7 Days with Friends on a Tanzania Big Five Safari and Zanzibar Beach Break | Midrange

Our representative welcomes your party at Kilimanjaro International Airport and helps organise the luggage for the transfer. We drive approximately 50–60 kilometres (31–37 miles) to Arusha, usually taking 1–1.5 hours. The road passes farmland and towns, with no organised wildlife activity on the arrival day. If friends arrive on different flights, we agree on the collection arrangements before travel. Once everyone is settled, our team explains the next morning’s start and checks the group’s main interests. This helps the guide plan the safari around your shared priorities.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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We collect the group early for the drive to Tarangire National Park. The entrance is approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Arusha, with a journey time of 2–2.5 hours. After the entry formalities, our guide begins exploring woodland and river tracks.

Elephants, giraffes and zebras are among the animals we search for during the morning. Our guide explains what is happening at each sighting and allows time for everyone to look and take photographs. We agree on fair use of the viewing space so each friend can enjoy the stops.

A break at an approved picnic area gives the group time away from continuous driving. We then continue the wildlife search before the transfer to the Manyara area. This final road section covers approximately 70–100 kilometres (43–62 miles) and takes around 1.5–2 hours.

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We leave early and follow the road through Karatu into the Ngorongoro highlands. Allow approximately 90–110 kilometres (56–68 miles) and 2–3 hours to reach the crater descent area, including entrance procedures. The route climbs through farmland and wooded hills before the drive down to the crater floor.

Our guide explores open grasslands for lions, buffaloes, zebras and wildebeest. We also visit suitable wet areas to look for hippos and scan farther across the plains for black rhinos.

The group’s interests help shape how long we remain at a sighting, while our guide balances this with the rest of the route. We stop at an approved picnic area before continuing the game drive. In the afternoon, we ascend to the Ngorongoro area for the evening.

Destination:

Lake Manyara

Overnight:

Tortilis Ngorongoro Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We start the journey towards Central Serengeti with the day’s travel plan clearly explained. Depending on the overnight location, the route covers approximately 140–180 kilometres (87–112 miles). Allow around 4–5 hours for driving and gate procedures before adding wildlife stops.

This is a full safari travel day, with the longer Central Serengeti game drive taking place after the transfer. Some sections are dusty and uneven, so keep cameras and smaller bags secure between stops. Our guide uses suitable places to break the journey.

Around Seronera, we explore river corridors and grassy plains for lions, elephants and giraffes. We also check likely leopard areas, although finding one depends on its location and visibility. The private arrangement gives the group time to stay at an interesting sighting within the day’s limits.

We finish before dark and confirm the next morning’s departure. Our team also checks that everyone has prepared luggage according to the flight allowance.

Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Overnight:

Serengeti Heritage Tented Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We fit the final game drive around the confirmed flight schedule. The route stays within practical reach of the airstrip, with opportunities to look for lions, hyenas and other animals along the way. Expect approximately 20–60 kilometres (12–37 miles) of driving and wildlife stops over around 1–3 hours, if the departure time allows.

At the airstrip, we assist the group with check-in for the scheduled Zanzibar service. The flight may include other travellers and intermediate stops, with timing confirmed on your tickets.

Our Zanzibar team meets your party and transfers you to the Stone Town area. This journey covers approximately 8–15 kilometres (5–9 miles) and usually takes 20–40 minutes. We leave the evening open rather than adding another activity after the flight

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Kisiwa House

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We drive the group to Fumba, approximately 25–30 kilometres (16–19 miles) away, allowing 40–60 minutes for the transfer. Our private boat crew explains the route and helps everyone prepare their snorkelling equipment. Friends who prefer less time in the water can discuss this before boarding.

The day includes guided snorkelling and opportunities to swim, with a sandbank stop when tides permit. Reef fish are the main wildlife attraction, while breaks on board allow the group to rest between activities. Our crew adjusts the order of stops to conditions, so the whole party does not need to enter the water at every opportunity.

After returning to Fumba, we transfer your bags and drive north to Nungwi. The road journey covers approximately 80–95 kilometres (50–59 miles) and takes around 2–2.5 hours. The evening remains free after the full day at sea and on the road.

Destination:

Blue Safari Trip

Overnight:

My Blue Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We arrange the morning drive towards Matemwe, approximately 25–35 kilometres (16–22 miles) each way from Nungwi. Travel normally takes 45–60 minutes before meeting the private boat crew. The crossing and snorkelling schedule depend on the departure point and sea conditions.

Our guide checks everyone’s equipment and explains the plan before entering the water. We explore permitted reef areas for fish, with the pace based on the group’s swimming abilities. Nobody needs to stay in the water for the same length of time, and breaks are available on board.

The outing visits the waters around Mnemba rather than the private island itself. We return to Nungwi afterwards and leave the afternoon open. Friends can spend this time together or make their own plans without another scheduled group transfer.

Destination:

Mnemba

Overnight:

My Blue Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We keep the morning free for Nungwi Beach and a slower start to the day. Our team confirms the evening meeting point so everyone can plan their afternoon. Any local transfer to the boat generally covers 0–10 kilometres (0–6 miles) and takes up to 30 minutes.

The private sunset dhow cruise brings the group together for the final organised activity. It normally lasts around 1.5–2 hours along the northern coast, with the route and departure adjusted to sea conditions. No wildlife sightings are promised during this coastal outing.

Destination:

Nungwi Village

Overnight:

My Blue Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We return the group to shore and arrange the local transfer afterwards. A flight the following day allows everyone to complete the cruise without an airport rush. From Nungwi, the airport journey covers approximately 60–70 kilometres (37–43 miles) and usually takes 1.5–2 hours before check-in.