8 Days Midrange Christmas and New Year Safari with a Zanzibar Stay

Our representative welcomes you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and assists with your bags. We transfer you approximately 50–60 kilometres (31–37 miles) to Arusha, normally taking 1–1.5 hours. The route passes farmland and towns, with no wildlife activity scheduled after arrival. We review the safari departure and any festive arrangements already agreed. The evening remains free so you can rest before the early start. A celebration or special event is not assumed to be included unless confirmed in the booking.

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Tulia Boutique Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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We begin the safari with an early drive to Tarangire, approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Arusha. The entrance normally takes 2–2.5 hours to reach before entry procedures. Our guide then follows woodland and river tracks for elephants, giraffes and zebras.

If this date is Christmas Day, the main activity remains the planned wildlife safari. We allow time to watch animals and take photographs without adding events that would reduce the park visit. Any special arrangement must fit the day’s route and be agreed in advance.

After a picnic break, we continue game viewing before transferring to the Manyara area. This final road section covers approximately 70–100 kilometres (43–62 miles) and takes around 1.5–2 hours. We leave enough time for the journey rather than stay in the park until the last possible moment.

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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An early departure takes us through Karatu into the Ngorongoro highlands. The route to the descent area covers approximately 90–110 kilometres (56–68 miles), taking around 2–3 hours with entrance formalities. Keep a warm layer accessible for the cooler morning.

On the crater floor, we explore grasslands and wet areas for lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and hippos. We also look for black rhinos, although their location and visibility vary. Our guide chooses the route according to sightings and conditions.

We break at an approved picnic area before continuing the afternoon search. Where a sighting becomes crowded, our guide may suggest another area rather than spend the whole stop among vehicles.

We later ascend to the Ngorongoro area. The evening schedule remains open unless a specific activity has been confirmed.

We travel towards Central Serengeti, approximately 140–180 kilometres (87–112 miles) from the proposed starting area. Driving and entrance procedures normally take around 4–5 hours before extended wildlife stops. The main Central Serengeti game drive follows this transfer.

The road crosses higher ground and open plains, with gravel sections affected by recent weather. Our guide adjusts the speed and uses suitable places for breaks. We do not promise an exact arrival time when road conditions or wildlife stops may change the journey.   Around Seronera, we search for elephants, giraffes and lions, while checking suitable trees for leopards. The route does not guarantee a particular migration sighting because animal locations change. We complete the afternoon drive before dark.

We arrange a final morning wildlife drive around the confirmed flight. If the departure allows, the route may cover approximately 20–60 kilometres (12–37 miles), with around 1–3 hours for driving and sightings. Our guide keeps within practical reach of the airstrip.

We assist with check-in for the scheduled Zanzibar service. The flight may include other passengers and intermediate stops, with timing and luggage limits confirmed on your ticket.

Our island team meets you and transfers you to the Stone Town area. The drive covers approximately 8–15 kilometres (5–9 miles) and usually takes 20–40 minutes. No festive event is assumed to be included that evening.

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We begin with a guided Stone Town walk, allowing around 2–3 hours including pauses. Our guide introduces selected lanes, market areas and the waterfront. Access to individual visitor sites is checked for your travel date rather than assumed during the holiday period.

We continue by private vehicle to a spice farm. A local guide explains the plants and their uses while leading you along the garden paths. The visit focuses on farming and local knowledge, with activities based on what the host offers that day.

Across the day, road travel totals approximately 40–60 kilometres (25–37 miles), taking around 1–1.5 hours. We return to Stone Town afterwards. Wildlife viewing is not part of today’s programme.

Destination:

Stone Town Zanzibar

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We arrange the short waterfront transfer, usually covering 0–10 kilometres (0–6 miles) in up to 30 minutes. Our private boat crew explains the outing before the crossing to Prison Island. The journey commonly takes around 20–40 minutes, depending on sea conditions.

On the island, our guide introduces the history and accompanies you to the giant tortoise enclosure. We follow the visitor rules and allow time to observe the animals. Your boat is private, but the visitor areas may be shared with other holidaymakers.

Nakupenda follows when the tide permits suitable sandbank access. Swimming and time on the sand depend on the conditions, so the holiday date does not determine the order of stops. We return to Stone Town after the agreed outing.

Destination:

Prison Island

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We leave with your luggage for Jozani and the move to Jambiani. The full route covers approximately 65–85 kilometres (40–53 miles), requiring around 1.5–2.5 hours of driving. Time at the forest is additional. A local guide leads the Jozani walk and helps locate red colobus monkeys. We keep a respectful distance and follow the agreed trails. A mangrove boardwalk may form part of the visit, depending on the route and access. We then continue to Jambiani and help you settle in near the beach. If this is 31 December, the evening is available for the New Year’s Eve plans confirmed in your booking. A gala event, countdown or special dinner is not automatically included.

Destination:

Jozan Forest Tours

Overnight:

Blue Oyster Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We keep the final day free from an early excursion. If this date is 1 January, it provides a quieter start to the year at Jambiani Beach. Swimming depends on the tide and conditions, with no scheduled wildlife or boat activity.  For departure, we arrange the airport transfer against your flight. Allow approximately 55–70 kilometres (34–43 miles) and 1–1.5 hours of driving, plus airport check-in. A later flight or another night allows more time for the final beach day.