15 Days Best of Tanzania Safari

The 15 Days Best of Tanzania is an all-inclusive wildlife and beach holiday. This superb itinerary takes you to Tanzania’s top National Parks like Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). These premier Tanzania wildlife destinations guarantee captivating encounters with the Big 5 game in a natural setting. Expect to embark on a private guided game viewing session across all the safari Parks as per this special travel itinerary. After the massive wildlife expedition, you will embark on the Zanzibar beach vacation. At Zanzibar, expect to soak yourself in the white sand beaches, explore the Stone Town, Prison Island, and Spice Plantations. The 15-Day Best of Tanzania offers a combination of mesmerizing wilderness encounters and a beach vacation.

The Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up & Drive to a Hotel to Relax

Day 2: Depart from Arusha town to Tarangire National Park in the Northern circuit

Day 3: A full-day Exploration of Tarangire with a professional guide.

Day 4: Travel from Tarangire to Ngorongoro by Road

Day 5: Guided Game Viewing with the Expert & Relax

Day 6: Ngorongoro to Serengeti –Guided Game drive

Day 7: Full–day game drive in Serengeti

Day 8: Second day in Serengeti

Day 9: Serengeti to Lake Manyara –Afternoon Game Drive

Day 10: Canoeing & walking tours in Lake Manyara

Day 11: Depart from Lake Manyara & take a flight to Zanzibar

Day 12: Enjoy a Full day in Stone City

Day 13: Zanzibar beach experience till sunset

Day 14: Dolphin tours

Day 15: Depart

The Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up & Drive to a Hotel to Relax

Meet your Tanzania driver who will collect you from the airport in Arusha. Leave the airport in a comfortable safari vehicle and drive to the hotel for relaxation. In Arusha, you will check into the hotel and later get briefed by the safari expert. The briefing will be an interactive one and is meant to let you know what your itinerary covers. During the briefing, feel free to ask any questions. After, you will have a full evening at the lodge or hotel in Arusha town.

Overnight at;

• Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
• Gran Melia Arusha Hotel

Meals: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Depart from Arusha town to Tarangire National Park in the Northern circuit

Depart Arusha for you to visit your first destination in the Northern tourist circuit which is Tarangire National Park. The Tarangire sits between the Maasai steppe to the south-east and the Great Rift Valley to the North and West. Arusha to Tarangire is just 2-3 hours’ drive, and getting to the Park will be best done using a 4×4 safari car.

Have an early lunch at the comfort of your camp or lodge, and after, your safari guide will take you on a game drive in the afternoon. Today marks the first phase of game viewing in Tarangire, and we expect to come across zebras, impalas, gazelles, waterbucks, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and cheetahs etc.

Overnight at:

• Budget: Whistling Thorn Tented Camp
• Midrange: Tarangire Sopa Lodge or Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
• Luxury: Tarangire Treetops by Elewana or Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: A full-day Exploration of Tarangire National Park

Embark on a full-day wildlife tour with a local guide and ensure you have a packed lunch plus drinking water. You will have a long day to explore the wonders of Tarangire and expect to get exposed to wildlife such as cape buffaloes, leopards, elephants, lions, hyenas, zebras, cheetahs, and many others. In the afternoon, park under some shade to enjoy your lunch. Continue with the last session of game viewing for you to see more wildlife, then return to the lodge for relaxation.

Overnight at:

• Budget: Whistling Thorn Tented Camp
• Midrange: Tarangire Sopa Lodge or Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
• Luxury: Tarangire Treetops by Elewana or Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Travel from Tarangire to Ngorongoro by Road.

At leisure, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and after, you will be collected from the lodge by your driver. Head off to Ngorongoro Crater to continue with a game drive session. At Ngorongoro, early check-in at the camp or lodge will be done, and later, you can proceed with an afternoon game drive.

Overnight at:

• Ngorongoo Lodge by Melia
• Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5: Guided Game Viewing & Relax

Early morning, you will have breakfast and then embark on a full-day game drive excursion. Expect to descend deeper into the Ngorongoro Crater while you get inspirational sightings of wildlife. The checklist of wild animals to see in Ngorongoro includes, among others, zebras, jackals, Kobs, elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, rhinos, and more. You will get back to the lodge after the late afternoon game viewing.

