10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach
Our 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari with a Zanzibar Beach Tour provides the once in a lifetime opportunity of seeing some of Africa’s most sought of wildlife species, relish jaw-dropping sceneries and encounters and experiences that can’t be ordinarily described in words.
Beginning in Arusha, Tanzania’s safari capital then move through the legendary Savannah plains of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks.
Being adventure-centered, our 10-day tour is for experiencing extreme exhilaration, enlightening safari encounters and beach experiences as well as engrossing the feeling of changing landscapes.
With this trip, be prepared to spot everything from Great annual migration in Serengeti National Park, to the World’s largest intact Caldera, bikinis along the Coast and so much more during this exceptional adventure through one of Africa’s most outstanding safari destinations. 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
Highlights of the 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
- Follow the unforgettable footsteps of millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles in the Great annual migration.
- Unwind along the white sand beaches of Zanzibar.
- Be mesmerized by the rich diversity and natural beauty of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Relish unrivalled wildlife viewing experience in vast Savannah plains.
10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari Brief itinerary
- Day 1: Arusha Town to the magnificent Lake Manyara National Park.
- Day 2: To Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- Day 3: Wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and drive to Serengeti National Park.
- Day 4-6: Discovery of African wilderness within Serengeti National Park.
- Day 7: Seronera Airstrip (Serengeti National Park) to Zanzibar Islands
- Day 8-9: The unmatched Zanzibar Beach Tour.
- Day 10: Departure and end of the 10 days Tanzania and Zanzibar Beach Tour.
Detailed itinerary of the 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
Day 1: Arusha Town to the magnificent Lake Manyara National Park
Pick-up from your place of residence in Arusha Town is at 7:00am and this marks the beginning of the thrilling journey to Lake Manyara National Park via the Great Rift Valley. Make it to this 205-square mile Protected Area late morning for a full-day game drive.
This stunning National Park is marked by jaw-dropping sceneries and its verdant Acacia forest, Mahogany Trees as well as giant figs that shelter high concentrations of blue monkeys and Olive baboons.
Also common at this spectacular Park ate Cape buffaloes, Masai giraffes, impalas, African bush elephants and Hippos within the Lake. Besides game drive, there is an opportunity of undertaking a boat ride before retiring to the Safari Camp for dinner and rest.
Accommodation options;
- Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge (luxury).
- Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp (standard).
- Haven nature safari Camp (basic).
Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: To Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The journey of discovering Tanzania continues to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of the natural Wonders of the World known for sheltering the World’s largest intact Caldera with 102 square miles size as well as 609 meters high walls.
This is one of the most exceptional places in the country where visitors can see high populations of Black Rhinoceros.
In the Crater is a soda Lake known as Magadi, River, seasonal swamps and others where the beautiful flamingos, wildebeests, warthogs, giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, elephants, spotted hyenas, lions, buffaloes, leopards, gazelles, yellow baboons, zebras and many others are spotted in huge numbers.
An early start will see you leave for Ngorongoro Conservation Area, eventually descending to the Crater floor on arrival. Be booked for an afternoon game drive then at sunset head to the place of Lodging.
Accommodation options;
- Ngorongoro Tented Camp (luxury).
- Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge (standard).
- Lion’s Paw Camp (basic).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and drive to Serengeti National Park
Today, you will head to another popular safari destination in Tanzania and is surprisingly one of the renowned National Parks in the World.
While the drive is long (6-7 hours including en-route stops), expect scenic and spectacular views and as you advance towards the Protected Area, you will understand why it was named “Serenget” to mean “endless plains”.
It extends for about 18,000 square kilometers with plains that extend to the horizon and while here, expect to witness the exceptional wildebeest migration involving millions of wildebeests accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles.
When it comes to the big cats, visitors should expect to see leopards, cheetahs and lions in addition to serval cats, spotted hyenas, side-striped jackals and so much more. The safari day closes by sunset and at this moment, expect dinner and overnight at the Safari Camp or Lodge.
Accommodation options;
- Serengeti Sametu Camp (upmarket).
- Kati Kati Camp (standard).
