This 9-day package combines two of Tanzania's defining experiences: a classic northern circuit safari and a Zanzibar beach extension. The safari begins in Arusha and moves through Tarangire National Park for elephant herds and baobab forests, then two full days in the Serengeti National Park for predator sightings and the great plains, before a full descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. A short flight then connects the safari to Zanzibar for three nights of beach relaxation, exploration of Stone Town, and optional activities including spice farm tours, dolphin trips, and snorkelling.
For a longer version with an extra Zanzibar night, see our 10-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar package. For a wildlife-only itinerary, explore our range of northern circuit safari packages.
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Price $3175 per person when to people Travel together
For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.
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You are met at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport by your guide and driver, who will brief you on the journey ahead. After checking into your hotel in Arusha, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Distance: Airport transfer to Arusha
Activity: Transfer and orientation
Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha
Meals: Dinner and Overnight
After breakfast you depart for Tarangire National Park, famous for its vast elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River — the only permanent water source in the park. The river draws extraordinary concentrations of elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, impalas, eland, lesser kudu, and over 500 bird species. After a full day of game drives, you drive to your lodge near Karatu.
Distance: Approximately 120 km from Arusha to Tarangire
Activity: Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park with picnic lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or camp near Karatu
Meals: Full Board
After breakfast you drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands and enter the Serengeti National Park in the afternoon. En route you may see Maasai communities and wildlife on the open plains before reaching the central Seronera area. An afternoon game drive introduces you to the Serengeti's extraordinary wildlife, with lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes all commonly encountered.
Distance: Approximately 200 km from Karatu to central Serengeti
Activity: Afternoon game drive in the central Serengeti
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Full Board
A full day exploring the Serengeti. Your guide will take you to the most productive areas of the central Seronera region, with morning drives when predators are most active and afternoon sessions covering the hippo pools and open grasslands. The Seronera River provides a permanent water source that supports year-round concentrations of lions, leopards, and a wide cross-section of the Serengeti's species.
Distance: Game drives within Serengeti National Park
Activity: Full-day game drives with morning and afternoon sessions
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in central Serengeti
Meals: Full Board
After an early breakfast you drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the crater for a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. The crater floor covers approximately 260 square kilometres and is home to one of Africa's highest concentrations of wildlife. Lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, flamingos, and the rare black rhino are all regularly encountered within a single day. In the afternoon you drive to your lodge near Karatu.
Distance: Approximately 145 km from Serengeti to Ngorongoro; crater drive within the caldera
Activity: Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive with picnic lunch
Accommodation: Lodge or camp near Karatu
Meals: Full Board
An early start to catch the sunrise over the crater before departing for Arusha Airport. A short internal flight connects you to Zanzibar, where you are met and transferred to your beach accommodation. The afternoon and evening are free to settle in and begin exploring the island at your own pace.
Distance: Internal flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
Activity: Morning transfer to Arusha airport; internal flight to Zanzibar; beach check-in
Accommodation: Beach hotel or resort in Zanzibar
Meals: Dinner and Overnight
A full day in Zanzibar at leisure. Options include relaxing on the beach, exploring the historic quarter of Stone Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Swahili, Arab, Persian, and European architecture — or joining a spice farm tour to learn about the cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and other spices that gave Zanzibar its historic identity as the "Spice Island." All optional activities can be arranged locally.
Distance: Zanzibar Island
Activity: Free day; optional Stone Town exploration, spice farm tour, or beach activities
Accommodation: Beach hotel or resort in Zanzibar
Meals: Dinner and Overnight
A second full day in Zanzibar. Optional activities including dolphin-watching tours off the south coast, snorkelling trips to the surrounding reef, or a sunset dhow cruise can be arranged at additional cost. Otherwise, the day is entirely at leisure.
Distance: Zanzibar Island
Activity: Free day; optional dolphin tour, snorkelling, or dhow cruise (at extra cost)
Accommodation: Beach hotel or resort in Zanzibar
Meals: Dinner and Overnight
After breakfast your driver transfers you to Zanzibar Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your Tanzania safari and beach holiday.
Distance: Zanzibar Airport transfer
Activity: Airport transfer and departure
Accommodation: N/A – departure day
Meals: Breakfast
Add a fourth Zanzibar night or a northern circuit park such as Lake Manyara or Lake Eyasi before the flight. See our 10-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar package for the extended version.
Yes. The internal flight from Arusha to Zanzibar on Day 6 is included in the package price.
The safari parks operate year-round. The dry season (June to October) offers the clearest skies and best wildlife visibility in Tarangire and the Serengeti. Zanzibar's beaches are excellent year-round, with the driest months being June to October and December to February. The long rains (March to May) should generally be avoided for Zanzibar beach visits.
Tarangire is outstanding for elephant herds and diverse birdlife. The central Serengeti provides reliable year-round sightings of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and large herds of plains game. The Ngorongoro Crater offers one of Africa's best chances to see the rare black rhino alongside the full Big Five.
Stone Town offers a UNESCO World Heritage historic quarter of winding alleys, carved doors, and Swahili architecture. Optional activities include spice farm tours, dolphin-watching off the south coast, snorkelling and reef trips, dhow sunset cruises, and beach relaxation. Most optional activities can be arranged locally at extra cost.
Airport and hotel transfers, all accommodation as specified, all safari meals, professional English-speaking guide, 4WD safari vehicle, all game drive and park fees, the internal flight to Zanzibar, and meals in Zanzibar as specified. International flights, visa fees, and optional activities are excluded.
Yes. Game drives and Zanzibar beach days are both family-friendly. Please discuss any specific requirements for children when booking.
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so a single Tanzania visa covers both. Most nationalities require a tourist visa, available as an e-visa in advance or on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Yellow fever documentation may be required. Consult a travel health clinic in advance.
Yes. Extra safari days, additional parks, or a longer Zanzibar stay can all be arranged. Contact us to discuss your preferences.
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