drive starts. The safari portion is guided throughout by one of Emnel's own founding team, so the trip planning and the on-the-ground experience come from the same people, start to finish.

Best months for the safari leg align with the dry season, June through October, though Ngorongoro and Tarangire perform well year-round, and Zanzibar's climate is warm and swimmable for most of the year outside the April-May long rains. If you'd prefer more time in the parks before the beach, this route extends cleanly from our 5 Days Classic Tanzania Safari or 7 Day Great Migration Safari with Zanzibar nights added at the end.

Highlights

  • Northern circuit safari plus Zanzibar beach, one seamless trip
  • Direct scheduled flight, Serengeti to Zanzibar
  • Ngorongoro Crater Big Five floor
  • Tarangire's elephant herds
  • Stone Town UNESCO old town
  • White-sand beach relaxation to finish
  • Private guide throughout the safari leg
  • No repacking, no separate booking hassle

Where you go

Route

Good to know

Tour features

Private tour Group size confirmed by the operator.
Safari Listed as a safari trip.
Runs year round Departures are not limited to one season.
Age requirement Minimum age 3
Quoted, not booked online The operator prices your dates and group, then confirms directly.

On this trip

Photographs

The itinerary

Day by day

Day1 Arusha to Tarangire Tarangire National Park

Your Tanzania safari begins with a scenic drive of approximately two hours from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, one of northern Tanzania's most rewarding yet often overlooked wildlife destinations. Famous for its ancient baobab trees, seasonal wetlands and some of East Africa's largest elephant populations, Tarangire offers an exceptional introduction to the African wilderness. After entering the park, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and a remarkable variety of birdlife, while your private guide shares fascinating insights into the park's unique ecosystem. As the sun begins to set, continue to your carefully selected safari lodge for dinner and your first overnight stay surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.

Day2 Full Day Tarangire Tarangire National Park

Spend a full day exploring the diverse landscapes of Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem renowned for its exceptional wildlife, ancient baobab trees and the highest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania during the dry season. Your private guide will tailor the day's game drives to follow animal movements, taking you through river valleys, open savannah and acacia woodlands in search of elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest and an impressive variety of birdlife. The life-giving Tarangire River attracts wildlife throughout the year, offering outstanding photographic opportunities and unforgettable close-up encounters. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the park before continuing your afternoon safari, returning to your lodge in the evening to relax, share stories of the day's sightings and enjoy dinner under the African sky.

Day3 Tarangire to Ngorongoro Highlands Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After a relaxed breakfast, depart Tarangire National Park and journey through the scenic landscapes of northern Tanzania towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, pass traditional Maasai villages, rolling farmland and the lush highlands that surround the crater, offering a fascinating glimpse into Tanzania's diverse landscapes and cultures. Arrive at your lodge in the Ngorongoro Highlands during the afternoon, where you can unwind and enjoy the cooler mountain climate while taking in spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure before enjoying dinner and an overnight stay at Embalakai Authentic Camps – Ngorongoro, perfectly positioned for an early start and tomorrow's unforgettable safari in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Day4 Ngorongoro Crater Floor to Serengeti Serengeti National Park

Rise early for breakfast before descending 600 metres into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's finest wildlife destinations. Spend the morning exploring the crater floor on an unforgettable game drive, where you'll have an excellent chance of spotting the Big Five, including the endangered black rhino, alongside lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, hyenas and an abundance of birdlife. After a scenic picnic lunch overlooking the hippo pools, ascend the crater rim and continue your journey towards the legendary Serengeti National Park. Enjoy wildlife viewing en route as the landscapes transform from the lush Ngorongoro Highlands to the endless plains of the Serengeti. Arrive at Tamu Tamu Serengeti in the late afternoon, where you can relax, enjoy dinner and settle in for the next stage of your unforgettable safari adventure.

Day5 Full Day Serengeti Serengeti National Park

Spend a full day exploring the iconic Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley), the heart of Serengeti National Park and one of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations. For an unforgettable start to the day, you may choose to join an optional sunrise hot air balloon safari, drifting silently above the endless plains before enjoying a champagne bush breakfast. Afterwards, continue with expertly guided game drives through the Seronera Valley, where permanent water sources attract an extraordinary concentration of wildlife throughout the year. Search for lions, elusive leopards resting in acacia trees, resident cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hyenas and vast herds of plains game, while your private guide tailors the day's route to maximise wildlife sightings. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing your afternoon safari, returning to Tamu Tamu Serengeti in the evening for dinner and another memorable night beneath the African stars.

Day6 Serengeti to Zanzibar Zanzibar

Enjoy a final early morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, when predators are often at their most active and the soft morning light creates exceptional wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. After breakfast, transfer to the nearby airstrip for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Serengeti before crossing the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Upon arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, you'll be met and transferred to your beachfront resort. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, relaxing on Zanzibar's powder-white beaches, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean or simply unwinding as your safari adventure gives way to tropical island tranquillity.

Day7 Stone Town & Beach Stone Town

Enjoy a relaxed morning or choose to join an optional guided tour of Stone Town, Zanzibar's historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through its narrow winding streets, discovering centuries of Swahili, Arab, Persian and European influences while visiting iconic landmarks such as the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the former Slave Market and the bustling Darajani Market. You'll also have the opportunity to explore Zanzibar's famous spice and craft markets, where the island's rich trading heritage comes to life. After the tour, return to your beachfront resort and spend the afternoon at leisure, relaxing on the white-sand beaches, swimming in the warm Indian Ocean or enjoying the resort's facilities as the island's laid-back atmosphere takes over.

Day8 Full Day Beach

A free day for snorkelling, a sunset dhow sail, or simply the beach.

Day9 Full Day Beach or Excursion Mnemba Atoll

Optional excursion to Mnemba Atoll for snorkelling or diving, or a spice farm tour, otherwise a further day at leisure.

Day10 Departure Zanzibar

Morning at leisure before transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your onward international flight.

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Destinations on this tour

Ngorongoro Conservation AreaSerengeti National ParkTarangire National ParkZanzibarStone Town

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10 Day Safari & Zanzibar

Tarangire National ParkNgorongoro Conservation AreaSerengeti National ParkZanzibarStone TownMnemba AtollZanzibar

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10 days / 9 nights· from $3,750 per person

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