Overnight at:

• Ngorongoo Lodge by Melia
• Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Ngorongoro to Serengeti –Guided Game drive

After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart from Ngorongoro to the nearby Serengeti. Before you reach Serengeti, you will pay a visit to the Olduvai Gorge to learn more of its unique history and other things. You will have a final journey to Serengeti, where you will check in your accommodation options. After, you can have a relaxed afternoon at the lodge or embark on a game drive.

Overnight at:

• Budget: Lobo Wildlife Lodge
• Midrange: Serengeti Simba Lodge
• Luxury: Serengeti Serena Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7: Full–day game drive in Serengeti

Start your long day search for the Big 5 game and wildebeest. This will be conducted with a private safari guide present, and being a full-day wildlife excursion, you will depart with some lunch packed. Expect great encounters with Serengeti’s abundant wildlife, especially the Big 5, wildebeest, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, and more. The day will be concluded with an afternoon game drive, then you return for relaxation at the camp or lodge.

Overnight at:

• Budget: Lobo Wildlife Lodge
• Midrange: Serengeti Simba Lodge
• Luxury: Serengeti Serena Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8: Second day in Serengeti

Get back to Serengeti plains in a 4×4 safari vehicle to explore more wildlife. On the early morning game drive, expect lots of wildlife surprises including hyenas, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, Big 5- buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, and leopards. In the afternoon, you may opt for a short game drive then proceed to the Maasai communities to experience unique African cultures and traditions.

Overnight at:

• Budget: Lobo Wildlife Lodge
• Midrange: Serengeti Simba Lodge
• Luxury: Serengeti Serena Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 9: Serengeti to Lake Manyara –Afternoon Game Drive

Depart from Serengeti and proceed to Lake Manyara National Park, a special place to find the distinct tree-climbing lions and several other attractions. Arrive early for you to check in your accommodation and also enjoy a leisurely lunch. Leave the lodge for a game drive in the afternoon where you will have exposure to diversity of wildlife such as giraffes, tree climbing lions, hippos, elephants, and birds.

Overnight at:

• Budget: Twiga Lodge or Nsya Lodge and Camp
• Midrange: Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
• Luxury: Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Canoeing & walking tours in Lake Manyara

After breakfast, catch up with your memorable canoeing experience on Lake Manyara. You will get a chance to spot a range of aquatic species, including birds like pelicans, flamingos, hippos as they are lounging in the water, and other mammals as they freely graze or drink water along the shores.

Overnight at:

• Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
• Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 11: Depart from Lake Manyara & take a flight to Zanzibar

Pick up at the lodge by a driver guide, and this morning, you will be transferred to Arusha. At Arusha, catch up with the departing flight to Zanzibar airport, where the local guide will pick you up. Drive out of the Zanzibar Airport to your boutique hotel in beautiful Stone Town.

Overnight at:

• Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Day 12: Enjoy a Full day in Stone City

Have an early morning breakfast and after, start your long day tour in Stone town –a historical city and UNESCO site. On a guided walk in the Stone town, you will be led to various sites, including local markets with varied species, and purchase some. Don’t miss visiting the sultan’s palaces now serving as a museum, and house of wonders, etc.

Overnight at:

• Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Day 13: Zanzibar beach experience till sunset

At leisure, enjoy your breakfast, and today, you have the entire day to soak yourself in the white sand beaches. Have fun, engage in the numerous recreational excursions, and later, you will have an overnight at the boutique hotel.

Overnight at:

• Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Day 14: Snorkeling & Spice tour

Take a private boat from Stone Town to Changuu Island or Prison Island to explore the giant tortoises. Expect to embark on a snorkeling adventure and later, return to Stone Town. In the afternoon, you will continue with a spice tour where you will be exploring various spice products that make Zanzibar a great place for spices, including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and more. Later, you will return to relax at the hotel.

Overnight at:

• Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Day 15: Depart

Have a leisurely breakfast at the boutique hotel, and later, you will be transferred to the airport for departure.

End of safari

Safari Inclusions

• All trip activities are on this itinerary.
• Camp/lodge accommodation for 14 nights
• All meals on this exciting itinerary
• All park and site entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Game viewing excursions
• Airport transfers
• Transportation and driver services
• Flight to Zanzibar
• All relevant Tanzania government taxes or levies

Safari Exclusions

• Cost of booking visas.
• International flight fees.
• Hotel/camp accommodation before or after the tour
• Gratuities and tips
• All expenses of a personal nature are excluded.