Duration
9 NIGHTSBest For
Travelers combining classic game drives with restorative coast downtime.Group Size
2-6 guestsAccommodation
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Melia Serengeti Lodge, Serengeti Migration Camp, The Manor Ngorongoro, Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & SpaSafari Overview
Bush, beach, and a true Migration window
Spend the first half of the trip following the Great Migration through Tarangire, Central, and Northern Serengeti, finishing on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with sunset views.
The second half slows down on Zanzibar with spice farm visits, Jozani Forest, Prison Island tortoises, Nakupenda sandbank, Stone Town, and a full-day Safari Blue dhow excursion.
Transfers: Private 4x4 safari vehicle plus scheduled flights to Zanzibar
Safari Snapshot
A luxury bush-and-beach combination pairing the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti with Zanzibar's spice farms, Stone Town, and Indian Ocean coast.
Safari Style
Beach + Bush
Designed for quality sightings and unrushed pacing across key landscapes.
Trip Rhythm
7-9 Nights
Balanced travel days, golden-hour game drives, and restorative lodge downtime.
Destinations
Tanzania
Route sequencing built around wildlife windows and smooth overland transitions.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A clear route plan with flexible pacing and private-guide support.
Day 1 · Tarangire
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Airport pick-up or hotel transfer, then a 2-hour drive to Tarangire for a full-day game drive among elephants, baobabs, and over 550 bird species. Picnic lunch in the park before checking in at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge.
- Tarangire elephants
- Baobab landscapes
Day 2 · Ngorongoro Highlands to Seronera
Karatu to Central Serengeti
Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at Naabi Hill Gate for the iconic Serengeti views. Afternoon game drive in Central Serengeti and overnight at Melia Serengeti Lodge.
- Naabi Hill
- Seronera predator drive
Day 3 · Northern Serengeti
Central to Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
Drive into the Kogatende region, the heart of the Great Migration between July and October. Game drives along the Mara River with the chance to witness dramatic crossings.
- Mara River corridor
- Migration herds
Day 4 · Kogatende
Full Day in Northern Serengeti
Full-day game drives along the riverbanks and plains, watching wildebeest crossings, crocodiles in wait, and predator action. Picnic lunch in the bush.
- Mara River crossings (in season)
- Predator action
Day 5 · Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Scenic drive south through Maasai country to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Overnight at The Manor Ngorongoro with views over the crater.
- Crater rim sunset
- Manor Ngorongoro
Day 6 · Crater to Zanzibar
Ngorongoro Crater and Fly to Zanzibar
Half-day game drive on the crater floor for Big Five sightings, then transfer to Arusha for the flight to Zanzibar. Resort transfer to Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa.
- Crater Big Five
- Flight to Zanzibar
Day 7 · Zanzibar
Spice Farm and Jozani Forest
Spice farm visit to taste cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla, then on to Jozani Forest for rare red colobus monkey sightings before returning to the resort.
- Spice farm tasting
- Red colobus monkeys
Day 8 · Zanzibar
Prison Island, Nakupenda, and Stone Town
Boat trip to Prison Island for giant Aldabra tortoises, swimming and snorkeling, lunch at Nakupenda Sandbank, and an afternoon walking tour of historic Stone Town.
- Prison Island tortoises
- Stone Town walking tour
Day 9 · Zanzibar
Safari Blue Dhow Excursion
Full-day Safari Blue excursion on a traditional dhow with snorkeling on coral reefs, sandbank stops, mangrove visits, and a seafood lunch.
- Coral reef snorkeling
- Sandbank lunch
Day 10 · Zanzibar
Departure from Zanzibar
Breakfast at the resort and transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your departure flight.
- Airport transfer
- Final breakfast
Route Map & Safari Points
Track the journey stop-by-stop. Mapbox static route rendering is enabled when your public token is set.
- 1
Day 1
Arusha
Arrival and start of safari circuit.
- 2
Day 1
Tarangire National Park
First game drive among elephants and baobabs.
- 3
Day 3-4
Northern Serengeti
Mara River crossings in peak Migration season.
- 4
Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Sunset views before crater descent.
- 5
Day 6-10
Zanzibar (Pwani / Stone Town)
Spice farms, Jozani Forest, Stone Town, and Safari Blue dhow excursion.
What's Included
- All accommodation during the safari
- All meals as per the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- All national park and crater entry fees
- Bottled drinking water daily
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- All government taxes
Exclusions
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver-guide
- Drinks at lodges
- Balloon safari (optional)
Best Travel Window
Seasonality
Jul - OctJan - Mar
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more clarity before you book? Start here.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. We tailor pacing, lodge standards, and activities to your travel style, dates, and priorities.
Do I need special fitness for this safari?
Most game-drive itineraries are moderate. Gorilla/chimp treks require stronger mobility and we can advise accordingly.
How far in advance should I book?
For prime season travel, we recommend securing your trip 4-8 months in advance to guarantee preferred camps.
Planning Guides for This Route
Editorial notes and practical planning content relevant to this safari itinerary.
Northern Tanzania: The Complete Safari Tour Menu
Northern Tanzania is the complete safari menu — Serengeti's endless plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara's flamingos, Maasai culture, and the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro, all in one connectable circuit.
Read GuidePlan Your Tanzania Safari
Share your dates, pace and preferred accommodation style. We will tailor this trip to fit your exact vision.
Hear what our clients have to say
Genuine stories from travelers who experienced East Africa with Simba Paka Safaris.
Our Affiliations
