Day 1: Welcome to Tanzania – Masai Cultural Stay

Your Tanzanian adventure begins the moment you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Our professional team greets you with warm hospitality, handling all arrival formalities efficiently so you can start relaxing immediately.

Transfer to your accommodation near Arusha, nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. This city serves as the gateway to Tanzania’s legendary Northern Safari Circuit and offers the perfect introduction to East African culture.

Arusha sits at an elevation that provides pleasantly temperate weather year-round. The surrounding region hosts some of Africa’s most iconic destinations—Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, and numerous other natural wonders lie within reach.

Accommodation: Arusha area lodge
Meals: Dinner included

Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Land of Giants

After breakfast, your safari journey truly begins. Drive to Tarangire National Park for your first full day of wildlife viewing with picnic lunch boxes prepared for your adventure.

Why Tarangire is Special

This relatively quiet park lies slightly off the main tourist circuit, resulting in authentic, uncrowded safari experiences. Tarangire hosts Tanzania’s highest concentration of elephants outside Kenya’s Amboseli—family groups numbering in the hundreds congregate here during dry season.

The landscape is dominated by iconic baobab trees, some over 1,000 years old, creating a primordial atmosphere unlike anywhere else. The perennial Tarangire River draws wildlife year-round, but particularly during dry months (June-October) when this becomes the only permanent water source for miles.

Beyond elephants, expect encounters with tree-climbing lions, leopards, cheetahs, large buffalo herds, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and over 550 bird species including numerous endemics.

Your expert guide navigates prime viewing locations while sharing fascinating insights about animal behavior, ecology, and conservation challenges facing Tanzania’s wildlife.

Accommodation: Tented camp near Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included

Day 3: Walking Safari Adventure – Experience Africa on Foot

Today offers something truly special—the opportunity to experience the African bush at ground level.

Walking Safari Experience

After breakfast, meet your armed ranger and venture into the wilderness on foot. Walking safaris provide perspectives impossible from vehicles. You’ll learn to read animal tracks, identify bird calls, understand plant uses in traditional medicine, and notice the countless small creatures that vehicle-bound visitors miss entirely.

Your ranger shares bush survival skills while ensuring safety around potentially dangerous wildlife. The pace is gentle, allowing time for questions and photography. This intimate encounter with nature creates profound connections impossible to achieve from inside a vehicle.

Afternoon Game Drive

Return to camp for lunch and relaxation during the hottest hours, then head out for an afternoon game drive. Evening light transforms the landscape, creating spectacular photography conditions while animals become increasingly active as temperatures cool.

Tarangire’s ecosystem supports remarkable diversity beyond the famous elephants. Watch for fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk antelopes, and the peculiar Lesser Kudu. Predators patrol the riverbanks, and massive pythons occasionally drape themselves across tree branches.

Accommodation: Tented camp near Tarangire
Meals: All meals included

Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park – Flamingos and Tree Lions

After breakfast, journey to Lake Manyara National Park for a full day of exploration.

Lake Manyara’s Unique Character

This compact park punches well above its size in terms of biodiversity and scenic beauty. The park takes its name from the Maasai word “manyara,” referring to the Euphorbia tirucalli plant used for constructing livestock enclosures.

The alkaline lake itself attracts thousands of flamingos that paint the shoreline pink during certain seasons. The bird diversity here is extraordinary—over 400 species have been recorded, making this a paradise for birding enthusiasts.

The Famous Tree-Climbing Lions

Lake Manyara is one of few places in Africa where lions regularly climb trees—a behavior possibly developed to escape biting insects or to catch cooling breezes. Spotting these magnificent cats lounging on acacia branches creates unforgettable photographic opportunities.

The park’s diverse habitats—from groundwater forest to acacia woodland and grassy floodplains—support healthy populations of elephants, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and numerous antelope species.

Return to your lodge for lunch with views overlooking the Rift Valley escarpment, then continue exploring during the productive late afternoon hours.

Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Manyara
Meals: All meals included

Day 5: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Crater Rim Exploration

After breakfast, transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of Africa’s most remarkable landscapes.

Exploring the Crater Rim

Today focuses on exploring the rim of this massive volcanic caldera. Guided walks along the crater edge offer breathtaking perspectives of the 600-meter vertical drop into the crater floor below. The views are simply staggering—on clear days, you can observe wildlife on the crater floor even from this elevation.

Return to your lodge for lunch, then enjoy a free afternoon. Many lodges in this area feature stunning infinity pools that seem to float above the crater, creating the perfect setting for relaxation while absorbing the extraordinary views.

Optional Activities

Consider a guided village visit to interact with local Maasai communities and learn about their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle. Alternatively, explore the surrounding highlands on mountain bikes or nature walks through the verdant forests that cloak the crater slopes.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro area lodge
Meals: All meals included

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – The Garden of Eden

Today brings one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife experiences as you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater.

