9 Days Midrange Friends Safari with Big Five and Zanzibar Holiday

Our representative welcomes your group of friends at Kilimanjaro International Airport and assists everyone with luggage before we begin the transfer to Arusha. We arrange suitable private transport according to the number of travellers, making it easier for your group to arrive together. The journey normally takes around one to one and a half hours, passing local settlements and farmland along the main road. On clear days, you may also see Mount Meru as we approach Arusha. During the drive, our representative explains the safari route and confirms the next morning's departure arrangements. We then assist your group with check-in and leave the evening free for rest and preparation for the first game drive. Time: Approximately 1–1.5 hours Activities: Airport welcome, private group transfer and safari briefing Attractions: Mount Meru views, Arusha countryside and local villages Distance: Approximately 50 km / 31 miles

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Kibo Palace Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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We collect your group after breakfast and drive southwest towards Tarangire National Park, reaching the entrance after approximately two to three hours. Once inside, our guide begins a full-day game drive through acacia woodland, grassy plains and areas with large baobab trees. We look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and lions, making suitable stops so everyone can observe the animals and take photographs together. Around the Tarangire River, wildlife often gathers to drink, particularly during the dry season, so we spend time exploring the nearby tracks. We take a break at a designated picnic site before continuing the afternoon game drive through another section of the park. Later, we leave Tarangire and drive towards the Manyara area, where your group can relax after the first safari day.

Time: Approximately 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Activities: Full-day Tarangire game drive, wildlife photography and transfer to Manyara
Attractions: Elephants, baobab trees, Tarangire River, giraffes and lions
Distance: Approximately 180–220 km / 112–137 miles for the main transfers, excluding game-drive detours

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Our guide collects your group in the morning and begins the journey through the Ngorongoro highlands towards the crater entrance. We stop at a viewpoint before descending, allowing everyone to see the crater floor and take group photographs from the rim. Inside the crater, we explore open grasslands, wetlands and wooded areas where lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and hippos live throughout the year. We also look for black rhinos, although sightings are not guaranteed because the animals may be far from the permitted tracks. Our guide explains the wildlife and allows enough viewing time at interesting sightings before moving to another part of the crater. After completing the afternoon game drive, we ascend the crater road and continue to our planned overnight location.

Time: Approximately 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Activities: Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive and group wildlife photography
Attractions: Black rhinos, lions, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and crater scenery
Distance: Approximately 60–90 km / 37–56 miles to the crater access area, plus game-drive and return travel

After breakfast, we continue from the Ngorongoro highlands towards Serengeti National Park, travelling through open plains and rural landscapes. Along the road, our guide introduces the region and arranges suitable stops where your friends can enjoy the scenery and take photographs. The journey takes several hours, depending on the departure point and road conditions, before we reach the central part of the Serengeti. Once inside the park, we begin an afternoon game drive through areas where lions, giraffes, elephants and other wildlife may be seen. We explore grassy plains and rocky kopjes while allowing the group time to enjoy animal sightings without following another safari group's timetable. In the late afternoon, we continue towards our planned overnight location before the park's permitted driving hours end.

Time: Approximately 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Activities: Scenic transfer, afternoon Serengeti game drive and group photography
Attractions: Serengeti plains, giraffes, lions, elephants and rocky kopjes
Distance: Approximately 150–200 km / 93–124 miles, depending on the departure point

We begin the day early and spend the morning searching for wildlife around the Seronera Valley and surrounding plains. Our guide follows tracks where lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and buffaloes may be encountered, depending on recent sightings. When we find interesting wildlife, your group has time to watch the animals, take photographs and learn about their behaviour. We also explore grassy areas where giraffes, wildebeest and zebras feed, giving everyone a chance to see different animals throughout the day. After a break at a designated picnic area, we continue into another part of Central Serengeti for further game viewing. We return in the late afternoon after completing a full day of wildlife exploration.

