Tarangire National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti · Zanzibar
Bush to Beach: Northern Parks and Nungwi, Zanzibar
Six days of wildlife in the north, then three barefoot nights on Zanzibar's northern shore.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Destinations
- Tarangire National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti · Zanzibar
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Group size
- 2 to 6 guests
- From
- $4,514 per person
Overview
Six days of wildlife in the north, then three barefoot nights on Zanzibar's northern shore.
This trip is really two holidays, and each is long enough to be properly enjoyed. The first six days move through the northern circuit, where Tarangire, the Ngorongoro highlands and the Serengeti each feel unlike the others. The last three nights ask nothing of you: a short flight carries you to Nungwi, on Zanzibar's north coast.
Tarangire opens the journey with a real half day of its own. Its elephants gather along the river in the dry season, and it holds one of East Africa's biggest populations. Built into the route are time with a Maasai community and a pause at the market town of Mto wa Mbu. Ngorongoro Crater then receives a full day: a collapsed volcano about 260 km² wide, with walls so steep that most residents never leave. The final two days are spent in the Serengeti, where lions and other predators live year round.
From there a scenic flight, routed through Arusha, replaces the long drive back, and you land on the coast for three unplanned nights on white sand.
- A dedicated half day in Tarangire among elephants and ancient baobabs
- A Maasai community visit and a Mto wa Mbu stop on the way to the highlands
- A full day in Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most crowded wildlife stages on earth
- Two days in prime Serengeti predator country, reached by moving forward through the circuit
- An air hop out of the Serengeti to Zanzibar that spares you a long drive back
- Three all-inclusive nights on the Nungwi coast to finish well rested
Best forCouplesHoneymoonersFamilies
Wildlife radar
What you can expect to see
For safari and beach together, June to October is the most reliable window: dry days in the parks and calm, sunny weather on the coast. January and February are also warm and dry on Zanzibar, and good for the calving plains. The long rains in April and May are the one stretch we usually advise against for the beach.
- African elephantHigh
- LionHigh
- LeopardRare
- CheetahRare
- Black rhinoHigh
- Cape buffaloHigh
The difference
A circuit that finishes on the sand
The route only moves forward. Instead of retracing roads you have already driven, you fly out of the Serengeti and reach the island the same day, so none of the beach time is eaten by transit.
Culture sits inside the plan too, not on an optional list: the Maasai visit and Mto wa Mbu both happen on the day you travel up into the highlands.
On the map
Your route
Follow the trip from the first night to the last, by road and by air.
- Start · Day 1Arusha
- Day 2Tarangire National ParkDrive from Arusha
- Day 3-4Ngorongoro CraterDrive from Tarangire National Park
- Day 5-6Central SerengetiDrive from Ngorongoro Crater
- End · Day 7-10Nungwi, ZanzibarFlight from Central Serengeti
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Arusha
Arusha
Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take a private transfer to Arusha for the night before heading into the bush.
- Trail
- Kahawa House
- Ridge
- Gran Melia, Arusha
- Summit
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Meals
- Bed and breakfast
Day 2
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Drive south to Tarangire, where large elephant herds gather among baobab trees.
Outside the wet season Tarangire has one of the densest elephant populations in Africa, as herds crowd along the river.
- Ridge
- Elephant Springs
- Summit
- Elewana Treetops
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 3
Tarangire half day, a Maasai visit and Mto wa Mbu
Tarangire to the Ngorongoro highlands
A last half day of game viewing in Tarangire, then a drive up into the highlands with a stop at a Maasai community and in the market town of Mto wa Mbu.
- Ridge
- Kitela Lodge
- Summit
- The Manor at Ngorongoro
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 4
A full day in Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater
Spend the entire day inside the crater, a self-contained ecosystem and one of the most dependable places for a Big Five day.
The crater is a closed bowl about 260 km² across, and the wildlife rarely leaves, among them some of the area's most reliable black rhino.
- Ridge
- Kitela Lodge
- Summit
- The Manor at Ngorongoro
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 5
Karatu to the Serengeti
Central Serengeti
Drive into the Serengeti, pausing at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant sites for the study of human origins, before reaching camp.
- Summit
- Serengeti Explorer
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 6
A full day in the Serengeti
Central Serengeti
A day of game drives through prime predator territory, where lion, leopard and cheetah are realistic sightings throughout the year.
- Summit
- Serengeti Explorer
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 7
Fly to Zanzibar via Arusha
Nungwi, Zanzibar
A morning flight stops in Arusha and carries on to Zanzibar, so there is no second long drive. A transfer takes you up to Nungwi on the north coast.
- Summit
- Kilindi Zanzibar
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 8
Free day in Nungwi
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Plan it as you like: a dive or snorkel on the reef, a sunset dhow sail, a walk around Stone Town, a spice farm visit, or the beach and nothing else.
Nungwi is at Zanzibar's northern tip, where swimming is not cut short by the low tides that leave the east coast shallow.
- Summit
- Kilindi Zanzibar
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 9
Another day on the white sand
Nungwi, Zanzibar
One more unhurried day beside the water: dive, sail at dusk or simply rest.
- Summit
- Kilindi Zanzibar
- Meals
- All-inclusive
Day 10
Departure
Nungwi to Zanzibar Airport
A private transfer takes you from Nungwi to Zanzibar Airport for your onward journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Gallery
Along the route
Where you stay
Choose your style of stay
Trail
Comfortable and great value
From$4,514per person
- Kahawa House
- Tarangire Katikati Tented Camp
- Ngorongoro Farm House
- Serengeti Katikati Camp
- Nungwi Dreams By Mantis
Ridge
Character, comfort and standout settings
From$6,206per person
- Gran Melia, Arusha
- Elephant Springs
- Kitela Lodge
- Kubukubu Tented Lodge
- Diamond Mapenzi Beach Resort
Summit
Exclusive, refined and luxurious
From$10,090per person
- Arusha Coffee Lodge
- Elewana Treetops
- The Manor at Ngorongoro
- Serengeti Explorer
- Kilindi Zanzibar
Price per person
Choose a level of stay and see what each person pays for your group size.
| Travelling together | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | $5,387 |
| 3 travellers | $4,950 |
| 4 travellers | $4,732 |
| 5 travellers | $4,601 |
| 6 travellers | $4,514 |
- Prices are in US dollars, per person sharing a double or twin room. Vehicle and guide costs are shared, so the price per person changes with group size and does not always fall in a straight line.
- Park fees are set by the authorities and can change, so the quote you accept is the price that applies.
What's included
- Park and conservation area fees
- Game drives in a private 4x4
- A professional guide for the safari section
- The flight from the Serengeti via Arusha to Zanzibar
- Meals as listed
- Lodging for all nine nights
- Airport and between-property transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Optional Zanzibar extras
Good to know
- Rates are per person sharing a double or twin room; single supplements are available on request.
- The safari is private at every group size, with your own vehicle and guide. Group size only changes how many people share that cost.
- Optional extras can be added on days 8 and 9 at extra cost: choose from a scuba or snorkelling outing on the reef, an evening dhow sail at sunset, a walk through Stone Town, a visit to a spice farm or a deep-sea fishing charter.
- Availability and rates can vary with the exact dates within a season.
Questions
Good to know
No. The days, the pace and the activities are the same at every level. Only the camps, lodges and beach properties differ.
It takes place on day 3, as you travel from Tarangire up to the Ngorongoro highlands, along with a browse around the market town of Mto wa Mbu. It is part of the route, not something sold separately.
Going back by road would mean retracing roughly a day and a half of track you have already driven. The flight, with its stop in Arusha, puts you on the coast the same day.
The Serengeti and the crater lose value when hurried, so the safari section is best left intact. Extra Zanzibar nights or a Stone Town stay are simple additions. If time is tight, talk to us about what can be trimmed.
Included: park and conservation fees, vehicle, guide and fuel for the safari, the Serengeti to Zanzibar flight, the activities listed and lodging for all nine nights. Not included: international flights, visas, insurance, tips and optional Zanzibar extras.
It does. Vehicle, guide and fuel are shared, so the per-person amount falls as more people join. We will quote your exact party size.
Bush to Beach: Northern Parks and Nungwi, Zanzibar
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and a personal quote.