9 Days Bush and Beach best of Tanzania Safari
- Start Arusha (Day 1)
- Day 2 Tarangire NP
- Day 3-4 Central Serengeti NP
- Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 6 Lake Manyara NP
- Day 7 Zanzibar Stone Town (Zanzibar)
- Day 8 Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)
- End Zanzibar (Zanzibar) (Day 9)
Highlights
From $2,572 per person
Embark on a 10-day safari and beach getaway where you’ll experience the finest attractions of Tanzania. You’ll explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its herds of elephants and stunning baobab trees. Additionally, you’ll journey to the Ngorongoro Crater and the magnificent Serengeti National Park, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and as the prime location in Tanzania to witness the Big Five. Following your safari adventure, you’ll take a flight to Zanzibar, where the inviting turquoise waters and pristine white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean are ready to welcome you.
During your stay, you can choose from three accommodation levels: Budget, Standard/Midrange, or Luxury.
- Budget: Simple, clean lodges and guesthouses, typically 2-3 star.
- Standard/Midrange: Comfortable 3-4 star hotels and lodges with good amenities.
- Luxury: High-end 4-5 star lodges and resorts with premium service and facilities
Overview
Itinerary
A representative from Leonne Africa safaris will greet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation in Arusha, where you’ll spend the night, unwind, and get ready for the exciting adventures ahead. You’ll also have the opportunity to discover the City of Arusha and its surrounding areas.
Accommodation options
- Summit Safari Lodge (Mid-range lodge)
Day 1: Arusha City
In the morning, our personal safari guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Arusha. You’ll embark on a journey to Tarangire National Park, traversing the gently rolling Maasai plains dotted with acacia trees.
As you travel, you might spot many Maasais dressed in vibrant clothing walking along the roadside, riding bicycles, herding cattle, and maneuvering donkey carts. The park is famous for its large herds of elephants and is home to a variety of other wildlife.
From the open roof of your safari jeep, you’ll have the chance to witness the seasonal swamps, savanna, and the life-giving Tarangire River as you seek to encounter a wide array of animals, including zebras, wildebeests, buffalos, elephants, and giraffes, among others. You may even catch a glimpse of lions stalking their prey or leopards lounging in the trees above.
After an exciting game drive, you’ll head to one of our mid-range partner lodges for dinner at a lovely restaurant and enjoy a spacious room where you can relax and dream of wild cats!
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After enjoying an early breakfast, you’ll set off for the world’s most renowned national park. Although the drive is lengthy, it offers breathtaking views.
This will be a moment to remember for anyone experiencing it for the first time. As you venture deeper into the Serengeti, you’ll understand why its name translates to “endless plains” in the local dialect.
Covering 6,900 square miles (18,000 square kilometers), the park’s vast plains extend to the horizon, challenging your sense of distance.
It is the setting for the Great Migration, where 2 million wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and various antelope species cross each year. For those interested in big cats and large predators, this is the prime location to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, with many iconic scenes, such as the famous River Crossings, having been filmed here.
Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP
Day 3: Central Serengeti National Park
Today, you’ll set off early for your morning game drive, giving you the opportunity to see a stunning African sunrise in the bush. After enjoying a cup of coffee, you’ll immerse yourself in the wilderness and observe its incredible creatures as they rise among the dew-kissed grasses.
Later on, you’ll savor a hearty breakfast at the park, making sure to relish lunch right in the heart of the park.
In the afternoon, you’ll venture out again for another opportunity to explore the plains in pursuit of African wildlife as you leave the park.
Mid-range accommodation
Day 4: Central Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
Wake up and get ready! Today, you have an early start to explore the beautiful highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Your morning adventure takes you to the renowned Ngorongoro Crater, celebrated as one of Africa’s seven wonders and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Upon arriving at the crater’s edge, you’ll make your way down the steep path into the 600 m deep caldera, where you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife, expansive grasslands, vibrant birds, and a serene lake.
This enormous collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals, including the Big Five, spotted hyenas, and more than 500 bird species that inhabit the region.
After an exciting game drive and enjoying a picnic lunch within the crater, you’ll proceed to your hotel in Mto Wa Mbu for dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Mid-range accommodation
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
After enjoying breakfast, you’ll set off towards your final stop on this incredible safari: Lake Manyara National Park. This park, while relatively small, is rich in diversity and located 120km west of Arusha. The park gets its name from a shallow, salt lake that occupies a significant portion of its area.
This lake experiences seasonal flooding and drying, providing a habitat for thousands of flamingos and more than 500 other bird species. As you explore the park, keep an eye out for monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, elephants, and if you’re fortunate, you might spot lions relaxing in the trees.
Lake Manyara National Park is celebrated for its varied landscapes, which include not just open grassy plains but also woodlands filled with primates and cliffs adorned with baobab trees. After lunch, you’ll make your way back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon in time for your flight to Zanzibar.
Mid-range accommodation
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park-Zanzibar Stone Town
After enjoying breakfast around 7:30 am, your guide will pick you up. You’ll have a delightful ride to the island on a traditional dhow. You’ll discover how this small island got its name and visit the area that houses over 50 tortoises, some of which are more than 100 years old. Once you’ve explored the island and its fascinating history, you’ll have the chance to swim in the crystal-clear waters along the coast, surrounded by vibrant tropical fish.
Following that, you’ll embark on the Spice Tour, which lasts for 3 hours. You’ll have the unique opportunity to learn about tropical fruits, spices, and herbs, as well as some rare varieties of plants from different ecosystems.
During the tour, you might also spot spices like curry, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, pepper, tamarind, ginger, menthol, Zanzibar cloves, and many other spices and herbs that the Sultan of Oman has brought over the Indian Ocean. After the tour, you’ll be taken to your accommodation for dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Mid-range hotel located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)
Day 7: Zanzibar Stone Town and Spice Tour
Today, you’ll dedicate a large part of your day to relaxing and savoring the beautiful Zanzibar beaches. These shores provide a peaceful retreat with their immaculate white sands, clear turquoise waters, and gently swaying palm trees. You can bask in the sun, take a dip in the warm, welcoming sea, and witness breathtaking sunsets. The calm atmosphere, combined with the island’s natural beauty, creates the perfect setting for relaxation and renewal.
Mid-range hotel located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)
Day 8: Relaxing at the White Sand Beaches of Zanzibar Island
Today is going to be a bittersweet day for all of us as we prepare to bid farewell to one another. We hope that our team has created lasting memories in your heart that you can cherish. We will ensure you are taken to the airport at a time that suits you best.
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
