Zanzibar & Tanzania Safari: 15 Days Beach & Wildlife Adventure

Two weeks between the Indian Ocean and the Serengeti plains

You spend your first three days on Zanzibar's beaches with optional kayaking, snorkeling and sunset cruises, then fly to Tanzania for eight days of game drives through Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti with a professional guide, staying in safari lodges with packed lunches in the parks, then return to Zanzibar for four more days of beach time, Stone Town exploration and water activities. All flights, park fees, accommodation and ground transport are included, and you return to the same beachfront resort so you don't lose your rhythm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and beach relaxation in Zanzibar

• Arrive at Zanzibar Airport
• Transfer to resort
• Unwind and enjoy resort amenities
• Relax at Jetty Bar with ocean views
• Sunbathe or swim in ocean or pool
• Optional excursion booking
• Dinner at resort

Day 2 — Kayaking and sunset cruise in Zanzibar

• Breakfast at resort
• Kayaking along shoreline
• Lunch at beachside café or resort
• Relax on beach or play volleyball
• Sunset cruise
• Dinner at resort

Day 3 — Horseback riding and snorkeling in Zanzibar

• Breakfast at resort
• Horseback riding along beach
• Lunch at resort or beachside restaurant
• Snorkeling at nearby reef or relax
• Sunset cruise or evening at beach
• Dinner at resort

Day 4 — Fly to Tarangire and game drive

• Early breakfast
• Fly from Zanzibar to Arusha
• Game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Lunch in the park
• Drive to Africa Safari Lake Manyara
• Dinner at lodge

Day 5 — Game drive in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Breakfast at lodge
• Game drive around Lake Ndutu
• Packed lunch during game drive
• Drive to Africa Safari South Serengeti
• Dinner at lodge

Day 6 — Full-day Serengeti game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Full-day game drive in Serengeti
• Packed lunch during game drive
• Overnight at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
• Dinner at lodge

Day 7 — Second day Serengeti exploration

• Breakfast at lodge
• Full-day game drive in Serengeti
• Lunch in the park
• Return to Africa Safari South Serengeti
• Dinner at lodge

Day 8 — Ngorongoro Crater game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Travel to Ngorongoro Crater
• Full-day game drive in crater
• Packed lunch in crater
• Overnight at Africa Safari Karatu
• Dinner at lodge

Day 9 — Return to Serengeti for game drive

• Breakfast at lodge
• Full-day game drive in Serengeti
• Lunch in the park
• Overnight at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
• Dinner at lodge

Day 10 — Final Serengeti game drive day

• Breakfast at lodge
• Full-day wildlife viewing in Serengeti
• Packed lunch during game drive
• Dinner at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma

Day 11 — Fly back to Zanzibar and relax

• Breakfast at lodge
• Fly from Serengeti to Zanzibar
• Transfer to beachfront resort
• Afternoon beach lounging and water activities
• Dinner with seafood and sunset views

Day 12 — Cultural tour and spice visit in Zanzibar

• Breakfast at resort
• Cultural tour in Stone Town
• Lunch at local café or resort
• Spice tour in afternoon
• Dinner at resort

Day 13 — Beach day and farewell sunset cruise

• Breakfast at resort
• Morning beach relaxation or water activities
• Lunch at beachside restaurant or resort
• Afternoon bicycle tour or beach volleyball
• Farewell sunset cruise
• Dinner at resort

Day 14 — Final day of activities in Zanzibar

• Breakfast at resort
• Engage in favorite or new activities
• Lunch at resort or beach picnic
• Last sunset cruise
• Final dinner at resort

Day 15 — Departure from Zanzibar

• Breakfast at resort
• Morning walk on island
• Transfer to Zanzibar Airport
• Depart for home

The Experience

There's something about standing on a beach knowing you're leaving it in a few days for the bush, then coming back to it again. This 15-day trip splits itself that way — three days on Zanzibar's coast, then eight days moving through Tanzania's northern parks, then back to the island for the last stretch. You fly from Zanzibar to Arusha after breakfast on day four, and a driver-guide meets you to start the game drives. Tarangire comes first, famous for its elephant herds; then Lake Ndutu in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where six species of big cats hunt the same ground. The Serengeti gets four full days — two separate stays at different lodges so you cover more ground and see different sections of the park.

The Ngorongoro Crater sits between your Serengeti days, a full-day descent into what's called the 8th World Wonder — a caldera so dense with wildlife that you can spot lions, buffalo, zebra and rhino without driving far. Lunch happens in the park itself, packed and eaten while you watch. After that run through the parks, you fly back to Zanzibar and spend the last four days doing what you didn't finish the first time: Stone Town's spice markets and coral-stone streets, kayaking along the shoreline, snorkeling at nearby reefs, sunset cruises that actually happen at sunset. The resort sits beachfront, so the days blur between the pool, the ocean and whatever excursion you book.

Your accommodation rotates through lodges built for this kind of trip — Africa Safari properties in the parks, Dream of Zanzibar on the island. Breakfasts are included at each place; most lunches happen during game drives or at the resort, and dinners are at the lodge. The driver-guide stays with you through all the park days, which means you're not switching people or explaining what you've already seen. Flights between Zanzibar and Arusha, and later back, are included, as are all park entry fees and the roundtrip airport transfers. Dietary restrictions can be noted at booking, though the menu shifts with the season.

What’s included

• All accommodation at Dream of Zanzibar resort (beachfront) and safari lodges (Africa Safari properties at Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti).
• roundtrip airport transfers from Zanzibar Airport.
• all flights between Zanzibar and Arusha.
• professional driver-guide for all game drives.
• park entry fees for Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
• all breakfasts at lodges.
• packed lunches during game drives.
• all dinners at lodges.
• roundtrip airport transfer in Zanzibar.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Beyond Africa Safaris (Pty)Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both safari and beach in one trip without piecing together separate bookings — the 15 days let you do full game drives in three major parks and still have real downtime on the coast, with all logistics, transport between locations and park fees already arranged.

Top questions

How many nights do you spend in each location?

Three nights in Zanzibar initially, then one night at Lake Manyara, one at Ngorongoro, three in the Serengeti (split between two lodges), one back at Ngorongoro, one more in the Serengeti, then four final nights back in Zanzibar.

Are the flights between Zanzibar and the parks included?

Yes. The roundtrip from Zanzibar to Arusha and your return flight are included in the tour price.

What's included for meals?

Breakfasts at all lodges are included. Lunches during game drives are packed and provided in the parks. Dinners at the lodges are included. Meals in Stone Town and at beachside cafés are your choice, though some are listed as optional resort alternatives.

Can you do water activities like snorkeling and kayaking on the beach days?

Yes. Snorkeling at nearby reefs, kayaking along the shoreline, paddleboarding and sunset cruises are all available to book during your beach time in Zanzibar.

Is a guide with you during the safari section?

Yes. A professional driver-guide accompanies you through all the game drives in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Vegetarian and other dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Notify the operator at booking. Note that meals may contain allergens including nuts, dairy, gluten and shellfish, so advise of any allergies when you book.

How long are the game drives each day?

Full-day game drives are scheduled in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, with packed lunch provided during the drive. Exact timing depends on wildlife sightings and lodge location.

Do you need to be very fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Game drives involve sitting in a vehicle; the main activity is watching and photographing wildlife. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.

Is Stone Town included as a guided tour?

A cultural tour of Stone Town with visits to historical sites and vibrant markets is available on day 12. A spice tour is also offered to learn about the island's spice trade history.

What happens on the final day?

Your last morning includes breakfast at the resort and a final walk along the beach. Your driver then takes you to Zanzibar Airport for your return flight.