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10-Day Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Escape — Arusha > Northern Parks > Ngorongoro > Serengeti > Zanzibar

Viewed by 135 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Settle

Arusha, Tanzania on October 1, 2025

9:00am

Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport / Transfer to Arusha

Meet your driver at JRO and transfer ~45–60 minutes to Arusha to check into your lodge; use this time to rest and confirm safari paperwork with your operator.
USD0, 1h0m.

12:30pm

Lunch — The Arusha Coffee Lodge

Settle in with a farm-to-table lunch and Tanzanian coffee at this popular lodge restaurant; a good chance to sample local flavors before safari.
USD18, 1h0m.

3:00pm

Arusha Town / Maasai Market (optional)

Short town walk or market visit to buy sundries and local crafts; many shops are open 9:00am–6:00pm but check vendor hours.
USD5, 1h30m.

6:30pm

Dinner — Local nyama choma (grilled meat) or hotel restaurant

Enjoy a relaxed dinner at your lodge or a recommended local restaurant to taste grilled meats, stews, and local sides; lodges usually serve dinner 7:00pm–9:00pm.
USD20, 1h0m.

Day 2: Tarangire Safari

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania on October 2, 2025

5:30am

Early Breakfast at Lodge

Early breakfast to prepare for a full-day game drive; lodges typically serve breakfast from 5:00–6:30am for safari departures.
USD10, 0h30m.

6:30am

Drive to Tarangire National Park

Drive ~1.5 hours to Tarangire; arrive at park opening to maximize wildlife viewing—Tarangire is known for large elephant herds and baobab-scattered landscapes.
USD0, 1h30m.

8:30am

Full-day Game Drive in Tarangire

Game drives run sunrise–late afternoon; you’ll search for elephants, lions, buffalo and many birds across seasonal riverine habitats—great early and late light for photography.
USD60, 6h0m.

12:30pm

Packed Picnic Lunch in Park

Enjoy a packed lunch at a designated picnic site inside the park (check park rules about sites and times).
USD0, 0h45m.

5:00pm

Return to Arusha / Lodge

Drive back to your lodge for hot shower and rest; arrival late afternoon depending on game-drive pace.
USD0, 1h30m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Lodge or The Blue Heron

Relax with a hearty dinner at your lodge or a recommended Arusha restaurant; most lodges serve dinner from 7:00–9:00pm.
USD25, 1h0m.

Day 3: Lake Manyara & Transfer

Lake Manyara / Karatu, Tanzania on October 3, 2025

6:00am

Early Departure to Lake Manyara

Depart early (~1–1.5 hours) for Lake Manyara National Park for morning wildlife and birding along the lake edge and forest; park open sunrise–sunset.
USD45, 1h30m.

8:00am

Morning Game Drive in Lake Manyara

Search for tree-climbing lions, baboons, flamingos and large birdlife; forest and lake habitats offer different species than Tarangire.
USD60, 3h0m.

12:00pm

Lunch — Karatu Farm Restaurant

Drive to nearby Karatu for lunch at a farm restaurant; fresh salads and grilled fish/local dishes showcase highland produce.
USD15, 1h0m.

2:00pm

Transfer to Karatu / Ngorongoro Rim area

Check in to lodge in Karatu or on Ngorongoro rim; use afternoon for village walks or lodge activities—many lodges offer sunset viewpoints.
USD0, 1h0m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Lodge

Dinner at your lodge with views or local cuisine; confirm dinner service times (usually 7:00–9:00pm).
USD20, 1h0m.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania on October 4, 2025

6:00am

Pre-dawn Breakfast & Descent

Early breakfast and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim for descent just after sunrise—crater is open sunrise–sunset and best animal activity is morning.
USD15, 0h30m.

7:00am

Full-day Crater Safari

Descend into the crater for a full-day safari; the crater floor has dense wildlife including black rhino (rare), lions, hippos, and large herbivores in a compact area.
USD70, 6h0m.

12:30pm

Lunch at Hippo Pool Picnic Site

Enjoy a picnic or lodge-provided lunch at a crater picnic area (check permits and park rules).
USD0, 0h45m.

4:00pm

Ascend to Rim & Return to Lodge

Drive back up to the rim before sunset; relax at your lodge with crater views and optional evening cultural talk.
USD0, 1h0m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Lodge with Local Dishes

Dinner at your lodge sampling regional dishes like ugali, stews, and vegetable sides; most lodges serve by reservation in the evening.
USD25, 1h0m.

Day 5: Serengeti Transfer

Central Serengeti (Seronera), Tanzania on October 5, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast & Drive to Serengeti (or fly)

After breakfast depart by road (~3–4 hours depending on route) or take a short scheduled charter flight from nearby airstrip to Seronera in Serengeti—flying saves time.
USD0, 3h0m.

11:30am

Arrival & Lunch at Serengeti Camp/Lodge

Check into your camp or lodge in the Seronera area; many properties offer lunch service and immediate afternoon game-drive options.
USD20, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Afternoon Game Drive (Serengeti)

Afternoon game drive in the Serengeti—expect predators, large plains mammals and iconic open savanna vistas; game drives run until sunset.
USD100, 4h0m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Camp or Lodge

Traditional dinner under the stars at your camp or lodge; many camps offer set dinner times around 7:30pm.
USD30, 1h0m.

