This thrilling 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour is a 20 days safari in Tanzania tour, combining classic wildlife safaris in southern and northern Tanzania’s most magnificent wildlife-viewing destinations with amazing cultural experiences and relaxation on the idyllic white-sand beaches of Zanzibar.
Your tour begins in Dar es Salaam – the gateway city to the Tanzania southern safari circuit. From here, explore Nyerere National Park (Selous) and Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s least known, yet wildest, and largest game parks. Be far removed from daily life as you relax in the heart of the Tanzanian wilderness. Expect fantastic game viewing, exciting daily activities, and unforgettable memories.
From the South, fly north to Arusha – the gateway city to the Tanzania northern safari circuit. Enjoy a game drive in Arusha National Park, before visiting the epic, wildlife-rich Serengeti – world-renowned for the Great Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater – home to around 30,000 animals, and the pretty Tarangire National Parks for a dramatic and diverse big game safari.
After wildlife watching adventures, jet off for relaxation on the tropical island paradise of Zanzibar to complete your remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Day 1: Dar es Salaam
Day 2, 3, & 4: Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)
Day 5, 6, & 7: Ruaha National Park
Day 8 & 9: Arusha.
Day 10 & 11: Tarangire National Park
Day 12, 13, & 14: Serengeti National Park
Day 15, & 16: Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Olduvai Gorge
Day 16, 18, & 19: Zanzibar & Stone Town
Day 20: Departure
Day 1: Arrive at Dar es Salaam International Airport & Transfer to Your Hotel
Day 2: Drive from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (Selous). Enjoy a boat cruise on River Rufiji.
Day 3: Whole day game drive in Nyerere National Park
Day 4: Walking safari and game drive in Nyerere National Park
Day 5: Flight transfer to Ruaha National Park. Enjoy a game drive on arrival.
Day 6: Full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park.
Day 7: Walking safari in Ruaha and Game Drive. Optional night game drive.
Day 8: Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport & transfer to your hotel in Arusha.
Day 9: Game drive in Arusha National Park & community walk or cycling tour.
Day 10: Travel to Tarangire National Park & do an afternoon game drive
Day 11: Full-day game drive in Tarangire National Park
Day 12: Transfer to Serengeti National Park & enjoy a game drive on arrival
Day 13: Unlimited game drive in Serengeti National Park
Day 14: Another full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park
Day 15: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area & do an afternoon game drive
Day 16: Full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 16: Drive back to Arusha for your flight to Zanzibar
Day 18: Relaxation on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar
Day 19: Tour Zanzibar Stone Town & Relax in the afternoon
Day 20: Transfer to Zanzibar international airport for your departure flight
Your thrilling 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour begin as soon as you arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam.
Meet your representative, and transfer to your overnight hotel in Dar es Salaam. After settling in and freshening up, the rest of the day is then free to enjoy at your leisure. The city of Dar es Salaam is located on the coast of the beautiful Indian Ocean and is said to have some of the best restaurants in East Africa.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Serena Hotel Dar/ Protea Hotel Dar/Oyster Bay Hotel
Midrange: – Jangwani Sea Breeze Resort/Holiday Inn Dar
Budget: – Safari Inn Dar es Salaam
Meal Plan: – Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Day two of your 20 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour begins with an early breakfast. You’ll be picked up at your hotel and taken on a 5-hour drive to Nyerere National Park (formerly the northern part of Selous Game Reserve). Nyerere Park is wild, remote, and one of Africa’s largest undisturbed wilderness areas, spanning over 30,000km2 – bigger than many countries in the world!
There are few camps/lodges and so, you won’t encounter many vehicles during your time here. On arrival, set into your lodge/camp for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat safari along the mighty River Rufiji, gliding over the water past enormous pods of hippos, huge crocodiles, and a plethora of birdlife. After your boat cruise, return to the lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mivumo River Lodge/ Selous Impala Camp
Midrange: – Rufiji River Camp/Selous Riverside Safari Camp
Budget: – Selous Ngalawa Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: Approx.187km/5 hours
Activities & Services: –
On day three of your 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour, explore the vast Nyerere Park on 4×4 game drives taking a picnic lunch with you on your full-day safari. Nyerere is bisected by Tanzania’s largest river, River Rufiji, and its many tributaries, channels, and lakes create the varied landscapes that define the park.
These waterways are lined by towering Borassus palms and forests of doum palms and are a good place to see remarkably large groups of Masai giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and antelopes. Hungry lions lurk nearby, and there’s a chance of seeing hyenas and leopards as well. After the game drive, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mivumo River Lodge/Selous Impala Camp
Midrange: – Rufiji River Camp/Selous Riverside Safari Camp
Budget: – Selous Ngalawa Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
After breakfast, depart for a morning 2-hour bush walk in Nyerere National Park.
You’ll be accompanied by a ranger who will share their knowledge and passion for the park’s wildlife as well as ensure your safety. Your walking safari will give you a completely different perspective from being in a vehicle, allowing you to appreciate the smaller details, from the wonderful birdlife to paw prints in the dirt.
After the bush walk, return to the camp for breakfast and then proceed on a game drive with a packed lunch. Nyerere is an important sanctuary for critically endangered African wild dogs or Painted wolves and is home to healthy populations, making for some spectacular sightings.
Wild dogs are extremely rare animals that move around constantly. Anyone who has a sighting of wild dogs should consider themselves very lucky, and Nyerere is one of the only reserves in Africa where you are likely to see them. Return to your camp for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mivumo River Lodge/Selous Impala Camp
Midrange: – Rufiji River Camp/Selous Riverside Safari Camp
Budget: – Selous Ngalawa Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Day 5 of your 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour starts with a leisurely breakfast at the lodge/camp. Then transfer to the bush airstrip for your flight to wild Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is Tanzania’s second-largest national park, covering over 20,000km² of unspoiled wilderness.
This little-known isolated park is considered one of East Africa’s hidden gems, hosting diverse wildlife, birds, and flora. It offers a far more remote safari experience than the often-crowded, famous northern Tanzania game parks.
On landing, you will be transferred to your camp/lodge for a delicious lunch. After lunch, you have some time to relax, before embarking on an afternoon game drive in the park. In Ruaha, you’re almost sure to encounter elephants, buffalos, and lions. Chances of seeing cheetahs, leopards, and African wild dogs are also high.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mwagusi Camp/Kwihala Camp/Jongomero Camp
Midrange: – Ruaha River Lodge/Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
Budget: – Ruaha bandas
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Optional Activities:-
After breakfast, with a picnic lunch, enjoy a full-day game drive in Ruaha. To see a variety of wildlife, you’ll explore the park’s varied dramatic scenery, which includes rolling hills; large open plains; groves of skeletal baobabs, and the Great Ruaha River – from which the park gets its name.
Ruaha National Park has a large population of predators including one of the world’s largest lion populations. There are large lion prides, often 20 or more, spotted and striped hyenas, several packs of wild dogs, and leopards.
In addition to impressive predators, Ruaha is home to over 12,000 elephants, large herds of buffalos, Zebras, Waterbucks, Impalas, Bushbucks, giraffes, hartebeests, roan, sable, Kudus, and gazelles.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Jongomero Camp/Mwagusi Camp/Kwihala Camp
Midrange: – Ruaha River Lodge/Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
Budget: – Ruaha bandas
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Optional activity
Day 7 of your 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour tour will begin with a delicious breakfast before going for a 3-3 hour morning walking safari in Ruaha.
The focus of the walk will be to take in the smaller details of the bush, tracking animals by their footprints, stopping to admire birdlife in the trees, and watching smaller creatures and their behaviors without the noise and disturbance of a vehicle. Ruaha is home to over 580 bird species.
Larger games such as elephants and buffalo may also be encountered and your guide will instruct you on how to behave to remain safe around these larger animals. After the nature walk, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you proceed with the game drive to discover more wildlife.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mwagusi Camp/Kwihala Camp/Jongomero Camp
Midrange: – Ruaha River Lodge/Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast on day 8 of your 20 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, drive to the airstrip at Ruaha.
Here you catch a flight north to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our company representative, who will take you on a short drive to your overnight accommodation in Arusha – the safari capital of Tanzania and the starting point of the popular Tanzania northern safari circuit.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Impala Hotel
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Enjoy a good breakfast before embarking on a 45-minute drive to Arusha National Park for a morning game drive. On the game drive, visit the park landmarks such as the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, sometimes known as ‘Little Ngorongoro’.
You cannot see all of the “big five” animals (Rhino, Lion, Leopard, Elephant, and Buffalo) here, but the park is home to the world’s largest population of giraffes! And, 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.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge/Impala Hotel
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Optional Activities:-
Your day 10 of the 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour starts with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Then embark on a 2-hour drive southwest of Arusha to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy some beautiful scenery viewing along the way, arriving at your lodge in time for lunch.
After lunch and some relaxation, go on an afternoon, go on a game drive.
