Overview
Seven days on the Northern Circuit. Five nights on Zanzibar. One private vehicle for the entire safari. This 12-day Northern Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour covers Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, then flies you to Zanzibar for beach time, Stone Town, and spice farms. Every game drive runs in your own private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a dedicated driver-guide.
Quick answer: The 12-Day Northern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Escape is a private Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour. It covers 4 parks on the Northern Circuit over 7 days, then adds 5 nights on Zanzibar. Travel is entirely in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser, with a domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar included.
Tour Highlights
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, your vehicle only
- Big Five private game drives across Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
- Dedicated professional driver-guide for the full safari
- Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar included
- 5 nights at a beachfront resort in Zanzibar
- Optional Stone Town and spice farm tours
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha (JRO) — Welcome to Tanzania
Your driver-guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and takes you straight to your Arusha lodge, about 45 minutes away. Once you settle in, your guide walks you through the route ahead and what to expect from each park. Tell him your priorities now, whether that's more photography stops or a slower pace, and he builds the plan around you. This is your only day off the road. Rest well before the Northern Circuit begins.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park — Giant Baobabs & Elephant Herds
You leave Arusha after breakfast in your private 4x4 Land Cruiser. The drive to Tarangire takes 2 to 3 hours, and you enter the park in time for an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River. This park is known for some of the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania, moving beneath a landscape dotted with towering baobab trees. Your guide also watches the riverbanks for lions, giraffes, and buffalo. The pop-up roof keeps every sighting in clear view.
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park — Tree-Climbing Lions & Flamingo Shores
A short transfer brings you to Lake Manyara, a compact park packed with contrast. You drive through dense groundwater forest before the terrain opens onto the alkaline lakeshore. Manyara is famous for lions that climb into acacia trees, and your guide knows where they tend to rest during the day. Along the shore, expect flamingo flocks, hippo pods, and troops of baboon. Birdlife here is dense, with over 400 species recorded in the park.
Day 4: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park — Endless Plains & Central Seronera
Today's drive takes you through the Ngorongoro highlands and down into the Serengeti's open plains. Game viewing starts as soon as you cross into the park, well before you reach camp. Your guide heads for Central Seronera, one of the richest wildlife areas in the ecosystem, and fits in an evening game drive on arrival. This is where the safari shifts pace. Wide horizons, resident predators, and far fewer other vehicles.
Day 5: Central Serengeti — Full-Day Private Big Five Game Drive
This is your full Serengeti day, and your private Land Cruiser means no fixed schedule. Your guide tracks recent sightings and takes you where the action is, whether that's a pride resting near a kopje or a leopard along the river line. You can take a bush breakfast or picnic lunch out in the field to stay out longer, or return to camp for a midday break. Stay with a sighting as long as you like. There is no group waiting on you.
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area — Crater Rim Sunset
You take a final Serengeti game drive before heading toward Ngorongoro. The drive climbs steadily through the highlands, and you arrive at your crater-rim lodge by mid-afternoon. That leaves time to settle in and watch the sun drop over the caldera from your room or the lodge terrace, one of the more memorable views on this route.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Tour — Drive to Arusha & Fly to Zanzibar
You descend to the crater floor at first light, when wildlife activity peaks and the light is best for photos. The crater holds one of the densest wildlife concentrations in Africa, and your guide covers as much ground as possible in the time you have. Expect black rhino, lion, elephant, hippo, and large flamingo flocks at the soda lake. After a picnic lunch, you climb back to the rim and drive to Arusha for your flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), a private driver takes you straight to your beach resort.
Days 8–11: Zanzibar Island — Beach Relaxation, Stone Town & Spice Farm Options
These four days are yours to shape. Spend them entirely at your beachfront resort in Nungwi, Kendwa, or Paje, or mix in a couple of excursions. A private Stone Town heritage tour takes you through the old alleys, markets, and historic quarter with a local guide. A spice farm visit lets you see, smell, and taste cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon up close. If you want to get in the water, a snorkeling trip or Safari Blue excursion covers the reefs and sandbanks off the coast. None of this is scheduled for you. Tell us what you want, and we arrange it.
Optional add-ons: private Stone Town heritage tour, spice farm visit, snorkeling trip, or Safari Blue excursion — all available at extra cost, arranged on request.
Day 12: Zanzibar Departure — Transfer to Airport (ZNZ)
After a final breakfast at the resort, a private driver takes you to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for your onward flight. If your flight departs late, ask about a day-use room so you can hold onto the resort until it's time to leave.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Seasonal Pricing (USD, Per Person)
Prices are per person in USD, based on a private 4x4 Land Cruiser and dedicated driver-guide. Travelling solo, or in a group of 7 or more? Contact us for a custom quote.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May
- High SeasonJanuary–March, June, November–December
- Peak SeasonJuly–October
Private Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Party Size | Low Season | High Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Persons | $5,950 | $6,950 | $8,100 |
| 4 Persons | $5,400 | $6,300 | $7,350 |
| 6 Persons | $5,050 | $5,900 | $6,900 |
Travelling solo, or as a group of 7 or more? Contact us for a custom quote.
Get a Live Quote for Your Dates ›What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for the full safari |
| ✓ | Dedicated professional driver-guide |
| ✓ | All park, conservation, and Ngorongoro Crater fees |
| ✓ | 6 nights full board on safari (Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) |
| ✓ | 5 nights half board in Zanzibar |
| ✓ | Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar |
| ✓ | All airport, airstrip, and resort transfers |
| ✓ | Bottled water on game drives |
| ✓ | Government taxes and VAT |
| ✗ | International flights |
| ✗ | Tanzania e-visa |
| ✗ | Travel and medical insurance |
| ✗ | Optional Stone Town, spice farm, and snorkeling tours |
| ✗ | Tips for guides and staff |
| ✗ | Alcohol and personal expenses |
Getting There & Logistics
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the main gateway for Northern Tanzania. It is about 45 minutes from Arusha. Most international connections route through Nairobi, Doha, Amsterdam, or Addis Ababa.
Internal Flight to Zanzibar
On Day 7, you drive from the Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha and fly to Zanzibar. This domestic flight is included. It connects through Arusha's domestic terminal and typically takes about an hour in the air.
Departure
Your trip ends with a private transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for your international departure.
Visa & Best Travel Months
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-visa, applied for online in advance. June to October is the best time for Serengeti and Zanzibar together, combining strong wildlife viewing with dry, sunny beach weather. January to March suits calving season in the south.
