12 Days
Exclusive Tanzania Safari Adventure
Tour Overview
This 12- to 18-day Tanzania Safari Adventure offers an enriching experience that immerses you in Africa’s natural beauty with a perfect balance of comfort and excitement. You’ll explore the diverse landscapes of Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Park, with each day thoughtfully planned for exceptional game viewing and unique experiences. Throughout the safari, you’ll enjoy luxury accommodations and personalized service. As an optional extension, you can take a flight to Zanzibar for 5 additional days to relax on some of Africa’s finest beaches—an ideal way to conclude your mainland Tanzania safari.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Tanzania! Once you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by one of our Premier Africa Adventures team members. We’ll make sure you’re comfortably transferred to your hotel in Arusha, where you can settle in and relax after your flight. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and take time to unwind as you prepare for the incredible adventure that awaits.
Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel
Day 2: Full Day – Optional Activities
Considering what may have been a long flight, today is all about giving yourself time to settle in and recharge. You have the option to relax and enjoy the amenities at the hotel, or you might opt for a two-hour city tour; such an ideal way to experience the local culture, rich history, and visit vibrant markets. If you crave for something a bit more exclusive, a private art gallery tour could add a touch of sophistication to your day.
Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel
Day 3: Tarangire National Park
Following breakfast, you leave for Tarangire National Park with your packed-lunch boxes. Famous for the giant baobab trees and herds of elephants, Tarangire is a perfect launchpad for your Tanzania adventure. Enjoy immersive game viewing drives across the park until afternoon when you take time to relax for your packed lunch. Following a delicious picnic lunch, you resume your game drive until early evening where you will head to your lodge in the heart of Tarangire.
Overnight: Lake Burunge Lodge
Alternatives: : Maramboi Tented Lodge
Day 4: Full Day - Tarangire National Park
Start your day early with a morning drive, when the park comes alive. Early morning hours give you a rare opportunity to witness the wild animals in their active state before they retreat for the day. After soaking in these early-morning sights, head back to the lodge for breakfast.
Once you’re ready, set off again to explore more of Tarangire’s unique features. While elephants may steal the show, Tarangire is also home to lions, leopards, and an array of plains game, including giraffes and buffalo. With hundreds of bird species recorded here, bird lovers are likely to spot everything from brightly colored bee-eaters to raptors soaring overhead. Return to the lodge for lunch, then head out one last time in the afternoon to wrap up your exploration in Tarangire.
Overnight: Lake Burunge Lodge
Alternatives: Maramboi Tented Lodge
Day 5: Full Day - Lake Manyara National Park
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before setting off to explore Lake Manyara National Park. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and the Lake Manyara, from which the park draws its name, shimmering with the vibrant hues of flamingos. As you venture through the park, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot a variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, to name a few.
Bird enthusiasts will especially appreciate the abundance of bird species here, from colorful kingfishers to seasonal migratory flocks. Midday, take a break with a picnic lunch before proceeding with your game drive. As the day winds down, head toward the Ngorongoro highlands for a peaceful and relaxing evening.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
Alternatives: Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge.
Day 6: A Hike to the Elephant Caves
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before venturing out on a three-hour hike through the beautiful landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, heading to the fascinating Elephant Caves. These natural formations get their name from the large number of elephants that visit to dig into the cave walls for mineral-rich soil, a vital source of nutrients.
This hike is a unique chance to witness nature at work, as you explore the terrain and learn about the area’s ecology. Accompanied by an experienced game ranger and your personal safari guide, you’ll be in safe hands while soaking in the sights. After the hike, return to the lodge for sumptuous lunch and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
Alternatives: Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge.
Day 7: Full Day - Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, you’ll descend the 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to an astonishing range of wildlife including the Big Five; elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo. With over 25,000 animals roaming the caldera, it’s an extraordinary place for up-close wildlife encounters. As you drive through the crater, the scenery shifts dramatically, revealing its unique, aesthetic natural make-up. Pause for a picnic lunch in the afternoon, then resume your game drive before heading back to the lodge in the early evening, where you enjoy reflecting on the wonders of the day.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
Alternatives: Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge.
Day 8: Serengeti via Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Start your day early with a hearty breakfast before heading towards the Serengeti National Park, En route, you stop at Oldupai Gorge, a renowned archaeological site where some of the earliest human fossils were discovered. The site offers a fascinating glimpse into human evolution and ancient. As you proceed further into Serengeti, a game drive takes center stage in style, highlighting Serengeti’s vast plains that truly live up to its name, meaning “endless plains” in the Maasai language. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way, and after a rewarding journey, in early evening, you arrive at your lodge or tented camp for a home-cooked dinner and a well-deserved evening rest.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Hotel
Day 9 - 11: Serengeti
Over the course of these three days, the main focus will be on two daily game viewing drives, one in the morning and another in the evening, in the heart of the Serengeti. After an early breakfast, you’ll venture out for full-day wildlife viewing, and perhaps choose to return to the lodge in the afternoon for lunch in the afternoon before the second round of the game viewing drive. Depending on the season, this once-in-a-lifetime experience would take place in the northern Serengeti, where the Great Migration crosses the Mara River between July and November. You might also encounter rare wildlife like the oribi antelope and black rhino.
