Experience an unforgettable 12 Days Tanzania Big Five, Great Migration and Zanzibar Safari combining the spectacular wildlife of northern Tanzania with the tropical beaches and cultural heritage of Zanzibar. This carefully designed Tanzania safari takes you through Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the legendary Serengeti National Park, giving you opportunities to search for the Big Five and experience the vast landscapes associated with the Great Migration. Serengeti is recognised for its large mammal migration, while Tarangire is particularly renowned for elephants and dramatic baobab scenery. After your wildlife adventure, you fly to Zanzibar for a relaxing island holiday featuring Stone Town, spice experiences, beautiful beaches and optional marine excursions. The itinerary combines wildlife viewing, photography, cultural encounters, scenic drives and beach relaxation into one comprehensive Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Your Tanzania safari begins with arrival in Arusha, the gateway to the famous northern Tanzania safari circuit. Silverback Tour will arrange your airport pickup and transfer to your accommodation where you can settle in and relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short orientation around Arusha or simply rest at the hotel before the safari begins. Your guide will brief you about the upcoming Tanzania Big Five safari, including the destinations, game drive arrangements and general wildlife safety. You can also use the evening to prepare your camera, binoculars and other safari essentials. Dinner and overnight stay in Arusha will provide a comfortable start to your exciting journey through Tanzania.
Accommodation: Gran Melia Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Mount Meru Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park, Elephant and Wildlife Safari
After breakfast, you will depart Arusha and travel towards Tarangire National Park for your first major wildlife experience. The park is famous for its large elephant populations, ancient baobab trees and diverse wildlife, making it an excellent introduction to a Tanzania wildlife safari. Once inside the park, you will begin a game drive through open savannah, woodland and areas surrounding the Tarangire River. Keep your eyes open for elephants, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and various bird species, while your guide searches for predators such as lions. You will stop at a suitable location for lunch before continuing with your afternoon game drive. Later, you will leave the park and proceed to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Maramboi Tented Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will leave Tarangire and drive towards the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey takes you through beautiful northern Tanzanian scenery, with opportunities to see local communities, farms and changing landscapes along the way. You may make a stop at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Ngorongoro landscape, providing an excellent opportunity for photographs. Depending on your schedule, you can also visit Olduvai Gorge or enjoy a cultural experience before continuing towards your accommodation. As you approach the crater area, the landscape changes dramatically, creating anticipation for the following day’s crater safari. You will spend the evening relaxing at your lodge or camp and preparing for an early start into the Ngorongoro Crater.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Big Five Game Drive
Today you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for one of the highlights of your Tanzania Big Five safari. The crater’s enclosed ecosystem provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing as you explore its grasslands, woodland areas, wetlands and other habitats. Your guide will search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos and other wildlife while explaining the behaviour and ecology of the animals you encounter. You will enjoy a picnic lunch within the conservation area before continuing your crater game drive. The dramatic crater walls and diverse landscapes provide exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography and sightseeing. In the afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and return to your accommodation for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will depart the Ngorongoro area and continue towards the world-famous Serengeti National Park. The drive itself becomes part of the safari as you travel through spectacular landscapes towards the vast Serengeti plains. Along the way, your guide will watch for wildlife and may make stops at suitable viewpoints and wildlife areas. After entering Serengeti National Park, you will begin an introductory game drive as you make your way towards your accommodation. Serengeti is renowned for its vast plains, exceptional wildlife and the annual movement of huge herds associated with the Great Migration. You will arrive at your lodge or camp later in the day, enjoy dinner and prepare for several exciting days of Serengeti wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Full-Day Serengeti Wildlife and Great Migration Safari
Today is dedicated to an extensive full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park, giving you more time to explore the plains and search for wildlife. The location of the Great Migration changes throughout the year, so your guide will select the best areas according to the season and current wildlife movements. Serengeti is home to lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos, alongside large populations of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and other species. You will carry a packed lunch or have lunch at an appropriate location before continuing your afternoon exploration. Your game drive may take you across open grasslands, around rocky kopjes and towards water sources where wildlife gathers. You will return to your accommodation in the evening after a full day of wildlife viewing, photography and Great Migration safari experiences.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Serengeti Great Migration and Predator Game Drive
You will start another exciting day in the Serengeti with an early morning game drive when many animals are active and the morning light creates excellent conditions for photography. Depending on the season, you may explore areas where wildebeest and zebra herds are moving through the ecosystem as part of their annual migration. The Serengeti also supports a strong population of predators, so your guide will carefully search for lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. After the morning wildlife experience, you will return to the lodge or enjoy lunch in the bush, depending on the day’s arrangements. The afternoon will provide another opportunity to explore the Serengeti and observe wildlife in different habitats. You will return to camp or lodge in the evening for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Serengeti Simba Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Serengeti to Arusha and Flight to Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before proceeding to the airstrip for your scheduled flight towards Zanzibar. This provides one last opportunity to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of the Serengeti before leaving Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. On arrival in Zanzibar, you will be met and transferred to your chosen accommodation. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing beside the swimming pool, walking along the beach or enjoying the tropical atmosphere of the island. Zanzibar is known for its white sandy beaches, warm waters, coral reefs, cultural heritage and marine experiences. You will have dinner at your accommodation and settle into the more relaxed second part of your Tanzania safari and beach holiday.
