Compare Tanzania: Serengeti to Zanzibar 2022 by Tauck vs Tanzania in 8 days - Wildlife Parks & Serengeti Safari - Charm by Exoticca

Day 1 Arrive Arusha, Tanzania

Tour begins: 12:00 PM, Arusha Serena Hotel. A transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha Serena Hotel, is included. Welcome to Tanzania and the start of your African safari; your hotel overlooks Lake Duluti. Although most flights land at Kilimanjaro International Airport after the sun has set, thoughts of Ernest Hemingway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" will come to mind as you journey the short distance from the airport to your hotel.

LODGING : Arusha Serena Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Arusha, Tanzania

Day 2 Maasai Village, Lake Manyara & on to Ngorongoro

Depart your hotel in Arusha for a visit to Isoito, a Maasai boma (village), for an opportunity to learn about the Maasai cultural traditions and have a bush lunch. Enjoy your first game viewing opportunity as you continue on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to Ngorongoro Crater, a wildlife mecca; your lodge is built on the dormant volcano's rim, with stunning views of the "lost world" below. Please join us for a welcome reception followed by dinner at the lodge this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Day 3 Game drives & a picnic in Ngorongoro Crater

Spend today exploring Ngorongoro Crater, long regarded as Africa's "Garden of Eden." Within the crater lie grasslands, forests and a freshwater lake, inspiring a continual migration of animals. Riding in your four-wheel-drive safari vehicle, you'll have a chance to spot Africa's celebrated "Big Five" – buffalo, elephant, leopard, the black-maned lion and the rare black rhinoceros. Dig into a hot lunch as you picnic in the heart of the crater, sure to be a highlight of your African safari. Back at the lodge to enjoy dinner and local entertainment this evening, you'll be able to observe Ngorongoro's wildlife-rich caldera below from the comfort of your private terrace.

 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Day 4 Visit Oldupai Gorge en route to the Serengeti

Set off this morning to explore Oldupai Gorge, where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of some of the earliest known human species, an estimated 1.8 million years old; learn more about the site's significance on a docent-led tour. Continue wildlife viewing while driving the rough dirt roads across the plains and grasslands of the Serengeti. Arrive at your safari lodge in the Central Serengeti, which was inspired by Maasai tribal dwellings. Have dinner at your leisure at the lodge, and enjoy some local entertainment in the lounge this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Day 5 Ballooning over the Serengeti & game viewing

Lift off on an exciting hot air balloon flight* as dawn breaks over the vast Serengeti grasslands; from aloft, observe wildlife in the first light of day, an African safari thrill – and enjoy another thrill upon your return where a champagne breakfast in the bush waits for you. A morning game drive on the Serengeti plains may yield sightings of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinoceros, hippos, buffalo, jackals, and gazelles. This is also one of the best places on the African Continent to see prides of lions. Return to the lodge for lunch, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure (or a lecture by an expert), followed by a special sundowner this evening before dinner at the lodge.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Day 6 On to the western Serengeti

Spot more wildlife as you travel to the Serengeti's remote Western Corridor, known for huge masses of migrating game animals thundering across the terrain. Arrive at Kirawira, your luxurious tented camp in the remote Grumeti River region for another unique African safari experience; animals you might see on an afternoon game drive across the treeless plains of the Serengeti include wildebeest, lion, buffalo, cheetah, warthogs, giraffes and zebra.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kirawira Tented Camp

Day 7 Wildlife wonders on the Serengeti plains

After awakening in the heart of the wilderness in your luxurious tent – surrounded by Edwardian-era accents that evoke the classic safari camps of a century ago – your safari guide shares fascinating insights about the African bush on your early morning game drive, as you observe the struggle of species to survive in the "circle of life" within Serengeti National Park. Later, after lunch and another game drive, relax by the pool at Kirawira as the setting sun streaks the Tanzanian sky – a classic African safari doesn't get any better than this!

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Kirawira Tented Camp

Day 8 To Zanzibar & a Stone Town tour

Rise early for your final Serengeti game drive this morning, then fly midday to intriguing Zanzibar, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean that was once a wealthy trading center for spices. Upon arrival, set off with your local guide on a walking and driving tour of Stone Town, in the main port of Zanzibar City. Your home for the next two nights is a fabulous hotel overlooking the turquoise sea and white sand beaches.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Park Hyatt Zanzibar

PORTOFCALL : Stone Town, Zanzibar

Day 9 Cruise aboard a dhow on an Indian Ocean "safari" in Zanzibar

Traditional Arabian sailboats called dhows have plied the Indian Ocean waters of the Swahili Coast for millennia, trading and fishing from one island port to the next. Sail out to sea from Stone Town aboard a traditional dhow for an "Indian Ocean safari" off the coast of Zanzibar this morning, as the captain and crew help you spot dolphins frolicking in the ocean blue; cast anchor on a sandy beach for swimming and perhaps some snorkeling near beautiful coral reefs. After returning to shore, the afternoon is yours to check out more of fascinating Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on your own. Join us this evening for a farewell reception followed by a farewell dinner at your seaside hotel.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Park Hyatt Zanzibar

