19 Days Tanzania Safari Trip – Kilimanjaro Mountain Climbing, Wildlife Viewing, Local Community Experience, & Zanzibar Tour
19 Days Tanzania Safari Trip – SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour is a comprehensive 18 nights/19 days safari in Tanzania that combines Mount Kilimanjaro climbing, wildlife viewing, community cultural experiences, and a Zanzibar Islands tour.
Your adventure starts with a superb ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro via Machame Route, the most challenging and scenic way to the “Roof of Africa”. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) above sea level. It does not require technical climbing skills but demands hiking-level fitness.
After your six-day trek on Kili and relaxation, enjoy a game drive in Arusha National Park and a community walking tour. Next, visit world-famous safari destinations Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, as well as the hidden gem Tarangire National Park.
Wildlife is abundant, natural beauty is all around and the adventures you’ll have will be of a lifetime. And, if you time it right, witness one of nature’s most wonderful phenomena: the Great Wildebeest Migration.
After wild-watching and safari experiences in four of Tanzania’s most magnificent wildlife-viewing destinations, jet off for 4 days of relaxation on the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar to complete your unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime journey.
If you would like to book or customize this 19 days Tanzania safari trip Zanzibar tour adventure to suit your special interests and budget – please let us know.
19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES
- Climb Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain
- Hike through glacial valleys & Alpine desert
- Ascend Kibo to the Roof of Africa
- Community tour/local market visit/cycling tour in Arusha
- Game drive in Arusha National Park
- Daily game drives in Serengeti National Park
- Opportunity to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
- Opportunity to see Lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs on hunts
- Game drives in Tarangire National Park
- Spot huge elephant herds in Tarangire
- Spot the Big 5 in the breath-taking Ngorongoro Crater
- Relax on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches
- Zanzibar cultural & historical tour of Stone Town
- Optional sunset cruise, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, Dolphin tour, etc
19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS
Day 1: Arusha
Day 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6: Mount Kilimanjaro – Kilimanjaro National Park
Day 7, 8 & 9: Arusha – Arusha National Park
Day 10: Tarangire National Park
Day 11, 12, & 13: Serengeti National Park
Day 14 & 15: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Day 16, 17, & 18: Zanzibar & Stone Town
Day 19: Departure
19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHT
Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport & transfer to your hotel Arusha.
Day 2: Climb Kilimanjaro: Machame Gate (1,800m) – Machame Camp (3010m)
Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (3750m)
Day 4: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (3,960m).
Day 5: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp (4,640m)
Day 6: Ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) & Descent to Millennium Camp (3,820m).
Day 7: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m).
Day 8: Rest day in Arusha
Day 9: Morning game drive in Arusha National Park & afternoon community walk or cycling tour.
Day 10: Travel to Tarangire National Park for a game drive.
Day 11: Transfer to Serengeti National Park & do an evening game drive
Day 12: Full-day game drive in Serengeti
Day 13: Full-day game drive in Serengeti
Day 14: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area & do a game drive
Day 15: Whole day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 16: Return to Arusha for your flight to Zanzibar.
Day 17: Relaxation on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar
Day 18: Tour Zanzibar Stone Town & relax in the afternoon
Day 19: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for departure
19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive At Kilimanjaro International Airport & Transfer To Your Hotel Arusha
Your 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour adventure begins as soon as you touch down at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. You’ll be met by our company representative who will transfer you to a comfortable hotel in Arusha. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the lodge. In the evening, a briefing is held at the lodge, in preparation for your epic Mount Kilimanjaro climbing adventure.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Legendary Lodge
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Pick up from the airport
- Transfer to your hotel in Arusha.
Day 2: Climb Kilimanjaro: Machame Gate (1,800m) – Machame Camp (3010m)
Today, take your first steps in a week-long trek to conquer the continent’s tallest mountain. After a delicious breakfast, you’ll be driven to Machame gate (1,800m) to get your climbing permit and register with the search and rescue service.
You’ll be fully briefed, meet your dedicated crew that consists of guides, cooks, and porters, and have all your vital health checks done (your health will be monitored every step of the way to ensure you’re acclimatizing correctly to the thinning air).
Your porters will carry everything necessary to set up a comfortable camp, including your overnight rucksack – all you carry in your daypack. Today’s hike takes you through the lush Afromontane forest to Machame camp (3,010m). Your accommodation will be a spacious 3-person pup tent for every two guests with a 3-inch mattress, pillow, and extra-thermal sleeping bag.
