The Tanzania Zanzibar safari itinerary, day by day
A 12-day Tanzania Zanzibar safari itinerary: four nights in the Serengeti positioned where the herds are moving, then a short flight east to slow days on Zanzibar’s powder-white coast.
Nothing here is fixed. In fact, this is the route we plan most often. So tell us what to keep, lengthen or swap, and we’ll send you your own version, fully priced.
January–March for calving in the southern Serengeti; July–October for the northern river crossings and drier Zanzibar conditions.
US travelers: check current entry requirements for each country on travel.state.gov and we also walk you through visas at booking.
Arusha
Land at Kilimanjaro International, where our meet-and-assist team walks you through arrivals; a private transfer brings you to your garden lodge outside Arusha. The drive is normally about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Ngorongoro Highlands
Privately to Arusha Airport for a short light-aircraft flight to Lake Manyara when schedules align, then by private 4×4 into the highlands. This unavoidable road leg normally takes about 1½–2½ hours. Two rim nights earn a private crater descent at first light, plus a guided highland walk or village visit.
Serengeti, by season
Next, fly from Lake Manyara Airstrip to the airstrip best placed for your dates: Ndutu for calving, Seronera or the west in the shoulder months, Kogatende or Lamai for the crossings. Also, scheduled bush flights may make brief stops; private charter on request. Then four nights in one seasonally chosen camp, with no camp-hopping.
Stone Town
Next, a scheduled light-aircraft flight connects your Serengeti airstrip to Zanzibar. Flying time and routing vary, normally about 1 hour 40 minutes to 3 hours or more depending on airstrip, airline and stops; a private charter simplifies it. If your confirmed arrival allows, the afternoon is Stone Town: carved doors, spice markets, courtyard dinner.
The Zanzibar coast
Then a private transfer to your stretch of coastline, normally about 60–90 minutes. Three full days of Indian Ocean time. The northern beaches are less affected by the tides, while the east coast trades that for reef walks and kiteboarding breezes.
Departure
Finally, a private transfer to Zanzibar International Airport with departure assistance for your onward flight.
Where you’ll stay on this route
We select your accommodation privately after we understand your dates, pace and priorities. Then we recommend each camp, lodge or villa for its location, guiding, privacy, room configuration and seasonal suitability. Finally, you’ll see the places we suggest, and why, in your proposal.
Plan your private safariEvery camp night, all meals and house drinks on safari.
A private expert guide and 4x4 where specified; at fly-in camps, game drives may be shared unless a private vehicle is reserved.
Park fees, light-aircraft hops and meet-and-greet on every leg.
Priced to your budget, your camps and the season. No set packages.
12 days · 12-Day Bush & Beach
January – March and July – October
Honeymooners and couples
The bush-and-beach classic: Serengeti, then the Spice Coast
Every itinerary is priced individually, to your budget.
Based on two guests sharing. Final pricing therefore depends on season, camps, private guiding, internal flights and itinerary length. International flights are excluded.
Every camp named night by night · internal flights and transfers · park and conservancy fees · meals and game activities per each lodge’s terms · airport meet & greet · a founder’s direct line while you travel.
In other words, this itinerary is a starting shape, not a package. Above all, every journey is fully tailor-made around your dates, pace and interests. Design this journey privately →
Questions about this journey
Make this journey yours.
Tell us when you’d like to go and what you’d change. We’ll send back your own fully priced version within a few days.
This Serengeti Zanzibar itinerary is a proven shape, and the beach half can be lengthened or dropped.
Plan your safari