11-Day Mid-Range Northern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

Your safari adventure takes off with a hospitable reception at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The airport is 50 km from Arusha, a city renowned as the go-to safari destination in Tanzania, which is located at the foot of the Mount Meru. From the airport, a private transfer service takes you to a mid-range lodge that sits within splendid gardens. At the lodge you will check into a room that is fully furnished with modern amenities, including an en-suite bathroom and a private veranda that provides tranquil views of nature. As you relax afterwards for the day, you might consider moving around the grounds in search of the local bird population which includes the silvery-cheeked hornbill, or simply sipping a hot cup of Tanzanian coffee. Later, enjoy a sumptuous welcome dinner in the cozy dining area where you are served with fresh, local meals, and Mount Kilimanjaro can be mildly seen in the background. Pep provided by your luxurious accommodation will ease you to sleep in the open African skies, feeling fully prepped for the guide's detailed briefing on the Northern Circuit adventure.

Activities: Airport transfer, lodge relaxation, safari briefing
Animals to See: Local birdlife (e.g., silvery-cheeked hornbill)
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge in Arusha
Meals: Dinner

You will have breakfast at the lodge, and then set off in the morning for Arusha National Park, a little gem of 137km² that is about 40km away. It's only a 1-hour drive from the lodge. The Park has a variety of wildlife and features like a half day game drive bolstered by forests and hills that include cows, giraffes, buffaloes, along with if you are lucky, the black-and-white colobus monkeys. They also have flamingos at the Merm Lakes as well as picturesque views of Mount Meru. Your guide will share insights about the park’s ecosystem while you get the chance to take stunning pictures. Later you will enjoy a picnic lunch next to the lake along with the wilderness which is truly captivating. After lunch, you will head back to the lodge without Arusha in the midafternoon. The lodge is comfortable and helps you unwind after a day fussed with nature. Dinner is served in the dining area, and you can indulge in good food, which makes for a great closure for your day after a good reflection on your first taste of the wild.

Activities: Half-day game drive
Animals to See: Giraffes, buffalo, colobus monkeys, flamingos
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge in Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After enjoying a big breakfast, begin a leisurely two hour (130 km) drive (after checking out from your lodge) in your private 4X4 safari vehicle to Tarangire National Park which is famous for its elephant population and the baobab trees; these activities may include full day game drives along the Tarangire River where you will see hundreds of elephants bathing and drinking (which happens during the dry season from June to October), giraffes for acacia leaves, zebras and wildebeests grazing, and with some luck lions or leopards in the shade along with colorful birds like the lilac breasted roller. Elephants poor picnic lunch under a baobab when there is eye candy savanna view. A mid – range tented camp is checked into and cozy together with en suite tents and veranda private which the bush sounds create an authentic setting. Supper in the monster is served.

Activities: Full-day game drive
Animals to See: Elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, lions, leopards (rare), lilac-breasted rollers
Accommodation: Mid-range tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Upon arriving at the park, begin the day with a scenic game drive through forests and water bodies where you might encounter: lions, hippos, flamingos, bison, and even monkeys (that have the highest density population in the world). After this, you can enjoy a delicious picnic lunch while soaking in the vistas of the Great Rift Valley. After basking in the views, there's an optional chance to take a short walk with an armed ranger to explore the hidden gems like butterflies. For the night, head over to a stunning mid-range lodge that offers cozy rooms, satisfying meals, and provides an eye pleasing view of the surrounding regions.Activities: Morning game drive, optional nature walk
Animals to See: Lions, buffalo, hippos, baboons, flamingos, pelicans, storks
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After enjoying a delectable breakfast at the lodge, embark on a four-hour drive spanning 240 kilometers through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Serengeti National Park. Known for its enormous plains and being home to the Great Migration, the park covers an area of 14,763 square kilometers. In the afternoon, go for a game drive in the Seronera region and observe some wonderful wildlife: lions on kopjes (rocky outcrops) and the pride of Africa, cheetahs sprinting effortlessly over the endless grasslands, leopards lazily lounging in the acacia trees, African elephants, along with calves, and if it's the right season (June-July) you might even glimpse the first herds of wildebeests and zebras as they begin their northern migration. During the safari, the local expert guide will provide insightful information about the ecosystem of the Serengeti and generously provide binoculars to observe the wildlife. Secrets will be revealed during the meal while you relax under an acacia tree, enjoying splendid views of the savory horizon surrounding the area. Afterward, you will arrive at a mid-range lodge which will serve you dinner while wildlife calls echo in the distance, and after darkness settles, you can unobtrusively call the lodge your home for the night, after enjoying the rooms that have cozy bedding, en-suite facilities, and a breathtaking view of the plains.Activities: Afternoon game drive
Animals to See: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeests (seasonal), zebras
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

