This exclusive 10-day Tanzania journey is crafted for travellers who refuse to choose between the thrill of the wild and the serenity of the sea. From the elephant-dotted plains of Tarangire and the flamingo-fringed shores of Lake Manyara, through the sweeping grasslands of the Central Serengeti and the ancient amphitheatre of Ngorongoro Crater, this itinerary delivers East Africa at its very finest. The adventure culminates on the powder-white beaches of Zanzibar, where the Indian Ocean stretches endlessly and the pace of life slows to something close to perfect. As a fully private safari, every detail is tailored to you, with no shared vehicles, no compromises, and nothing but extraordinary experiences from start to finish.
On Day 1 you will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred comfortably to your luxury hotel in the heart of Arusha, the gateway city to Tanzania's northern safari circuit. The remainder of the day will be at leisure, giving you time to settle in, refresh after your journey, and enjoy the warm hospitality of one of East Africa's most celebrated cities before the adventure begins tomorrow.
On Day 2 you will depart Arusha after breakfast and drive southwest into Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania's most underrated wilderness gems. The park is world-renowned for its extraordinary concentrations of elephants, and the ancient baobab trees that dot the golden landscape create a scene unlike anywhere else on the continent. Game drives throughout the day will reveal buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and a spectacular diversity of bird life.
On Day 3 you will enjoy a morning game drive in Tarangire before checking out and making your way to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but breathtakingly beautiful reserve set between the walls of the Great Rift Valley and the glittering alkaline lake below. The park is celebrated for its tree-climbing lions, vast flocks of flamingos, hippo pools and dense groundwater forest. In the afternoon you will continue to your lodge in the cool Ngorongoro highlands, perfectly positioned for tomorrow's Serengeti journey.
On Day 4 you will depart after breakfast and cross the spectacular rim of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, descending briefly into the crater highlands before heading northwest toward the endless plains of the Central Serengeti. The drive itself is a safari highlight, passing through Maasai lands and rolling savannah. You will arrive in the Central Serengeti in time for an afternoon game drive, where lions, leopards, cheetahs and vast herds of plains game await.
On Day 5 you will have a full day dedicated entirely to exploring the Central Serengeti, the wildlife capital of the world. Morning and afternoon game drives from your lodge will take you deep into prime predator territory, with resident prides of lions, elusive leopards, and the spectacular drama of the Serengeti ecosystem unfolding at every turn. The vast skies, golden grasses and constant movement of wildlife make this one of the most rewarding days on the entire journey.
On Day 6 you will set out on a final morning game drive through the Central Serengeti before beginning your drive southeast toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will arrive at your luxury tented camp perched dramatically on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where the cool highland air and sweeping views into Africa's greatest natural amphitheatre will greet you as the sun descends. This evening will be a chance to rest and prepare for a very special full-crater day tomorrow.
On Day 7 you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full morning game drive on the crater floor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most densely populated wildlife areas on earth. The 260-square-kilometre caldera is home to lions, black rhinos, elephants, hippos, hyenas, flamingos and an extraordinary cast of supporting species. Following a picnic lunch inside the crater, you will ascend and transfer to the airstrip for your scenic flight to Zanzibar, arriving in time for a relaxed dinner at your beachside hotel in Nungwi.
On Day 8 you will have a full day of pure relaxation on the white coral sands of Nungwi, one of Zanzibar's most beautiful and vibrant beach villages on the island's northern tip. The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean will be at your doorstep, offering exceptional snorkelling, swimming and the simple pleasure of unwinding after the exhilaration of the safari circuit. Optional activities such as a sunset dhow cruise, spice tour or a visit to Stone Town can be arranged at an additional cost.
On Day 9 you will enjoy another magnificent day of leisure on the shores of Zanzibar, with the Indian Ocean and the pleasures of Nungwi village entirely at your disposal. The morning light on the water, the fresh seafood and the laid-back rhythm of Zanzibari life make this a day worth savouring to its fullest. Whether you choose active water sports, a beachside massage or simply a long, lazy afternoon with a good book, this day is yours to shape.
