NORTHERN SAFARI FROM ZANZIBAR
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Destination to Visit
Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara
Start / Finish in
Start in Arusha & End in Arusha
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Overview
Combining the calm pace of Zanzibar with the wildlife of northern Tanzania, this safari offers a practical way to experience the Serengeti and Ngorongoro without long overland drives. Scheduled flights connect the island to the mainland, allowing more time in the parks.
The program focuses on two of Tanzania’s most wildlife-rich ecosystems, beginning with the open plains of the Serengeti and ending at the Ngorongoro Crater, an area known for its unusually high animal density.
Day By Day
Day 1: Arrival in Zanzibar - Pick up and Transfer to Hotel
Your time in northern Tanzania begins with a transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel in Arusha, a town located at the base of Mount Meru and often considered the gateway to safari areas in the north. After check-in, the remainder of the day is available to rest and recover from travel or enjoy the hotel surroundings.
Arusha sits at an elevation of about 1,400 metres, and the cooler climate compared to coastal areas often comes as a welcome change. Later, a short briefing with our safari manager introduces the upcoming safari, reviews travel details, and provides space for any questions before departure the following morning.
Day 2: Fly From Zanzibar to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you’re transferred to Zanzibar Airport for a scheduled flight to Serengeti National Park. The flight itself offers a unique perspective of Tanzania’s changing landscapes, from coastline to highlands and eventually the endless plains of the Serengeti, which covers roughly 14,750 square kilometres.
After landing at an airstrip inside the park, your guide meets you and the first game drive begins immediately. Wildlife sightings often start within minutes, with zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles commonly seen grazing across open areas.
The Serengeti hosts over two million ungulates during the annual migration cycle, although animal distribution varies seasonally. You continue with a game drive en route to camp for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Serengeti National Park - Full Day
A full day in the Serengeti allows time to explore different sections of the park depending on wildlife movement and recent sightings. Morning and afternoon game drives provide opportunities to observe predators and herbivores in their natural environment, with lions frequently resting in shade during midday heat while cheetahs prefer open ground.
The Serengeti supports one of the largest lion populations in Africa, estimated at more than 3,000 individuals within the ecosystem. A picnic lunch is taken at a designated site, followed by continued exploration during the afternoon when animal activity gradually increases again. You return to camp before evening, with time to relax and share observations from the day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The morning begins with a final game drive in the Serengeti before travelling toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As the plains give way to rolling highlands, the change in altitude becomes noticeable through cooler air and greener vegetation. Along the route, wildlife can still be encountered, particularly herds moving between grazing areas.
The conservation area covers more than 8,000 square kilometres and supports both wildlife and Maasai pastoral communities living within its boundaries. Arrival in the Ngorongoro region is typically in the afternoon, allowing time to settle at the lodge and enjoy views across the highlands while preparing for the crater visit scheduled for the following day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha and Flight to Zanzibar
An early breakfast is followed by a descent into Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, measuring about 260 square kilometres in size and roughly 600 metres deep. The crater floor supports an estimated 25,000 large animals, including buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and one of Tanzania’s remaining populations of black rhino.
The morning is spent on a game drive across grasslands, wetlands, and acacia woodland, with a picnic lunch taken near a designated site. After ascending the crater walls, you drive back to Arusha where a transfer connects you to a scheduled flight returning to Zanzibar. Arrival in the evening allows time to settle back into your beach hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Departure
Your final day is arranged according to your flight schedule. After breakfast, you have time to relax at the hotel, take a short walk along the beach, or enjoy the last hours at a comfortable pace before transfer to Zanzibar Airport. Our representative will meet you at the appropriate time for the airport transfer, marking the end of the safari in Tanzania.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
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RECOMMENDED FOR
- Anyone looking to immerse themselves in Tanzania wilderness.
- People who want an authentic safari adventure.
- Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
PRICE INCLUSION
- All Game Drives;
- Accommodation At Lodges/Tented Camps
- English Speaking Driver/Guide;
- All Food; Drinking Water;
- 18% VAT Tax;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- Accommodation In Moshi/Arusha;
- Airport Transfers;
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities (guide, driver, lodge staff)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities