15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour – Wildlife, Community, Scenery, Recreation
15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour – SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour is 14 nights, 15 days safari in Tanzania tour, offering you classic big-game wildlife and scenery viewing and amazing cultural experiences, balanced with relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. This bush and beach trip is one you won’t forget.
You begin your safari with a game drive in Arusha National Park and a walking tour of Arusha city before heading to Tarangire NP, renowned for its huge elephant herds and massive Baobab trees. Then, tour Mto Wa Mbu village and visit Lake Manyara NP, home to flamingos, Africa’s largest baboon troops, and rare tree-climbing lions.
Next, you head to Central Serengeti, a true Big Cat territory and host to the Great Wildebeest Migration (May to June). From there, tour Olduvai Gorge and explore Ngorongoro Crater – a natural wonder and home to the densest concentration of big animals in Africa, where it is not unusual to see all the Big 5 in one game drive.
Next up is the beach leg of your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour. A flight from Arusha will take you to the island paradise of Zanzibar, where historic stone towns and blissful beaches await.
If you would like to book or customize this 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour to suit personal preferences and budget – please let us know
15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES
- Walking tour of Arusha city
- Thrilling game drives
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal)
- Watch the Big 5 in their natural habitat
- Spot Big Cats like Lions, Leopards, and Cheetahs
- See huge Elephant herds and baobab trees of Tarangire
- Watch Lake Manyara’s Flamingos and Tree-climbing lions
- See the epic Ngorongoro Crater
- Visit Olduvai Gorge – the Cradle of Mankind
- Guided tour of Mto wa Mbu village
- Fantastic birdwatching
- Relax on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar
- Visit Stone Town, a world heritage site
- Optional water sports: kayaking, kite surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, etc
- Optional hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti
15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS
Day 1 & 2: Arusha City & Arusha National Park
Day 3, 4 & 5: Tarangire National Park
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park & Mto wa Mbu village
Day 7, 8, & 9: Serengeti National Park
Day 10 & 11: Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Olduvai Gorge.
Day 12, 13 & 14: Zanzibar
Day 15: Departure
16 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHT
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Kilimanjaro International Airport & transfer to Arusha.
Day 2: Game drive in Arusha National Park & Arusha city walking tour
Day 3: Travel to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Day 4: Whole day game drives in Tarangire National Park.
Day 5: Full-day game drives in Tarangire National Park.
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park. Tour the Mto Wa Mbu village en route & enjoy an afternoon game drive on arrival.
Day 7: Transfer to Serengeti National Park for a game drive.
Day 8: Unlimited game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Day 9: Full-day game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Day 10: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge.
Day 11: Full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 12: Drive to Arusha Airport & fly to the Spice Island of Zanzibar.
Day 13: Relax & unwind on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar
Day 14: Tour Stone Town & relax in the afternoon
Day 15: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your departure flight.
15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – Kilimanjaro International Airport & Transfer to Your Hotel in Arusha.
You will be met by our company representative at Kilimanjaro International Airport before being transferred the short distance – less than an hour’s drive – to a hotel in Arusha. Arusha city is the gateway to the classic Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit.
The small vibrant city is nestled in the shadow of Mt Meru (4,566m) with commanding views of the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak. It has a population of 427000 people. At 1400 meters above sea level, the humidity and temperatures stay relatively low, with an average daily temperature of about 27°C.
You will spend the remainder of the day at leisure. In the evening a briefing is held at the safari lodge, in preparation for your epic 15 days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar tour. After the briefing, enjoy a delightful dinner and retreat to your room for your first night on safari in Africa!
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Legendary Lodge/Kibo Palace Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Airport pick-up
- Transfer to a hotel in Arusha
- Meet and Greet service at the airport
Day 2: Game Drive in Arusha National Park & Arusha City Walking Tour.
After breakfast on day two of your 15 days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar tour, drive to the nearest beautiful Arusha National park for a morning game drive. At just over 130km2, this park has a variety of scenic landscapes, ranging from open savannah, rainforest, acacia woodlands, flowing streams, waterfalls, alkaline lakes, and volcanic craters, to alpine vegetation on the higher reaches of Mount Meru.
