This 9 Day Tanzania Safari Tour & Zanzibar Holiday combines a wildlife safari in Serengeti and other top Tanzania national parks with a holiday extension to Zanzibar Island.
We start this trip with excellent game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park, then spend a few days on safari in Serengeti National Park. After your Big 5 Serengeti Safari, explore the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater on an extensive game drive. Take in the beautiful scenery of the famous Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, traveling through the Malanja Depression, Maasai villages, and the Great Rift Valley.
Next, fly from Arusha to Zanzibar Island for a laid-back tropical beach holiday.
We will pick you up early in the morning from your accommodation in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National park. The park is one of the largest national parks in Tanzania located in the Manyara region, this park is especially known for large elephant herds and the Tarangire river which flows all year round and is the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. The 2 hr drive to the park is along a good tarmac road across gently rolling Maasai plains with scattered acacia trees.
On arrival at the Park, We explore the wildlife park in a customized 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for maximum visibility. During our game drive, we stop for a picnic lunch in the African bush. Tarangire hosts an array of wild animals, including lions and buffalos, as well as various antelopes, wildebeest, giraffes, and zebras. The national park covers some 2600km² of wilderness, characterized by undulating plains dotted with baobab and acacia trees. After our wildlife safari in Tarangire National Park, we head to our first overnight stay at a tented safari lodge a short drive from the park.
Our accommodation options for this safari depend on your package type preference, We are happy to recommend top-notch lodge/ Camp options upon inquiry
Early in the morning, we will depart Tarangire National Park for Southern Serengeti National Park. Enjoy a scenic route to the Southern Serengeti passing along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Serengeti is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa; it also features spectacular Wildebeest Migration and is home to all the big predators. You will have the opportunity for an afternoon game drive in the Ndutu area while enjoying a picnic lunch on umbrella acacia trees. We will resume our journey and progress further into the Central Serengeti for a game drive. After a remarkable evening on safari in Serengeti National Park, we return to our accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
We Spend this full day exploring the vast plains of the Serengeti, giving us a great opportunity to explore all through the kopjes and riverine areas. Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest park and contains a plethora of animals and is popular for the annual migration of wildebeests. During the day, we pause for a picnic lunch in the African wilderness. Here we will hopefully see the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo), as well as a dazzling assortment of other wildlife. After a remarkable day on safari in Serengeti National Park, we return to our accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day four starts with breakfast at the safari camp, as the sun rises. Then we take a game drive through Serengeti Park on our way out of the national park, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, especially in the early morning hours when animals and birds are more active. Next, we visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
We descend to the Ngorongoro Crater floor, taking in stunning views of the world’s largest unflooded caldera on the way down. The crater is home to the Big Five and almost every kind of big mammal found in Africa. After a rewarding game drive in this World Heritage Site, we drive out of the crater to transfer to our accommodation in The Ngorongoro Conservation Area for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, we will drive to Lake Manyara via Maasai village. The Park derives its name from the Maasai word Manyara. The Park offers a wide array of animals and birds, and taking in the bush scenery on game viewing drives. The national park is dominated by the Great Rift Lake of Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake attracting numerous water birds. Lake Manyara is best known for the huge seasonal flamingo flocks fringing its shores, along with various other waterfowl.
The national park is also known for its tree-climbing lions, often spotted sleeping in the trees or in the shade below, as well as its big baboon troops. On our game drive, we lookout for elephants, hippos, buffalos, banded mongooses, monkeys, klipspringers, and numerous gazelle and antelope species. In the afternoon, drive back to Arusha which concludes your safari. After collecting full-day safari memories, we transfer to our booked accommodation for dinner and overnight stay
On day seven of this Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Holiday Package, we travel from our Lake Manyara to Arusha after breakfast.
The last leg of our safari in Tanzania takes us via the beautiful Great Rift Valley. Along the way, we pass through the rural villages of Mto wa Mbu and Makuyuni, gaining insight into local life in Tanzania. At about midday, we arrive in Arusha where your guide drops you off at the airport. Say goodbye to your Tanzania safari guide and get ready to catch your included flight to Zanzibar Island.
This short flight takes you to the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago, upon arrival at the Zanzibar International Airport, at about 15h30, you are met by our friendly driver/guide. On arrival in Zanzibar you will be met and taken to your historic hotel in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage City
Today you will enjoy a tour of the backstreets of Stone Town, a wonderful introduction of Zanzibar that gives you the feeling of the rich cultural heritage. Magnificent architecture, narrow alleys, sand and stone ancient built houses where some of them are over 200 Years old that have Arab/Indian carved wooden doors. We begin this tour at the main City market which was opened in 1904, where tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and fresh fish from the island are sold. Our next stop will be at the Anglican Church of Christ built by Bishop Steers in 1873 on the site where slaves were being auctioned. Other highlights include the Sultan’s Palace, House of Wonders, The Africa House, Jamituri Gardens and a visit to the Old Fort
You will transfer to Nungwi. This large village at Zanzibar Island’s northernmost tip was once best known as a dhow-building centre. Today it’s a major tourist destination, thanks in part to the beautiful beach and stunning sunsets. The result: a place where traditional and modern knock against each other with full force. Diving, snorkeling, fishing and other water sports are the main attraction here. From Nungwi, frequented dive sites are mainly down the east coast or to Mnemba Island and reefs near Tumbatu Island. For swimmers, Nungwi’s local geography and tidal pattern mean swimming is possible at any time. Other activities available include yoga, cycling and guided tours of the village.
Today is the final day of our adventure however extra nights in Zanzibar can be arranged upon request. Breakfast is served and savoured at our hotel after which we transfer to the airport or seaport according to the time of your departure back home or onwards replete with images and memories of our magical adventure.