- Serengeti Simba Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4-6: Discovery of African wilderness within Serengeti National Park
On the fourth day, there will be a game drive through the Central part of Serengeti National Park and this begins early morning after a sumptuous breakfast.
The early morning game drive starts immediately from the camp, going through the wildlife hot spots where African bush elephants, lions, Cape buffaloes, wildebeests, Black Rhinoceros, baboons, bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks, duikers, Masai giraffes, cheetahs, Aardvarks, mongoose, Kongoni, Dik-dik, impalas, impalas and many others.
A fresh and hot lunch is served at the Lodge to allow you continue with the game drive afterwards.
For the next two days, you will be led to the remote regions of this National Park to witness the Great annual migration. However, the area you will visit largely depends on the time of the year.
There will be options of driving as far as Northern part of Serengeti bordering Kenya or up to the southern or western end. For these days, accommodation and meals are based within the same place.
Accommodation options;
- Serengeti Sametu Camp (upmarket).
- Kati Kati Camp (standard).
- Serengeti Simba Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Seronera Airstrip (Serengeti National Park) to Zanzibar Islands
This is the day you exit Serengeti National Park and continue to Zanzibar Island, on the Tanzanian Coast of Indian Ocean. First enjoy your breakfast at the Lodge/Camp and last game drive while continuing to Seronera Airstrip.
Take a flight to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and on arriving there, our Company representative will be waiting to pick you up. Be dropped off at the Lodge for meals and rest while waiting for the official start of your Zanzibar Beach Tour.
Accommodation options;
- Zanzibar Serena Hotel (luxury).
- The Seyyida Hotel & Spa (standard).
- Emerson on Hurumzi (basic).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8-9: The unmatched Zanzibar Beach Tour
The next two days of your Zanzibar Beach Tour will be about relaxing and letting your five senses delve into the richness and grandeur of this secluded Tropical safari destination.
Interesting tourist activities like Stone Town tours, day tours to Prison (Changuu) Island, spice tours and water sports (especially scuba diving and snorkeling) will also be relished.
However, there is also a suggestion of touring Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park to see Zanzibar endemic animals like the Zanzibar leopards and the Colobus monkeys among others.
Accommodation options;
- Zanzibar Serena Hotel (luxury).
- The Seyyida Hotel & Spa (standard).
- Emerson on Hurumzi (basic).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 10: Departure and end of the 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
It’s time to sadly bid farewell to Tanzania and your new found friends as you get dropped off at the Airport. On this day, you will decide to extend your stay in Tanzania or depart back home but for us, it’s a pleasure being part of your unforgettable journey of discovery. 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
The End
10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari Includes;
- 9 nights’ accommodation in some of the best Tanzanian wilderness and Beach accommodation facilities.
- Services of a professional driver.
- Transport on-board a 4X4 safari vehicle.
- Meals according to the itinerary.
- Bottled water.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
- Entrance fees to the National Parks, Conservation Area or the Islands of Zanzibar.
- Village/community walks.
10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari Excludes;
- Optional activities.
- Accommodation in Arusha Town.
- Domestic and International flights.
- Laundry fees.
- Telephone calls.
- Beverages and cigarettes.
- Tanzanian visa.
Wildlife You Will See on a Tanzania Safari
A Tanzania wildlife safari guarantees diverse and abundant animal encounters. Key species include:
- African Elephant: Massive herds in Tarangire; family groups in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- African Lion: Prides on Serengeti plains and kopjes; famous tree-climbers in Lake Manyara.
- Leopard: Elusive but regularly spotted in trees or rocky areas across the parks.
- Wildebeest: Iconic of the Great Migration; huge numbers in Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- Black Rhino: Excellent chances in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Additional highlights: Buffalo, hippo, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, various antelopes (impala, gazelle, eland), baboons, and over 500 bird species including flamingos and eagles.
The Big Five experience is highly likely, especially with skilled guides. Seasonal variations enhance sightings—dry season concentrates animals at water sources.
Best Time to Do This Safari
The best time for a Tanzania safari depends on priorities:
- Dry Season (June–October): Excellent wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water. Peak Great Migration river crossings in northern Serengeti (July–September). Fewer mosquitoes, clear skies—ideal for photography and general game drives.
