Safari Itinerary · Tanzania · Northern Circuit Safari
12 Day Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar
From $10,500 per person
This twelve day trip pairs a long northern Tanzania safari with a beach stay in Zanzibar. You start in Arusha. You drive to Tarangire for elephants and baobab trees. You spend two nights in Central Serengeti and two nights in Northern Serengeti near the Mara River. You visit Ngorongoro Crater, then fly to Zanzibar for four nights by the Indian Ocean.
Your private guide sets each safari day around animal movement, weather and park conditions. After the flight, your schedule is yours. You rest, swim and explore at your own pace.
Duration · 12 days
From, per person · $10,500
Flights & transfers · Included
About this itinerary
This route gives you eight days of wildlife and four days of rest. Two Serengeti regions mean more variety. Central Serengeti offers big cats and kopjes. Northern Serengeti offers the Mara River and quieter roads. Zanzibar follows with white sand, warm water and the old streets of Stone Town.
Wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River between July and October. Timing depends on rainfall and grass, so no crossing is guaranteed. Outside those months, the north still offers lions, elephants and open plains with fewer vehicles.
Best suited to: couples, families, first-time safari travelers and private groups.
Itinerary
Each day has been structured to give you time for wildlife, scenery and comfortable travel between destinations.
Arusha to Tarangire
Start your safari from Arusha after breakfast and drive towards Tarangire National Park. Enter the park for your first game drive among baobab trees and open savannah.
Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, lions, and a variety of birds. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, leave the park and drive to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Merera Valley Lodge
Day 2
Karatu to southern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart from Karatu and drive towards the southern Serengeti through the Ngorongoro highlands. Continue through scenic landscapes, with views of rolling hills, grasslands, and traditional Maasai areas. Enter the southern Serengeti and begin a game drive while searching for wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, lions, and cheetahs.Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon wildlife exploration.
Overnight: Serena Serengeti Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
South to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, leave Southern Serengeti and begin the scenic drive towards the central Seronera area. Enjoy a game drive along the route, with opportunities to see wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, and cheetahs.Continue through open grasslands and rocky landscapes, following areas where wildlife gathers throughout the year. Stop for a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive towards central Serengeti.
Overnight: Sound of Silence
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Central to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, depart from Central Serengeti and travel north through the vast Serengeti plains. Enjoy a game drive along the route, looking for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs, and other wildlife. Continue through changing landscapes of open grasslands, rocky kopjes, and woodland as you approach the northern region. Stop for a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your afternoon game drive towards the Mara River area.
Overnight: Mbugani Camp North
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Full Day Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, set out for a full day game drive across Northern Serengeti, exploring the plains and river areas. Search for large herds of wildebeest and zebras, along with lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes.Visit the Mara River area, where wildlife gathers and, during migration periods, dramatic river crossings often take place.
Overnight: Ndutu Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Full Day North Serengeti to Ngorongoro
After breakfast, depart from Northern Serengeti and begin the scenic journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy wildlife viewing along the route, with opportunities to spot wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and predators across the plains. Continue south through the vast Serengeti landscapes, passing rocky kopjes, open grasslands, and wildlife-rich areas.Stop for a picnic lunch along the way before continuing towards the Ngorongoro highlands.
Overnight: Lion’s Paw Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Full Day Ngorongoro Highland
Take an early morning game drive. Then begin the long drive south toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes about eight to nine hours with stops. Stop for lunch on the way. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim by late afternoon. A flight from the Northern Serengeti to Arusha is available at an extra cost if you prefer to skip this drive.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater and Fly to Zanzibar
Descend into the crater at first light. The floor holds about 25,000 large animals. Look for black rhino, hippo, flamingos, buffalo and large lion prides. Eat a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool. Climb back to the rim and drive to Arusha, about three hours. Take the evening flight to Zanzibar, about one hour and thirty minutes. A driver meets you on arrival and takes you to your beach resort.
Overnight: Sandies Baobab
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Stone Town
Drive to Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your local guide walks you through narrow lanes, carved wooden doors, the old fort and the Forodhani waterfront. Learn about the island’s history as a trading hub for spices. On the way back, stop at a spice farm. Smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg.
Overnight: Zanzibar Coffee House Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
Kendwa Beach
Spend the day relaxing at Kendwa Beach, one of Zanzibar’s most beautiful coastal destinations, famous for its white sandy shores and clear turquoise waters. Enjoy swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, sunbathing, and taking in the peaceful tropical scenery. You can also participate in exciting water activities such as snorkelling, kayaking, or boat trips along the coast. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant while admiring the ocean views.
Overnight: Nungwi Dreams
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11
Nungwi Beach
Spend the day exploring Nungwi Beach, one of Zanzibar’s most popular coastal destinations, known for its white sandy shores, turquoise waters, and lively atmosphere. Enjoy swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, relaxing under the tropical sun, or taking part in activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and traditional dhow boat trips. Explore the nearby fishing village to experience local culture, discover traditional boatbuilding, and see how local fishermen go about their daily activities
Overnight: Nungwi Dreams
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12
Nakupenda Beach & Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast and a last swim. A driver takes you to Zanzibar Airport for your onward flight.
End of trip: Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast
The complete package
Everything included.
STAY
TARANGIRE
1 Night · Lodge or tented camp
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
KARATU / NGORONGORO
1 Night · Selected lodge
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Central Serengeti
2 Nights · Lodge or tented camp
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Northern Serengeti
2 nights, lodge or tented camp. Full board.
Zanzibar
4 nights, beach resort. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Experiences
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Game drives through Tarangire’s wildlife-rich landscapes, with opportunities to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other wildlife.
Central Serengeti
Full day of game drives along the Seronera River and across the kopjes.
Mara River, Northern Serengeti
Full day at the river with a guide who tracks the herds.
Ngorongoro Crater
Half day game drive on the crater floor. Black rhino, hippo, buffalo and flamingos live here.
Stone Town and spice farm
Guided walking tour of the old town, followed by a spice farm visit.
Zanzibar beach: Three free days to swim, snorkel and rest.
Travel
Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up roof
Private 4×4 safari transport throughout the safari.
Experienced English speaking driver guide
Experienced local driver-guide throughout your journey.
Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar.
Speak to a safari specialist
Let's plan your journey.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours
Everything included
A clear overview of what is covered in your safari package. Your final proposal will list the exact accommodation, activities and transport arrangements.
Transport
Private safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, fuel and park transfer costs.
Accommodation
Accommodation according to the selected package and the final itinerary confirmation.
Meals
Meals are provided according to the meal plan shown in your confirmed itinerary.
Park Fees
Applicable national park and conservation fees included according to the confirmed route.
Usually excluded: international flights, visas, travel insurance, personal purchases, tips and items not listed in your confirmed proposal.