10 Days Tanzania Bush to Beach Safari
This 10-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want Tanzania’s iconic wildlife and Zanzibar’s white-sand reset—without stressful logistics. The safari portion focuses on the Northern Circuit: Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, Serengeti for big cats and sweeping plains, and Ngorongoro Crater for one of Africa’s highest wildlife densities. After the crater, you transition smoothly to the coast and fly to Zanzibar, where the pace slows: ocean swims, dhow-style sunset moments, and curated cultural highlights from Stone Town to spice farms.
Your days are planned around the best wildlife windows (early mornings and late afternoons), and travel time is managed carefully so you spend more time experiencing—less time sitting in the car. We build in comfort breaks, scenic viewpoints, and realistic timings, while keeping the itinerary flexible enough to follow special sightings and your personal interests.
Want to tailor it further? We can adjust camp levels, upgrade to a balloon safari in Serengeti, add more beach nights, or include diving/snorkeling days—while keeping the same smooth itinerary flow.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Private Transfer to Arusha
On arrival at JRO, you’ll be met by our team for a private transfer to Arusha. We assist with a smooth meet-and-greet, help with luggage, and then drive you into the calm of Arusha where you can reset after your international flight. On clear days, Mount Meru often appears on the horizon, setting the tone for the days ahead.
After check-in, the pace is yours. Some travelers prefer to rest and recharge; others like a gentle start—coffee, a short walk, or time by the pool. In the evening, your guide (or our representative) reviews the next day’s departure time, explains the safari rhythm, and shares practical tips on wildlife viewing, photography, and what to expect in each park.
Overnight: Aya Sophia Wildlife Villa (Arusha) • Meals: Dinner (depending on arrival time)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Full Game Drive – Karatu Highlands
After an early breakfast, you depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park—famous for its elephant herds, giant baobabs, and the Tarangire River that draws wildlife especially in the dry season. Once inside the park, the day becomes a true safari: scanning riverbanks for lion and leopard, watching herds of zebra and wildebeest move through open grass, and encountering elephants feeding in the shade of baobabs.
Your guide plans the day with patience and purpose: slow driving where wildlife is active, time for photos, and stops for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot. Tarangire often surprises guests with its variety—giraffe browsing acacia, buffalo in the distance, and a rich birdlife near seasonal swamps. As the afternoon cools, animals often become more active again, making the final hours of the game drive especially rewarding.
Later, you exit the park and drive toward the cooler Karatu area near the Ngorongoro highlands. The change in scenery is dramatic: from savannah to greener farmland, coffee plantations, and hillside views. Arrive at your lodge for dinner and a comfortable night.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge or Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Drive to Serengeti – Scenic Transitions – Afternoon Game Drive
Today you journey into the legendary Serengeti. After breakfast, you climb through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where viewpoints open across vast landscapes. This drive is part of the experience—watching the terrain shift from highland forests into open plains, and keeping your eyes open for wildlife even before entering Serengeti National Park.
If timing allows, you can stop near Olduvai Gorge (often called the “Cradle of Mankind”) for a brief historical perspective on early human discovery in this region. Then you continue to Naabi Hill Gate, complete entry procedures, and begin game viewing as you drive deeper into Serengeti. Your guide tracks recent sightings and chooses routes with the best chance of predators and big herds.
You arrive at camp, settle in, and then head out again for an afternoon game drive when the light turns golden and animals begin moving more actively. Return at sunset for dinner—listening to the sounds of the bush and enjoying the atmosphere that makes Serengeti unforgettable.
Overnight: Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Full Serengeti Safari – Big Cats, Plains, and Hidden Corners
This is a full Serengeti day—built for maximum wildlife time. You start early, when predators are most active and the sunrise light is perfect for photography. Your guide reads the day in real time: fresh tracks, alarm calls, and radio updates help decide whether to search kopjes for leopard, scan open plains for cheetah, or follow lion prides as they reposition after the night.
You’ll break for a picnic lunch (or a relaxed camp lunch if preferred), then continue exploring in the afternoon. Because you have a full day, you can stay longer on special sightings and avoid rushing between areas. Expect a rich mix of scenes: grazing herds, dramatic predator behavior, and smaller moments—birds of prey, hippos in pools, and the rhythm of the ecosystem.
Optional upgrade: Hot air balloon safari (early morning) followed by a bush breakfast—one of Serengeti’s most iconic experiences.
Overnight: Serengeti Tortilis Camp or Serengeti Signature Luxury Tented Camp • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Morning Serengeti – Cultural Stop (Maasai Boma) – Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
After breakfast, you enjoy a final Serengeti game drive—perfect for revisiting hotspots or searching for what you still want to see most. The morning window can be excellent for action: lions returning from hunts, hyenas patrolling, and big herds moving toward water.
Later, you begin the scenic transfer toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, you can stop at a Maasai boma for a respectful cultural visit—learning about traditional pastoral life, homestead structure, and daily routines. This adds depth to the journey and puts Tanzania’s landscapes into human context beyond wildlife.
