9 Days Private Big Five Safari and Zanzibar with Stone Town Midrange

Our representative welcomes you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and assists with your luggage before we begin the private transfer to Arusha. The journey passes through local settlements, farming areas and the countryside around Mount Meru, which may be visible on clear days. During the drive, we introduce your Tanzania safari itinerary and explain the arrangements for the following morning. Our representative can also answer questions about park visits, departure times and the private safari vehicle. On arrival in Arusha, we assist with check-in at your selected midrange hotel and confirm the next day's pickup arrangements. The remaining hours are free for you to relax and prepare for your first game drive

Destination:

Kilimanjaro Airport

Overnight:

Tulia Boutique Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Our safari begins in the morning as we leave Arusha and drive towards Tarangire National Park. After reaching the entrance, our guide completes the park formalities before we begin a full-day game drive through areas known for elephants and large baobab trees. We follow different wildlife routes, looking for giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and lions. Along the Tarangire River, animals often gather to drink, making it one of the areas worth exploring during the day. Our guide selects suitable places to stop for photographs and a picnic lunch. Later in the afternoon, we leave the park and continue towards the Lake Manyara area, where you can relax before the next day's Ngorongoro visit.

Time: Approximately 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Activities: Full-day game drive in Tarangire and transfer to Manyara
Attractions: Elephants, baobab trees, Tarangire River, giraffes, zebras and lions
Distance: Approximately 120 km from Arusha to Tarangire, plus onward transfer

Destination:

Tarangire

Overnight:

Manyara Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, we leave the Manyara area and drive through the highlands towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As we reach the crater rim, our guide stops at a suitable viewpoint so you can see the wide crater floor before descending for a full-day game drive. Inside the crater, we explore open grasslands, wooded areas and wetlands where different animals live throughout the year. This is one of the places in Tanzania where we may see black rhinos, although sightings are never guaranteed. We also look for lions, buffaloes, zebras, hippos and large groups of wildebeest. Our guide arranges a picnic stop during the day, allowing more time to explore before we ascend the crater road in the afternoon and return to our overnight base.

Time: Approximately 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Activities: Full-day Ngorongoro Crater game drive and wildlife photography
Attractions: Black rhinos, lions, buffaloes, hippos, wildebeest and crater scenery
Distance: Approximately 60–90 km from the Manyara area to the crater, depending on the starting lodge

Today we continue from the Ngorongoro highlands towards Serengeti National Park, travelling through the open landscapes of the conservation area. Along the way, our guide explains how the scenery changes as we approach the Serengeti plains. We enter the park and begin our afternoon game drive, with opportunities to look for lions, elephants, giraffes and other animals along the route. Central Serengeti has several rivers and rocky areas where predators may be found resting or watching passing animals. We make photography stops whenever it is safe and practical, allowing you to enjoy the wildlife without following a fixed viewing schedule. In the late afternoon, we continue to our midrange tented camp or lodge for the evening.

Time: Approximately 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., including transfer and game drive
Activities: Scenic transfer and afternoon game drive in Central Serengeti
Attractions: Serengeti plains, lions, giraffes, elephants, kopjes and other wildlife
Distance: Approximately 150–200 km, depending on the overnight location

We spend the entire day exploring Central Serengeti, giving us plenty of time to search for wildlife across different areas of the park. Our guide plans the route according to recent sightings and animal movements, taking us through grassy plains, river valleys and rocky outcrops. We look for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and herds of zebras and wildebeest. During the morning, predators may still be active, while the warmer hours provide opportunities to observe animals resting in shaded places. A picnic lunch allows us to continue our game drive without returning to camp in the middle of the day. We explore additional wildlife areas in the afternoon before returning to our accommodation.