The World’s Largest Intact Caldera

This extraordinary natural amphitheater spans approximately 20 kilometers across and drops 600 meters from rim to floor, encompassing roughly 300 square kilometers of diverse habitats. The crater formed about two million years ago when a massive volcano—possibly as tall as Kilimanjaro—collapsed inward.

The permanent water sources, rich grasslands, acacia forests, and swampy areas create a self-contained ecosystem supporting approximately 25,000 large animals. This results in some of the densest wildlife concentrations on the African continent.

Wildlife Encounters

Your full-day crater floor exploration targets different habitats throughout the day:

• Morning: Search the grasslands for lions, cheetahs, and grazing herds
• Midday: Visit Lake Magadi to observe flamingo flocks and hippo pods
• Afternoon: Explore the Lerai Forest where elephants and buffalos seek shade

The crater hosts one of Tanzania’s best remaining populations of endangered black rhinoceros. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, your chances here exceed most other East African destinations.

Look for the distinctive black-maned lions unique to this crater population. Scientists believe the combination of elevation, temperature, and genetic isolation contributes to this characteristic.

After a full day of extraordinary wildlife viewing, ascend back to the crater rim as sunset transforms the landscape into a palette of golds and purples. Continue to Serengeti National Park, checking into your accommodation as stars emerge.

Accommodation: Serengeti tented camp
Meals: All meals included

Day 7: Central Serengeti – Endless Plains Exploration

After breakfast, embark on a full day exploring Seronera, the central Serengeti region known for exceptional year-round wildlife viewing.

Serengeti – A Worldwide Wonder

Tanzania’s oldest and most celebrated national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and recently proclaimed one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The name “Serengeti” derives from the Maasai word “Siringitu,” meaning “endless plains”—a description that perfectly captures the landscape’s overwhelming vastness.

The Great Migration

The Serengeti is synonymous with the Great Migration—the planet’s largest terrestrial wildlife movement. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles follow ancient rainfall patterns in an endless circular journey seeking fresh grazing.

While the migration timing varies by location and season, the Serengeti delivers exceptional wildlife viewing year-round. Massive buffalo herds, elephant families, towering giraffes, and thousands of antelopes including eland, topi, kongoni, impala, and Grant’s gazelle create constant spectacle.

Central Serengeti Highlights

The Seronera Valley hosts permanent water sources that attract wildlife regardless of season. This makes central Serengeti the park’s most reliable area for big cat sightings. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs patrol these plains in substantial numbers.

Your guide positions you for optimal sightings based on recent wildlife movements tracked via radio communication with other guides. Hot lunch is served at a scenic picnic site, allowing time to absorb your surroundings before continuing exploration.

Accommodation: Serengeti tented camp
Meals: All meals included

Day 8: Full Day Serengeti Safari – Dawn to Dusk

Maximize your Serengeti experience with an early start to catch the magic hour.

Sunrise Game Drive

Depart before dawn with packed breakfast to position yourself for sunrise wildlife viewing. This golden hour produces the most atmospheric lighting for photography while animals are at their most active.

Predators that hunted overnight are still visible, while herbivores graze nervously, constantly vigilant for threats. The cool morning air amplifies sound—you might hear lion roars echoing across the plains or the distinctive laugh of hyenas.

The Migration Spectacle

If timing aligns with migration movements in your area, prepare for one of nature’s most dramatic sights. Endless columns of wildebeest stretch to the horizon, their journey driven by ancient instincts unchanged for millennia.

The migration isn’t simply about numbers—it’s about the complete ecosystem. Watch territorial conquests unfold, witness frenzied mating rituals during the rut, and observe predators exploiting opportunities. During calving season (January-March in southern Serengeti), over 8,000 calves are born daily.

River crossings (typically July-October in northern Serengeti) showcase nature’s brutal beauty as massive herds plunge through crocodile-infested waters, survival instinct overriding fear.

Midday Relaxation

Return to camp for hot lunch and siesta during peak heat. Many camps feature comfortable common areas or pools perfect for afternoon relaxation while reviewing morning photographs.

Evening Safari

Resume game viewing in late afternoon when temperatures cool and wildlife activity increases. The low-angle evening sun bathes the landscape in warm golden light that makes every photograph spectacular.

Accommodation: Serengeti tented camp
Meals: All meals included

Day 9: Flight to Zanzibar – Safari to Spice Island

Enjoy one final morning game drive, making the most of your last hours in the Serengeti. Each drive offers different encounters—no two Serengeti mornings are ever identical.

