11-Day Tanzanian Safari with Zanzibar Extension

Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel at approximately 8:00 AM. Meet your professional safari guide and depart for the magnificent Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife destinations.

Tarangire is famous for its diverse landscapes, featuring several vegetation zones, ancient baobab trees, open grasslands, and riverine forests. The enormous baobabs create a remarkable backdrop, often appearing much larger than the wildlife roaming beneath them.

The Tarangire River is the park’s main water source, attracting a wide variety of animals throughout the year, particularly during the dry season. The park is especially renowned for having one of Tanzania’s largest elephant populations, providing wonderful opportunities to observe elephant families interacting in their natural environment.

During your morning game drive, look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and leopards. Tarangire is also home to an impressive variety of bird species, making it an excellent destination for birdwatching.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated viewpoint overlooking the river, where you can appreciate the spectacular scenery and observe wildlife gathering around the water. With some luck, you might even witness predators hunting.

After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive through the park, exploring more of its beautiful landscapes and searching for additional wildlife encounters.

Later, proceed to Tarangire Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Tarangire Sopa Lodge

After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, enjoying a beautiful drive across the Great Rift Valley towards this remarkable wildlife destination.

Although relatively small, Lake Manyara offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes and ecosystems. The park is famous for its lush groundwater forests, giant fig trees, mahogany woodlands, open grasslands, and shallow alkaline lake.

As you explore the park, you will encounter a fascinating range of wildlife. Large troops of baboons and blue monkeys inhabit the forest, while elephants, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, zebras, and hippos can be spotted throughout the park.

Lake Manyara is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting on the branches of acacia trees. The lake itself provides an impressive natural setting, attracting flamingos and numerous other waterbirds.

Enjoy a full-day game drive through the park, discovering its different habitats and taking advantage of wonderful photography opportunities. The lakeside scenery is especially beautiful, with animals often appearing against the backdrop of the water and surrounding escarpment.

For additional adventure, you may choose optional activities such as a guided cycling excursion or a boat trip, subject to availability and conditions.

In the afternoon, leave the park and drive to Manyara Best View Lodge, situated on the escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara. Enjoy dinner and relax while appreciating the beautiful surroundings.

Main destination: Lake Manyara National Park

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Manyara Best View Lodge

After an early breakfast, depart for the world-famous Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.

Although the journey is relatively long, the drive offers spectacular scenery and memorable opportunities to appreciate Tanzania’s diverse landscapes. As you approach the Serengeti, the scenery gradually opens into vast grasslands stretching towards the horizon.

The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word meaning endless plains, an appropriate description of this extraordinary ecosystem. Covering approximately 18,000 square kilometres, the park is renowned for its enormous wildlife population and remarkable natural beauty.

The Serengeti is internationally famous for hosting the Great Wildebeest Migration, during which approximately two million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, move across the ecosystem in search of fresh grazing and water.

The park is also one of the best places in Africa to encounter large predators. Keep your eyes open for lions resting in the grass, cheetahs scanning the open plains, elusive leopards hiding in trees, and hyenas moving through the wilderness.

Arrive in time for an exciting afternoon game drive, exploring the surrounding wildlife areas and experiencing the breathtaking scenery of the Serengeti.

Later, check in at Enkirari Wilderness Camp, a luxury tented camp located in Central Serengeti. Enjoy dinner and spend your first night surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

Main destination: Serengeti National Park

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Enkirari Wilderness Camp

Spend the next two days discovering the extraordinary wildlife and landscapes of Serengeti National Park. With additional time in this remarkable ecosystem, you can explore different wildlife areas and enjoy a more flexible safari experience.

Each day will be planned around your interests and preferences, with your professional safari guide recommending the most rewarding times and locations for wildlife viewing.

You may choose to begin your day with an early morning game drive, when many animals are particularly active. This is an excellent opportunity to observe predators returning from their nightly hunts, lions beginning their day, and other wildlife gathering across the plains.

Alternatively, enjoy breakfast at camp before heading out for a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch. This option allows you to explore more distant sections of the park without returning to camp during the afternoon.

Throughout your stay, look out for the Serengeti’s magnificent big cats, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. You may also encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and numerous bird species.

Depending on the season, your guide can take you towards areas where the Great Wildebeest Migration is taking place. Witnessing thousands of animals moving across the open plains is one of Africa’s most spectacular natural experiences.

Between game drives, enjoy relaxing moments at Enkirari Wilderness Camp. Appreciate the peaceful surroundings, beautiful landscapes, and unforgettable African sunsets.

Each evening, return to camp for dinner and another comfortable night in the heart of the Serengeti.

Main destination: Serengeti National Park

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Silver Enkirari Wilderness Camp

Begin your day early with a memorable morning game drive in the Serengeti. Early mornings are particularly rewarding because many animals are active, offering excellent opportunities to observe predators and other wildlife in their natural surroundings.

Experience a spectacular African sunrise as the golden light spreads across the endless plains. Look out for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other animals beginning their daily activities.

After your morning wildlife adventure, return to camp for a delicious brunch before preparing for your journey towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s most remarkable natural attractions and is often described as the eighth natural wonder of the world. Formed millions of years ago following a massive volcanic eruption, this enormous volcanic caldera covers approximately 264 square kilometres and is surrounded by steep crater walls.

The crater is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, making it one of the best destinations in Africa for game viewing. Its diverse habitats include open grasslands, freshwater swamps, forests, rivers, and a shallow alkaline lake that attracts flamingos.

Wildlife includes lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, and the endangered black rhino. The crater is particularly famous for its large bull elephants, some of which have impressive tusks.

Arrive at the crater rim in time to enjoy a beautiful sundowner while admiring the breathtaking scenery.

Check in at Pakulala Safari Camp for dinner and an overnight stay overlooking the magnificent Ngorongoro landscape.

Main destination: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Pakulala Safari Camp

Wake up early and prepare for an unforgettable safari experience inside the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.

After breakfast, descend the steep crater walls into one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations. The crater floor offers an exceptional concentration of wildlife within a relatively compact area, creating wonderful opportunities for photography and animal encounters.

Explore the different habitats, including open grasslands, acacia woodlands, swamps, and freshwater lakes. Look out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, and hippos.

Ngorongoro is also one of the few places in Tanzania where visitors have a reasonable chance of spotting the endangered black rhino in its natural habitat.

Enjoy a picnic lunch near the beautiful hippo lake, where you can appreciate the peaceful scenery and observe wildlife around the water.

After lunch, continue with a short afternoon game drive, exploring more of the crater floor before ascending through its spectacular walls.

Once you exit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, begin your scenic journey towards Lake Eyasi, a beautiful destination known for its cultural heritage and traditional communities.

Arrive at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation in preparation for the following day’s cultural experience.

Main destination: Lake Eyasi

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge

Today offers one of the most unique and memorable experiences of your Tanzania Beach & Bush Safari, as you discover the traditional lifestyle of the Hadzabe people.

Wake up very early, just before sunrise, and meet your local guide for an excursion to visit the Hadzabe, one of Tanzania’s indigenous communities who continue to practise traditional hunting and gathering.

The Hadzabe are known for their close relationship with nature and their traditional way of life, which has been maintained over generations.

During your visit, you will receive an introduction to their community, customs, and daily activities. Depending on the community’s plans and availability, you may have the opportunity to accompany the men on a traditional hunting excursion or join the women as they gather fruits and other natural resources.

This cultural experience offers valuable insights into traditional survival skills, food gathering practices, and the community’s connection with the surrounding environment.

It is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about their distinctive language, customs, and traditions while capturing memorable photographs respectfully.

After your cultural visit, continue to the beautiful Lake Eyasi, a shallow alkaline lake situated on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The surrounding scenery and birdlife provide a peaceful conclusion to your northern Tanzania adventure.

Later, transfer for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar.

Upon arrival, meet your transfer representative and proceed to Nungwi Dreams by Mantis, a luxury beachfront hotel located on the northern coast of Zanzibar.

Enjoy the tropical atmosphere, beautiful ocean views, and relaxing surroundings.

Main destination: Lake Eyasi and Zanzibar Island

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

After your exciting safari and cultural adventures, enjoy two relaxing days on the beautiful island of Zanzibar.

Known for its white sandy beaches, turquoise Indian Ocean waters, swaying palm trees, and tropical atmosphere, Zanzibar offers the perfect setting to unwind after your wildlife adventure.

Spend your days relaxing at Nungwi Dreams by Mantis, enjoying the beautiful beachfront location and the peaceful surroundings. Swim in the warm ocean, relax beside the beach, soak up the sunshine, or simply admire the spectacular coastal scenery.

For couples and travellers interested in exploring the island, several optional excursions are available.

You may arrange a guided tour of Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historic cultural centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its narrow streets, historic buildings, traditional markets, and fascinating architecture. Possible stops include the Old Town, the famous spice market, and Prison Island.

Another exciting option is a visit to Jozani Forest, the island’s largest remaining area of indigenous forest and home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey.

Zanzibar is also famous for its spice heritage, offering opportunities to discover the island’s aromatic plantations and learn about the cultivation of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices.

Whether you choose to explore the island or spend your days relaxing on the beach, these two days provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the tropical beauty of Zanzibar.

Return to your hotel each evening for a peaceful overnight stay.

Main destination: Zanzibar Island

Activities:

Accommodations:

• Platinum Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Enjoy your final morning on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, taking in the tropical atmosphere and peaceful coastal surroundings.

Depending on your international flight schedule, spend some time relaxing at the hotel, enjoying breakfast, or taking a final stroll along the beach.

Reflect on the unforgettable experiences of your Tanzania Beach & Bush Safari, from exciting wildlife encounters in Tarangire and Serengeti to the spectacular landscapes of Ngorongoro Crater and the fascinating cultural visit with the Hadzabe people at Lake Eyasi.

Your journey concludes with a scheduled transfer from your hotel to Zanzibar Airport for your international departure flight.

As you leave Tanzania, take home wonderful memories of Africa’s incredible wildlife, rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.

Main destination: Zanzibar Island

Activities: Leisure time and airport transfer.