Arusha NP is also home to Africa’s largest population of Giraffe. Buffalo, Elephants, Hippos, Zebras, and Black-and-white colobus monkeys are found here in abundance, as well as over 400 bird species including pink Flamingos. On a clear day, you might see the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
After a game drive, return to the lodge for a good lunch and some relaxation. In the late afternoon, go on a guided Arusha city walking tour to experience real Africa in Tanzania. Visit the colorful local markets and craft shops that are ideal for picking up unique souvenirs. You can try out local food while visiting a Tanzanian restaurant. Return to the lodge after this experience.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Kibo Palace Hotel/Impala Hotel/Arusha Coffee Lodge
Midrange: – Outpost Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Arusha National Park Game drive
- Cultural walk around Arusha
Optional Activities:-
- Arusha National Park walking safari
- Canoe ride on the small Momella Lakes
Day 3: Travel to Tarangire National Park for A Game Drive.
On the morning of day three of your 15 days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar tour, depart from Arusha after breakfast at the hotel. Take a scenic drive of 2½ hours southwest to Tarangire National Park.
This less crowded park of 2850km2 is renowned for its huge elephant population, hosting the highest density of elephants in Tanzania. It is home to approximately 3000 individuals, which are often present in enormous herds of up 300 individuals – an astounding sight for even the most seasoned safari-goer. Tarangire is also well known for its variety of wildlife, gigantic Baobab trees, and stunning natural beauty.
You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. After lunch, relax for a while before enjoying a superb game drive.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp
Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 150km/2½ hours
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Tarangire
- Game drive
Optional Activity: –
- Tarangire NP night game drive
Day 4: Whole Day Game Drives In Tarangire National Park.
After an early breakfast on day four of your 15 days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar tour, go on a morning game drive as the sun comes up. Sunrise is the best time for wildlife viewing as the animals tend to be most active during the “golden hours” when the first rays of sunshine come to rest on the savannah.
You’ll return to the lodge during the hotter hours in the middle of the day to enjoy a delicious lunch, relax, and maybe take a siesta before going out again on an afternoon game drive.
Tarangire National Park experiences its small-scale animal migration, which occurs in the dry season. Though not involving the same wildlife numbers as the famous Serengeti Great Migration, Tarangire’s migration is an astonishing sight. It sees up to 3000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest, 30,000 zebras, and numerous antelopes stampeding across the plains in search of greener grass and water.
The dry season influx of ungulates attracts the attention of the park’s various resident predators – particularly lions. Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, painted wolves (African wild dogs), and are also present. After the game drive, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp
Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Game drives
Day 5: Full Day Game Drives in Tarangire National Park.
On day five of your 15 days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar tour, after breakfast, enjoy another wildlife drive, looking for animals you may have missed out on during your earlier excursions into the park. You will once again return to your lodge for lunch and some downtime before we head out again on an afternoon game drive.
More than 550 bird species have been recorded in Tarangire including flocks of dazzling Yellow-collared lovebirds, the Common Ostrich (the world’s biggest bird), and Kori Bustard (the heaviest flying bird). The park also hosts one of Tanzania’s biggest concentrations of wildlife. It is also the only place in Tanzania where the rare dry-country antelopes; Oryx and long-necked gerenuk are regularly spotted.
Another Tarangire attraction is its numerous termite mounds that dot the breathtaking landscape. The ones that have been abandoned by termites are often home to families of Common Dwarf Mongoose.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Midrange: – Tarangire Kirurumu Camp
Budget: – Roika Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Tarangire National Park game drives
Optional Activities:-
- Tarangire NP walking safari
- Night game drive in Tarangire
Day 6: Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park. Tour Mto Wa Mbu Village Enroute & Enjoy An Afternoon Game Drive On Arrival.
After breakfast at your lodge/camp in Tarangire, you are driven north for about 2 hours to an area described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”, Lake Manyara National Park.
Along the way, visit the charming village of Mto Wa Mbu for a fascinating insight into small-town African life. The village is a melting pot of culture, with about 18,000 residents from 120 distinct Tanzania tribes! Tour a local market and farmers’ fields. Meet artisans in their shops and maybe visit a local ‘bar’ to try Mbege, a traditional banana and millet beer that is brewed/drunk mainly by the Chagga tribe.
