Quick Facts
| Duration | 11 days / 10 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Arusha, Tarangire, Central Serengeti (Seronera), Ngorongoro Crater, then Zanzibar |
| Vehicle | Custom 4x4 safari Landcruiser, reserved exclusively for your party |
| Style | 100% private — no shared vehicles, no fixed group schedules |
| Best Time | June–October and January–February for game viewing; Zanzibar's beach weather is good nearly year-round |
| Price From | USD 2,690–4,690 pp depending on season and group size |
This 11-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday combines five days of private big-cat game viewing across Tarangire, Central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater with six nights of white-sand relaxation in Zanzibar. Every game drive runs in a custom 4x4 safari Landcruiser, reserved exclusively for your party. No shared vehicles. No fixed group schedules. Just your guide, your jeep, and your pace.
This itinerary suits travellers who want the Northern Tanzania safari circuit paired with a genuine beach extension — not a rushed add-on. You spend real time in the Serengeti's Seronera Valley, one of the highest-density predator zones in Africa, then fly directly into Zanzibar for six nights of recovery on the Indian Ocean.
Key Highlights
- 100% private safari in a custom 4x4 Landcruiser — no group tours, no van safaris
- Three full game-drive days across Tarangire, Central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
- Central Serengeti big cat tracking in the Seronera River Valley — lion, leopard, cheetah territory
- Tarangire's elephant herds and ancient baobab-lined landscapes
- Ngorongoro Crater floor descent — one of Africa's most concentrated wildlife arenas
- Direct scheduled flight from the safari circuit straight into Zanzibar
- 6 nights on Zanzibar's white-sand coast, with optional Spice Tour and Stone Town excursions
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide throughout the safari leg
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha & Safari Briefing
Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Your private transfer takes you to your Arusha lodge. Your Beyond The Plains guide meets you for a pre-safari briefing covering the route, vehicle, and packing checklist for the days ahead. Overnight in Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park (Elephant Herds & Baobabs)
Depart Arusha after breakfast in your private 4x4 Landcruiser. Tarangire National Park holds one of the largest elephant populations in Tanzania, moving in herds of 100 or more along the Tarangire River during dry season. The park's baobab-studded terrain also supports large lion prides, leopard, and dense birdlife. Afternoon game drive en route to your lodge. Overnight near Tarangire.
Day 3: Tarangire to Central Serengeti (Seronera River Valley)
Drive to Central Serengeti with game viewing along the way, crossing the Ngorongoro Highlands into the open plains. Arrive at the Seronera River Valley, the ecological heart of the Serengeti and a year-round wildlife corridor thanks to its permanent water source. Afternoon game drive begins immediately. Overnight in Central Serengeti.
Day 4: Full Day Central Serengeti Big Cat & Game Tracking
A full day dedicated to game tracking in Seronera, widely regarded as the best location in the Serengeti for reliable lion and leopard sightings, with cheetah frequently spotted on the open grass plains. Your guide tracks fresh movement reports through the morning and afternoon, with a picnic lunch in the field. This is the itinerary's primary big-cat day. Overnight in Central Serengeti.
Day 5: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Morning game drive in Seronera before departing for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Afternoon arrival at your crater rim lodge, with panoramic views down into the caldera. Overnight on the Ngorongoro rim.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive & Flight to Zanzibar
Early descent to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a half-day game drive. The crater's 260 km² enclosed ecosystem holds one of Africa's densest wildlife concentrations, including a resident black rhino population. Ascend by midday, transfer to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airstrip, and fly directly to Zanzibar. Arrive at your beach resort by evening. Overnight in Zanzibar.
Days 7–10: Zanzibar White-Sand Beach Relaxation, Spice Tour & Stone Town
Four full days on Zanzibar's coast. Structure these days around your resort, with optional excursions.
- Spice Tour through Zanzibar's plantations, covering the island's clove, vanilla, and nutmeg trade history
- Stone Town walking tour — UNESCO World Heritage architecture, markets, and the old fort
- Free beach days for swimming, snorkeling, or full rest
- Optional sunset dhow cruise or Prison Island excursion
- Overnight in Zanzibar each night
Day 11: Departure from Zanzibar International Airport (Abeid Amani Karume)
Final morning at leisure, depending on flight time. Private transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for your onward or international departure.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
All rates are per person sharing, in USD, based on a private 4x4 Landcruiser safari with a dedicated driver-guide. Pricing scales by party size sharing one vehicle.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonMarch–May, November
- High SeasonJune–October, January–February
- Peak SeasonJuly–August, December 20–January 5
Private Safari & Zanzibar Rates (Per Person)
| Season | 2 People | 4 People | 6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $3,450 | $2,980 | $2,690 |
| High Season | $4,150 | $3,620 | $3,290 |
| Peak Season | $4,690 | $4,120 | $3,780 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Private 4x4 custom safari Landcruiser for the full safari circuit — never shared with other travelers |
| ✓ | Professional English-speaking driver-guide |
| ✓ | All park entrance fees (Tarangire, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area) |
| ✓ | Ngorongoro Crater service and vehicle fees |
| ✓ | Internal flight from the safari circuit to Zanzibar |
| ✓ | All accommodation as per itinerary (safari lodges and Zanzibar beach resort) |
| ✓ | Full board meals on safari; breakfast included in Zanzibar (unless otherwise specified) |
| ✓ | Airport transfers in Arusha and Zanzibar |
| ✓ | Bottled water during game drives |
| ✓ | Government taxes and VAT |
| ✗ | International flights to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) |
| ✗ | Tanzania visa fees |
| ✗ | Travel and medical insurance |
| ✗ | Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff |
| ✗ | Meals not specified in the Zanzibar portion (lunch/dinner, unless on full board) |
| ✗ | Optional Zanzibar excursions: Spice Tour, Stone Town tour, sunset dhow cruise |
| ✗ | Personal expenses (laundry, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs) |
Getting There & Travel Logistics
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the primary gateway for the Northern Tanzania safari circuit. Most international carriers connect through Amsterdam, Doha, Addis Ababa, or Nairobi. Your Beyond The Plains representative meets you at arrivals for a private transfer to Arusha.
Safari-to-Zanzibar Transit
After the Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater game drive, you transfer to a nearby airstrip (Arusha or Kilimanjaro) for a scheduled flight into Zanzibar International Airport / Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Flight time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. This direct internal flight eliminates the need for a return drive to Arusha.
Departure
Fly out of Zanzibar (ZNZ) on Day 11, either directly to your international connection or via a domestic hop back through Dar es Salaam, depending on your airline.
Baggage Note
Internal flights on light aircraft between the safari circuit and Zanzibar enforce a 15 kg limit per person, in soft-sided luggage. Pack accordingly for the internal flight leg.
