Trip at a Glance
| Duration | 13 days / 12 nights |
|---|---|
| Safari Days | 8 (Tarangire, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater) |
| Beach Days | 5 (Zanzibar) |
| Vehicle | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser, pop-up roof, guaranteed window seat |
| Guide | One dedicated English-speaking driver-guide throughout the safari leg |
| Group Type | Private — families, couples, and small private parties only |
| Route | Arusha → Tarangire → Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Zanzibar |
| Ideal For | Luxury and mid-luxury travellers wanting a private safari and Zanzibar package without compromising on pacing or exclusivity |
| Price From | USD 2,950–4,950 pp depending on season and group size |
This 13-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar package combines four of East Africa's premier wildlife destinations with five nights of beach relaxation in Zanzibar. Beyond The Plains Safaris runs this as a fully private, customizable safari — no shared vehicles, no fixed group departures, no minivans.
Every guest travels in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, accompanied by a dedicated professional driver-guide for the entire trip. Pacing, stops, and photography time are set by you, not by a group itinerary.
Why This Itinerary Works
- Tarangire delivers Tanzania's highest elephant density outside the Serengeti ecosystem
- Central Serengeti (Seronera) offers year-round predator sightings and is the core of the wildebeest migration corridor
- Ngorongoro Crater is the most reliable single-day Big Five destination in Africa
- Zanzibar closes the trip with white-sand beaches, warm water, and zero itinerary pressure
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Private airport transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to your Arusha hotel. Safari briefing with your driver-guide. Overnight in Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Depart after breakfast for Tarangire, roughly 2 hours by private vehicle. Afternoon game drive focused on the park's elephant herds, ancient baobabs, and dry-season river congregations. Overnight at a lodge or tented camp inside or bordering the park.
Day 3: Tarangire National Park
Full day of private game drives across Tarangire's varied terrain — river valleys, swamps, and baobab woodland. Wildlife includes elephant, lion, leopard, and over 550 recorded bird species. Overnight in Tarangire.
Day 4: Tarangire to Central Serengeti
Transfer to Central Serengeti (Seronera), Tanzania's most productive wildlife-viewing zone. En-route game viewing as you cross into the Serengeti ecosystem. Overnight in the Seronera area.
Day 5: Central Serengeti Game Drives
Full day of private game drives in Seronera, known for resident lion prides, leopard sightings along the Seronera River, and cheetah on the open plains. Morning and afternoon drive sessions, timed to your preference. Overnight in Central Serengeti.
Day 6: Central Serengeti Game Drives
Second full day exploring Seronera's river network and kopjes (rock outcrops). Your guide adjusts the route daily based on recent sightings. Overnight in Central Serengeti.
Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Transfer from Seronera to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with game viewing en route. Arrive at your crater rim lodge in the afternoon. Overnight on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Tour
Descend to the crater floor for a full-day private game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater holds one of Africa's densest concentrations of predators, including the highest lion density of any protected area, plus a resident black rhino population. Picnic lunch on the crater floor. Ascend and overnight on the rim.
Day 9: Ngorongoro to Arusha, Fly to Zanzibar
Morning transfer from Ngorongoro back to Arusha (approx. 3–4 hours). Connect to a scheduled domestic flight to Zanzibar. Private transfer from Zanzibar Airport to your beach hotel. Overnight in Zanzibar.
Day 10: Zanzibar — Free Day
Full free day at your beach hotel. Optional add-ons: Stone Town heritage tour, spice farm tour, or snorkeling excursion (available on request, priced separately). Overnight in Zanzibar.
Day 11: Zanzibar — Free Day
Continued beach time. Optional water activities: dhow sunset cruise, Mnemba Atoll snorkeling, or deep-sea fishing. Overnight in Zanzibar.
Day 12: Zanzibar — Free Day
Final full beach day. Use this day for relaxation or any optional excursion not yet completed. Overnight in Zanzibar.
Day 13: Departure
Private transfer to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) for your onward or international flight. End of services.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Pricing is per person sharing, in USD, based on double occupancy.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonApril–May
- High SeasonJanuary–March, June, November–mid-December
- Peak SeasonJuly–October, December 20–January 5
Private Safari & Zanzibar Rates (Per Person)
| Season | 2 Guests | 4 Guests | 6 Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | $3,450 | $3,150 | $2,950 |
| High Season | $4,250 | $3,850 | $3,600 |
| Peak Season | $4,950 | $4,500 | $4,200 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle with pop-up roof throughout |
| ✓ | Dedicated professional English-speaking driver-guide (safari leg) |
| ✓ | All park entry fees: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area |
| ✓ | Full-board accommodation on safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner) |
| ✓ | Bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Zanzibar (5 nights) |
| ✓ | Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar |
| ✓ | All airport and inter-lodge transfers by private vehicle |
| ✓ | Bottled drinking water during game drives |
| ✓ | Government taxes and VAT |
| ✗ | International flights to and from Tanzania |
| ✗ | Tanzania visa fees |
| ✗ | Travel and medical insurance |
| ✗ | Alcoholic and premium bottled beverages |
| ✗ | Zanzibar optional excursions (Stone Town, spice tour, snorkeling, sunset cruise) |
| ✗ | Tips and gratuities for driver-guide and lodge staff |
| ✗ | Items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs) |
Getting There & Travel Logistics
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the standard arrival airport for this itinerary. Nairobi (Kenya) connections are also available on request for guests routing through Kenya. Your private driver-guide meets you at JRO on Day 1 and transfers you directly to your Arusha hotel — no shared shuttles are used at any point in this itinerary.
Safari Transport
All movement between Tarangire, Central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro is by the same private 4x4 Land Cruiser and driver-guide for the entire safari leg — no vehicle changes, no combining with other travellers.
Arusha to Zanzibar
On Day 9, your driver-guide transfers you from Ngorongoro back to Arusha, where you connect to a scheduled domestic flight to Zanzibar (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, ZNZ). Flight time is approximately 1.5 hours. A private vehicle meets you at ZNZ and handles all transfers to and from your beach hotel, including the final departure transfer on Day 13.
Road Conditions
Roads within Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro are unpaved. The pop-up roof Land Cruiser is purpose-built for this terrain and is the standard vehicle used across the Tanzania safari circuit.