PORTOFCALL : Stone Town, Zanzibar

Day 10 Spice tour & Journey Home

Tour ends: Zanzibar. If you wish, join our local guides for a "spice tour" of Stone Town this morning, or just enjoy some time at leisure before checking out of your hotel. Fly late afternoon from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, for your flight home. Allow 3½ hours for flight check-in. Note: International flights out should be booked after 9:00 PM.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Stone Town, Zanzibar

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your departure airport, ready for a flight * to Kilimanjaro. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro - Arusha

Touch down at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to the city of Arusha. Located close to the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha is surrounded by lush greenery and is known as the gateway to Tanzania's excellent national parks. Once settled at the hotel, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore the city and discover its excellent food and drinks scene. Overnight stay in Arusha.

Day 3: Arusha - Manyara National Park - Karatu

After breakfast at the hotel, set off for Manyara National Park, a protected area situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. Despite Manyara's modest size, it's home to an abundant variety of wildlife including lions, elephants and giraffes. Enjoy a full-day safari in the park as you observe Tanzania's rich animal life and breathtaking natural landscapes. Manyara is also known for its large bird population, so keep your eyes peeled for rare and unique bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of an acacia tree and excellent game viewing. As the day draws to a close, transfer to the charming town of Karatu. Dinner and overnight stay in Karatu.

Day 4: Karatu - Ngorongoro

Breakfast at the lodge. Today, discover the beautiful Ngorongoro Crater a fascinating 20 km wide crater and safari destination, known for its rich wildlife that is protected within its 600 metre high walls. It's the best place in Tanzania to spot the 'Big Five' mammals and more than 400 bird species can be spotted within this monumental crater. Stop for a picnic lunch upon the shore of beautiful Lake Magadi and watch the colourful flamingos and hippos, who bathe in the lake water. After fully exploring the breath of natural attractions within the crater, ascend to the top and transfer to the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in Ngorongoro.

Day 5: Ngorongoro - Ndutu - Serengeti National Park

After breakfast at the lodge, it's time to explore the beautiful Ndutu area of the immense Serengeti National Park. This region of the park plays an important role in the famous Great Migration of wildebeest, thanks to its short grassy plains which are particularly rich in nutrients that sustain the migratory animals during the breeding season. Traditionally, wildebeest and zebras calve in this area around February which makes for a beautiful natural spectacle. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing your safari through beautiful Ndutu. As the day draws to a close, transfer to the Serengeti lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in the Serengeti. Please note: In order to optimise the chances of seeing the Great Migration between December and March, day 5 of the itinerary will include a safari in Ndutu and a night in the Ndutu Wildlands Camp.

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

Breakfast at the lodge. Head out on a Serengeti safari today to discover the natural abundance of this iconic national park. The Serengeti National Park is filled with spectacular landscapes such as vast savannahs, immense plains as well as forested regions and dense bushland. Discover a number of watering holes where the park's herbivores can be found refreshing themselves, often followed by predators and bird species. Stop for a picnic lunch and search for herds of elephants or elusive lions, leopards and hyenas as you enjoy a truly magical safari experience. Return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in the Serengeti. Please note: In order to optimise the chances of seeing the Great Migration between December and March, day 6 of the itinerary will include a safari in the Serengeti and night in Mbalageti or similar.

Day 7: Serengeti - Karatu

Breakfast at the lodge. Today, head back towards Karatu, enjoying a safari through the plains of the Serengeti along the way and exploring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Spot wildlife as you travel south and take in the epic landscapes of this abundant region of Tanzania. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing your trip to Karatu. Arrive in Karatu in the afternoon and perhaps enjoy an optional visit to a local Maasai village or to the interesting Olduvai Museum (book direct at destination). Dinner and overnight stay in Karatu.

Day 8: Karatu - Tarangire National Park - Arusha

After breakfast, your safari adventure continues today as you set off for Tarangire National Park. Considered one of the most beautiful protected areas in Tanzania, the park plays host to unique animal species such as gerenuk, oryx, antelopes and moose. The concentration of animals is particularly rich between August and January. After a picnic lunch explore the valley, home to clusters of baobab trees which attract herds of elephants. As the day draws to a close, transfer to Arusha. Dinner and overnight stay in Arusha.

Day 9: Arusha - Night on board

Breakfast * at the lodge. At the indicated time, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport to catch your flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. If your flight departs in the morning, you may arrive back in US the same day.

Day 10: US

Touch down back in the US and end your adventure.