Accommodation: Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Mizingani Seafront Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Zanzibar Stone Town and Spice Experience
After breakfast, you will explore Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar and an important centre of the island’s cultural heritage. You will walk through narrow streets lined with historic buildings, traditional carved doors, markets and other landmarks while learning about Zanzibar’s diverse cultural history. The official Zanzibar tourism authority highlights Stone Town, spice farms and several heritage attractions among the island’s major experiences. Later, you will visit a spice farm where you can learn about cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and other tropical spices associated with Zanzibar. You will have lunch before continuing your cultural exploration or returning to the hotel for some relaxation. In the evening, you can enjoy the atmosphere of Stone Town or relax at your accommodation before dinner.
Accommodation: Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Mizingani Seafront Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Zanzibar Beach and Marine Experience
Today is dedicated to enjoying the tropical side of your Zanzibar holiday. After breakfast, you can spend the morning relaxing on the beach, swimming or enjoying the warm Indian Ocean surroundings. Zanzibar is recognised for its clear tropical waters, coral reefs and marine biodiversity, making the island suitable for a range of beach and marine experiences. Depending on your preferred programme, you may take an optional boat excursion, visit a sandbank or enjoy a guided marine experience. You will have lunch at the beach resort or a selected restaurant before continuing with your leisure activities. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the coastline, swimming or simply relaxing before dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis, Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, Meliá Zanzibar
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Zanzibar Leisure and Optional Island Excursion
Your final full day in Zanzibar provides time to enjoy the island at a relaxed pace following your extensive Tanzania safari. After breakfast, you can choose between a peaceful beach day and an optional excursion depending on your interests and flight schedule. Possible experiences include a visit to Jozani Forest, a marine excursion, a cultural activity or additional time exploring Zanzibar’s beaches. Jozani Forest and marine activities are among the experiences promoted by the Zanzibar tourism authorities. You will enjoy lunch and have the afternoon available for relaxation, photography and last-minute shopping for locally made crafts or spices. In the evening, enjoy your final dinner in Zanzibar and reflect on the memorable wildlife and island experiences of your 12-day Tanzania safari.
Accommodation: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis, Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, Meliá Zanzibar
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12: Zanzibar Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your accommodation and prepare for your departure from Zanzibar. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for a final walk along the beach or a short visit to nearby shops before your transfer. Silverback Tour will arrange your transfer to Zanzibar airport or the appropriate departure point according to your travel arrangements. This marks the end of your Tanzania Big Five, Great Migration and Zanzibar Safari after an itinerary combining wildlife, nature, culture and tropical relaxation. You will depart with memories of the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire’s elephants and Zanzibar’s historic and coastal attractions. We recommend allowing sufficient time for airport check-in and any required departure procedures.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Included in the Safari
- Airport pickup and drop-off according to the itinerary.
- Private or shared safari vehicle with an experienced English-speaking driver-guide, according to the agreed package.
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary or comparable alternatives.
- Meals as indicated in the daily programme.
- Game drives in Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
- Park and conservation area entry fees included according to the agreed safari package.
- Great Migration focused wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, subject to seasonal wildlife movements.
- Zanzibar airport transfers.
- Stone Town and spice experience according to the agreed programme.
- Bottled drinking water during safari game drives, where provided in the agreed package.
- Government taxes and applicable service charges.
- Assistance from Silverback Tour throughout the safari.
Excluded from the Safari
- International and domestic flights unless specifically included in the agreed quotation.
- Tanzania visa and related travel documentation costs.
- Zanzibar mandatory travel insurance where applicable.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary.
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
- Personal shopping, souvenirs and other personal expenses.
- Laundry services.
- Additional accommodation before or after the itinerary.
- Private expenses incurred at lodges, hotels or resorts.
- Any service not specifically mentioned under the included items.