21-Day Tanzania Northern Safari Circuit & Zanzibar
This itinerary offers an exciting 21-day adventure across Tanzania's famous northern safari circuit, combining visits to world-renowned national parks like Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti, as well as a safari in Mkomazi. Afterward, head to Zanzibar for a relaxing and cultural beach escape. Both budget and luxury accommodation options are provided for each stop, and activities are detailed for each day.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Accommodation (Budget): The African Tulip Hotel
Accommodation (Luxury): Kilimanjaro Lodge
Activities:
Arrive in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. After clearing customs, transfer to your hotel to relax after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the local markets and enjoy a delicious meal in town.
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Accommodation (Budget): Tarangire Safari Lodge
Accommodation (Luxury): Swala Camp
Activities:
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and towering baobab trees. Enjoy a game drive with opportunities to spot lions, giraffes, buffalo, and a variety of bird species. Tarangire is quieter compared to other parks, making it a peaceful introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife. After the game drive, relax at your lodge or camp and enjoy dinner while overlooking the park.
Day 3: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation (Budget): Tarangire Safari Lodge
Accommodation (Luxury): Swala Camp
Activities:
Explore Tarangire further on a full-day game drive. Take your time spotting elephants, leopards, zebras, and wildebeests. Tarangire is particularly known for its concentration of wildlife during the dry season, as animals congregate around the waterholes. You can also choose to take a guided walking safari, led by an experienced local guide, to learn more about the park’s ecosystem.
Day 4: Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation (Budget): Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge
Accommodation (Luxury): Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Activities:
Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and spend the afternoon visiting the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. The crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stunning natural amphitheater full of wildlife. A game drive within the crater is a highlight, with chances to see the Big Five: lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and leopards. Afterward, head to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation (Budget): Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge
Accommodation (Luxury): Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Activities:
Enjoy a full-day game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, home to one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa. The lush landscape, filled with hippos in the crater’s lakes, flamingos, and large herbivore populations, makes this one of the most unique places to experience wildlife. Optional activities include a visit to a Maasai village for a cultural immersion.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti National Park
Accommodation (Budget): Seronera Campsite
Accommodation (Luxury): Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Activities:
Drive to the Serengeti National Park, arguably the most famous national park in Tanzania. The Serengeti is renowned for its annual migration of wildebeest and zebras, but also for its predator populations, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. After lunch, embark on an evening game drive to witness the stunning sunset and the animals in their natural habitats.
Day 7-8: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation (Budget): Seronera Campsite
Accommodation (Luxury): Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Activities:
Spend two full days exploring Serengeti on extensive game drives. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, with thousands of wildebeests crossing the plains. Alternatively, focus on predator viewing, with chances to see lions hunting, cheetahs sprinting, and leopards lounging in the trees. Sunrise and sunset game drives offer the best wildlife sightings and unique lighting for photography.
Day 9: Serengeti – Mkomazi National Park
Accommodation (Budget): Mkomazi Camp
Accommodation (Luxury): Tanzania’s Mkomazi Luxury Lodge
Activities:
Drive to Mkomazi National Park, one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. This lesser-known park is home to a variety of wildlife, including rhinos, giraffes, and zebras. Mkomazi is also known for its diverse birdlife, and you may have the opportunity to see rare species such as the African wild dog or cheetah. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon game drive and stay overnight in your chosen accommodation.
Day 10: Mkomazi National Park
Accommodation (Budget): Mkomazi Camp
Accommodation (Luxury): Tanzania’s Mkomazi Luxury Lodge
Activities:
Spend a full day exploring the Mkomazi National Park, taking in its beautiful scenery, and spotting wildlife. There are opportunities for walking safaris with a guide, offering a chance to learn more about the park’s ecosystem. You can also enjoy a private lunch in the bush and a sunset game drive.
Day 11: Mkomazi – Arusha
Accommodation (Budget): The African Tulip Hotel
Accommodation (Luxury): Kilimanjaro Lodge
Activities:
After breakfast, head back to Arusha for a relaxing afternoon. You can visit local attractions like Arusha National Park, or just relax at your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing dinner, perhaps exploring some local Tanzanian cuisine.
Day 12: Arusha – Zanzibar (Stone Town)
Accommodation (Budget): Al-Jazeera Hotel
Accommodation (Luxury): Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Activities:
Fly from Arusha to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, transfer to Stone Town and spend the rest of the day exploring its labyrinth of narrow streets, historic buildings, and vibrant markets. Visit the House of Wonders, Forodhani Gardens, and the Zanzibar Slave Market for a glimpse into the island's rich cultural history.
Day 13-16: Stone Town – Nungwi
Accommodation (Budget): Sunset Bungalows
Accommodation (Luxury): The Z Hotel
Activities:
After a morning tour of Stone Town, travel north to the beach town of Nungwi, known for its white-sand beaches and clear waters. Relax and unwind on the beach, enjoy water activities like snorkeling, swimming, or diving. Explore the local fishing villages and learn about the island’s culture. Enjoy fresh seafood dinners at local restaurants by the beach.
Relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Take a dhow cruise at sunset or explore nearby islands like Mnemba Island, where you can snorkel in coral reefs. Relax on the beach, explore the local village, or indulge in a spa treatment at your hotel. You may also want to try deep-sea fishing, or visit the Zanzibar Turtle Sanctuary.
Day 17: Nungwi – Stone Town
Accommodation (Budget): Al-Jazeera Hotel
Accommodation (Luxury): Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Activities:
After breakfast, return to Stone Town for the evening, where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at leisure. Do some last-minute shopping for spices, jewelry, and local crafts.
Day 18-19: Zanzibar (Relaxation)
Accommodation (Budget): Al-Jazeera Hotel
Accommodation (Luxury): Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Activities:
Spend these days indulging in more activities or relaxation. Visit Jozani Forest for a nature walk among Zanzibar’s endemic species, or explore the Spice Plantations where you can see how various spices are grown. Alternatively, relax at your hotel, explore more of the beaches, or enjoy a variety of water sports.
Day 20: Zanzibar (Departure)
Accommodation (Budget): Al-Jazeera Hotel
Accommodation (Luxury): Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Activities:
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Zanzibar, perhaps with a final stroll along the beach. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Day 21: Departure from Zanzibar
Activities:
Fly out of Zanzibar to your next destination or return home.
This itinerary gives you the perfect balance of Tanzania's spectacular wildlife and Zanzibar's tranquil beaches, offering both adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re interested in game drives or simply soaking up the sun on Zanzibar’s stunning beaches, this trip has something for everyone.
Optional Additions:
Mystery Lodge Stay: Spend a day surrounded by giraffe, zebra, monkeys, wildebeest, kudu and much more, from the moment you awake and draw back the curtains in your exclusive lodge to moment the sunset sets, you will be immersed in animals, even sitting down to breakfast outside in the picturesque settings as the wander by close enough to touch! Don't miss the photo opportunities with their tree climbing white lions!
Why not make it a multi country tip?: Extend your tour by a week or more and include Kenya's remarkable national parks including the Masai Mara, Hell's Gate and Lake Navaisha .
