11 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

This 11 day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar journey combines the wildlife and landscapes of Northern Tanzania with a relaxing escape to the Indian Ocean. Travel privately through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater before flying to Zanzibar, where white-sand beaches, warm ocean waters and the history of Stone Town bring your journey to a beautiful close.

Day 1: Arrival | JRO – Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania!

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a Tales of Tanzania Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha, approximately 55 km away. The drive normally takes around 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

After your international journey, we deliberately keep your arrival day relaxed. Settle into your hotel, enjoy the surroundings and get some well-deserved rest before your safari begins the following morning.

Accommodation: Tulia Boutique Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, meet your private safari guide and depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park, approximately 120 km away and around 2–2.5 hours by road.

Tarangire is a wonderful introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife. The park is particularly famous for its large elephant population, ancient baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which attracts wildlife from across the surrounding ecosystem.

Your first game drive begins after entering the park, exploring areas around the river, open savannah and seasonal wetlands in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and predators such as lions and leopards.

Where possible, we prefer arranging a hot or hamper-style lunch rather than a standard packed lunch, allowing you to slow down and enjoy your first day on safari without feeling rushed.

Later in the afternoon, continue towards Karatu for dinner and overnight.

Approximate driving: Arusha → Tarangire: 120 km | 2–2.5 hours, plus game driving
Accommodation: Eileen’s Trees Inn
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinking water included

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, enjoy the short drive to Lake Manyara National Park for another day of game viewing.

Set beneath the dramatic escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara offers a completely different landscape from Tarangire. Dense groundwater forest gives way to open grasslands, acacia woodland and the shores of the alkaline lake.

The park supports elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and large troops of baboons and blue monkeys. Lake Manyara is also traditionally associated with its tree-climbing lions, although—as with all wildlife sightings—they are never guaranteed.

Enjoy your game drive at an easy pace with time to stop for photographs and simply observe whatever you encounter. A hot local lunch will be arranged where possible before you continue exploring the park.

Later in the afternoon, return to Karatu for a relaxed evening.

Approximate driving: Karatu → Lake Manyara: 30–45 minutes each way, plus game driving
Accommodation: Eileen’s Trees Inn
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinking water included

Day 4: Journey to the Serengeti

Today you journey towards one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations: Serengeti National Park.

After breakfast, drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands, climbing towards the crater rim before continuing across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The scenery changes dramatically along the way, eventually opening onto the seemingly endless plains that gave the Serengeti its name.

The journey from Karatu to Central Serengeti is approximately 200 km and normally takes around 4–5 hours, although on safari we prefer not to treat this simply as a transfer. Once you enter the Serengeti, the journey becomes part of your game drive, and your guide will stop whenever interesting wildlife is encountered.

Arrive in Central Serengeti later in the afternoon and settle into your tented camp in the heart of the wilderness.

Approximate driving: Karatu → Central Serengeti: approximately 200 km | 4–5 hours, including conservation-area travel and wildlife stops
Accommodation: Tukaone Hembe Camp
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinking water included

Day 5: Full Day in Central Serengeti

Today is entirely dedicated to exploring Central Serengeti.

The Seronera region is one of the Serengeti’s most productive wildlife areas throughout the year. Its combination of open plains, rocky kopjes and riverine habitats supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife and is particularly well known for predators.

Your day remains flexible. You may leave early in the morning when wildlife is particularly active and spend the full day exploring with a picnic lunch, or discuss a more relaxed schedule with your guide.

Look out for lions resting around the kopjes, cheetahs scanning the plains and, with some luck, leopards in the riverine woodland. Elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and numerous antelope species are also regularly encountered.

Because this is a private safari, there is no fixed group schedule to follow. Your guide can adjust the day’s game drive around wildlife activity, weather and how you would personally like to experience the Serengeti.

Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and another night surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

Accommodation: Tukaone Hembe Camp
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinking water included

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

An early start takes you from the Serengeti towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for one of the highlights of your safari.

Descend approximately 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater, a remarkable natural amphitheatre supporting an exceptional concentration of wildlife within a relatively compact area.

During your crater game drive, you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and hyenas. The crater is also one of Tanzania’s better places to look for the endangered black rhino, although sightings can never be guaranteed.

You will have up to approximately six hours to explore the crater floor, allowing plenty of time for wildlife viewing and a lunch stop before beginning your ascent.

