Highlights
- Tarangire's elephants and baobabs
- Sunrise on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, then a game drive on the crater floor
- Three nights in the Serengeti
- Stone Town's UNESCO-listed lanes, then two nights on the beach
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Land at Kilimanjaro International and transfer to a lodge in the Arusha area. Rest, meet your guide, and check bags. If you arrive early, walk the coffee farms around Usa River.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
A drive of two to three hours takes you to Tarangire, where you’ll spend the day on game drives. Elephants are the highlight, especially between roughly June and October, when the river draws them in from the surrounding plains. Overnight at a tented camp or lodge near the park.
Day 3: To the Ngorongoro rim
Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, about four hours with a stop for lunch, and check in to a lodge on the crater rim. The evening light on the crater is remarkable, and the air is cool.
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater and on to the Serengeti
Descend into the crater early. Lions, rhinos and huge herds of grazers are the main draws. After a picnic lunch, drive on to the Serengeti, stopping at Olduvai Gorge if time permits, and arrive at camp late in the afternoon.
Days 5 and 6: Serengeti
Two full days of game drives. Your guide chooses areas according to recent sightings and the season. Expect large predators and plenty of plains game, and between about July and October, the northern Serengeti and the Mara River for migration crossings. A dawn balloon flight is possible with advance booking.
Day 7: Fly to Zanzibar
Take a morning flight from a Serengeti airstrip to Arusha or Dar es Salaam, then connect to Zanzibar. Expect to arrive by mid-afternoon. Check in to a hotel in Stone Town and go for a walk at sunset around Forodhani Gardens, where food stalls serve grilled seafood.
Day 8: Stone Town to the beach
Spend the morning in Stone Town, visiting the Old Slave Market memorial, the Old Fort or a spice farm on the way out, then transfer to your beach hotel, about an hour away. Choose the north or northeast if you want swimmable water at all tides.
Day 9: Beach day
Nothing is scheduled. Snorkel, take a dhow trip, swim or read. Ask your hotel for tide times, which affect what’s possible on the east coast.
Day 10: Depart
Transfer to Zanzibar airport for your flight. Leave at least three hours before an international departure, and allow extra if connecting via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi.
What’s included and what isn’t
Included: accommodation, meals as described, park fees, 4x4 and driver-guide, domestic flights. Excluded: international flights, visas, tips, insurance and optional activities. As of September 2026, a Tanzanian tourist visa costs about US$50 for most nationalities, and a yellow fever certificate may be required depending on where you’ve travelled from. See our visa guide.
Making it yours
Add nights on the beach, or swap Zanzibar for the southern parks by flying to Nyerere via Dar es Salaam. For a shorter trip, use the eight-day northern circuit. If you’d prefer to stay in Kenya, see the safari and Diani Beach itinerary.
Parks on this route
Tarangire National Park
Baobab-dotted hills and some of Tanzania's biggest elephant herds, best from June to October.
Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area
The world's largest intact volcanic caldera, with a resident wildlife population and a very good chance of seeing a rhino.
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's flagship park and the heart of the Great Migration, with big cats and open plains as far as you can see.
Request this trip
Pricing: Quoted per couple or family. Using the range of about US$350 to US$700 per person per night on safari, plus flights and Zanzibar hotels, expect roughly US$3,500 to US$7,000 per person on the ground. International flights are extra.
Questions about this trip
How do you get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
Fly from a Serengeti airstrip such as Seronera to Arusha or Dar es Salaam, then connect to Zanzibar. Some scheduled and charter options are available, and one connection is typical. Allow most of the day, and don't schedule a tight international connection on the same day.
How long should I spend on Zanzibar?
Four to six nights is a comfortable amount. This itinerary has three nights, which is a short break after a safari. If you'd like a proper rest, add two or three nights, and ask about extending on the beach.
Which Zanzibar beach should I pick?
The north (Nungwi, Kendwa) has swimmable water at all tides and lively evenings. The northeast (Matemwe) is quieter and close to Mnemba Atoll. The southeast (Paje, Jambiani) has wide, shallow beaches and kitesurfing. Our Zanzibar guide compares them.
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Last updated 20 September 2026. Itineraries are starting points. Routes, lodges and prices are adjusted to your dates, group size and budget. Rift & Reef quotes are valid for the dates stated on the quote.