Overview
This is the perfect combination of bush and beach. Begin with a classic Northern Circuit safari — Tarangire’s elephants, three nights in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — then fly to Zanzibar to unwind on white sand beaches.
On the island, explore the winding lanes of Stone Town, visit a spice farm, snorkel at Mnemba Atoll and end each day with a sunset over the Indian Ocean. It is our most-requested honeymoon itinerary.
Route
Highlights
- Northern Circuit safari
- Three nights in the Serengeti
- Flight to Zanzibar
- Stone Town and spice tour
- Five nights on the beach
Activities
- Coffee tour
- Canoeing
- Walking safari
- Game drives
- Walking safaris (outside the park)
- Night drives in adjoining conservancies
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Walking safaris in concession areas
- Crater floor game drive
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Karibu Tanzania
ArushaArrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your lodge on the outskirts of Arusha, set among coffee gardens beneath Mount Meru. Relax after your journey and meet your guide for a safari briefing.
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Day 2:
Tarangire National Park
TarangireAfter breakfast, continue by road from Arusha to Tarangire (about 2 hours). Game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephant families gather beneath giant baobab trees, and look for lions resting in the shade and colourful lovebirds in the acacias.
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Day 3:
Into the Serengeti
SerengetiAfter breakfast, continue by road from Tarangire to Serengeti (5–6 hours). Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the Serengeti plains, passing Maasai herders and gazelle as the grassland opens out to the horizon. Game drive through the park to your camp, arriving for a sundowner and dinner beneath the stars.
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Day 4:
Serengeti Big Cat Country
SerengetiSpend the day exploring the Seronera valley, where the river attracts resident wildlife all year. Your guide will search the sausage trees for leopards and the granite kopjes for lion prides, and you may see cheetah hunting on the open plains.
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Day 5:
Following the Migration
SerengetiHead out with a picnic lunch to wherever the herds are grazing — on the southern plains during calving season, or towards the Grumeti and Mara rivers in the dry months. Watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra moving across the landscape is unforgettable.
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Day 6:
Ngorongoro Crater Descent
Ngorongoro CraterAfter breakfast, continue by road from Serengeti to Ngorongoro (3–4 hours). Descend 600 m into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive on the caldera floor. Look for black rhino in the open grassland, lions resting near the Lerai forest and flamingos on Lake Magadi, with a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool before climbing back to the rim.
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Day 7:
Fly to Zanzibar
ZanzibarAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Ngorongoro to Zanzibar. Transfer to your beach hotel. Kick off your shoes and spend the afternoon swimming in the turquoise water before a seafood dinner by the ocean.
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Day 8:
Stone Town & Spice Tour
ZanzibarExplore Stone Town with a local guide — the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, the Darajani market and the site of the former slave market — then visit a spice farm to taste cloves, cinnamon and vanilla straight from the plant.
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Day 9:
Mnemba Snorkelling
ZanzibarJoin a boat trip to Mnemba Atoll to snorkel over coral reefs with tropical fish, turtles and, often, dolphins. Return for an afternoon at leisure on the beach.
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Day 10:
Beach Day & Sunset Dhow
ZanzibarA day to relax by the ocean, followed by a sunset cruise aboard a traditional dhow.
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Day 11:
At Leisure on Zanzibar
ZanzibarA free day for the beach, spa or an optional visit to Jozani Forest to see the endemic red colobus monkeys.
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Day 12:
Departure
ZanzibarEnjoy a relaxed breakfast and, depending on your flight time, a last stroll or some souvenir shopping. Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight. Safe travels — kwaheri until next time!
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- ArushaGarden lodge on the outskirts of Arusha1 night
- TarangireTented lodge on the park boundary1 night
- SerengetiPermanent tented camp in the central Serengeti3 nights
- Ngorongoro CraterFarm lodge set among coffee gardens in Karatu1 night
- ZanzibarBoutique beach hotel in Nungwi (half board)5 nights
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
- Stone Town walking tour and spice farm visit
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional hot-air balloon flight (currently from around USD 450–600 per person)
Travel information
Best time to travel
June to October and December to February. March to May is the rainy season.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
- Swimwear, sandals and reef-safe sunscreen
- Modest cover-ups for Stone Town, Lamu or Mombasa
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 4,800 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
Which side of Zanzibar is best?
The north (Nungwi/Kendwa) has swimming at all tides; the east coast has quieter, wide lagoons with strong tidal changes. We match the beach to your style.
Gallery
Open image: Mount Meru rising above Arusha
Open image: Masai giraffes in Arusha National Park
Open image: Hikers approaching the summit ridge of Mount Meru
Open image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Open image: African elephants in the Maasai Mara
Open image: Endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Open image: Acacia-dotted grassland in the Serengeti
Open image: Zebra and wildebeest during the Serengeti migrationEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
