Tanzania & Zanzibar: The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Island Shores
10 days, Arusha to Stone Town
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Arusha: Welcome to Tanzania
The Great Migration, the tallest mountain in Africa and the world's largest game reserve are only a few of the grand things that make Tanzania one of the most sought after destinations in Africa. Starting this 7 day adventure in the Geneva of Africa gives you the opportunity to explore all the sides of Tanzania. We welcome you to Arusha, and to Tanzania, and invite you to let the endless adventure of wildlife encounters deepen your connection with the earth.
Join your CEO and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing. Afterwards, head out for a delicious welcome dinner.
Airport Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Welcome Dinner
Join your CEO and group for a Welcome Dinner.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Ngorongoro Crater: Impressive Views and Crater Safari
Millions of years ago when the volcano erupted, the world's largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera was formed, creating Ngorongoro Crater. It is believed that animals like zebras, lions and rhinos fell into the crater almost 500,000 years ago and were trapped. The steepness of the crater is why you won't find a single giraffe inside. Travel to this incredible natural phenomenon and spend the day getting to know the landscape from both above at the breathtaking crater rim, and below on a safari drive and picnic near Hippo Lake on the crater floor.
The day begins with breakfast at the hotel before continuing on from Arusha to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Travel to the impressive Crater Rim View Point featuring the vast caldera below. Then, drive down into the crater for a unique safari experience and a picnic lunch amidst the sounds of the African bush near the tranquil Hippo Lake. From an incredible density of wildlife to the vast open sky, this is the glimpse of Tanzania you've been searching for. Dinner will be had the lodge accommodations near the crater.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Sit back and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your private safari vehicle between Arusha and Ngorongoro Crater. Please note, this drive time includes the transport between the crater and this evening's accommodations.
Ngorongoro Crater Afternoon Wildlife Safari Drive
Head down into the crater and to all the best spots to view wildlife. Spot zebras, gazelles, buffaloes and warthogs. The swamp and forest are home to hippos, rhinos, elephants, baboons and monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready to capture a pride of lions or a lone leopard walking along the crater floor.
Picnic Lunch at Hippo Lake
Gather around the tranquil Hippo Lake known as the Ngoitoktok Spring for a delicious picnic lunch amid the gorgeous Tanzanian scenery.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Serengeti: Impressive Wildlife Safari Drives
Ngorongoro Crater and The Serengeti are two of the world's most renowned safari destinations. Driving from one iconic spot to the next means three and a half hours of nonstop beauty, wildlife and adventure. But don't go anywhere, because your time in the Serengeti is just starting. So grab your binoculars and your camera and get ready to experience some of the most jaw-dropping wildlife encounters.
Depart the lodge this morning for the Central Serengeti. The scenic drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Naabi Hill Gate, your entrance to the vast Serengeti National Park. Today is about maximizing your wildlife viewing opportunities. You will enjoy a safari drive en-route to your beautiful accommodations where you will have lunch before another afternoon wildlife drive out in the alluring landscape.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Serengeti National Park Wildlife Safari Drive
This is the reason you came to Africa. Charge your camera, grab your binoculars and set out on safari. Your eagle-eyed driver will keep an eye out for wildlife – buffaloes, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras and more. Enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow and the up-close look at wild Africa.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Serengeti: Wildlife of Tanzania
Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Serengeti, where millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle flood the plains in their annual migration, trailed by the continent's most formidable predators. Prepare to be captivated as massive lions dissolve into the shimmering golden savannah, and towering giraffes emerge from the horizon, their grace humbling you as they stand right before your eyes.
Choose to rise early for an exciting day of wildlife viewing and embark on the optional, once-in-a-lifetime chance to take to the skies on a Serengeti Balloon Safari, which includes a one-hour flight and a champagne breakfast upon landing. For those who choose to remain on the ground, enjoy an early morning safari wildlife drive in the area, followed by a delicious bush lunch back at the lodge. The afternoon brings another exhilarating safari wildlife drive in the Serengeti before being whisked away for sundowner drinks as the sun sets over the Serengeti. Return to the lodge to freshen up before gathering for a relaxing group dinner.