- Calving Season (January–March): Southern Serengeti and Ndutu area teem with newborn wildebeest, attracting predators. Lush greenery but possible short rains.
- Shoulder Seasons (November, April–May): Lower crowds and prices; green landscapes, but some roads may be muddy and migration dispersed. Great for birding.
June–October remains the most popular window for the classic Serengeti safari package experience.
Accommodation Options
Where You Will Stay varies by budget:
- Budget Camps: Basic tented camps or public campsites with shared facilities—affordable and adventurous.
- Mid-Range Lodges: Comfortable permanent lodges or tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, good food, and excellent locations (e.g., near park gates or with views).
- Luxury Safari Lodges: Private plunge pools, butler service, gourmet dining, and prime wildlife viewing positions. Many use eco-friendly designs that blend into the environment.
Most itineraries feature a mix, with upgrades available for honeymooners or those seeking exclusivity.
How to Get There
International flights usually land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha. Some routes serve Arusha Airport (ARK) for domestic connections.
Major airlines offer connections via Europe, Middle East, or Addis Ababa. Domestic flights or road transfers handle park access. Visas are available on arrival or online for many nationalities.
What to Pack for Tanzania Safari
Essential packing list for Tanzania safari:
- Lightweight, neutral-colored clothing (khaki, beige) for layering—long sleeves/pants for sun and insects.
- Sturdy, comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for walking.
- Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Binoculars and camera with zoom lens/extra batteries.
- Light rain jacket (especially shoulder seasons), warm fleece for cool evenings.
- Insect repellent, malaria prophylaxis (consult doctor), basic first-aid, and any personal medications.
- Reusable water bottle, power adapter (Type G or universal), and binoculars.
Pack light—laundry services are common in lodges. Avoid bright colors and strong perfumes.
Why Choose This 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari Itinerary
A 10 days Tanzania safari strikes the ideal balance: enough time to visit major parks without exhaustion. It covers diverse ecosystems, maximizes Big Five and migration chances, and allows a relaxed pace with recovery days.
The optional Zanzibar extension adds variety, making it suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers seeking a full yet manageable Tanzania wildlife safari.
Tanzania Safari vs Uganda Safari
Tanzania excels in open savannah wildlife viewing with vast plains, massive herds, and the dramatic Great Migration. Game drives here feel expansive and predator-rich.
Uganda, by contrast, offers dense forests and primate-focused experiences alongside traditional safaris. While Tanzania delivers classic Big Five plains action, Uganda shines with intimate forest encounters and unique biodiversity.
Many travelers combine both for the ultimate East African adventure.
Add Gorilla Trekking to Your Safari
Enhance your trip with mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This permits close, unforgettable encounters with endangered gorillas in their misty forest habitat—one of Africa’s most profound wildlife experiences.
Permits are limited and should be booked well in advance. Combining a Tanzania safari with gorilla trekking creates a comprehensive primate-and-plains itinerary.
Combined Safari Idea: Tanzania + Uganda
For high-value clients seeking depth, extend your 10 days Tanzania safari with 3–4 days in Uganda:
- Days 1–10: Northern Tanzania circuit as above.
- Days 11–14: Fly to Entebbe or Kigali, then to Bwindi for gorilla trekking, plus optional chimpanzee tracking or Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives.
This combo delivers savannah spectacles plus rare primate immersion—perfect for discerning travelers.
FAQs about this 10 Days Best of Tanzania Safari
Is 10 days enough for a Tanzania safari?
Yes—it’s an ideal duration to cover the key Northern Circuit parks thoroughly without rushing.
How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
Expect $2,000–$3,500 (budget), $4,000–$6,000 (mid-range), or $7,000+ (luxury) per person, including core services.
What animals will I see?
Big Five, wildebeest migration, elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and abundant birdlife.
When is the best time to visit?
June–October for dry conditions and peak migration viewing; January–March for calving.
Is Tanzania safe for safari?
Yes, especially on organized tours in protected areas. Follow standard travel precautions; safari regions are generally very safe for tourists.
Explore Tanzania safari packages, Uganda safaris, and gorilla trekking options for tailored extensions.