9-Day Tanzanian National Parks & Zanzibar Island Tour

In the morning, your personal safari guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Arusha and you’ll begin your journey to Tarangire National Park, traveling through the gently rolling Masai plains, which are dotted with iconic acacia trees.

From the open roof of your safari jeep, you’ll take in stunning views of seasonal swamps, expansive savanna, and the life-giving Tarangire River. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, elephants, and giraffes. If you're lucky, you may even spot lions hunting or leopards lounging in the trees above.

After an exciting and extensive game drive, you’ll head to one of our carefully selected mid-range lodges, where you'll enjoy a delicious dinner at a cozy restaurant before retiring to your comfortable room to relax and dream of the thrilling wildlife you’ve encountered.

After an early breakfast, you’ll set off for the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. While the drive is long, it offers breathtaking views that make every mile worth it.

As you venture deeper into the Serengeti, you’ll quickly understand why its name, meaning "endless plains" in the local language, is so fitting. Covering an impressive 6,900 square miles (18,000 square kilometers), the park's vast plains stretch endlessly to the horizon, creating a surreal landscape that will leave you in awe.

The Serengeti is the heart of the Great Migration, where two million wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and countless antelopes cross the plains in search of fresh grazing. It's also a haven for big cats and large predators, making it the perfect place to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. This iconic park has been the backdrop for countless wildlife documentaries, including the famous River Crossings, bringing its stunning natural drama to the world.

Today, you'll rise early for a thrilling morning game drive, giving you the chance to witness a spectacular African sunrise over the bush. After a refreshing cup of coffee, you'll set off to experience the wilderness as it awakens, with the dew-covered grasses and the sounds of nature greeting the new day.

Following your morning adventure, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast within the park, soaking in the serene surroundings. A delicious lunch will also be served amidst the beauty of the park, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the landscape.

In the afternoon, you'll head out once again to explore the vast plains, seeking out more of Africa’s incredible wildlife. As you journey through the park, you'll continue your adventure, capturing the magic of the Serengeti before exiting the park in the late afternoon.

Rise and shine! Today, you'll depart early for the lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the iconic Ngorongoro Crater awaits you. Renowned as one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this destination promises an unforgettable experience.

Upon reaching the crater rim, you’ll begin your descent along a steep track into the 600-meter-deep caldera, where a breathtaking array of wildlife, expansive grasslands, vibrant birdlife, and a serene lake await. The massive, collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals, including the Big Five, as well as spotted hyenas and some of the more than 500 bird species that thrive in the area.

After an exhilarating game drive through this incredible landscape and a delicious picnic lunch within the crater, you’ll journey to your hotel in Mto Wa Mbu for a restful evening. Enjoy a delightful dinner and relax in your comfortable accommodations, preparing for another exciting day ahead.

After a hearty breakfast, you'll embark on the final leg of your epic safari as you make your way to Lake Manyara National Park, a small yet incredibly diverse park located 120km west of Arusha. The park’s namesake, a shallow saltwater lake, spans much of the area, swelling and receding with the seasons. This unique ecosystem is home to thousands of flamingos, along with over 500 other bird species.

As you explore the park, you'll encounter a wide variety of wildlife, including monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, and elephants. With some luck, you may even spot lions lounging in the trees, one of the park’s signature sights.

Lake Manyara is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from open grassy plains to primate-filled woodlands and baobab-dotted cliffs. After a delicious lunch, you'll make your way back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon. From there, you'll catch your flight to Zanzibar, where a tropical paradise awaits.

After breakfast at around 7:30am, your guide will pick you up for an exciting day of exploration. You’ll board a traditional dhow and set sail to a nearby island, where you’ll learn about its fascinating history and how it earned its name. The island is home to more than 50 tortoises, some over 100 years old, providing a unique opportunity to witness these ancient creatures in their natural habitat.

Next, you'll embark on the Spice Tour, a three-hour journey through the lush plantations of Zanzibar. Here, you’ll discover the world of tropical fruits, spices, and herbs, learning about the diverse plant life that thrives on the island. The tour will introduce you to famous spices like curry, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, pepper, tamarind, ginger, menthol, Zanzibar cloves, and many more, some of which were once coveted by the Sultan of Oman for trade across the Indian Ocean.

Today is all about relaxation and soaking in the natural beauty of Zanzibar's beaches. With their pristine white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and gently swaying palm trees, these beaches provide the perfect setting for a peaceful escape. You can unwind under the sun, swim in the warm, inviting waters, and bask in the tranquility of your surroundings. As the day winds down, enjoy the breathtaking sunsets that paint the sky in vibrant hues. The serene atmosphere and the island's natural beauty make this the ideal spot for rest, rejuvenation, and pure relaxation.

Today marks the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye. While it’s hard to part ways, we hope that the memories we’ve created together will stay in your heart long after you’ve left. Our team feels privileged to have been part of your journey and we trust that the experiences you’ve shared will remain with you forever. At your preferred time, you will be transferred to the airport, where we wish you safe travels as you head home with unforgettable memories.