On Day 10 you will enjoy a final breakfast at Z Hotel before checking out and transferring to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your homeward flight. This morning will offer one last chance to breathe in the salt air and reflect on ten days that have taken you from the vast cathedral of the Serengeti to the shimmering edge of the Indian Ocean.
Tell us your dates and dream, and a local specialist will craft your trip.
It depends on what you want to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, visit between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. For calving season and dense predator activity, January to March is excellent, particularly around the southern Serengeti. Kenya's two dry seasons (June to October and January to February) generally offer the clearest skies and easiest game viewing across Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu, since animals gather around limited water sources. The 'green season' (November and April to May) brings lush scenery, migratory birdlife, and lower rates, though some rural roads can be muddy. Tell us your travel dates and priorities, and we will recommend the destinations that fit best.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied for online before you fly; Tanzania and Zanzibar require their own separate visa, available online or on arrival depending on your nationality. Entry requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current rules for your passport a few weeks before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and we recommend it in general along with being up to date on routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B). Most safari areas are malaria zones, so antimalarial medication is strongly advised. Always check final requirements with your doctor or a travel health clinic, and ask us for the latest entry rules when you book.
Every itinerary we build is private and tailor-made by default: your own vehicle, driver-guide, and schedule, with no strangers added to your trip. That means you can linger an extra morning at a favourite lodge, adjust the route on the go, or add a visit to the Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre we support. If you would rather share costs or travel as a solo guest, we can also arrange a scheduled group departure and match you with other travellers on similar dates. Either way, your safari is planned by our Nairobi-based specialists around your budget, dates, and interests, not a fixed package.
Safari costs vary widely depending on where you stay and how you travel. Budget camping safaris in parks like Amboseli or Lake Nakuru can start from around USD 150 to 250 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris typically run USD 250 to 450 per day, and luxury tented camps in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti can exceed USD 750 per day. Your quote always includes a private vehicle, driver-guide, park fees, and accommodation as specified in your itinerary. Since every trip we build is tailor-made, tell us your budget and travel dates and we'll show you exactly what it buys, with no hidden extras.
Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives, since bright colours and dark blue can attract tsetse flies in some regions. Bring layers for early morning drives, which can be cold even near the equator, plus a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a portable charger make a real difference to the experience. Comfortable closed shoes are more useful than sandals, and most lodges offer laundry service, so you rarely need more than a week's worth of clothing even on a longer trip. We send a full packing checklist tailored to your specific itinerary and season once you book.
Yes. Alongside our guided safaris, we offer both self-drive car hire and chauffeur-driven vehicles for clients who want more flexibility around Nairobi, the coast, or shorter road trips. Self-drive suits experienced drivers comfortable with Kenyan road conditions, while a chauffeur-driven car is the better choice for game-viewing routes, night driving, or if you'd simply rather relax and let a local expert handle the roads. All our vehicles are well-maintained 4x4s suited to both tarmac and rougher safari tracks. Let us know your route and dates and we'll recommend the right option.
Millions of visitors travel safely to Kenya and Tanzania every year, and the main tourist circuits, national parks, and coastal resorts are well-established and closely monitored. As with any international travel, sensible precautions apply: use a reputable operator (we're KATO-verified), avoid displaying valuables in cities, and follow your guide's advice in wildlife areas, where the real risk is animals, not crime. We stay in regular contact with our clients throughout their trip, and our drivers know the routes and current conditions well. If you have specific safety questions about your itinerary, we're happy to talk them through before you book.
Absolutely, it's one of our most popular combinations. A typical itinerary pairs 4 to 7 days on safari in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Serengeti with 3 to 5 days unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar or Diani Beach, taking advantage of short connecting flights between the two. We handle all the logistics, including domestic flight bookings and airport transfers, so you go straight from game drives to the Indian Ocean without the stress of planning it yourself. Tell us how many days you have and we'll suggest a balance between wildlife and beach time that fits your trip.