Full-Day Serengeti National Park Wildlife Safari Drive
Spend the entire day in the gorgeous landscapes of Serengeti National Park, a true icon of Eastern Africa. The park is most famous for the Great Migration, where over a million wildebeest, along with zebras and gazelles, migrate annually across the plains in search of food and water. Try to spot the big five and simply enjoy the views across the vast, open grasslands known as the "endless plains". Tanzania’s Serengeti tends to be less crowded than some of Kenya’s reserves, so enjoy the scenery, the vast expanse of the grasslands, the play of light and shadow, and the up-close look at wild Africa.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Serengeti Balloon Safari
Spirited aloft in a hot-air balloon, view the wildlife and terrain of the Serengeti that only the birds see. Enjoy a champagne breakfast and keep that shutter-finger good and limber—you’ll be using it plenty over the course of your hour in the air.
Please note, additional fees will apply for passengers exceeding the 120 kg (265 lbs) weight limit.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Karatu: The Beauty of Tanzania's Varied Landscapes
Nestled in the highlands between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the vibrant market town of Karatu offers an authentic glimpse into Tanzanian rural life and serves as a key gateway to the region's most iconic wildlife parks. Experience the lively energy and learn about the unique, local culture while simultaneously enjoying the stunning, rolling green landscapes. Karatu is a place to pause, absorb the local rhythm, and prepare for—or reflect on—the thrilling safari adventures just a short drive away.
After breakfast at the lodge, embark on an immersive wildlife safari drive between the Serengeti and Karatu. Pass through the vast planes and fertile landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before arriving at your lodge near Karatu. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon to relax and simply bask in your lovely surroundings.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your safari vehicle between the Serengeti and Karatu. The group will enjoy a wildlife safari drive en-route through Serengeti NP and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Free Time
Stretch those legs and relax this afternoon during free time at your beautiful lodge's property. Situated on a picturesque hill with spectacular views onto Oldeani Mountain and the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, the lodge is elevated with 360 degree views that extend all the way to Lake Eyasi and Lake Manyara. This is your OMG stay.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Karatu: Your OMG Day
A Day of Choices featuring a morning safari adventure or an Elephant Caves hike makes for an unforgettable day. Hoping to rise with the sun? Travel to Lake Manyara National Park for an early morning safari drive and bush brunch. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, choose a guided walk to the famous Elephant Cave, a watering hole used by elephants for their essential mineral intake. Sit down for lunch at a local, organic farm.
No matter which experience you choose today, you are guaranteed to feel the vast grandness that is so unique to the East African landscape. Enjoy free time this afternoon at the lodge before a group dinner in the evening.
Your OMG Day: Lake Manyara Safari Drive or Elephant Cave Walk & Coffee Plantation Tour
Option 1: Lake Manyara is known for its diverse birdlife, including flamingos that flock to the lake's alkaline waters. The core of the excursion is a wildlife safari drive through the park, where you can spot various animals like elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and the distinctive tree-climbing lions. Breakfast will be early before going to Lake Manyara to focus on birding. Then there will be two safari drives split up by a packed brunch in the park. You’ll return to the lodge in the early afternoon to rest and have free time.
Option 2: After breakfast at the lodge, depart for Gibb’s Farm, featuring a multi-generational history of organic farming, and go for a walk to the Elephant Caves. These massive holes in the forested hillside were carved by elephants over the centuries as they used their tusks to access the mineral-rich soil. The walk is for about two hours through the forest landscape. Then, enjoy a coffee plantation tour and sit down for lunch at the farm before returning to the lodge a bit later in the afternoon for rest and relaxation.
Free Time
Enjoy an afternoon at your leisure.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Karatu to Zanzibar: Mto wa Mbu & the beaches of Tanzania
Rise with the sun and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge before embarking on a journey to the heart of East African culture in Mto wa Mbu. This vibrant town is a mosaic of life, home to 18,000 residents from 120 different tribes, offering a truly unique cultural immersion. Your journey continues as you transition from the savannas to the tropical paradise of Zanzibar. Prepare to be enchanted by the island's white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the aromatic spice plantations that have earned it the nickname "Spice Island,” making Zanzibar the perfect final chapter to your East African adventure.