Accommodation: – Machame Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: – Climb 1210m
Hiking Time: – 5-6 hours
Difficulty: – Medium
Habitat: – Rainforest
Day 3: Machame Camp – Shira Camp (3750m)
Day three of 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour begins with an early breakfast. After breakfast, continue climbing up to the second high-altitude camp, Shira Camp (3,750 m). On this day, you emerge from the Afromontane forest and proceed towards the heather zone – look out for massive lobelia plants along the way.
The Shira Plateau is a beautiful place with geographical features like lava tubes and glacial valleys. Physically, hiking is not very difficult, but you may feel the altitude changes, so pay attention to your body and keep in mind that choosing the proper pace is extremely important for good hiking.
Once you reach the camp, have lunch and some rest, after which you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Lava Tower Camp with a 300-meter gain in altitude. Back down at Shira Camp, a hot dinner will be served.
Accommodation: – Shira Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: – Climb 740m
Hiking Time: – 4-5 hours
Difficulty: – Low
Habitat: – Moorland
Day 4: Shira Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp (3,960m)
One of the most effective ways to acclimatize to increasing altitude is to ‘hike high, sleep low, which means to trek to a point above your campsite and then return to camp to rest. After breakfast, today, ascend into a barren alpine desert, head up to Lava Tower (4,630 m), and then back down to Barranco Camp (3,960 m).
Although is it a long day of trekking, you’ll reap the benefits of hiking high and sleeping low over the next few days. Barranco is well-known for its giant groundsel plants (Dendrosenecio). In addition, you will witness the famous Barranco Wall, impressive in both its massive size and steepness! The following day you’ll be climbing it, but don’t worry: it features an easy hiking trail.
Accommodation: – Barranco Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: – Climb 880m, Descend 670m
Hiking Time: – 6-8 hours
Difficulty: – Medium
Habitat: – Moorland
Day 5: Barranco Camp – Barafu Camp (4,640m)
After an early breakfast, begin summiting Barranco glacial wall. Climbing the wall is easy and only takes around one hour. After the hike, you can have a rest and take photos in front of the Kibo volcano.
Then start a more difficult trek to Karanga Camp, which features numerous ascents and descents during the route, but don’t worry: your expert guides will choose an optimal pace for you. After reaching the camp enjoy a warm lunch.
After a couple of hours, you have to complete ascend to Barafu Camp (4,640m) where you’ll relax in your tent. Tonight you’ll have an early hot dinner so that you can rest as much as possible before you tackle the summit.
You may experience a combination of nerves and excitement but it is worth trying to sleep as you have a long night ahead of you in very cold conditions.
Accommodation: – Barafu Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Altitude: – 680m
Hiking Time: – 8-10 hours
Difficulty: – High
Habitat: – Alpine desert
Day 6: Ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) & Descent to Millennium Camp (3,820m)
Most attempts to summit Kili start at about midnight.
There are various reasons for this: – some say there is a psychological benefit to not seeing how much further you have to go so you can concentrate totally on putting one foot in front of another and others want to summit at sunrise so you can greet a new day at the continent’s highest point.
Your guides will have taught you to hike slowly (‘pole, pole’) and to drink as much as possible because dehydration exacerbates altitude sickness. Patience and persistence will get you to Stella Point, from where it is a relatively short trek to the world-famous Uhuru Peak, where all those iconic photos are taken.
After reaching Uhuru Peak and taking the photos, make your way to Barafu Camp, and after a 2-hour rest continue your descent to Millennium Camp. The higher oxygen levels will make you feel more energetic and exhilarated that you have conquered Kili.
Accommodation: – Millennium Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: – Climb 1255m, Descend 2,075m
Hiking Time: – 8-12 hours
Difficulty: – High
Habitat: – Arctic
Day 7: Descent from Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640m)
When you wake up, you will feel relief from the reduction in height. After a warm breakfast, head for the park’s exit: Mweka Gate (1,640 m).
After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, followed by offering you a chance to share your opinions on the climb in the guestbook.
You’ll receive your certificates: green for reaching Stella Point and gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. Last you’ll be driven to your hotel in Arusha for a soft bed, electrical lighting, and – often best of all – a hot shower!