Time: Approximately 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Activities: Full-day game drive, wildlife observation and photography
Attractions: Big Five wildlife, Seronera Valley, kopjes, zebras and wildebeest
Distance: Flexible game-drive distance depending on wildlife movements

Another full day in the Serengeti allows us to explore areas that we may not have visited during the previous game drives. After an early start, our guide follows suitable tracks where animals are commonly seen, especially around rivers, grasslands and wooded areas. Depending on the season, we may encounter large herds of wildebeest and zebras moving through the park, although their location changes throughout the year. We also spend time watching smaller animals, birds and the different behaviours of predators and their prey. Our private safari arrangement allows the guide to adjust stops according to your interests, whether you prefer photography or simply watching animals. We return to our camp in the evening after a full day in the park.

Time: Approximately 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Activities: Full-day Serengeti game drive and wildlife photography
Attractions: Wildebeest, zebras, lions, cheetahs, leopards and birdlife
Distance: Flexible, depending on the selected game-drive route

We begin our final morning in the Serengeti with a game drive before leaving the national park. Early hours are often good for watching animals before the day becomes warmer, so our guide uses the available time to explore areas near our planned route to the airstrip. Depending on the flight schedule, we may have opportunities to see giraffes, antelopes, lions or elephants along the way. We then transfer to the designated Serengeti airstrip for our flight to Zanzibar, leaving the mainland safari behind. On arrival in Zanzibar, our representative welcomes you and arranges the transfer to your midrange beach hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxing by the ocean or exploring the nearby beach at your own pace.

Time: Morning game drive and flight according to the confirmed schedule
Activities: Morning game drive, airstrip transfer, flight and Zanzibar hotel transfer
Attractions: Serengeti wildlife, aerial views and Zanzibar coastline
Distance: Depends on airstrip and Zanzibar hotel location

After breakfast, our Zanzibar guide collects you for a day exploring the island's history and traditional spice farming. We begin in Stone Town, walking through its narrow streets and visiting important historical places while learning about the different cultures that have influenced Zanzibar. Our guide explains the old buildings, traditional doors, local markets and the history of the town. We then continue to a spice farm, where local farmers introduce the spices and tropical fruits grown on the island. You can see cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and other plants while learning how they are cultivated and used in everyday cooking. After completing the visits, we arrange your transfer back to the hotel for a relaxing evening.

Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Activities: Stone Town walking tour and guided spice farm visit
Attractions: Historic Stone Town, traditional markets, Zanzibar doors and spice plantations
Distance: Depends on the hotel location and excursion route

We start the morning with a transfer to the Stone Town waterfront, where our boat trip to Prison Island begins. After crossing the water, our guide introduces the history of the island and takes you to see the giant Aldabra tortoises living in the sanctuary. There is time to explore the surroundings and take photographs before continuing by boat towards Nakupenda Sandbank. This sandy area is surrounded by clear Indian Ocean water and offers a pleasant place to swim, relax and enjoy the coastal scenery. Our team arranges the planned beach activities while allowing enough time to enjoy the sandbank. Later in the afternoon, we return by boat to Stone Town and arrange the transfer back to your hotel.

Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Activities: Boat excursion, tortoise sanctuary visit, beach relaxation and swimming
Attractions: Prison Island, giant tortoises, Nakupenda Sandbank and Indian Ocean
Distance: Boat and road transfers vary by departure point and hotel

Destination:

Prison Island

Overnight:

Zanzibar Queen Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Our final scheduled excursion takes us to the northeastern coast of Zanzibar for snorkeling near Mnemba Island. After reaching the departure beach, our boat crew provides a safety briefing and assists with snorkeling equipment before we travel to the designated snorkeling area. The waters around Mnemba are known for coral reefs and colourful tropical fish, making this a popular place for exploring Zanzibar's marine life. Our crew selects a suitable snorkeling location based on the day's sea and weather conditions. After the water activities, we return to the mainland coast, where there may be time to enjoy the beach before heading back to the hotel. This brings our nine-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar tour programme to a close, with any departure transfer arranged according to your travel plans.

Time: Approximately 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. for the excursion, depending on conditions
Activities: Snorkeling, boat excursion and beach relaxation
Attractions: Mnemba Atoll, tropical fish, coral reefs and the Indian Ocean
Distance: Depends on the hotel and boat departure point