Start your day with breakfast at the lodge before heading to Mto wa Mbu. Here, choose between a scenic bike ride through a banana plantation or a fascinating two-hour cultural village walk. The walk is a G Adventures-supported experience, where you'll connect with the community, visit the local market and farmer's fields, see traditional hut construction, and meet local artisans. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional local lunch of meat and plantains before departing for Arusha. Then, catch a flight to Zanzibar and transfer to your accommodation in Stone Town for the night.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Your G for Good Moment: Mto wa Mbu Banana Plantation Bike Ride or Village Walk & Community Lunch
Choose to go on a bike ride through a banana plantation or take part in a cultural walk to learn about life in this East African village. Mto wa Mbu has attracted some 18,000 residents from 120 different tribes. During the two-hour tour, visit the community's local market, go right to the farmer's fields, see how huts are constructed and meet artisans in their shops. Afterwards, sit down together and enjoy a traditional lunch of meat and plantains.
7-Seat 4x4 Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride with a pop-up top.
Plane
Board your flight and enjoy the short travel time between Arusha and Zanzibar Airport in Stone Town.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Zanzibar: Deep history, beach BBQ, & idyllic swimming
The captivating transition from the vast East African savanna to the tranquil shores of Zanzibar marks the perfect end to your adventure. Known as the 'Spice Island,' Zanzibar enchants with its promise of tropical paradise—imagine a day spent on pristine white-sand beaches, swimming in clear, turquoise waters, and diving into a vibrant underwater world on a snorkeling excursion. Your adventure into this island's soul begins with a guided walking tour through the labyrinthine alleys of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the air is thick with the scent of cloves and history is etched into the coral stone buildings, revealing centuries of Swahili, Arab, Persian, and European influence.
The morning begins with an exploration of historic Stone Town on a guided walking tour before embarking on a truly memorable coastal experience. A traditional dhow awaits to ferry you to the pristine shores of Nakupenda Beach, where a delicious BBQ lunch will be served right on the sand. After lunch, the idyllic waters invite you to snorkel or simply swim before the dhow returns you to Stone Town. The afternoon concludes with a transfer to the stunning white sands of Nungwi Beach on the northern tip of Zanzibar, allowing for time to settle into your new accommodation here. Dinner will be at your leisure this evening.
Stone Town Walking Tour
Enjoy a walking tour along the bustling narrow streets of Stone Town and admire the historical old buildings and homes that are part of a preservation program funded by UNESCO and the Aga Khan Foundation.
Nakupenda Beach Trip & BBQ Lunch
Depart from Stone Town on a traditional wooden sailing vessel known as a dhow, and travel to Nakupenda Beach. Here amid, the gorgeous scenery you will have a BBQ lunch on the sand before a chance to snorkel or simply swim in the lovely water surrounding you. The dhow will sail back to Stone Town to drop the group off at the end.
Nungwi Beach Visit
Visit Nungwi Beach, located on the northern tip of Zanzibar known for its powdery white coral sand and irresistible turquoise waters. Spend some time here along the coast before travelling a half hour more to your accommodation on the other side of the island.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and relax on your drive between Stone Town and your accommodation on the other side of the island.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 9Zanzibar: A beach lover's paradise
Today is yours to embrace the slow, idyllic pace of Zanzibar. Awake to the sound of the ocean and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The pristine white sands and turquoise waters are at your doorstep, inviting you to simply relax, swim, and soak up the sun. For those seeking an unforgettable marine adventure, you have the option to embark on an optional excursion to Mnemba Island. This world-renowned marine reserve offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in East Africa, promising encounters with colorful coral gardens, tropical fish, and possibly even dolphins. Whether you choose a day of pure relaxation on the beach or an underwater exploration, your time on this tropical paradise is yours to shape.
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, the day is yours to explore the beauty and charm of Zanzibar at your own pace. You might choose to relax on the pristine white-sand beaches or take a dip in the turquoise waters. For an unforgettable experience, you can choose to depart on a visit to Mnemba Island Tour with Zanzibar Glass Boat. Lunch is on your own today. The group will gather together in the evening for a final dinner together in this idyllic setting.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Nungwi, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, and sailing. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Mnemba Island Visit
Mnemba Island is a small atoll and marine reserve off the northeast coast of Zanzibar. It presents an unmissable opportunity for underwater exploration. Famed for having some of the most pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life in East Africa, your visit here will involve a glass boat tour to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean and its marine life.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 10Zanzibar
Your adventure comes to an end at the airport today in Zanzibar. You can depart anytime after 2:30pm.
Please do not book departing flights earlier than 2:30pm.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the island scenery on your group transfer back to the airport. Your tour ends upon arrival to Zanzibar Airport.