Accommodation: –
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Impala Hotel
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Altitude: – Descend 2,180m
Hiking Time: – 4-5 hours
Difficulty: – Low
Habitat: – Rainforest
Day 8: Rest Day in Arusha
Day 8 of your 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour is your well-earned rest and recovery day in Arusha. Take advantage of the day to relax by the pool, soak your aching muscles, restore your energy with good food and reflect on your incredible accomplishment.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Impala Hotel
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Dinner
Day 9: Morning Game Drive in Arusha National Park. Afternoon Community Walk or Cycling Tour
On day nine of your 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour, enjoy a good breakfast and then embark on a 45-minute drive to Arusha National Park. Here, participate in a leisurely game drive. Your drive will take you to park landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, sometimes known as ‘Little Ngorongoro’.
You cannot see all of the “big five” animals (elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, and rhino) here, but the park is home to the world’s largest population of giraffes! Plus, there are zebras, buffalos, elephants, flamingos, hippos, primates, and more.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the late afternoon, embark on a community walk and visit the colorful local markets to get a feel for local life in Africa. You’ll find everything from Maasai handicrafts and jewelry to fresh fruit, spices, carvings, and local textiles.
The highlight of the Day: – Game drive in Arusha NP
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Impala Hotel
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Game drive
- Community walk
Optional Activities:-
- Canoe ride on Momella Lake
- Cycling through villages
Day 10: Travel to Tarangire National Park for A Game Drive
Day nine of your 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour begins with breakfast at 8 am.
Then drive south for around two hours to Tarangire National Park. On arrival, enjoy lunch and take some time to rest. In the late afternoon, embark game drive. Tarangire is a beautiful quiet park, off the beaten safari track, known for its huge elephant herds, with some herds numbering over 300 animals.
It is named after the Tarangire River and its grassy plains are dotted with hundreds of Africa’s prehistoric ‘Trees of Life’, the baobab trees. Due to its low volume of visitors, the park offers a serene and intimate wildlife-viewing experience. Seek out large herds of zebras, giraffes, and wildebeest, as well as the skulking leopards, lions, and cheetahs that prey on them.
The park is also home to around 550 species of birds, including dazzling Yellow-collared lovebirds and the Kori bustard- the world’s largest flying bird. After your game drive, return to the lodge for dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the Day: – Spotting huge herds of elephant
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp
Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 150km/2 hrs.
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Tarangire
- Game drive
Optional Activity: –
- Night game drive
- Walking safari
Day 11: Transfer to Serengeti National Park & Do A Game Drive
After breakfast, have your packed lunch and embark on a 5-6 hour drive northwest to Serengeti National Park – a World Heritage Site. Serengeti has become world-famous for its annual wildebeest migration, an iconic and dramatic scene in wildlife documentaries for decades, and a true bucket list experience!
You drive through Masai Villages and Ngorongoro in the cooler crater highlands region. On reaching the park’s entrance gate, enter and make your way to 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.
You’ll enjoy a game drive along the way as you continue to your lodge in Central Serengeti for relaxation. In the evening, go on your first “official” game drive. Learn more about this legendary reserve as you drive along.
One of Africa’s 7 natural wonders, as well as one of the 10 natural travel wonders of the world, the Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest and most scientifically significant ecosystems on the planet. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the Day: – Big game viewing in Central Serengeti
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
- Evening game drive
Day 12: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Your day eleven of the 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour starts with an early breakfast. Then set off on a morning game drive. You’ll return to your camp for lunch. After lunch, you’ll have some time to relax and then you go out in search of more animals and birds on an afternoon game drive in Central Serengeti.
In addition to the wildebeest and zebra migration, Central Serengeti contains the highest numbers of year-round resident games, and the variety of landscapes explains the diversity of wildlife.
Volcanic in origin, the terrain has formed distinctive areas over time, from black clay pans loved by acacia trees and consequently giraffes to grasslands teeming with herbivores and their predators. Elephants roam the plains, with the Moru Kopjes rising like ships in a sea of green behind them. After the game drive, return to your camp/lodge for relaxation and dinner.
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 13: Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
On day twelve of 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour, enjoy another full day in search of Seronera’s residents, as well as being privy to unusual sightings like aardwolf, serval, and endangered pangolin. The local Maasai people have a name for the Serengeti; ‘Siringet’ or ‘a place where the land goes on forever.
Serengeti is home to over 500 bird species.
During your game drive, you can tick off some of the park’s star birds including Fischer’s Lovebird, Kori Bustard, Coqui Francolin, Temminck’s Courser, Secretarybird, and Southern ground hornbill, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Verreaux’s Eagle, Martial Eagle, Rüppell’s Vulture, etc.
