Quick Facts
| Duration | 9 days / 8 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Arusha → Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha → flight to Zanzibar |
| Vehicle | Private 4x4 custom Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| Style | Participation camping on safari; beach resort or bungalow on Zanzibar |
| Group Type | Private departure only — no joining groups |
| Start / End | Arusha (JRO or ARK) / Zanzibar (ZNZ) |
| Best Months | June–October, January–February |
| Price From | USD 1,595–2,660 pp depending on season and group size |
This 9-day Serengeti to Zanzibar overland safari combines Tanzania's northern circuit with three nights on the Indian Ocean. You travel in a private 4x4 custom Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, camping inside the national parks, then fly to Zanzibar for the beach.
It suits travellers who want a real bush experience on a controlled budget. You get a private vehicle and a private guide, not a joining group. Participation camping keeps the cost down without cutting the wildlife time.
Safari Highlights
- 9 days / 8 nights combining Serengeti and Ngorongoro camping with a Zanzibar beach finish
- Private 4x4 custom Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, your own guide and departure date
- A full day in the Seronera Valley, the best year-round area for big cats
- Camping on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at 2,300m, with a six-hour crater floor game drive the next day
- Strong Big Five odds on the crater floor, including black rhino
- A short domestic flight straight from Arusha to Zanzibar
- A guided Stone Town walking tour and spice farm visit
- Two full days of beach time on Zanzibar's swimmable northern coast
- A dedicated safari cook handles all meals — participation camping means light tent duties, not self-catering
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha & Safari Briefing
You land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Arusha, roughly one hour. Check into your lodge or campsite. Your guide meets you in the evening for the safari briefing.
- Airport pickup and transfer
- Equipment check and packing advice
- Briefing on camping routine, park rules, and daily schedule
- Overnight in Arusha
Day 2: Arusha to Central Serengeti (Seronera)
Early departure after breakfast. You drive through the Great Rift Valley and across the Ngorongoro highlands, then descend into the Serengeti plains. Game viewing starts the moment you pass Naabi Hill Gate.
- Scenic drive via Karatu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Picnic lunch en route
- Afternoon game drive into Central Serengeti
- Pitch camp at a public campsite near Seronera
- Overnight: wild camping, Central Serengeti
Day 3: Full Day Game Drive in the Serengeti
A full day in the Seronera Valley, the best year-round area for big cats. Lion prides, leopards along the river lines, and cheetah on the open plains. Between June and October, herds of the Great Migration move through the northern and western corridors.
- Sunrise game drive when predators are active
- Search for lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena
- Migration tracking depending on season and herd movement
- Optional hot air balloon safari at extra cost
- Overnight: wild camping, Central Serengeti
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Morning game drive as you exit the park. You cross the Olduvai Gorge area and climb to the Ngorongoro Crater rim by late afternoon.
- Final Serengeti game drive
- Optional stop at Olduvai Gorge Museum
- Arrival at Simba Campsite on the crater rim
- Cold nights at 2,300m — pack a warm layer
- Overnight: rim camping, Ngorongoro
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Floor to Arusha
Descend to the crater floor after an early breakfast. The 260 km² floor holds around 25,000 large animals, including black rhino. This is the strongest single day for the Big Five.
- Six-hour crater floor game drive
- Black rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo at Lake Magadi
- Picnic lunch inside the crater
- Afternoon drive back to Arusha
- Overnight in Arusha
Day 6: Arusha to Zanzibar Coast
Transfer to Arusha Airport (ARK) for the domestic flight to Zanzibar. Flight time is roughly 75 to 90 minutes. Our driver meets you at ZNZ and transfers you to the coast.
- Domestic flight ARK or JRO to ZNZ
- Transfer to Nungwi, Kendwa, or Stone Town depending on your preference
- Rest of the day free
- Overnight: beach resort or beach bungalow
Day 7: Zanzibar Beach Day & Optional Water Sports
A full free day on the coast. Nungwi and Kendwa have swimmable water at all tide levels, which the east coast does not.
- Swimming, sunbathing, and beach walks
- Optional snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll
- Optional diving, kitesurfing, or sunset dhow cruise
- Overnight: beach resort or beach bungalow
Day 8: Spice Tour & Stone Town Walking Tour
Half-day spice farm visit, then a guided walk through Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Spice plantation tour with tasting
- Stone Town walking tour: House of Wonders, Old Fort, Darajani Market
- Former slave market and Anglican Cathedral
- Forodhani Gardens night food market
- Overnight: beach resort or beach bungalow
Day 9: Departure
Breakfast at your own pace. Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) for your onward flight. Allow three hours for international departures.
Get Free Quote ›Tour Cost & Pricing
Prices are per person in USD, based on a private 4x4 Land Cruiser and private guide.
Season Guide
- Low SeasonNovember–May, excluding holidays
- High SeasonJanuary–February, June–October
- Peak SeasonJuly–August, December 20–January 10
Private Camping Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Party Size | Low Season | High Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Persons | $2,145 | $2,390 | $2,660 |
| 4 Persons | $1,780 | $1,985 | $2,195 |
| 6 Persons | $1,595 | $1,760 | $1,950 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Private 4x4 custom Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| ✓ | Professional English-speaking driver-guide |
| ✓ | All Tanzanian park fees, crater service fee, and camping fees |
| ✓ | Full camping equipment: tents, mattresses, camp chairs, table, kitchen kit |
| ✓ | Dedicated safari cook |
| ✓ | All meals on safari (Days 2–5) |
| ✓ | Drinking water on safari |
| ✓ | Domestic flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar |
| ✓ | Airport and hotel transfers in Arusha and Zanzibar |
| ✓ | 3 nights beach accommodation on Zanzibar with breakfast |
| ✗ | International flights to Tanzania |
| ✗ | Tanzania visa and Zanzibar infrastructure tax |
| ✗ | Lunches and dinners on Zanzibar |
| ✗ | Travel and medical insurance |
| ✗ | Tips for guide, cook, and hotel staff |
| ✗ | Optional activities: balloon safari, Mnemba snorkelling, diving, spice tour entry |
| ✗ | Drinks, laundry, and personal items |
Getting There & Travel Logistics
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), with the best connections via Doha, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Dubai, and Nairobi. Arusha Airport (ARK) is an alternative arrival point for domestic connections from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.
You exit via Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ), with direct connections to Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and seasonal European charters.
Visa & Health Requirements
Most nationalities can get a Tanzania visa on arrival or apply online in advance — check the requirements for your passport before travelling. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you're arriving from a country with endemic yellow fever.
Packing for Camping
Pack in soft duffel bags only — domestic flights cap checked luggage at 15 kg. Nights on the Ngorongoro Crater rim get cold at 2,300m elevation, so bring a warm layer even though you'll be in Africa.
