Six days of big-five game drives followed by four days on one of the Indian Ocean’s finest islands - this 10-day Tanzania itinerary is the most popular combination the country offers, and for good reason. The contrast between red-dust savanna and turquoise reef works surprisingly well. The logistics are straightforward: fly or drive the safari circuit, then hop a short flight to Zanzibar.
Route Overview
Days 1–6: Arusha → Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti (northern circuit)
Day 7: Serengeti → Zanzibar (by air)
Days 7–10: Zanzibar beach
Day 10: Fly home via Zanzibar (ZNZ) or Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Budget Tiers (per person per day, all-in)
| Tier | Safari side | Zanzibar side | Combined daily estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Tented camps, shared vehicle | Guesthouse, fan room | USD 130–180 |
| Mid-range | En-suite tented lodges | 3–4 star boutique hotel | USD 350–550 |
| Luxury | Private camps + fly-in | 5-star resort | USD 900–1,800+ |
Days 1–2: Arrival in Arusha and Tarangire
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to Arusha (45 minutes, USD 25–35 by taxi). Brief your guide and depart for Tarangire on the morning of Day 2.
Tarangire’s elephant herds are among the most impressive in East Africa. The Tarangire River never dries completely, making it a magnet for wildlife during the dry season (June–October).
Recommended lodges in Tarangire:
- Budget: Tarangire River Camp - tented camp with shared facilities, from approx. USD 90 per person per night
- Mid-range: Tarangire Sopa Lodge - inside the park, full board, from approx. USD 250 per person
- Luxury: Swala Camp - nine tents in a private concession; known for its lions, from approx. USD 700 per person all-in
Days 3–4: Ngorongoro Crater
Drive northwest to Ngorongoro (3 hours from Tarangire). Settle into a rim lodge before dinner - at 2,300 m altitude, the evenings are cold and the views into the crater are extraordinary.
Day 4 is a full crater day (07:00 descent). Ngorongoro reliably delivers lion, black rhino, elephant, flamingo, and hyena within a 260 sq km caldera - a concentration of wildlife unmatched in Africa. Crater vehicle fee: approximately USD 295 per vehicle as of 2026.
Recommended rim lodges:
- Budget: Rhino Lodge - simple bungalows on the rim, from approx. USD 150 per person full board
- Mid-range: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge - crater views from every room, from approx. USD 280 per person full board
- Luxury: &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - dramatic Maasai-inspired architecture, butler service, from approx. USD 800+ per person all-inclusive
Days 5–6: The Serengeti
Depart the rim early for the 3.5-hour drive into the Serengeti. Stop at Olduvai Gorge (approx. USD 30 museum entry) en route. Two full game-drive days in the Serengeti. Focus on the Seronera Valley for big cats; the western corridor for hippo-packed rivers; and the north (Lamai, Kogatende) if the migration is in Tanzania.
Recommended Serengeti lodges:
- Budget: Seronera Campsite - public site with facilities; from approx. USD 30 per person. Book through Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
- Mid-range: Serengeti Sopa Lodge - centrally located, full board, from approx. USD 330 per person
- Luxury: Singita Mara River Tented Camp - in the northern corridor; exceptional migration location, from approx. USD 1,200+ per person all-inclusive
Day 7: Serengeti → Zanzibar
Flight option A (recommended): Coastal Aviation or Air Excel operates scheduled light aircraft between Serengeti airstrips (Seronera, Ndutu, Kogatende) and Zanzibar (ZNZ). One stop in Arusha is common. Total journey: 3–4 hours. Cost: approximately USD 350–500 per person one-way as of 2026.
Flight option B (budget): Drive to Arusha (5 hours), fly Arusha → Dar es Salaam with Precision Air (approx. USD 80–120), then Dar → Zanzibar (15 minutes, approx. USD 40–60). Total: USD 120–180 but add a full day of travel.
Arrive in Zanzibar by mid-afternoon. Transfer to your beach area - Nungwi (north, 1 hour) or Paje (east coast, 45 minutes).
Days 7–10: Zanzibar Beach
Four days gives time for beaches, snorkelling, a spice tour, Stone Town exploration, and a sunset dhow cruise - without feeling rushed.
Stone Town (half-day)
UNESCO World Heritage Site; wander the old Arab quarter, visit the former slave market, and eat at the Forodhani Night Market (street food from approx. USD 3–8 a plate). House of Wonders museum entry approx. USD 3 as of 2026.
Snorkelling and diving
Mnemba Atoll - the best snorkelling in Zanzibar. Day trips from Nungwi: approx. USD 30–60 including gear. Two-tank dive: approx. USD 80–100 with One Ocean Dive Centre or Baraka Natural Aquarium.
Spice tour
A half-day organised spice tour from Stone Town costs approx. USD 20–30 per person.
Where to stay in Zanzibar:
| Area | Budget option | Mid-range option | Luxury option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nungwi (north) | Smiles Beach Hotel (~USD 60/night) | Essque Zalu (~USD 300/night) | The Riu Palace (~USD 500+/night) |
| Paje (east) | Kinazi Upepo (~USD 40/night) | Paje by Night (~USD 120/night) | Baraza Resort (~USD 500+/night) |
| Stone Town | Emerson Spice (~USD 120/night) | Park Hyatt (~USD 300/night) | The House of Spices (~USD 200+/night) |
Prices are approximate per room, per night, as of 2026. Book 2–3 months ahead in June–October peak season.
Day 10: Departure
Flights home from Zanzibar (ZNZ) connect to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Doha, Dubai, and Istanbul. Check-in two hours ahead for international departures. Zanzibar airport is small - arrive early.
Alternatively, fly Zanzibar → Dar es Salaam (15 minutes) for more international routing options.
Search hotels in Arusha on Booking.com
Booking Tips
- Book safari and Zanzibar flights together. Light aircraft schedules between Serengeti and Zanzibar are limited - confirm your flight first, then build the safari days around it.
- Avoid flying Zanzibar → Nairobi on Jambojet or cheap carriers during peak season unless you have confirmed baggage allowance. Safari bags can be bulky.
- Beach accommodation in Zanzibar peaks June–October and December–January. Low season (May and November) is cheaper by 30–50% but risks cyclone-season weather on the Indian Ocean coast.
- Combine your travel insurance. Some policies exclude light aircraft. Specifically confirm your charter flight coverage before departure. Travel insurance for Tanzania includes options with charter flight and evacuation cover.
Browse Tanzania safari tours to compare operators for the northern circuit leg. For the Zanzibar portion, Zanzibar tours covers day trips, snorkelling, and spice farm excursions. Compare flights to Tanzania to find international connections into Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam for this itinerary.
Key Transport Costs
| Leg | Mode | Approx. cost per person |
|---|---|---|
| JRO → Arusha | Taxi | USD 25–35 |
| Safari circuit (6 days) | 4WD safari vehicle | Included in tour package |
| Serengeti → Zanzibar | Charter flight (direct) | USD 350–500 |
| Serengeti → Arusha → DAR → ZNZ | Mixed (flight/road) | USD 150–200 |
| Zanzibar airport → Nungwi | Shared taxi | USD 15–25 |
| Zanzibar airport → Paje | Private taxi | USD 20–30 |
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