15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour – Wildlife Safaris And Relaxation

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour – SAFARI OVERVIEW

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour is a relaxed 14 nights/15 days Tanzania tour, offering you a total Tanzanian northern circuit wildlife safari experiences, amazing community cultural encounters, and relaxation on the tropical islands of Zanzibar.

Your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour begins in Arusha. Then travel to the beautiful Tarangire National Park, known for its mystical baobab trees and huge elephant herds. From here, we take you for a walking tour of Mto wa Mbu Village before continuing to Lake Manyara NP – home to flamingos and tree-climbing lions.

Next, visit the Olduvai Gorge, where the Louis and Mary Leakeys’ discoveries in the last century convinced the scientific world that humanity arose in East Africa. Then, it’s on to the legendary Serengeti, the home of the Great Wildebeest Migration – the biggest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth. Thereafter, go to Ngorongoro Crater, a natural geological wonder where you can see all of the Big 5 animals in a single day. Finally, fly out to the spice island of Zanzibar and spend three days here indulging in all the pleasures that this piece of paradise has to offer.

If you would like to book or customize this 15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour to suit your personal needs and preferences – please contact us.

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES

• Take a walking tour of Arusha Town
• Enjoy thrilling daily game drives
• Spot huge elephant herds in Tarangire
• Visit the Cradle Of Mankind – Olduvai Gorge
• Search for African Big 5 animals
• Spot lions, leopards, and cheetahs on thrilling hunts
• Explore the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater
• Tour the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu
• Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
• Fantastic birdwatching
• Relax on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar
• Explore the historic Stone Town in Zanzibar
• Optional sunset cruise, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, etc

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour– FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS

Day: 1 & 2: Arusha – Arusha National Park

Day: 3, 4 & 5: Tarangire National Park

Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park

Day 7, 8 & 9: Serengeti National Park & Olduvai Gorge

Day 10 & 11: Ngorongoro Crater

Day 12, 13, & 14: Zanzibar.

Day 15: Departure.

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport & transfer to Arusha

Day 2: Game drive in Arusha National Park & community walk or cycling tour.

Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire National Park & do a game drive

Day 4: Unlimited Game Drives in Tarangire National Park

Day 5: Whole day game drive in Tarangire National Park

Day 6: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park. En route cultural tour of Mto wa Mbu village & a game drive on arrival.

Day 7: Transfer to Serengeti NP via Olduvai Gorge. Enjoy an en-route game drive

Day 8: Full-day game drive in Serengeti

Day 9: Another full-day game drive in Serengeti

Day 10: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater & do a game drive.

Day 11: Full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater

Day 12: Transfer back to Arusha for your flight to Zanzibar.

Day 13: Relax on Zanzibar Beaches

Day 14: A walking tour of Stone Town & relax in the afternoon

Day 15: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for departure.

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport & Transfer to Your Hotel Arusha

A warm welcome awaits you on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, the gateway to Tanzania’s famous northern safari highlights. You’ll be met by our company representative who will help you pack your bags in our comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle and transfer you to your comfortable overnight accommodation in Arusha, less than an hour away. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Impala Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge

Midrange: – Outpost Lodge

Meal Plan: – Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Pick up from the airport.
• Transfer to a hotel.

Day 2: Game Drive in Arusha National Park & Community Walk or Cycling Tour of Villages

After a delicious breakfast on day two of your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, take a 45-minute drive to Arusha National Park for an exciting morning game drive. This scenic little park of 137km² is very quiet and has a wide variety of animals, amazing birdlife, and landscapes.

From the swampy Ngurdoto Crater and alkaline lakes to dense jungle and the towering peaks of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. You can spot the acrobatic Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Zebras, Giraffes, Buffaloes, Elephants, Hippos, Pink Flamingos, etc. After a game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the late afternoon, embark on a community walk and explore the colorful local marketplaces to get a feel for local life in Africa. Today, you can also opt for a cycling tour of villages on Arusha’s outskirts. You return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Impala Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge

Midrange: – Outpost Lodge

Meal Plan: – Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Game drive
• Arusha community walk

Optional Activities:-

• Canoe ride on Momella Lake
• Cycling tour through villages

Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire NP & Do a Game Drive

After breakfast at 8.00 am, embark on a 2½ drive to Tarangire National Park in the southwest. Along the way, enjoy the view of the beautiful nature, landscapes, and local communities. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. After lunch, take some time to relax before going on a game drive in Tarangire.

Tarangire National Park is a beautiful, peaceful park off the beaten safari track, most famous for its elephants that congregate in herds of up to 300 animals! The park is named after the Tarangire River and its landscape is primarily an open savanna dotted with mystical baobab trees (the largest trees in Africa).