After a village tour, continue to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, go for a game drive in Lake Manyara NP.
Located at the scenic base of the Great African Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara contains a rich variety of habitats and wildlife. There are over 400 bird species including large flocks of pink flamingos and pelicans. Animals include Elephants, Gazelles, Buffalos, Wildebeest, Hyena, Baboon, Giraffe, Hippo, Antelopes, Leopards, and the unusual Tree-Climbing Lions.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Midrange: – Manyara Kirurumu Camp
Budget: – Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 60km/2 hours
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Lake Manyara
- Village walk in Mto Wa Mbu
- Lake Manyara NP game drive
Day 7: Transfer to Serengeti National Park for A Game Drive.
After an early breakfast on day 7 of your 15 days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar tour, embark on a 5-6 hour journey north. This scenic drive takes you through the cool crater highlands and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, skirting mighty Ngorongoro Crater. Leaving Ngorongoro, you pass beautiful Maasai villages and as you get closer to the Serengeti, gaze out at the rolling grasslands known to the local Maasai as Siringet – “the place where the land runs on forever”.
One of the oldest ecosystems on earth, the Serengeti National Park is home to Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife. An excellent all-year-round game viewing destination, the Serengeti is of course the setting for the annual great wildebeest migration, an iconic scene in wildlife documentaries for decades, and a true bucket list experience. It is the largest terrestrial mammal migration on planet earth and one of Africa’s 7 Natural Wonders.
This afternoon, enjoy a picnic lunch and a game drives up to your accommodation in Central Serengeti. This area comprises the world-famous Seronera Valley, one of the best places in Africa to see Lion, Leopard, and Cheetahs on hunts.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge
Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 250km/5-6 hours
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Serengeti
- Evening game drive
Day 8: Unlimited Game Drives In Serengeti National Park.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the camp or lodge before sunrise and then go out on a sunrise game drive in Serengeti. You will return to your camp for lunch and some relaxation in the hottest hours of the day, before going out again in search of more wildlife on an afternoon game drive.
Quite aside from the huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles that find themselves caught up in the migration, the endless plains of Serengeti (about 1.4 million hectares in size) thrum with life year-round. Big herds of African buffalos, smaller families of African elephants and Masai giraffes, and many antelope, such as eland, topi, kongoni, and impala are resident.
All three African Big Cats (Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah) are easily seen. Lion is often found on a kill. Spotted hyena, golden and black-backed jackal are never far off either. After a game drive, return to your camp/lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Serengeti Serena Lodge/Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Serengeti National Park Game drives
Optional Activity: –
- Hot air balloon safari
Day 9: Full Day Game Drives In Serengeti National Park.
You have another full day of game drives in Central Serengeti on this day nine of your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour. Central Serengeti boasts a high number of year-round plains animals and its diverse landscapes explain the variety 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. The Serengeti also hosts over 500 different bird species, including a variety of bustards, bright lilac-breasted rollers, and shimmering starlings.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Serengeti Sopa Lodge/Serengeti Serena Lodge
Midrange: – Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Budget: – Kijereshi Tented Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Serengeti Game drives
Optional Activity:-
- Hot air balloon safari over Serengeti Plains
Day 10: Transfer Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge.
After a leisurely breakfast on day 10 of your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, enjoy an en-route game drive through the grassy plains of Serengeti as you make yours to the Ngorongoro Crater – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
En route, stop at Olduvai Gorge – one of the world’s preeminent prehistoric sites. It’s here in the 1950s, that Drs. Louis and Mary Leaky discovered hominin fossils (remains of earliest humans), dating back some 2 million years, leading the area to be known as the “Cradle of Mankind”. These fossils have proven invaluable in furthering our understanding of human evolution.
At the end of a Gorge tour, continue to your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater rim for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. Ngorongoro is the world’s largest intact caldera and was voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa by the Seven Natural Wonders organization in 2013. The crater formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself 2 to 3 million years ago.
