6 Days Tanzania Safari with Friends | Midrange Zanzibar Beach Escape

Your holiday with friends begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where a Burigi Chato Safaris driver will be waiting to welcome your group to Tanzania. After collecting your luggage and completing airport formalities, you'll travel together to Arusha, a lively town at the foot of Mount Meru. The journey normally takes between one and one and a half hours, giving you your first look at northern Tanzania's countryside, roadside markets and small communities along the way. Upon arriving at your midrange hotel, check in and take some time to settle into your rooms. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may choose to enjoy dinner together, explore the hotel's surroundings or simply relax after the journey. Your safari guide will confirm the following morning's departure time and discuss the activities ahead, making sure everyone knows what to expect before setting out for Ngorongoro.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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06:00 AM – 09:30 AM | Drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro

After an early breakfast, gather your friends and begin the drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road passes through beautiful countryside, including the farming communities around Mto wa Mbu and Karatu, before climbing into the cooler Ngorongoro Highlands. Along the way, you'll see green hills, banana plantations and traditional village life, with opportunities for photographs at suitable stops.

Upon reaching the crater rim, pause at the viewpoint to take in the enormous caldera below. The view is especially impressive when the morning clouds begin to lift, revealing the grasslands and forests spread across the crater floor.

09:30 AM – 03:30 PM | Full Day Game Drive Inside Ngorongoro Crater

Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for your first major wildlife adventure together. Spend the day exploring different parts of the crater with your safari guide, looking for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and hippos. The crater also supports the endangered black rhino, although seeing one depends on luck and the animals' movements.

As you travel across the open plains, your guide will explain the wildlife and help you recognise different species. You might see elephants moving through the woodland, zebras standing beside wildebeest or lions resting in the grass. There is plenty to talk about, photograph and discover together, especially for friends experiencing an African safari for the first time.

Stop at a designated picnic area for lunch before continuing the game drive through the crater's woodland and wetland habitats.

03:30 PM – Evening | Transfer to Your Midrange Lodge

After your wildlife experience, drive back up the crater wall and continue to your lodge around Karatu or the Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy dinner together and spend the evening relaxing, sharing photographs and talking about your favourite wildlife sightings.

07:00 AM – 01:00 PM | Scenic Journey to Central Serengeti

After breakfast, leave the Ngorongoro Highlands and travel towards Serengeti National Park. This is a longer travel day, but the drive is full of changing landscapes, from green highland slopes to broad savannah plains. Your group will pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you may see Maasai communities with their livestock and beautiful views across the surrounding countryside.

As you approach Naabi Hill Gate, the scenery opens into the vast grasslands that make the Serengeti famous. After completing the park entry formalities, continue towards the central Serengeti, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.

01:00 PM – 06:00 PM | Afternoon Game Drive in Central Serengeti

Enjoy a picnic lunch before spending the afternoon searching for wildlife in the Seronera region. This area is well known for its resident animals and offers opportunities to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes and large herds of grazing animals.

Your guide will explore the open plains, river areas and rocky kopjes, explaining animal behaviour and helping you make the most of each sighting. There may be moments when everyone falls quiet while watching a lion resting on a rock or a herd of elephants moving through the grass. At other times, you'll be busy pointing out animals, comparing photographs and enjoying the excitement together.

As the afternoon comes to an end, drive towards your selected midrange tented camp or lodge. Enjoy a comfortable evening in the Serengeti, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

06:00 AM – 08:30 AM | Final Wildlife Experience in Serengeti

Start the morning early for your final game drive in the Serengeti, subject to your confirmed flight departure time. The cooler morning hours can be rewarding for spotting predators and watching animals become active across the plains.

Your guide will explore suitable areas near Seronera Airstrip, giving your group one last opportunity to see wildlife and photograph the landscape. Whether you encounter giraffes feeding in the woodland, antelope grazing in the open or a pride of lions resting in the grass, it is a lovely way to end the mainland safari.

Late Morning or Afternoon | Flight to Zanzibar and Beach Hotel Check-In

Continue to Seronera Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. Flight schedules and any intermediate stops will be confirmed when your booking is arranged.

After arriving at Zanzibar International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your selected midrange beach hotel. Check in, freshen up and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. You might take a walk along the beach, go for a swim or meet your friends for dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean. After several days of wildlife drives, Zanzibar brings a completely different atmosphere to the holiday.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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07:30 AM – 09:00 AM | Transfer to Fumba and Dhow Departure

After breakfast, leave your hotel and travel to Fumba Village on Zanzibar's southwestern coast. Here, you'll join the popular Safari Blue excursion, a full-day ocean adventure through the beautiful waters of Menai Bay.