Or in the southern Serengeti, which is renowned for its exhilarating calving season. Central Serengeti, on the other hand, which is celebrated for its diverse wildlife and regarded as the prime zone for spotting big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, offers its own unique thrill. Every moment promises discovery, and your expert driver-guide, with a rich knowledge of the Serengeti’s ecosystems, will ensure you don’t miss any of the remarkable sights this region has to offer.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Hotel
Day 12: Fly back to Arusha and Transfer to Kilimanjaro Intl. Airport
As your safari on the mainland comes to a close, you can take the morning to relax and enjoy a leisurely hearty breakfast. Afterward, your driver guide will transfer you to Seronera Airstrip, with an opportunity for a final game drive along the way.
Board an hour flight to Arusha, and upon arrival our staff members will meet you and transfer you to Mount Meru Hotel for Lunch, where you can freshen up and enjoy the use of your own dayroom.
After lunch, you’ll head to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home or to other destinations.
Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel – If flying to Zanzibar the following day.
Overnight: Mount Meru Hotel
Optional Safari Extension
Day 13: Fly from Arusha to Zanzibar
After breakfast, you can choose to either catch an early flight to Zanzibar or take it slow, spending the morning at Mount Meru Hotel before your afternoon flight. Your driver will take you to Arusha Airport, where you’ll board a quick flight to the island.
On arrival at Abeid Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. The moment you step off the plane, the island’s warm atmosphere greets you. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Welcome to Zanzibar.
Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Alternative: Swahili House Hotel
Day 14: Full Day – Stone Town Tour
After breakfast, you’ll set off for a guided tour of Stone Town, a place rich in culture and history. As you wander through its narrow streets, you’ll discover landmarks like the Old Fort, the Sultan’s Palace, and the House of Wonders, each telling its own story of the island’s diverse past. The bustling local markets, intricately carved doors, and vibrant streets offer a glimpse into everyday life in Zanzibar.
In the afternoon, you can choose to explore more at your own pace or simply relax and soak in the unique atmosphere that Stone Town has to offer.
Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Alternative: Swahili House Hotel
Day 15: Stone Town to Nungwi Beach
Following a satisfying breakfast, your local guide will pick you up from your hotel in Stone Town, and an adventurous road trip to Nungwi Beach commences. As the road stretches ahead, you’ll notice the shift from the vibrant Zanzibar City to the coastal vibes of Nungwi.
Upon arrival, Nungwi’s beautiful beaches greet you, with clear waters and soft sands ready to be explored as you please. You’ll have the day to unwind or dive into optional activities like snorkeling, kitesurfing along the breezy shore, or even hopping on a quad bike for an adventure around the area. The day is yours to explore and enjoy one of Zanzibar’s finest beach destinations.
Overnight: Gold Hotel
Alternative: Kendwa Rock Hotel / Royal Zanzibar Resort Hotel / Essque Zalu Zanzibar / Z. Hotel
Day 16 & 17: Nungwi Beach
Over the next two days, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and enjoy Nungwi, one of Zanzibar’s liveliest and most scenic beach destinations. Nungwi is famous for its clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and soft, white sands. It’s a perfect spot for snorkeling and diving, with chances to see tropical marine life just offshore. The beach is also known for its dhow-building traditions, where you can catch local artisans at work, crafting these iconic wooden boats.
Alternatively, you can simply unwind and enjoy the relaxed beach vibe. Take a stroll along the shoreline, visit the beach bars, or indulge in fresh seafood by the water. These days are yours to either fill with adventure or simply soak up the sun and serenity that Nungwi is known for.
Overnight: Gold Hotel
Alternative: Kendwa Rock Hotel / Royal Zanzibar Resort Hotel / Essque Zalu Zanzibar / Z. Hotel
Day 18: Final Day
Finally, your Tanzania safari has come to a close. Today you wake up and savor your final breakfast, reflecting on the experiences of the past two weeks. The morning is yours to relax or take in any last moments by the beach, depending on your flight schedule. If your departure is set for the later afternoon, you’ll have time for lunch before your transfer to Abeid Karume International Airport for your onward flight.
We hope your time in Tanzania with Premier African Adventures was everything you imagined and more. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you back whenever Africa calls!
End of Tour
Customize Your Safari
focusing on Your specific interests
At Premier Africa Adventures, we craft safaris as unique as you are. share your vision, and we’ll handle every detail from choosing the ideal parks to planning activities that fit your unique interests and schedule. Let’s bring your dream African adventure to life.