After breakfast and wildlife viewing, transfer to Seronera airstrip for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. This scenic flight eliminates long overland transfers, maximizing your time in both locations.

Arriving in Zanzibar

Upon landing at Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, the warm, humid coastal air immediately signals your transition from savanna to tropical island. Our representative greets you for transfer to Stone Town.

Stone Town Introduction

Your first evening accommodation places you in the heart of Stone Town, allowing you to absorb the atmosphere of this historic trading port. The narrow, winding streets, ornate carved doors, and aromatic spice scents create an exotic ambiance distinctly different from mainland Tanzania.

Accommodation: Stone Town hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner included

Day 10: Stone Town Heritage Tour & Spice Plantation Experience

Today explores Zanzibar’s rich cultural heritage and agricultural traditions.

Stone Town UNESCO World Heritage Walking Tour

After breakfast, your guide leads you through Stone Town’s labyrinthine streets, revealing layers of history dating back over 1,000 years. This historic quarter reflects centuries of influences—African, Arab, Persian, Indian, and European cultures all left their mark.

Highlights Include:

• The Old Fort (Arab Fort), built by Omani Arabs in the 17th century
• House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib), once the Sultan’s ceremonial palace
• Former slave market and Anglican Cathedral
• Forodhani Gardens waterfront
• Darajani Market bustling with local commerce
• Ornately carved Zanzibari doors (each tells a story through its design)
• Freddie Mercury’s birthplace (the Queen frontman was born here)

Your guide shares stories of Sultan Barghash, the spice trade that made Zanzibar wealthy, and the dark history of East Africa’s slave trade that passed through this port.

Spice Plantation Tour

After Stone Town exploration, transfer to a working spice plantation for an immersive sensory experience. Zanzibar earned the nickname “Spice Island” for good reason—cloves, vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and countless other spices thrive in the island’s tropical climate.

Your plantation guide reveals how various spices grow, explains traditional harvesting methods, and describes uses in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. You’ll see, smell, touch, and taste everything from black pepper vines to towering vanilla orchids.

The tour culminates in a traditional lunch at your guide’s home, featuring dishes incorporating the morning’s discovered spices. This authentic meal provides insight into genuine Zanzibari cuisine beyond tourist restaurants.

After lunch, transfer to your beach resort on Zanzibar’s stunning northern coast.

Accommodation: North coast beach resort
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included

Days 11-14: Zanzibar Beach Paradise – Pure Relaxation

The next four days are yours to design as you wish—maximum flexibility allows you to balance activity with relaxation according to your mood.

Beach Bliss

Zanzibar’s northern beaches rank among Africa’s most beautiful. Azure waters lap against powder-white coral sand, palm trees provide natural shade, and the pace of life slows to match the gentle ocean rhythms.

Your resort location offers stunning vistas where the Indian Ocean stretches endlessly toward the horizon. Note that some areas experience tidal variations—at high tide, water reaches the shore, while low tide reveals extensive coral flats ideal for walking and tide pool exploration.

Optional Activities

Jozani Forest Excursion:
Visit Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home to the endangered Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey found nowhere else on Earth. These charming primates with their distinctive russet coats and tufted heads live in troops throughout this protected forest. Follow boardwalks through mangrove ecosystems while guides explain the intricate balance of these tidal forests.

Water Sports & Marine Activities:

• Snorkeling pristine coral reefs teeming with tropical fish
• Diving expeditions (PADI courses available)
• Kayaking through mangrove channels
• Sunset dhow cruises on traditional sailing vessels
• Deep-sea fishing charters
• Kitesurfing (northern beaches offer ideal conditions)

Cultural Experiences:

• Visit traditional fishing villages
• Learn Swahili cooking in hands-on classes
• Explore local markets for handicrafts and textiles
• Sunset at stone town (return day trips easily arranged)

Wellness & Relaxation:

• Beach massages and spa treatments
• Yoga sessions overlooking the ocean
• Simply reading, swimming, and recharging

The beauty of these days lies in having no obligations. Follow your instincts—be as active or relaxed as you desire.

Accommodation: North coast beach resort (4 nights)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included daily

Day 15: Departure – Journey Home

Your final morning on Zanzibar allows one last sunrise beach walk or refreshing ocean swim before breakfast.

Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll have time for final souvenir shopping, a last ocean dip, or simply savoring coffee while watching waves roll in. Flights to Dar es Salaam or direct international departures are coordinated to minimize waiting time.

Our team ensures smooth airport transfers with plenty of time for check-in, handling all logistics so your journey home begins stress-free.

As you depart, you’ll carry memories of elephant herds silhouetted against African sunsets, lions prowling endless plains, the overwhelming crater vista, and the soothing rhythm of Zanzibar’s turquoise waters—experiences that will call you back to Tanzania.