Tarangire hosts a dense wildlife population, especially during the dry season of June to September. During this time when the sun has baked all moisture from the surrounding landscapes, massive herds of elephants, buffalos, wildebeests, Hartebeests, Giraffes, Gazelles, and Elands – are lured to the enticing waters of River Tarangire. Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyenas, and other predators follow the herds.

The highlight of the Day: – Viewing huge elephant herds

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 150km/2½ hours

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Tarangire
• Game drive

Optional Activity: –

• Night game drive

Day 4: Unlimited Game Drives In Tarangire

On day 4 of the 15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour, have your first full-day safari in the wonderful Tarangire. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, returning to camp or lodge for lunch, and a short relaxation in the heat of the day.

Tarangire is one of our favorite Tanzania national parks, partly because it is quieter than the other reserves, but also because of its incredible natural beauty. It is really an awe-inspiring place, comprising granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and swamps. It is also one place in Tanzania where rare dry-country antelopes such as Beisa Oryx and Gerenuk are regularly seen.

On the game drive, you will also look for Impalas, Waterbucks, Baboons, Cheetahs, Caracals, Honey Badgers, African wild dogs, and Common Dwarf Mongoose.  Return to your lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Full-day game drive

Optional Activity: –

• Walking safari

Day 5: Whole Day Game Drive in Tarangire

Day 5 of your 15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour begins with a good breakfast. Then, enjoy another morning game drive, looking for animals and birds you may have missed out on during your first excursions. Again return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before you head out again on an afternoon game drive.

About 550 bird species have been recorded in Tarangire, including the colorful Yellow-collared Lovebird, the Common Ostrich (the world’s largest bird), and the Kori Bustard (the heaviest flying bird in the world). After another amazing day in Tarangire, return to the lodge or camp for your final dinner and overnight here.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Full-day game drive

Day 6: Travel to Lake Manyara NP. En Route Cultural Tour Of Mto Wa Mbu Village & A Game Drive On Arrival

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on a 2-hour drive northwest to Lake Manyara National Park at the scenic base of the Rift Valley escarpment. En route, tour the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu, one of the only places in Tanzania where there are representatives from all 120 tribes living happily side by side.

Discover the very social side of African rural life in Tanzania; from the small farms to schools, and markets. Observe the Makonde tribe’s intricate wood carving and tribal painting techniques and learn how the Chagga tribe brews their “Mbege”, traditional banana, and millet beer. Then, continue to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive in Manyara.

This scenic little park is famous for its birds (over 400 species), tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos, and three species of primates. The park is home to the largest baboon troops ever documented. You’ll also look out for Buffalo, Hippos, Giraffes, Zebras, Gazelles, Impalas, Waterbucks, Leopards, Hyenas, Jackals, Otters, etc.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Lake Manyara Serena Lodge

Midrange: – Manyara Kirurumu Camp

Budget: – Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 110km/2 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Lake Manyara
• Walking tour of Mto wa Mbu Village
• Game drive

Optional Activities: – Night Game drive

Day 7: Transfer to Serengeti NP via Olduvai Gorge. Enjoy an Enroute Game Drive

Day 7 of your 15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour begins with an early breakfast. Then, have your packed lunch and embark on a 5-6 hour drive north.

Pass through the scenic Rift Valley and Maasai villages. Make a stop in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and tour the Olduvai Gorge Museum – located near the site where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis, one of the earliest members of the human genus in the 1960s.

Your destination today is the Serengeti National Park, a world heritage site, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and home to the Great Migration – the biggest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth.

On arrival, enter through the southern region. Enjoy a game drive as you continue to your lodge in the central Serengeti – Seronera area. The area forms part of “the Great Migration” and is hailed as one of the best places in Africa to see predators, particularly lions, leopards, and cheetahs – on thrilling hunts. After arriving at your camp or lodge freshen up and enjoy dinner.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge

Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp (Bungalow)

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 250km/5-6 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Serengeti
• Visit Olduvai Gorge Museum
• Evening game drive

Day 8: Unlimited Game Drives In Serengeti

After early breakfast, go on a full safari in Serengeti. You’ll return to your camp for lunch and relaxation and then go out on an afternoon game drive. During game drives, explore the heart of the Serengeti, the beautiful Seronera River Valley.

The scenic landscape of this pristine valley is truly magnificent. Endless savannas stretch beyond the horizon. Meandering rivers wind through trees, pools, seasonal swamps, and open fields. The dark silhouettes of umbrella-shaped acacia trees rise above the plains and colossal mounds of granite kopjes loom in the distance, forming a classic image of quintessential Africa.

Seronera is the best place in Africa to observe large carnivores in action! It is not unusual to encounter all four large predators (lion, hyena, leopard, and cheetah) during the course of a day along with a multitude of smaller predators: mongoose, jackal, serval, and bat-eared fox. After your first full safari in Serengeti, return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge

Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp (Bungalow)

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Game drives in Serengeti

Optional Activity: –

• Hot air balloon safari

Day 9: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti

Today, have another full-day safari in Central Serengeti. You enjoy breakfast and lunch at the camp, with morning and afternoon game drives included. Serengeti means ‘Endless Plains’ in Maa language of the Maasai People.