It is 2,000ft deep and its 260km2 floor, shelters Africa’s densest concentration of big animals (over 25,000) including some of the last remaining Black rhinos.
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/3-4 hours
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer to Ngorongoro
- Game drives
Day 11: Full-Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast on day eleven of your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour, go for a full-day game drive inside the majestic Ngorongoro Crater. Your route descends through the lush rainforests of the rim, 610 meters down to the grasslands of the crater floor.
Despite its compact size (260km2), the crater offers the best chance of seeing the Big Five: African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and Rhinoceros. Other animal sightings include wildebeests, gazelle, zebras, cheetahs, golden jackals, hyenas, and topi. The crater also boasts of around 400 bird species including lesser and greater flamingos, Common Ostrich, Secretary birds, and Kori bustards.
You will enjoy a bush picnic lunch on the crater floor, returning in the late afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Ngorongoro Serena Lodge/Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Midrange: – Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge
Budget: – Karatu Simba Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Full Game drive
Day 12: Drive to Arusha Airport & Fly to Zanzibar.
After a leisurely breakfast, take a four-hour drive to Arusha Airport for your flight to the exotic Spice Island of Zanzibar. Your flight will take you over the turquoise waters of Indian Ocean before landing on the island.
The history of this island is a colorful one and has been tied with that of Arabia, India, European, and the African hinterland for thousands of years, resulting in an intoxicating mix of influences. However, Zanzibar is mainly known for some of the most achingly gorgeous white sand beaches, fringed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Most of the best beaches are on the east coast, and you’ll pass vibrant villages and local markets en route to wherever you are staying on the beach.
Rest for the remainder of the day. A visit to the spa for a massage or time in the Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna is an excellent way to ease into vacation mode! You can toast the sunset with a sundowner before the diner. Then, drift off to sleep, under your mosquito net, to the sounds of the Indian Ocean.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Baraza Resort & Spa/the Residence Zanzibar
Midrange: – Reef & Beach Resort/Zuri Zanzibar Hotel & Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Activities & Services: –
- Transfer back to Arusha
- Flight to Zanzibar
Day 13: Relax & Unwind On the Beautiful Beaches of Zanzibar
Enjoy your free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you can spend your day – perhaps talk to your leader about any suggestions they might have. If watersports are your thing, you can go scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, kite-surfing, water skiing, parasailing, swimming with dolphins, as well as dolphin cruises and boat trips.
On dry land, you enjoy beach volleyball. If that’s all too energetic for you visit the spa or laze on the deck chairs around the pool. Should you wish to discover the island there are plenty of excursions that you can join, including visits to Jozani Forest, Prison Island, the spice plantations, and cultural tours to local villages. At the end of your laid-back beach day, enjoy sundowners and toast to another day in paradise.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – The Residence Zanzibar/Baraza Resort & Spa
Midrange: – Reef & Beach Resort/Zuri Zanzibar Hotel & Resort
Budget: – Pongwe Beach Hotel/Sunshine Hotel Zanzibar
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Day 14: Tour Stone Town & Relax In the Afternoon
After breakfast, go on a guided walking tour in the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the Swahili culture and history as you explore the Old Town with its colorful bazaars, winding alleyways, and ancient stone houses. Tour the old Dhow Port, the Sultan’s Palace, the Portuguese Fort, the House of Wonders, the Livingstone House, and the Persian Baths of Kidichi.
You can also visit the Old Slave Market which is today a site of the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ, a building that houses many tributes to the city’s heinous past, one of which is an altar built over the spot where the whipping post stood. All newly captured Africans were tied to the tree here and whipped to test their mettle. After a busy day, your guide will escort you back to your relaxation.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Jafferji House & Spa/Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Midrange: – Dhow Palace Hotel/Shaba Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Activities & Services: –
- Stone town walking tour
Day 15: Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for Your Departure Flight.
After your last tropical breakfast, transfer by to Zanzibar International Airport for your return flight home. Take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable memories your 15 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour have offered you – the warmth of the African sun on your skin, the sound of lions greeting the dusk – and the gentle people and thrilling wildlife spectacles you have witnessed.
End of the 15 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Tour
15 Days Tanzania Safari & 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
15 Days Tanzania Safari & 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