To start the day, enjoy breakfast at the lodge, then continue onto an all-day trip to the central region of the Serengeti. Your itinerary will include game drives for both the morning and afternoon, where it is possible to view lions hunting, giraffes feeding, cheetahs chasing after their meal, and, if you are fortunate, the countless herds of the Great Migration. During your drives, you will have chances to view ostriches and various species of birds. At some point during the day, your guide will customize the trip according to your preferences, so you may stop at lovely locations to take photos and enjoy a packed lunch during a peaceful picnic in a picturesque location. It could be by a water hole where hippos reside. As you watch the sun dip into the horizon, optional sundowners can be served alongside drinks. This will allow you to see the breathtaking views over the savannah, and afterwards, you can reflect on the day as you are served a satisfying dinner back at the lodge where you will also have the rest of the night to yourself.Activities: Full-day game drives, optional sundowners
Animals to See: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, wildebeests (seasonal), zebras, ostriches, hippos
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start the day with a full breakfast before heading to the lodge from which we will depart for Kilimanjaro Airport and enjoy a serene view of the crater. Before reaching the airport, we have a game drive afternoon session which starts from Ngorongoro Crater and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famously known as “Africa’s Garden of Eden.” Here you will have the opportunity to see around 30 black rhinos dwelling in the area, leaping lions, massive herds of buffalo, elephants scattering across the plains, timid leopards hiding in the brambles, and hyenas along with zebras; during the ride your guide will stop over a hippo pool for lunch and stunning crater views. After enjoying the jaw dropping views we will return to a mid-range lodge built on the crater rim where we will spend the night, the rooms offer cozy beds accompanied with a dazzling view of the caldera, a perfect view to sip on some flavorful dinner, and boxed lunches for the remainder of the trip heightened by the calming breezes of the highland covered in fog.

Activities: Afternoon game drive (Ngorongoro Crater)
Animals to See: Black rhinos, lions, buffalo, elephants, leopards (rare), hyenas, zebras, hippos
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge on the crater rim
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a wholesome breakfast at the crater-rim lodge. After breakfast, take three hours’ drive back to Arusha for a short charter flight to Zanzibar. The flight takes around two hours. You will land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. From there, a private transfer will take you to a mid-range beach resort located on the east coast of the island. After settling down in the comfortable room with en-suite facilities, you will be ready to enjoy the stunning view of the Indian Ocean from your private room balcony. In the later hours, make sure to spend some time relaxing on the white-sand beach, while taking a dip in the warm sea or sipping a cool drink as the sun sets. For dinner, make sure to enjoy some seafood dishes available at the resort. Some ocean-breeze will be blowing, making the ambience perfect for your first night in a tropical paradise.

Activities: Drive to Arusha, charter flight, beach relaxation
Animals to See: None (travel day)
Accommodation: Mid-range beach resort in Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After having breakfast at the resort, you will have the rest of the day to enjoy Zanzibar’s clear waters. You can spend the morning relaxing on the beach, snorkeling in the coral reefs where equipment is provided, or taking a dip in the ocean. While lounging on the beach, you will be served a picnic style lunch. In the afternoon you can either explore the nearby area or relax with your family on the beach. For dinner, you will be served seafood along with some local spices which should be a perfect end to your day while you unwind under the stars.

Activities: Beach relaxation, snorkeling
Animals to See: Marine life (snorkeling, optional)
Accommodation: Mid-range beach resort in Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Have breakfast and set out for a guided trip to Spice Town that is about an hour away in a car. You will get to see the vibrant Darajani Market and the Old Fort, which will take you deep into the Swahili culture of the island. After learning about the history of the island, go for a walking tour in the spice plantations, where you will get the chance to sample local specialties like cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. Everything walks hand in hand with Zanzibar's title as the ‘Spice Island.’ Return to the resort in the mid-afternoon to unwind at the beach or relax. Enjoy dinner at the resort where you will get specially prepared seafood with a tropical twist while gazing at the ocean.

Activities: Stone Town excursion, spice tour, beach relaxation
Animals to See: None (cultural day)
Accommodation: Mid-range beach resort in Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following a tropical breakfast at the resort, have a relaxed morning which may include a final swim at the beach or a walk on the beach prior to being taken in a private transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your flight. The drive takes around 1 hour where you should be at the airport at least an hour prior. After checking in you will board a flight to Arusha which will take around 1.5 hours and arrives at midday. Following the arrival at the airport, a mid-range lodge will be available for you to rest or grab a light lunch before heading to Kilimanjaro International Airport. With the ultimate blend of serenity and adventure, you will depart from the country with incredible memories of the wildlife in Tanzania, alongside the calm shores in Zanzibar.  

Activities: Beach relaxation, flight to Arusha, departure
Animals to See: None (travel day)
Accommodation: None (Departure Day)
Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch