Tanzania • Safari & Beach • Itinerary
Serengeti and Zanzibar Itinerary: 10 Days of Safari & Beach
A Serengeti and Zanzibar itinerary is Tanzania's classic safari and beach holiday: six days of lions, elephants and endless plains, then four days of white sand and turquoise water. The two are linked by a short flight, so you can go from a game drive to a beach lounger in a single afternoon.
Your 10 days at a glance
- Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
- Day 2: Tarangire National Park
- Days 3–5: Serengeti National Park
- Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 7: Fly to Zanzibar, then Stone Town
- Days 8–9: Zanzibar beach days
- Day 10: Depart
Day 1
Arrive in Arusha
Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to a relaxing lodge near Arusha, the gateway to northern Tanzania's parks. On a clear day, you may glimpse Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru. Rest up, because the adventure starts tomorrow.
Day 2
Tarangire: land of elephants and baobabs
Tarangire National Park is famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. It is a wonderful first taste of safari, especially in the dry season, when wildlife gathers along the Tarangire River.
Days 3–5
The Serengeti: endless plains
The Serengeti is one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations. Spend three days on morning and afternoon game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and giraffes, returning each evening to your safari camp under a sky full of stars.
Depending on the month, you may also witness the Great Migration, the vast movement of wildebeest and zebra across the ecosystem. Read our Serengeti migration guide to see where the herds are each month.
Love story tip: Add a sunrise hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti, followed by a champagne bush breakfast. It is one of the most romantic experiences in Africa.
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater: a Garden of Eden
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to a remarkable concentration of wildlife. It is one of the best places in Tanzania to look for the endangered black rhino, alongside lions, buffalo, hippos and flamingos.
Day 7
Fly to Zanzibar and explore Stone Town
Swap the savannah for the sea. A short flight takes you to Zanzibar, where you can spend the afternoon wandering Stone Town's winding alleys before dinner at the Forodhani night market. See our Stone Town guide for highlights.
Days 8–9
Zanzibar beach days
Transfer to your beach resort and do as much, or as little, as you like. Swim in the Indian Ocean, snorkel around Mnemba Atoll, join a spice tour, or sail into the sunset on a traditional dhow.
Love story tip: End your trip with a private sunset dhow cruise, the perfect way to toast your safari memories.
Day 10
Depart Zanzibar
Enjoy a final swim and a slow breakfast before your transfer to Zanzibar's airport for your onward flight home.
Lions at sunrise, the ocean at sunset. Some journeys are so complete that they feel like a whole love story in a single trip.
Best time for a Serengeti and Zanzibar holiday
| Months | Safari | Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| June–October | Dry season, excellent game viewing; river crossings often in the northern Serengeti | Sunny, dry and breezy |
| January–February | Wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti | Hot, mostly dry |
| March–May | Green season, fewer visitors, some rain | Long rains, some closures |
| November–December | Short rains, good game viewing | Short showers, mostly pleasant |
For more detail, read our guide to the best time to visit Zanzibar.
Shorter or longer?
8 days: drop Tarangire and spend two nights in the Serengeti.
12–14 days: add Lake Manyara, an extra night in the Serengeti or a longer, slower beach stay.
Prefer Southern Africa? Our Kruger and Mauritius honeymoon offers a similar safari and beach experience.
Serengeti and Zanzibar FAQs
How do you get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
The easiest way is a light-aircraft flight from a Serengeti airstrip or Arusha. We arrange these flights for you as part of the itinerary.
How many days do you need?
Ten days is ideal: around six on safari and four on the beach. Eight days works for a shorter trip, and 12 to 14 days allows a slower pace.
When is the best time to go?
June to October is generally best, with dry weather for both safari and beach. January to February is also excellent and coincides with the calving season.
Plan your Serengeti and Zanzibar adventure
Tell us your dates, and we'll tailor this itinerary to your pace, budget and travel style.
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