18-Day Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Vacation

Safari Overview

This unforgettable 18-day adventure combines the thrill of Tanzania’s top safari destinations with the serenity of Zanzibar’s idyllic beaches. Experience the majestic wildlife of Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater before unwinding on the white sands of Zanzibar Island, enjoying rich culture, diving, snorkeling, and total relaxation. This is the ultimate East African escape—wildlife, beaches, and everything in between.

Safari Highlights

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day 2: Relaxing day in Arusha
Day 3: Arusha National Park safari
Day 4: Free day or Mount Meru Waterfalls hike
Day 5: Game drive in Tarangire National Park
Days 6–9: Serengeti National Park (Central, West, and East)
Day 10: Explore Ngorongoro Crater
Day 11: Flight to Zanzibar
Days 12–17: Zanzibar beach vacation and optional activities
Day 18: Departure from Zanzibar

Optional Activities

• Stone Town Walking Tour

• Safari Blue Cruise

• Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and receive a warm welcome from your personal guide. Transfer to your lodge in Arusha and unwind from your journey. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and brief about the adventure ahead.

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Relaxing Day in Arusha

Spend this day at your leisure. Stay in at the lodge, enjoy a swim, or explore Arusha’s outskirts by bike. Visit a local Maasai Market to shop for souvenirs and experience the vibrant culture of Tanzania’s safari capital.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Arusha National Park

Your first safari adventure begins in Arusha National Park, one of Tanzania’s most beautiful and compact parks. The park is home to colobus monkeys, albino baboons, and silvery-cheeked hornbills. Explore lakes, waterfalls, and lush crater landscapes, with views of Mount Meru dominating the skyline. Enjoy a game drive and a guided nature walk, spotting wildlife against the backdrop of this dramatic landscape.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Free Day or Optional Waterfall Hike

Spend the day at the lodge relaxing, or opt for a nature hike to Mount Meru Waterfalls. Trek through the lush foothills, passing through local villages and coffee plantations. Take a dip beneath the falls, enjoy a packed lunch, and look out for monkeys and vibrant bird species along the way. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, famed for its ancient baobabs and massive elephant herds. The park is also home to zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, and numerous antelope species. During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes a magnet for wildlife, drawing large concentrations of animals to its banks. Enjoy a full day of game viewing, with a picnic lunch inside the park.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6–9: Serengeti National Park

Spend four full days discovering the legendary Serengeti, with game drives through the Central, West, and East regions. The Serengeti is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations, home to the Great Migration, the Big Five, and an incredible diversity of wildlife.

Day 6: Fly to Serengeti and begin your exploration with an afternoon game drive. Track lions, cheetahs, and hyenas as they hunt across the plains.

Day 7: Explore the Central Serengeti (Seronera), known for its resident predators and year-round wildlife concentrations.

Day 8: Move to the Western Corridor, where the Grumeti River attracts large herds and crocodiles.

Day 9: Depending on the season, explore the Eastern Serengeti or the Northern region near the Mara River, where dramatic river crossings occur between July and October.

Each day offers morning and afternoon game drives, with picnic lunches inside the park for uninterrupted wildlife viewing.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact caldera, and marvel at its dense population of wildlife. The crater floor is home to approximately 25,000 large animals, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffaloes, and hippos. The crater is also one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single morning.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the Ngoitokitok Springs, watching hippos and flamingos in the same frame. After a full day of exploration, ascend the crater and return to your lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Flight to Zanzibar

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, transfer to your beach resort. The evening is at your leisure, with the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean just steps away. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the resort, soaking in the coastal breeze.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12–17: Zanzibar Beach Vacation

Enjoy six days in paradise. Zanzibar is one of Africa’s most beautiful beach destinations, with white sands, turquoise waters, and a rich cultural heritage.

Activities you can enjoy:

• Swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean

• Snorkeling and scuba diving to explore vibrant coral reefs

• Safari Blue Cruise, a full-day sailing adventure with snorkeling and seafood lunch

• Stone Town Walking Tour to explore Zanzibar’s historic old town and spice markets

• Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour to learn about the island’s spice production

• Dolphin tours to spot playful pods in the wild

• Relax on the beach with fresh coconut juice

These days are dedicated to rest, coastal experiences, and optional excursions. Enjoy fresh seafood, Swahili hospitality, and the gentle rhythm of the ocean.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 18: Departure

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final morning on the beach. Take one last swim, savor your last taste of Swahili coffee, and soak in the Indian Ocean breeze. Your driver will transfer you to Zanzibar International Airport for your journey home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Safari Inclusions

• Airport transfers and ground transportation

• Domestic flights within Tanzania

• Flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar

• Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary

• All meals as specified in the itinerary

• Game drives as mentioned in the itinerary

• Park entry fees and conservation levies

• Professional English-speaking driver-guide

• Bottled drinking water during the safari

Safari Exclusions

• International flights

• Travel insurance (mandatory)

• Visas for Tanzania

• Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

• Tips and gratuities for guides and staff

• Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and souvenirs

• Accommodation in Zanzibar on a Full Board basis (only breakfast and dinner included)