Meet the boat crew, receive a short safety briefing and board a traditional wooden dhow. As you sail away from the shore, enjoy views of small islands, fishing boats and the turquoise Indian Ocean stretching into the distance.

09:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Snorkeling, Swimming and Sandbank Exploration

Spend the morning visiting suitable snorkeling areas, where you'll have opportunities to swim among tropical reef fish and discover the underwater scenery. Snorkeling equipment and guidance are generally provided as part of the excursion, making it enjoyable for both experienced swimmers and beginners who are comfortable in the water.

Depending on the tides, stop at a white sandbank surrounded by shallow turquoise water. It's a great place to take group photographs, enjoy a refreshing swim and relax with your friends while admiring the ocean views.

12:30 PM – 04:00 PM | Island Lunch and Return Sailing

Continue towards the Kwale Island area for lunch, where local dishes, seafood and tropical fruits are commonly served. After eating, enjoy some time exploring the island surroundings or relaxing in the shade.

If the tides and sea conditions allow, the boat may visit a mangrove lagoon before returning to Fumba. Your driver will transfer you back to your hotel, where the evening is free to enjoy together.

Destination:

Blue Safari Trip

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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08:00 AM – 09:30 AM | Transfer to Matemwe or Muyuni Beach

After breakfast, set out for Zanzibar's northeastern coast and the beautiful marine environment around Mnemba Atoll. The journey takes you past local villages and tropical landscapes before reaching Matemwe or the nearby Muyuni departure area.

Meet your boat crew and prepare for a snorkeling adventure in the clear waters surrounding Mnemba Island.

09:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Explore the Coral Reefs Around Mnemba

Board your boat and head towards suitable snorkeling locations around the atoll. The area is known for its colourful tropical fish, coral reefs and attractive underwater scenery.

Spend the morning swimming and snorkeling with your friends, enjoying the chance to explore a different side of Zanzibar. Take breaks on the boat between snorkeling sessions and enjoy the beautiful views across the Indian Ocean. Dolphins and sea turtles may occasionally be seen in the surrounding waters, although wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.

Afternoon | Free Time at Your Beach Hotel

After returning to the coast, transfer back to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. Spend time swimming in the pool, walking along the beach or trying one of the nearby beachfront restaurants.

There are no scheduled activities for the remainder of the day, so your group can decide how to spend the afternoon together.

Destination:

Mnemba

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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09:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Discover Nungwi Beach

Enjoy breakfast before travelling to Nungwi on Zanzibar's northern coast. Known for its white sandy beaches and beautiful ocean scenery, Nungwi offers a pleasant mix of beach relaxation and coastal village life.

Spend the morning walking along the shoreline, swimming or watching traditional fishing boats near the beach. You may also explore the nearby village and see local boatbuilding activities where visits are permitted.

12:30 PM – 03:30 PM | Beachfront Lunch and Free Time

Choose a beachfront restaurant for lunch, then enjoy some free time with your friends. Relax on the sand, go for another swim or explore the cafés and small shops around Nungwi.

This afternoon is deliberately flexible, giving everyone time to enjoy the beach without a busy schedule.

04:00 PM – 06:30 PM | Traditional Zanzibar Sunset Dhow Cruise

Later in the afternoon, board a traditional wooden dhow for a sunset cruise along Zanzibar's northern coastline. As the boat moves across the water, enjoy the fresh sea breeze and beautiful views of Nungwi's shoreline.

Take photographs together as the sky changes colour and the evening sunlight reflects across the ocean. The cruise is a wonderful way to finish your six days of wildlife, sailing, snorkeling and beach adventures.

After sunset, return to shore and transfer to your hotel for your final evening in Zanzibar.

Destination:

Sunset Tour

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Enjoy breakfast together at your Zanzibar beach hotel before preparing for your journey home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a final walk along the beach, a swim or a relaxed morning at the hotel. Your Burigi Chato Safaris driver will collect your group at the agreed time and transfer you to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, allowing sufficient time for check-in and other departure procedures. Your 6-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday with friends comes to an end with lasting memories of Ngorongoro's wildlife, the beautiful Serengeti plains, Safari Blue, Mnemba Atoll and sunset sailing in Nungwi. Thank you for choosing Burigi Chato Safaris. We wish you a safe journey home and hope to welcome you and your friends back to Tanzania for another adventure.