9-Day Tanzania Big Five Safari & Zanzibar Island Escape

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Transfer to Arusha

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be warmly welcomed by a Thamani African Safaris representative. Enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in Arusha, a peaceful town at the base of Mount Meru. Settle in, relax after your journey, and enjoy a welcome dinner. Your guide will brief you on the exciting safari adventure ahead.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Gran Meliá Arusha

• Luxury hotel located in Arusha (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, about two hours from Arusha. Known for its high density of elephants and towering baobab trees, this park also offers sightings of lions, leopards, zebras, and over 500 bird species. Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch by the river, often visited by wildlife. Continue your game drive into the afternoon before heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Marera Valley Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Serengeti with Game Viewing En Route

Today’s journey takes you through the Great Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro highlands toward Serengeti National Park. Along the way, enjoy game viewing opportunities and a stop at the Ngorongoro viewpoint for stunning photos. Enter the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill Gate, where you’ll begin your first game drive en route to your central Serengeti lodge. Arrive in time to enjoy the golden hour of wildlife activity.

Main Destination:

Central Serengeti National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)

High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Safari Haven Serengeti Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

Spend the entire day exploring the central Serengeti’s endless plains, home to the Great Migration and abundant year-round wildlife. Search for the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as cheetahs and hippos. Depending on the season, witness dramatic predator-prey interactions or herds of wildebeest and zebra stretching to the horizon. Picnic lunch is served in the bush, and you return to your lodge at sunset.

Main Destination:

Central Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Safari Haven Serengeti Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Ngorongoro Crater Safari

After breakfast, depart Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend 600 meters into the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera for a half-day crater tour. Spot endangered black rhinos, herds of elephants, flamingos, and lions in this lush, self-contained ecosystem. After lunch near the hippo pool, ascend the crater and drive back toward Arusha or Karatu for overnight.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Farm of Dreams Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Return to Arusha – Fly to Zanzibar

Enjoy a relaxing morning with breakfast at your lodge. Drive back to Arusha and have lunch in town before heading to Arusha Airport (ARK) for your short flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your beach resort. The rest of the day is yours to relax on the beach, dip in the ocean, or sip cocktails while watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Main Destination:

Zanzibar Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Accommodation:

Sea Cliff Resort & Spa

• Luxury resort located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Relaxation and Optional Activities in Zanzibar

Spend the day at leisure on Zanzibar’s stunning beaches. Optional activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing on a traditional dhow, or visiting Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in Swahili culture and history. For those interested in nature, spice tours or visits to Jozani Forest can also be arranged.

Main Destination:

Zanzibar Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Accommodation:

Sea Cliff Resort & Spa

• Luxury resort located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Leisure – Explore or Unwind

Enjoy another day of complete relaxation or light adventure. Take a yoga session by the beach, pamper yourself with a massage, or go kayaking in the crystal-clear waters. Whether you're reading a book under the palm trees or exploring local villages, this is your time to fully unwind.

Main Destination:

Zanzibar Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Accommodation:

Sea Cliff Resort & Spa

• Luxury resort located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Morning at Leisure – Transfer to Zanzibar Airport – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning at your beach resort. Depending on your flight schedule, take a swim or simply soak up the tranquil surroundings before your transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward journey. You’ll leave Tanzania with unforgettable memories of wild savannahs and serene island bliss.

Main Destination:

Zanzibar Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.