After leaving the crater, continue to nearby Karatu for a comfortable evening and well-earned rest.

Approximate driving: Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro: approximately 145 km | 3–4 hours before/alongside game viewing; Ngorongoro → Karatu: approximately 45–60 minutes
Accommodation: Eileen’s Trees Inn
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinking water included

Day 7: Safari to Zanzibar

The safari chapter of your 11 day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar journey comes to an end this morning as you leave the highlands and travel back towards Arusha for your flight to the Indian Ocean.

The drive from Karatu to Arusha is approximately 150 km and normally takes around 2–2.5 hours. Depending on your flight schedule, you will transfer directly to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.

This short flight creates a wonderful transition—from the savannahs and highlands of Northern Tanzania to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Upon arrival in Zanzibar, a Tales of Tanzania representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you north to Nungwi. Settle into your beach hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Approximate driving: Karatu → Arusha Airport: approximately 150 km | 2–2.5 hours; Zanzibar Airport → Nungwi: approximately 60 km | 1–1.5 hours
Accommodation: Warere Beach Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinks as per hotel meal plan

Please note: Domestic flight fares are subject to availability and may vary depending on the booking date. Any applicable difference will be confirmed before your booking is finalized.

Day 8: Nungwi | A Day to Slow Down

After several wonderful days on safari, today belongs entirely to you.

There are no scheduled activities and no reason to watch the clock. Sleep a little longer, enjoy breakfast at your own pace, swim in the warm Indian Ocean or simply find your favourite spot overlooking the water.

Nungwi is one of Zanzibar’s most popular beach areas and is particularly appreciated for swimming, as tidal changes are generally less dramatic here than along many parts of Zanzibar’s east coast.

This day has intentionally been left free. After the early mornings and excitement of safari, it gives you time to slow down, recharge and simply enjoy being in Zanzibar.

Accommodation: Warere Beach Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Drinks as per hotel meal plan

Day 9: Safari Blue

Today, exchange your safari vehicle for the waters of the Indian Ocean as you set out on the famous Safari Blue experience.

Sail through the beautiful Menai Bay Conservation Area aboard a traditional dhow, spending the day exploring Zanzibar from the water. Depending on conditions, there will be opportunities for swimming and guided snorkelling in clear tropical waters, relaxing on sandbanks and exploring the area’s beautiful coastal scenery.

A freshly prepared Swahili seafood barbecue and tropical fruits form part of the experience, giving the day a wonderful combination of adventure, relaxation and local flavour.

Marine wildlife may also be encountered during the excursion, including dolphins, but as with wildlife on safari, sightings are entirely natural and cannot be guaranteed.

At the end of the excursion, return to Nungwi for another relaxed evening at your hotel.

Accommodation: Warere Beach Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Safari Blue lunch and refreshments included during the excursion

Day 10: Leisure by the Indian Ocean

Your final full day in Nungwi is completely free.

Spend another day beside the Indian Ocean, enjoy the swimming pool, wander along the beach or simply relax with nowhere you need to be.

If you would prefer to add an activity, Zanzibar offers plenty of possibilities, but we intentionally keep this day unscheduled so that the end of your journey doesn’t become another checklist of places to visit.

Sometimes the best way to finish a safari is simply to sit beside the ocean and enjoy it.

Accommodation: Warere Beach Hotel
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch & dinner |

Day 11: Stone Town | & Departure

After breakfast, check out and travel south towards historic Stone Town.

Accompanied by a local guide, explore the narrow streets of Zanzibar’s old quarter on foot. Stone Town’s architecture and culture reflect centuries of African, Arab, Indian and European influence, making it one of East Africa’s most fascinating historic centres.

Your walking tour introduces you to important landmarks and stories connected to Zanzibar’s complex past, including the former slave market site, the bustling local market, the Old Fort and other historic areas of the old town.

There will also be time to experience everyday Stone Town—the carved wooden doors, small shops, busy alleyways and aromas of the spices for which Zanzibar has long been famous.

After the tour and depending on your international departure time, you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward journey.

Your safari may be ending, but we hope Tanzania leaves you with stories and memories that stay with you long after you return home.

Approximate driving: Nungwi → Stone Town: approximately 60 km | 1–1.5 hours
Accommodation: None – End of Tour
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch

Safari Price

2026 & 2027 Rates