Tarangire is a lovely quiet park, off the beaten safari track, known for its elephants that congregate in huge herds of over 300 animals! The 2,850km2 park is named after the Tarangire River. Its landscape is primarily an open savanna dotted with acacia woodland and hundreds of Africa’s prehistoric ‘Trees of Life’, (baobabs).
It is a dry season refuge, where large numbers of migratory wildlife; Zebras, Wildebeests, Elands, Buffalos, and other animals concentrate around permanent water sources. The large numbers of game animals attract numerous predators, especially Lions. After the 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 hours
Activities & Services: –
Optional Activity: –
On day 11 of your 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour, enjoy a full-day safari in beautiful Tarangire. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, and return to camp for lunch and a short rest in the heat of the day.
Tarangire is an incredibly beautiful park, comprising granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and swamps. The park is also one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelopes such as Beisa Oryx and Gerenuk are regularly seen.
It is home to Dwarf Mongoose, Giraffe, Impala, Waterbuck, Olive Baboon, Cheetah, Caracal, Honey Badger, and African Wild Dog. Over 550 species of birds have also been recorded in Tarangire including the colorful Yellow-collared Lovebird and the world’s largest bird, the Common Ostrich.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp
Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
After a relaxed breakfast, embark on a 5-6 hour drive northwest to Serengeti Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Serengeti is a world-famous reserve, known for its annual Great wildebeest migration, an iconic and dramatic scene in wildlife documentaries for decades, and a true bucket list experience! It is one of Africa’s 7 natural wonders and one of the 10 natural travel wonders of the world. You drive through Masai Villages and Ngorongoro in the cooler crater highlands region.
Upon arrival at the park’s entrance gate, you 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 and lunch. In the evening, go on your first “official” game drive. Return to your lodge 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
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 250km/5-6 hours
Activities & Services: –
Day 13 of your 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour begins with an early breakfast. Then set off on a full safari in Serengeti. You’ll return to your camp/lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will 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.
Besides wildebeest, Central Serengeti is home to the greatest number of year-round resident animals, and the variety of landscapes explains the diversity of wildlife.
Volcanic in origin, the landscape 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 traverse grasslands, with the Moru Kopjes towering in the background like ships in a sea of green.
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: –
Optional Activity: –
Enjoy another full-day game drive in search of Central Serengeti’s residents, as well as be on the look for 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 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, Verreaux’s Eagle, Martial Eagle, Rüppell’s Vulture, etc.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge
Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
After a relaxed breakfast, have a game drive in Serengeti as you transfer to Ngorongoro Crater, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you leave Serengeti, you immediately notice that the landscape begins to change to rolling hills covered with lush green vegetation. You watch as traditional Maasai villages pass you by and witness young shepherds tend to their precious cattle.
You reach your lodge in time for lunch. After lunch and some relaxation, descend 2,000 feet to the crater floor. On the way into the crater, learn some cool facts about this incredible natural wonder.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers over 8,500km2 and it’s a World Heritage Site. Its main feature is the 264km2 wide Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken volcanic caldera on Earth. The grasslands within the crater host 25,000 large mammals and it is the place where you can see all of the Big 5 in a single game drive. After the game drive, return to your lodge for 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
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx.140km/3 hours
Activities & Services: –
On day 16 of your 20 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, have a full day game drive inside Ngorongoro crater, enjoy a picnic lunch on the 264km2 crater floor and return 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 extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity. Almost all of Africa’s most iconic animals are found in the crater. It offers the highest chances of seeing the fabled black rhinos, which are otherwise notoriously difficult to spot
While a major attraction is of course the animals, birding is spectacular. You can spend some time ticking some amazing species such as Flamingos, Ostrich, Secretary bird, Kori Bustard, Black-bellied Bustard, Golden-winged Sunbird, etc.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge
Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
Optional Activity:-
Your day 16 of the 20 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour commences with an early breakfast. You then take a 5-6 hour drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will catch your flight to Unguja, the largest island of the tropical Zanzibar Archipelago, most commonly referred to as Zanzibar.
Fly 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: –
There is a variety of things to do and see in Zanzibar, but you should not 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. 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: – 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
Optional Activities: –
Day 19 of your 20 Days Tanzania Safari Trip & Zanzibar Tour begins with a leisurely breakfast at the beachfront hotel.
Then your guide collects you for a walking cultural and historical tour of Stone Town. Arabs had the deepest influence on Zanzibar, evident in the architecture of Stone Town, an old trade center now designated as a World Heritage Site.
You will walk around the maze-like collection of forts, mosques, and markets. Your 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/Shaba Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Activities & Services: –
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.
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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