9 Day Wildlife and Zanzibar Safari

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly greeted by our professional driver-guide. A comfortable private transfer takes you away through the lush landscapes to your lodge in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon at leisure. You may unwind in the tranquil gardens, take a swim, or sip a refreshing drink as you listen to the sounds of tropical birds. Arusha, often called the “safari capital” of Tanzania, is the ideal gateway for your wildlife adventure.

After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will pick you for the scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, approximately 2 hours through Maasai villages and picturesque countryside. Tarangire is a gem of Tanzania, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours but offering incredible wildlife sightings, especially during the dry season when thousands of animals congregate around the Tarangire River. Spend the afternoon exploring the park’s diverse habitats. Marvel at ancient baobab trees, towering like giants across the savannah, and keep your eyes peeled for vast herds of elephants, lions stalking prey, graceful giraffes, and the elusive leopard. Tarangire is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 500 recorded species. Enjoy a sundowner overlooking the plains before retiring to your comfortable lodge or tented camp, immersed in the sounds of the African bush.

After breakfast, depart Tarangire and journey through the Great Rift Valley escarpment towards the Serengeti. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering panoramic views and optional cultural stops at Maasai villages. As you descend onto the Serengeti plains, the landscape stretches endlessly before you, dotted with acacia trees, granite outcrops (kopjes), and herds of wildlife. You’ll enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge or luxury tented camp, with chances to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, and, depending on the season, the dramatic Great Migration vast columns of wildebeest and zebras on the move.

Today, rise early for a full day exploring the world-famous Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. Your game drives traverse varied landscapes: the sweeping grasslands, and kopje-studded plains. With luck, you’ll encounter prides of lions, elusive leopards resting in trees, large elephant herds, and cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey. If travelling between December and July, you may witness the Great Migration, as millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains, pursued by predators. Between July and October, thrilling river crossings may be observed in the northern Serengeti (location varies by season). A picnic lunch in a scenic location breaks the day, after which your game drive continues until sunset.

After breakfast and a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, you travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing through Maasai lands where traditional red-robed warriors herd cattle across the plains. Arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim or nestled in the lush highlands. From here, enjoy views of the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera and one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife sanctuaries. The afternoon is at leisure to soak in the surroundings, enjoy the lodge’s amenities, and prepare for tomorrow’s descent into this natural wonder.

An early breakfast fuels you for your descent journey into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called “Africa’s Garden of Eden.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts an incredible concentration of wildlife within its 260 square kilometer floor. Your six-hour game drive explores the crater’s diverse habitats, open grasslands, acacia forests, wetlands, and a soda lake shimmering with flamingos. Expect to see lions, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, wildebeest, and, with luck, one of the few remaining black rhinos. After a bush picnic lunch, ascend the crater walls and journey back to Arusha for your overnight stay, reflecting on the day’s remarkable sightings.

This morning, after breakfast, you are transferred to Arusha Airport for your domestic flight to Zanzibar Island. Upon arrival in Zanzibar, your local representative will greet you and transfer you to your beachfront resort on the island’s picturesque east coast. Spend the afternoon unwinding by the ocean, strolling along the beaches.

Enjoy a full day at leisure on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. Relax under the swaying palms, swim in the warm Indian Ocean, or opt for exciting activities (at additional cost):
• Explore Stone Town, with its spice-scented alleyways, historical sites, and vibrant markets
• Visit a traditional spice plantation, learning about Zanzibar’s clove, cinnamon, and vanilla heritage
• Snorkel or dive off Mnemba Atoll, known for its colourful coral reefs and marine life
• Set sail on a romantic sunset dhow cruise, with refreshments as the sun dips below the horizon