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The ultimate 12-day Tanzania experience: Northern Circuit safari through Serengeti and Ngorongoro followed by beach relaxation in Zanzibar.
Your 12-day adventure across Africa's most spectacular wilderness areas
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha at the foot of Mount Meru. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and acclimatising after your journey. Your guide will meet you for a welcome briefing and to outline the exciting safari and beach itinerary ahead.
Drive to Tarangire National Park for your first taste of Tanzanian wildlife. The park's towering baobab trees create a surreal backdrop for the enormous elephant herds that gather along the Tarangire River. Enjoy an extended afternoon game drive through the park's diverse habitats before settling into your safari lodge.
Leave Tarangire and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, ascending through the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The road climbs through farmland and forest to the crater rim, where the vast caldera unfolds below. Check into your crater rim lodge and enjoy the views that have captivated travellers for over a century.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day among the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Search for all Big Five species on the crater floor — lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and the elusive black rhino. The crater's enclosed ecosystem supports an extraordinary variety of life, from flamingo-lined lakes to hyena dens in the grasslands.
Journey west into the Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro highlands and descending into the world's most famous savannah. Game drives begin as soon as you enter the park, with wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle dotting the plains in every direction. Set up camp in the central Serengeti for the next two days of intensive wildlife viewing.
Devote the entire day to the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives targeting the big cats for which this park is renowned. The central Seronera region offers some of Africa's most reliable leopard and lion sightings. Between drives, relax at camp listening to the sounds of the African bush — birdsong, distant roars, and the hum of the plains.
Take a morning bush flight from the Serengeti back to Arusha, soaring over the endless plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the patchwork of Rift Valley farmland. Arrive in Arusha by midday and transfer to your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the beach phase of your journey to Zanzibar.
Fly from Arusha to Zanzibar, the legendary Spice Island of the Indian Ocean. After checking into your Stone Town hotel, explore the UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of narrow alleys, carved wooden doors, and historic buildings. Visit the bustling Darajani spice market where the aromas of clove, cinnamon, and cardamom fill the air.
Transfer to the pristine north coast of Zanzibar, where white sand beaches meet turquoise Indian Ocean waters. Spend the day unwinding on the beach, snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, and sailing on a traditional wooden dhow. The warm waters and gentle breezes make this a perfect contrast to the dusty safari trails.
Take a short boat ride to Prison Island (Changuu Island), home to a colony of Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 100 years old. Explore the island's historic ruins and enjoy snorkeling in the crystal-clear surrounding waters. Return to the north coast for a relaxed afternoon on the beach watching the traditional dhow fishermen bring in their catch.
Choose your own adventure today: spend a full day on the beach soaking up the Indian Ocean sun, or visit the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park to see the rare and endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys swinging through the mangrove and coral rag forest. The forest is the last remaining habitat for these endangered primates found nowhere else on Earth.
Enjoy a final morning on the beach or a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean before transferring to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your departure flight. Reflect on twelve extraordinary days spanning Tanzania's greatest wildlife spectacles and the tropical paradise of Zanzibar — a journey from the Big Five to the blue ocean.
Arusha City → Tarangire National Park → Ngorongoro Conservation Area → Ngorongoro Crater → Serengeti National Park → Serengeti National Park → Arusha City → Zanzibar Archipelago → Zanzibar Archipelago → Zanzibar Archipelago → Zanzibar Archipelago → Zanzibar Archipelago
Stay at carefully selected luxury lodges and tented camps, chosen for their exceptional locations, world-class service, and commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
Starting from
$24,500per person
Contact us for detailed package rates and group discounts.
All prices based on double occupancy
This safari runs year-round. We can arrange custom dates for groups of 2+.
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. No payment required to enquire.
Our safari package includes everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. No hidden costs or surprise charges.
From
$24,500
Join thousands of travelers who have experienced the magic of Africa's wildlife with us.