You again return to the lodge after your game drive for dinner, and overnight. Tomorrow you go to the most famous crater on Earth!
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: –
- Full-day Game drive
Day 14: Transfer To Ngorongoro & Do A Game Drive
Day 13 of your 19 days Tanzania safari commences with a leisurely breakfast. Then enjoy one last game drive, admiring Africa’s wildlife in Serengeti as you drive to Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s biggest inactive and unfilled volcanic caldera.
As you drive, you immediately notice that the landscape starts to change to rolling hills covered with lush green vegetation. Watch as traditional Maasai villages pass you by and witness young shepherds tend to their precious cattle – welcome to Maasai country! You reach your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, descend 2,000 feet to the crater floor. Home to over 250,000 large animals, the Crater offers one of the easiest game viewings anywhere in Africa and it is the place where you can see all of the Big 5 in a single game drive. The area was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. Based on fossil evidence, various hominid species have occupied the area for three million years.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
The highlight of the Day: – Game drive on Ngorongoro Crater floor
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge
Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx.140km/3 hours
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Ngorongoro
- Game drives
Day 15: Whole Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
On day 14 of your 19 days Tanzania safari, have a full day inside the crater, enjoying a picnic lunch on the 260km2 crater floor and returning late afternoon to your lodge on the rim of the crater for dinner.
Ngorongoro Crater sometimes referred to as “the eighth wonder of the world”, is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife.
While a major attraction is of course the mammals, birding within the crater and on the crater rim is very good. You can spend some time ticking special species such as Common Ostrich, Secretary bird, Kori Bustard, Black-bellied Bustard, Golden-winged Sunbird, etc. Again return to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge
Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Full Game drive
Day 16: Return to Arusha for Your Flight to the Zanzibar
After an early breakfast, embark on a 5-6 hour drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll catch your flight to Unguja, the largest island of the tropical Zanzibar Archipelago, most commonly referred to as Zanzibar.
You’ll fly over the impossibly turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean before landing on the island, a smiling and 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. After four days of early wake-ups, we recommend spending the rest of today relaxing.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Zawadi Hotel/Baraza Resort & Spa/the Residence Zanzibar
Midrange: – The Palms Hotel/Zuri Zanzibar Hotel and Resort
Meal Plan: – Pongwe Beach Hotel/ Sunshine Hotel, Zanzibar
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer back to Arusha
- Flight to Zanzibar
Day 17: Relaxation on the White Sand Beaches of Zanzibar
There’s plenty to do and see while you’re staying in Zanzibar, but you shouldn’t miss spending some time lazing on the beach while you watch the fishermen head out to sea on their wooden dhows, reading a book under the shade of a palm tree and swimming in the warm Indian Ocean (when it’s high tide). If you’re feeling more active, it’s easy to arrange diving or snorkeling as well as other water equipment like kayaks and paddle boards, or bicycles to explore the local fishing villages.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Zawadi Hotel/Baraza Resort & Spa/The Residence Zanzibar
Midrange: – The Palms Hotel/Zuri Zanzibar Hotel and Resort
Budget: – Pongwe Beach Hotel/ Sunshine Hotel, Zanzibar
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Optional Activities: –
- Kite surfing
- Fishing
- Sunset cruise
- Dhow (traditional sailboat) cruises
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Paragliding
- Water skiing
- Dolphin Tour
Day 18: Zanzibar Stone Town Tour
Arabs had the deepest influence on Zanzibar, evident in the architecture of Stone Town, an old trade center now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No visit to Zanzibar would be complete without walking around the maze-like collection of forts, mosques, and markets. A local guide will show you around and tell you about the town’s history. There are also dozens of restaurants and food stalls lining the streets, making this the best place on the island to try the local cuisine, which combines Arab, Portuguese, Bantu, Indian and British influences, as well as using the spices grown on the island.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Jafferji House & Spa/Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange: – Dhow Palace Hotel/Swahili House
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Activities & Services: – Stone town city tour
Day 19: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for Departure
Today, you’ll be picked up and taken to the Zanzibar Airport for your onward flights. This is the end of hopefully a wonderful experience.
End of the 19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar Tour
19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar 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
- Flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
- Airport Transfers
19 days Tanzania safari Trip Zanzibar 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