Time: Approximately 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Activities: Full-day Serengeti game drive, Big Five viewing and group photography
Attractions: Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, cheetahs and Seronera Valley
Distance: Flexible according to the selected wildlife tracks

Today we continue exploring Serengeti National Park, focusing on areas that we may not have visited during the previous game drives. We begin in the morning and follow routes through river valleys, open grasslands and wooded sections where predators and grazing animals may be found. Depending on the season, wildebeest and zebra herds may be present in Central Serengeti, while resident wildlife provides viewing opportunities throughout the year. Our private vehicle allows your friends to spend additional time photographing animals or watching interesting behaviour without rushing between sightings. We stop at a designated picnic site before continuing our afternoon game drive, looking for more elephants, lions, giraffes and birds. Later, we return from the safari and prepare for the following morning's flight to Zanzibar.

Time: Approximately 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Activities: Full-day Serengeti wildlife safari, group photography and birdwatching
Attractions: Wildebeest, zebras, elephants, lions, giraffes and birdlife
Distance: Flexible according to wildlife movements

We begin our final Serengeti morning with a game drive along the route towards the scheduled departure airstrip. Our guide looks for wildlife during the journey while making sure your group arrives in time for the flight check-in. After assisting with the boarding arrangements, we fly to Zanzibar for the coastal part of the holiday. On arrival, our local representative welcomes your group and arranges a private transfer to your hotel. The remaining afternoon is free for your friends to enjoy the beach, explore the nearby surroundings or relax after the mainland safari. Our team also confirms the following day's Stone Town and Prison Island excursion arrangements.

Time: Morning game drive and scheduled flight
Activities: Morning wildlife viewing, flight to Zanzibar and private group transfer
Attractions: Serengeti wildlife, aerial scenery and Zanzibar coastline
Distance: Depends on the departure airstrip and hotel location

Destination:

Central Serengeti

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, our Zanzibar guide collects your group for a visit to Stone Town and Prison Island. We begin with a walking tour through selected historical streets, where carved wooden doors, traditional buildings and local markets reflect Zanzibar's trading history. Our guide explains important landmarks and allows enough time for photographs and group sightseeing. We then continue to the waterfront and board a boat for Prison Island, where we visit the giant tortoise sanctuary and learn about the island's history. Your friends can observe the tortoises, explore permitted areas and enjoy the coastal surroundings before we return by boat to Stone Town. In the afternoon, we arrange the transfer back to your hotel, leaving the evening free for your group.

Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Activities: Stone Town walking tour, Prison Island boat excursion and group photography
Attractions: Historic Stone Town, carved doors, Prison Island and giant tortoises
Distance: Varies with the hotel location and waterfront departure point

Destination:

Stone Town Zanzibar

Overnight:

Tembo House Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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We leave the Stone Town area in the morning and travel to a traditional spice farm for a guided cultural experience. Our local guide introduces cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom and tropical fruits while explaining how the crops are grown and harvested. Your friends can explore the plantation together, take photographs and learn about the spices used in Zanzibar cooking. After the visit, we continue north in a private vehicle, passing local villages, roadside businesses and farming areas along the way. On arrival in Nungwi or Kendwa, we assist with check-in and leave the remaining afternoon free for beach activities and relaxation. The evening is open for your group to enjoy the northern Zanzibar coastline at your preferred pace.

Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Activities: Guided spice farm tour, cultural experience and northern Zanzibar transfer
Attractions: Spice plantations, tropical fruits, local villages and Nungwi
Distance: Approximately 55–65 km / 34–40 miles, depending on the route

Destination:

Spice Plantations

Overnight:

Amaan Beach Bungalows

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Our final scheduled day begins with a visit to Nungwi, where traditional fishing activities and wooden dhow boats are part of everyday coastal life. Our guide introduces selected areas of the village and explains how local fishermen prepare their boats and equipment. We then spend time near Nungwi Beach, allowing your friends to take photographs and enjoy the ocean surroundings. Later, we continue to Kendwa Beach, where the sandy shoreline provides space for swimming, walking and relaxing together when sea conditions are suitable. We keep the afternoon flexible so your group can decide whether to spend more time in the water or enjoying the beach. After visiting both coastal areas, we arrange the transfer back to your hotel, completing the nine-day Tanzania friends safari and Zanzibar holiday programme.

Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Activities: Nungwi village tour, Kendwa Beach swimming and group relaxation
Attractions: Nungwi fishing village, traditional dhows, Nungwi Beach and Kendwa Beach
Distance: Approximately 4–6 km / 2.5–3.7 miles between Nungwi and Kendwa by road