The park contains the world’s greatest remaining concentration of plains animals. Packs of African Wild Dog prides of Lion (the population here is over 3,000), Cheetah, Leopard (over 1,000), and Spotted Hyaena (almost 9,000 in number) are often seen tailing herds of Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Topi, Gazelles, Buffalo, Elephant, Eland, Impalas, and Waterbuck.

Serengeti is also home to over 500 bird species including Common Ostriches, Southern Ground hornbills, Kori bustard, Secretary birds, Vultures, etc. You’ll again return to the camp after a game drive for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge

Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp

Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Full-day Game drive

On day 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, have an early breakfast and then embark on a morning en-route game drive as you leave the flat grassy plains of the Serengeti to the rugged forested hills of the Ngorongoro.  Travel through beautiful Masai villages en route.

Your destination today is the Ngorongoro Crater. You arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, after which you descend 2,000ft to the crater floor. On the way into the crater, learn some cool facts about this incredible natural geological wonder. Ngorongoro Crater is a world heritage site, the largest unbroken volcanic caldera on Earth, and is commonly referred to as the 8^th wonder of the world.

The 2,000ft high walls of the 264km² wide Crater host the densest populations of large animals anywhere. It hosts over 25,000 large mammals. And is the best place in East Africa to see the Big 5 – Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, and Elephant. After a game drive, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx.140km/3-4 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Ngorongoro
• Game drives

Day 11: Full-Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater

After a good breakfast, embark on a full-day safari inside the magnificent Ngorongoro crater. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the 264km² crater floor and return late afternoon to your lodge on the rim of the crater for dinner.

Although animals can move in and out of the crater, climbing the steep caldera walls requires some effort, so much of the wildlife is resident inside.

Herbivores include elephant, black rhino, hippo, buffalo, eland, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, waterbuck, warthog, Grant’s gazelle, and Thomson’s gazelle. Carnivores include lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, serval, ratel, jackal, and bat-eared fox. Ngorongoro is also a bird Eden for more than 500 species including Flamingos, Ostriches, beautiful crowned cranes, and the Golden-winged sunbirds.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge

Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Full Game drive

Day 12: Drive Back to Arusha for Your Flight to Zanzibar

On day 12 of the 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, enjoy an early breakfast and then embark on a 5-6 hour drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.

Your flight takes you over the impossibly turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean before landing on the island, a sunny place with palm-fringed white sand beaches and a blend of cultures. Most of the best beaches are on the east coast, and you’ll pass vibrant villages and spice plantations on the way to wherever you’re staying on the beach. Spend the rest of today relaxing.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Baraza Resort & Spa/The Residence Zanzibar

Midrange: – Zuri Zanzibar Hotel & Resort/Reef & Beach Resort

Meal Plan: – Pongwe Beach Hotel/Sunshine Hotel, Zanzibar

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer back to Arusha
• Flight to Zanzibar

Day 13: Relax on Zanzibar Beaches

Zanzibar offers a variety of activities and attractions, but you’ll spend your time just relaxing on the beach. If you are feeling more active, however, it is easy to arrange Scuba diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Kite surfing, Water skiing, Traditional dhow cruises, or a cycling tour to explore the local fishing villages.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Baraza Resort & Spa/The Residence Zanzibar

Midrange: – Zuri Zanzibar Hotel and Resort/Reef & Beach Resort

Budget: – Pongwe Beach Hotel/ Sunshine Hotel, Zanzibar

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

Day 14: Tour of the Historic Stone Town & Afternoon Relaxation

After a leisurely breakfast on day 14 of your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, go for a walking tour of the historic Stone Town, the fascinating old quarter of Zanzibar, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The diverse architecture in the town is a testament to the various cultures: African, Arab, European, and Indian – that occupied this exotic island. Walk along the bustling narrow streets and admire the historical old. Visit local fruits and vegetable market, fish market, Tip tipu house, and National Museum.

Tour the House of Wonders and the Old Slave Market, now the site of Anglican Cathedral Church, a building that houses several memorials to the city’s tragic past, one of which is an altar built over the spot where the whipping post stood. All newly captured Africans were chained to the tree here and whipped to test their mettle. You retire in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Jafferji House & Spa/Zanzibar Serena Hotel

Midrange: – Dhow Palace Hotel/Shaba Boutique Hotel

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner

Activities & Services: – A cultural tour of Stone Town

Day 15: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for Departure.

Today, you’ll be picked up and taken to the Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flights.

Meal Plan: – Breakfast

End of the 15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour − SAFARI INCLUSIONS

• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof &AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Airport Transfers

15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Islands Tour − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides, and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages/drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary