11 Days Tanzania Christmas Safari | Zanzibar New Year Beach Holiday

Our team welcomes you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and assists with luggage before the private journey to Arusha. December is a busy travel period in Northern Tanzania, so we arrange airport transport and accommodation in advance to make the arrival straightforward. Along the way, our representative introduces the safari program and explains the following day's departure arrangements. After reaching your midrange hotel, we assist with check-in and confirm the travel schedule. If your arrival falls on a festive evening, our team can also help check whether the hotel has a Christmas or New Year dinner available.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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We begin the safari after breakfast, leaving Arusha for Tarangire National Park. During December and early January, rainfall can change the park's appearance, so our guide selects wildlife routes according to animal sightings and road conditions. We explore the Tarangire River and baobab woodland, looking for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, and zebras.

After spending the morning watching wildlife, we arrange lunch at an approved picnic area. We then continue the afternoon game drive through another section of Tarangire, stopping whenever animals are active near the road. Later, we transfer to your midrange lodge in the Lake Manyara area.

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, we travel through the Karatu highlands toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The highland landscape may be green during the holiday season, with changing weather conditions as we approach the crater. Our guide handles the entrance arrangements before driving down to the crater floor, where we begin searching for lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, elephants, zebras, and hippos.

We spend the day exploring the grasslands, lakes, and woodland while allowing time for wildlife photographs. After a picnic lunch, we continue the game drive before climbing back to the crater rim. We then transfer you to your comfortable midrange accommodation.

Destination:

Lake Manyara

Overnight:

Tortilis Ngorongoro Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We leave the Ngorongoro area after breakfast and begin the drive toward Serengeti National Park. During the December and January period, the wider Serengeti landscape can receive seasonal rainfall, influencing where grazing animals move. Our guide explains these changes while we travel across the plains and watch for zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and other wildlife.

Once we reach Central Serengeti, we begin an afternoon game drive around the Seronera Valley. We search for lions, leopards, elephants, and other resident animals before transferring to your midrange tented camp.

Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Overnight:

Mawe Tented Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Our guide starts the morning with a game drive through Central Serengeti, visiting river areas, grasslands, and woodland where different animals are regularly found. We search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife while following routes suited to the day's road conditions. We also look for cheetahs and grazing animals across the open plains.

We arrange a picnic lunch at a designated location and continue wildlife viewing during the afternoon. The private vehicle gives us flexibility to spend longer at interesting sightings before returning to your midrange accommodation.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Mawe Tented Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We spend another full day exploring Central Serengeti, visiting areas not covered during the previous game drive. Our guide searches the open grasslands for cheetahs, lions, zebras, and wildebeest while checking wooded areas for elephants, giraffes, and leopards. We adjust the route according to animal activity and the seasonal weather.

After a picnic lunch, we continue exploring another section of the park and allow time for photographs and wildlife observation. If the date coincides with Christmas, our team can help coordinate any available festive dinner arrangements at your midrange camp or lodge. We return to the accommodation after the afternoon safari.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Mawe Tented Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Today we enjoy a third full day in Central Serengeti, giving us more time to explore wildlife areas across the park. Our guide may select routes through rocky areas, river sections, or open grasslands, depending on recent sightings and road conditions. We look for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and other animals.

We stop for lunch and continue the afternoon safari through another part of the park. The extended stay allows us to return to areas with interesting wildlife activity without changing accommodation each day. We finish the day at your midrange camp and confirm the next morning's flight arrangements.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Mawe Tented Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We begin the morning with a final game drive in Central Serengeti before transferring to the airstrip. Our guide selects a suitable route based on the confirmed flight departure and allows time for wildlife viewing along the way. At the airstrip, we assist with luggage and check-in arrangements before your domestic flight to Zanzibar.

When you arrive in Zanzibar, our island representative welcomes you and organizes a private transfer to your midrange beach hotel. We also confirm any requested festive dinner or New Year arrangements according to your travel dates. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We collect you from the hotel for a guided visit to Stone Town, where Zanzibar's history can be seen in its traditional buildings, local markets, and narrow streets. Our guide introduces the island's trading background and explains how different communities have influenced its culture. During the festive period, some popular sightseeing areas may be busy, so we plan the visit with suitable walking routes and stops.

After Stone Town, we travel to a spice farm and learn how cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and tropical fruits are grown. We arrange time for seasonal fruit tasting before returning to your hotel.

Destination:

Stone Town Zanzibar

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, our team arranges a transfer to the Stone Town waterfront for a boat excursion to Prison Island. We visit the giant tortoise sanctuary and explore the island's historical surroundings with a local guide. Afterward, we continue to Nakupenda Sandbank, where the shallow water and sandy beach provide a suitable place for relaxation when conditions allow.

During the holiday season, popular boat excursions can be busy, so we coordinate the arrangements in advance. We allow time for swimming and photographs before returning to Stone Town and transferring you back to the hotel.

Destination:

Prison Island

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We travel to Jozani Forest for a guided walk along the protected visitor trails, where Zanzibar red colobus monkeys can often be observed in the trees. Our local guide explains the forest and helps you watch the monkeys while respecting the area's conservation rules. Depending on the route, we may also visit the mangrove boardwalk.

Later, we continue to Jambiani village, where we introduce you to local fishing activities, seaweed farming, and life along Zanzibar's southeast coast. After spending time near the beach, we return to your midrange hotel. The evening is free for relaxation or any festive activity arranged in advance.

Destination:

Jozan Forest Tours

Overnight:

My Blue Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We reserve the final tour day for beach relaxation and any seasonal activities that match your travel dates. You can spend time swimming, walking along the coast, or enjoying the facilities at your midrange beach hotel. Our team can also help arrange optional snorkeling, a sunset dhow cruise, or a suitable boat excursion.

If this day coincides with New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, we can assist with available hotel dinners or celebrations, subject to prior reservations and additional charges. Otherwise, the day remains free to relax after the mainland safari and Zanzibar excursions