Arrive in the highlands where the air is cooler and views stretch across the crater rim. Enjoy a relaxed evening and early night—tomorrow is your crater descent day.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp or Ngorongoro Ang’ata Camp • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Transfer to Arusha – Flight to Zanzibar – Nungwi
You start early and descend into Ngorongoro Crater—one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife areas. Over the morning and midday, you explore changing habitats: open grasslands, swampy zones, woodland patches, and the soda lake. The crater can deliver extraordinary sightings in a single drive—lion, buffalo, hippo, hyena, zebra, and elephant are common, and your guide will focus on the best areas for a chance to spot black rhino.
After a picnic lunch inside the crater, you ascend to the rim and begin the transfer back toward Arusha Airport for your Zanzibar flight. We plan timings carefully to keep the day smooth and realistic. On arrival in Zanzibar, our team meets you and transfers you to Nungwi—one of the island’s most beautiful beach areas, known for white sand and calm swimming conditions.
Check in, take a deep breath, and let the pace change. A sunset walk on the beach is the perfect way to close the safari chapter and open the beach chapter.
Overnight: Warere Beach Resort (Nungwi) • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (picnic), Dinner (Half-board)
Day 7: Nungwi Beach Day – Relaxation, Swimming, and Optional Water Activities
Today is designed for rest and enjoyment. After breakfast with ocean views, you have a full day to settle into Zanzibar’s rhythm: swimming in turquoise water, relaxing on powdery sand, or simply taking time to do nothing at all—exactly what a beach extension should be after safari.
If you want more activity, we can help arrange optional snorkeling trips, diving, or a visit to local craft areas. Nungwi also offers a glimpse into coastal village life, and short walks can reveal dhow boats, fishermen, and the island’s slow, friendly pace.
Overnight: Warere Beach Resort (Nungwi) • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Half-board)
Day 8: Dolphin Experience + Sunset Cruise with Dinner (Curated Beach Highlight Day)
Start early for a dolphin experience—an exciting Zanzibar highlight. Timing matters, so we depart in the morning while sea conditions are typically best. You’ll have the chance to observe dolphins in their natural environment and (where appropriate and conditions allow) enjoy a swimming moment for a truly memorable encounter.
After returning to the resort, the afternoon is relaxed—beach time, swimming, and freshening up for the evening. Later, you enjoy a sunset cruising experience with dinner. This is the perfect Zanzibar mood: soft light, calm water, a beautiful horizon, and a well-served meal as the sky changes color.
Overnight: Warere Beach Resort (Nungwi) • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Half-board)
Day 9: Stone Town + Prison Island + Nakupenda Sandbank + Spice Tour (Full Island Culture Day)
Today combines Zanzibar’s culture, history, and “postcard ocean” scenery in one full day. You begin in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage area, where narrow alleys, carved doors, bustling markets, and layered history create a unique atmosphere. Your guide will share the stories that shaped the island—trade, culture, and the Swahili-Arab influence visible in architecture and daily life.
Next, you visit Prison Island (famous for giant tortoises and sea views), then continue to Nakupenda Sandbank—an iconic stretch of white sand in brilliant blue water. Depending on tides, this is a perfect swim-and-relax stop with incredible photo opportunities.
Later, you visit a spice farm to experience why Zanzibar is called the “Spice Island.” You’ll see, touch, and smell spices in their natural form—learning how cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices grow and are used locally. Return to Nungwi in the evening.
Overnight: Warere Beach Resort (Nungwi) • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (Half-board)
Day 10: Departure – Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)
After breakfast, you’ll have time depending on your flight schedule—perhaps a final beach walk, a last swim, or a relaxed coffee with ocean views. Then our team transfers you to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward journey.
End of Safari + Beach Holiday.
Featured Itineraries
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Rate Per Person (USD)
| Group Size | Price (pp) |
|---|---|
| Solo (1 pax) | $6,700 |
| 2 pax | $4,905 |
| 3 pax | $4,606 |
| 4 pax | $4,456 |
| 5 pax | $4,364 |
| 6 pax | $4,301 |
| 7+ pax | On Request |
Private safari guiding • Park fees • Zanzibar flight + selected experiences
Language Guides Available
- ✓English-speaking guide (included)
- ✓Spanish-speaking guide (included)
- ✓Italian-speaking guide (included)
- ✓French-speaking guide (included)
- ✓German-speaking guide (included)
- ✓Russian-speaking guide ($100 per day extra)
Included
- ✓All park fees & conservation fees (as per itinerary)
- ✓Private 4x4 safari vehicle with professional guide (safari days)
- ✓Accommodation as listed (or equivalent standard)
- ✓All meals on safari; Half-board in Zanzibar
- ✓Drinking water during safari
- ✓Domestic flight: Arusha → Zanzibar (as scheduled)
- ✓Maasai boma cultural visit (as scheduled)
- ✓Selected Zanzibar experiences as described (Stone Town / Prison Island / Nakupenda / Spice tour / Sunset cruise with dinner)
Excluded
- ✗International flights & visas
- ✗Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- ✗Tips for guide, drivers, and hotel staff
- ✗Optional balloon safari (if added)
- ✗Personal items, alcohol (unless specified), and anything not listed as included