Day 6: Serengeti Full Day

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania on October 6, 2025

6:00am

Dawn Game Drive

Head out at dawn when predators are most active; full-day options include picnic lunch in the park and multiple game stops.
USD100, 6h0m.

12:30pm

Picnic Lunch in the Park

Enjoy a packed picnic at a scenic spot; parks allow designated picnic sites—check with your guide for permitted areas and times.
USD0, 0h45m.

3:30pm

Visit a Watering Hole or River Area

Afternoon drives target water sources where animals congregate; this increases chances for predator-prey interactions and good photos.
USD0, 2h30m.

7:30pm

Bush Dinner / Lodge Dinner

Return to camp for dinner; some operators offer bush dinners by arrangement—book in advance if desired.
USD35, 1h0m.

Day 7: Morning Safari & Fly

Serengeti to Zanzibar (Stone Town), Tanzania on October 7, 2025

6:00am

Short Morning Game Drive

Enjoy a final early morning game drive in Serengeti for last wildlife sightings and sunrise photos; plan departure timing with your lodge for transfer to airstrip.
USD60, 2h0m.

10:30am

Transfer to Seronera Airstrip & Fly to Zanzibar

Transfer to the airstrip and board a scheduled charter flight to Zanzibar (often via Mwanza/Moshi or direct seasonal links); flight time varies (~2–4 hours total with connections).
USD250, 4h0m.

3:30pm

Arrive Stone Town — Check-in

Arrive at Abeid Amani Karume Intl. (ZNZ) then transfer 15–30 minutes to Stone Town; check into a historic hotel and freshen up.
USD0, 0h30m.

6:30pm

Dinner — Forodhani Night Market

Head to Forodhani Gardens (open evenings ~6:00pm–10:00pm) for Zanzibar street-food specialties—grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza and local juices.
USD10, 1h0m.

Day 8: Stone Town & Prison Island

Stone Town & Prison Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania on October 8, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast — Emerson on Hurumzi or local cafe

Enjoy breakfast in a rooftop café overlooking Stone Town; many cafes open from 7:00–9:00am for breakfast service.
USD8, 0h45m.

9:30am

Walking Tour of Stone Town

Guided 2–3 hour walking tour visits House of Wonders (check current opening times, often 9:00am–4:00pm), Old Fort, Sultan’s Palace and local markets to learn Swahili and Omani influences.
USD25, 2h30m.

1:00pm

Lunch — Mercury’s Restaurant or Forodhani (if open midday)

Lunch with seafood or Zanzibari pilau; many restaurants open midday, but Forodhani is mainly evening so check midday availability.
USD15, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Boat Trip to Prison Island (Changuu)

15–30 minute boat to Prison Island to see giant tortoises and snorkel around coral; boats typically run 9:00am–3:00pm but private hires available — confirm boat schedules.
USD25, 3h0m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Stone Town Restaurant

Dine at a recommended restaurant in Stone Town sampling spice-influenced Swahili cuisine; most places serve dinner until 10:00pm.
USD25, 1h0m.

Day 9: Beach Time — Nungwi

Nungwi / Kendwa, Zanzibar, Tanzania on October 9, 2025

8:00am

Transfer to Nungwi (north coast)

Drive 1–1.5 hours to Nungwi or Kendwa in the north for white-sand beaches and calm waters; many hotels provide transfers — depart Stone Town in the morning to maximize beach time.
USD20, 1h30m.

9:30am

Breakfast at Beachfront Café

Enjoy fresh fruit, eggs and local bread at a beachfront café while taking in ocean views; most cafes open 7:00–10:00am for breakfast.
USD8, 0h45m.

10:30am

Snorkeling / Swim / Kayak

Spend the morning snorkeling or swimming—many operators offer guided snorkeling trips to nearby reefs or dhow snorkeling tours; equipment rental available onsite.
USD30, 2h30m.

1:00pm

Lunch — The Rock Restaurant (if open) or Beach BBQ

Enjoy a scenic seafood lunch; note The Rock often reserves and has seasonal hours—book ahead or choose a beach BBQ/seafood spot in Nungwi.
USD25, 1h0m.

4:00pm

Sunset Dhow Cruise (optional)

Take a traditional dhow for a late-afternoon cruise — typically departs 4:00–5:00pm and runs ~1–2 hours; great for sunset and coastal views.
USD40, 1h30m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Beachside Seafood

End the day with fresh grilled seafood at your hotel or a local restaurant; most beach restaurants serve dinner until ~10:00pm.
USD20, 1h0m.

Day 10: Relax & Depart

Nungwi to Stone Town / Zanzibar Airport, Tanzania on October 10, 2025

8:00am

Leisurely Breakfast & Morning Swim

Enjoy a relaxed final breakfast and a final swim or short spa treatment; most hotels provide breakfast from 7:00–10:00am.
USD10, 1h0m.

10:00am

Check-out & Transfer to Airport

Check out and transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ); travel time 45–90 minutes depending on traffic and hotel location — plan to arrive 2–3 hours before international flights.
USD25, 1h30m.

1:00pm

Optional Lunch near Airport / Duty-free

If time allows, have a final lunch or light snack near the airport; restaurants and cafes are available but confirm opening times with your schedule.
USD12, 1h0m.

3:00pm

Depart Zanzibar — Flight Home

Board your international flight home or onward destination; confirm flight times and check-in requirements in advance.
USD0, 0h0m.
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