12 Days Tanzania Safari, Stone Town and Zanzibar Beach Holiday

Experience Tanzania’s celebrated wildlife, rich Swahili heritage and tropical coastline on this carefully balanced 12 Days Tanzania Safari, Stone Town and Zanzibar Beach Holiday.

The journey begins in Northern Tanzania with a private safari through Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Central Serengeti.

A herd of African elephants migrating across the savannah in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.

Duration

Days

Duration

Nights

You’ll Visit

Trip Highlights

Private safari with a professional Tanzanian guide
Tarangire National Park wildlife experience
Large elephant herds and ancient baobab landscapes
Ngorongoro Crater safari and Big Five opportunities
Serengeti wildlife viewing and predator encounters
Lions, leopards and cheetahs in their natural habitat
Scenic flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar
Explore Zanzibar’s rich Swahili heritage
Historic Stone Town and spice experiences
Relax on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches
Swimming, snorkeling and marine activities
Traditional dhow sailing and sunset cruises
Optional Jozani Forest experience
Flexible options for couples, families and private travelers
Customizable accommodation choices

A lone wildebeest stands in the scenic Ngorongoro Crater grasslands, Tanzania.

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Trip Itinerary

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You May Encounter

Elephant
Lion
Leopard
Cape buffalo
Black rhinoceros
Wildebeest
Plains zebra
Cheetah
Flamingos and other waterbirds
Giraffe
Hippopotamus
Nile crocodile

and many more…

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Arusha1 night

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be welcomed by a Quest Horizon Safaris representative.

After assistance with your luggage, transfer privately to your accommodation in Arusha.

Arusha lies close to the southern slopes of Mount Meru and serves as the principal gateway to Northern Tanzania’s safari circuit.

Depending on your arrival time, spend the remainder of the day resting at the lodge.

Later, your guide or representative will provide a safari briefing covering:

The planned route
Driving times
National Park regulations
Wildlife-viewing etiquette
Meals and drinking water
Luggage restrictions
The Serengeti-to-Zanzibar flight
Zanzibar transfer arrangements

Dinner and overnight in Arusha.

Ngorongoro1 night

Arusha to Tarangire National Park and Karatu

After breakfast, meet your professional safari guide and depart for Tarangire National Park.

Travel through towns, farmland, open countryside and Maasai grazing areas.

Enter Tarangire and begin your first game drive.

The park is famous for its elephant population, ancient baobab trees and the Tarangire River.

During the dry season, the river attracts large concentrations of wildlife. During greener months, the park offers lush landscapes, birdlife and quieter game viewing.

Enjoy a picnic lunch and continue exploring during the afternoon.

Later, leave the park and travel toward Karatu or the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Dinner and overnight.

Serengeti4 nights

<strong><strong><strong>Ngorongoro Crater Safari and Central Serengeti</strong></strong></strong>

Depart early after breakfast and travel into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Continue to the crater rim and descend approximately 600 metres to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater.

The crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and supports one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of large mammals.

Explore grasslands, forest, wetlands, freshwater springs and the Lake Magadi area.

Ngorongoro is one of Tanzania’s better places to search for the endangered black rhinoceros, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location.

In the early afternoon, ascend the crater wall and continue toward Serengeti National Park.

Enter the Serengeti and enjoy an en-route game drive toward Central Serengeti.

Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the late afternoon or early evening.

Dinner and overnight in Central Serengeti.

<strong><strong>Full-Day Central Serengeti Safari</strong></strong>

Spend a full day exploring Central Serengeti.

The Seronera region contains river valleys, open plains, acacia woodland and granite kopjes.

Permanent water sources support resident wildlife throughout the year.

Begin with an early morning game drive when temperatures are cooler and predators may still be active.

Search for lions around rocky kopjes, leopards in riverine trees and cheetahs on the open plains.

Your private guide will adapt the route according to wildlife reports, guest interests, weather and road conditions.

Choose between a full-day game drive with picnic lunch or separate morning and afternoon drives with a midday lodge break.

Dinner and overnight in Central Serengeti.

<strong><strong><strong>Second Full Day in Central Serengeti</strong></strong></strong>

Enjoy another complete day in Central Serengeti.

The additional day allows your guide to explore different habitats and revisit productive wildlife areas.

The morning may focus on river valleys and woodland, while the afternoon may explore open plains and kopjes.

Depending on the season, migratory wildebeest and zebras may also move through Central Serengeti. Their presence varies and cannot be guaranteed.

An optional sunrise balloon safari can be arranged at additional cost.

Balloon activities usually begin before dawn and conclude with a bush breakfast before guests rejoin their safari guide.

Travelers who do not choose the balloon experience can enjoy a conventional early morning game drive.

Return to the accommodation in the late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight in Central Serengeti.

Zanzibar6 nights

<strong>Morning Serengeti Safari and Flight to Zanzibar</strong>

Begin with an early breakfast and final Serengeti game drive, depending on the scheduled flight time.

Transfer to the nearest operational airstrip and board a scheduled light-aircraft flight to Zanzibar.

The service may operate directly or make stops at other airstrips and airports.

During clear weather, the flight may provide aerial views of the Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Highlands and other Tanzanian landscapes.

Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, meet a local representative and transfer privately to your accommodation in Stone Town.

After check-in, spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Depending on your arrival time, you may walk along the waterfront, visit local shops or enjoy sunset views from the coast.

Overnight in Stone Town.

<strong><strong>Stone Town Cultural and Historical Experience</strong></strong>

After breakfast, meet a knowledgeable local guide for a walking tour of Stone Town.

The historic center is known for its narrow streets, carved wooden doors, coral-stone buildings and cultural influences from Africa, Arabia, India and Europe.

The exact route may include:

Historic waterfront areas
Local markets
Former merchant houses
Religious buildings
Public squares
Architectural landmarks
Memorial sites
Traditional shops
Food and spice stalls

Your guide will explain Zanzibar’s coastal trading history, the development of Swahili culture and the island’s role in regional trade.

The experience should also address Zanzibar’s connection to the East African slave trade accurately and respectfully.

After the tour, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or return to the accommodation.

In the afternoon, transfer privately to your selected beach area.

The drive may pass through villages, plantations and rural island scenery.

Check in at your beach accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day beside the Indian Ocean.

Dinner and overnight on the Zanzibar coast.

<strong><strong>Zanzibar Beach Leisure</strong></strong>

Wake beside the Indian Ocean and enjoy a relaxed breakfast.

Spend the day at leisure.

Depending on the selected beach and tidal conditions, activities may include:

Swimming
Beach walking
Sunbathing
Kayaking
Stand-up paddleboarding
Snorkeling
Spa treatments
Poolside relaxation
Reading beneath palm trees

Zanzibar’s coastlines vary considerably.

Northern beaches often provide easier swimming through a wider tidal range, while many eastern and southeastern beaches experience more dramatic tidal changes.

Your beach area should be selected according to your preferred atmosphere and activities.

Dinner and overnight on the Zanzibar coast..

<strong>Zanzibar Beach or Optional Marine Experience</strong>

Enjoy another day beside the Indian Ocean.

You may remain at the resort or choose an optional marine excursion.

Possible activities include:

Reef snorkeling
Scuba diving
Sandbank excursion
Traditional dhow sailing
Sunset cruise
Deep-sea fishing
Dolphin-watching excursion
Island-hopping

All marine activities depend on weather, tides, sea conditions and operating schedules.

Responsible marine operators should maintain suitable distances from wildlife and avoid chasing, touching or surrounding dolphins, turtles and other animals.

Return to the beach accommodation for dinner and overnight.

<strong>Zanzibar Beach or Optional Spice and Forest Experience</strong>

Spend the day relaxing or choose an optional island excursion.

Possible experiences include:

Spice-Farm Visit

Learn about Zanzibar’s historic spice industry and see plants such as:

Cloves
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Vanilla
Cardamom
Black pepper
Lemongrass
Tropical fruits

Jozani Forest

Visit Zanzibar’s best-known forest reserve and search for the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey.

The experience may also include forest vegetation, mangrove habitat and information about local conservation.

Wildlife sightings remain natural and cannot be guaranteed.

Return to the coast in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight.

<strong><strong><strong><strong>Final Full Day on Zanzibar</strong></strong></strong></strong>

Enjoy your final complete day on the island.

This day is deliberately unstructured, allowing you to decide between complete relaxation and another optional activity.

Possible options include:

Spa treatment
Beach leisure
Private snorkeling excursion
Kite-surfing lesson
Diving
Village experience
Cooking class
Seaweed-farming visit
Sunset dhow cruise
Private beach dinner
Honeymoon arrangement
Family activity
Photography session

Guests may also spend the day swimming, reading or resting before their international journey.

Dinner and overnight on the Zanzibar coast.

<strong><strong><strong><strong>Zanzibar Departure</strong></strong></strong></strong>

Enjoy breakfast at the accommodation.

Depending on your flight time, spend the morning relaxing beside the ocean.

Check-out times and late-departure arrangements vary by property.

At the appropriate time, meet your driver and transfer privately to Zanzibar International Airport.

Assistance will be provided for your onward flight.

Inclusions

Private airport transfer on arrival
Private safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking safari guide
Five nights of mainland safari accommodation
One night of Stone Town accommodation
Four nights of Zanzibar beach accommodation
Meals as stated in the confirmed quotation
Tarangire National Park entrance fees
Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees
Ngorongoro Crater service fee
Serengeti National Park entrance fees
Serengeti concession or camping fees where applicable
Scheduled flight from Central Serengeti to Zanzibar
Safari airstrip transfer
Private Zanzibar airport transfer
Private Stone Town-to-beach transfer
Guided Stone Town walking tour
Private Zanzibar departure transfer
Picnic lunches where required
Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover during the safari
Government taxes and statutory levies
Zanzibar hotel or infrastructure levies where specifically stated

Exclusions

International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance where applicable
Comprehensive personal travel and medical insurance
Meals not specified
Alcoholic and premium beverages
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
Laundry unless included by the accommodation
Optional Zanzibar excursions
Optional balloon safari
Marine park fees unless specifically included
Diving equipment and certification costs
Additional accommodation before or after the itinerary
Medical treatment beyond emergency evacuation
Costs caused by flight delays, cancellations or missed connections
Services not specifically listed as included

Visa & Entry Requirements

Most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania for tourism. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm your specific situation on the official Tanzania Immigration Services eVisa portal before you travel