10 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday: from Tarangire to the Northern Serengeti 

Dawn on the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti. Wildebeest line the bank and nobody, human or animal, is quite sure what happens next. That is Day 7 of this 10 day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday, and from July to October it is why we take the safari north. 

Getting there is the point. You start in Arusha, then Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, then down onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor, then the Central Serengeti and the big cats of the Seronera Valley, then north to the river. All of it in a private 4×4 with an expert guide and binoculars provided. 

Then the safari ends the way a long safari should. A flight from the Northern Serengeti to Zanzibar, typically around 11am, and three days of beach, pool and Stone Town. 

This is a trip for travellers who want the classic northern circuit and an Indian Ocean finish in one go, with nothing to organise in between. 

Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. The Ngorongoro Crater is known for its high concentration of animals, including the Big Five. Serengeti National Park covers about 14,763 square kilometres of northern Tanzania, was established in 1951 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Its northern sector is where the Great Migration crosses the Mara River between July and October. Zanzibar closes the journey, with Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a short way from the beaches. 

Key Highlights:

• Tarangire National Park. Large elephant herds and baobab trees, with lions, giraffes, zebras and birds on the game drives.
• Descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. A full game drive among diverse wildlife, including the Big Five and the rare black rhino, with a picnic lunch as part of the day.
• Seronera Valley. Famous for its resident big cats, with lions, leopards and cheetahs on the afternoon, sunset and full-day drives.
• A full day in Central Serengeti. Morning predators, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest and zebra, with a picnic lunch.
• Northern Serengeti and the Mara River. A focused game drive along the river aimed at the Great Migration crossings from July to October.
• A bush breakfast by the river. Day 7 includes breakfast by the Mara River before you follow the herds.
• Sunset game drives. Drives timed for the evening light on Days 4, 6 and 7.
• Private 4×4 with an expert guide. A professional driver and guide for the whole safari, with binoculars provided.
• Serengeti to Zanzibar by air. A domestic flight, typically departing around 11 AM, replaces a long road journey.
• Stone Town and the beach. Three days on Zanzibar with beaches, the pool and the option of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“The river is the reason we go north. The crater and the Seronera Valley are why you stay.”

Practical Information

Best Time to Travel

The Northern Serengeti is known for river crossings during the Great Migration between July and October, when wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River. If the river is the goal, travel in those months and ask us early about dates. The safari still delivers outside them. Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Seronera Valley are rewarding game viewing areas through the year, and Zanzibar adds a beach finish whatever the month. We never promise a crossing on a given day, because herd movement is set by the animals and not by an itinerary.

Physical Requirements

This is an easy safari physically. You spend most days in a vehicle, climb in and out of it and start early. Two days involve longer drives: about three to four hours from Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater on Day 3 and about three to four hours from the crater to Central Serengeti on Day 4. The flight from the Northern Serengeti to Zanzibar is on a small aircraft, so you need to be able to board it unaided. Tell us about any mobility needs when you enquire.

Flight and Baggage Information

The domestic flight from the Northern Serengeti to Zanzibar is included and typically departs around 11 AM on Day 8, so you leave the lodge after a final morning game drive. Small aircraft carry strict luggage allowances, and soft-sided bags are the safe choice. We confirm the exact baggage limit and flight time at booking, and the flight remains subject to the carrier’s final schedule.

Wildlife and Game Viewing Expectations

Lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest feature across the itinerary, and the Big Five are possible at the Ngorongoro Crater. The black rhino is rare. Wildlife is wild, so no operator can guarantee a particular animal or a river crossing on a particular day. Your chances improve with time in the field, which is why the safari spends two days in Central Serengeti and two in the Northern Serengeti.

Entry Requirements and Health

Most visitors need a Tanzanian e-visa, which is best obtained in advance, and a passport valid for at least six months. A yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission. Speak to your doctor about malaria prevention and arrange travel insurance, which is not included. Requirements change, so check the official Tanzanian immigration and health pages for your nationality before you travel.