12-Day Tanzania Luxury Safari & Zanzibar Beach Escape

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll be greeted by a warm smile from your Buffalo Grass Safaris representative. Sit back and relax as you are transferred to your elegant hotel in Arusha, nestled at the foothills of Mount Meru. This peaceful garden city offers the perfect place to rest and recover from your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a stroll through the lush grounds, a spa session, or a relaxed dinner with mountain views.

Accommodation: Forest Hill or similar

After a hearty breakfast, begin your journey into the wild with a drive to Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem known for its dramatic landscapes and large elephant herds. Your guide will help you spot a variety of animals, from giraffes and buffalo to lions and impalas, all set against a backdrop of ancient baobab trees and golden savannah. A hot lunch in the park allows you to savor nature uninterrupted. After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, head to your scenic lodge near Lake Burunge for a tranquil evening.

Accommodation: Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Lodge or similar

Enjoy an early breakfast before heading toward the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. En route, you’ll pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you’ll visit a traditional Maasai village and learn about the customs, dress, and lifestyle of this iconic pastoralist tribe. For those interested, a stop at the Olduvai Gorge can be arranged—this famed archaeological site is often called the “Cradle of Mankind.” Enter the Serengeti in time for game drives as you make your way to your luxurious lodge, where a warm welcome and a delicious dinner under the stars await.

Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or similar

Today is dedicated to exploring the endless plains of the Serengeti. With its rich ecosystem and immense wildlife, every moment in this park is a discovery. Your expert guide will navigate through various regions in search of elephants, cheetahs, hyenas, hippos, and if lucky, a pride of lions on the hunt. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, a spectacle of thousands of wildebeest and zebras in motion. Enjoy lunch either as a picnic in the bush or hot back at lodge. Cap the day with stories around the campfire and a cozy night in your tented suite.

Accommodation: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge or similar

After breakfast, set off for the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse natural areas on Earth. Descend 600 meters into the caldera, often called "Africa’s Eden," where you’ll be surrounded by abundant wildlife including black rhinos, large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and pink flamingos shimmering along the crater lake. The dramatic scenery and concentration of animals make this one of the highlights of the safari. After a full day of game viewing, ascend and continue to Karatu, a charming town on the green crater rim, for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kitela Lodge or similar

Enjoy breakfast before heading into Lake Manyara National Park for a half-day safari. Known for its diverse habitats and tree-climbing lions, the park is also home to large troops of baboons, flocks of flamingos, and elusive leopards. After the game drive, return to Arusha for a scheduled domestic flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your luxurious beach resort, where the warm breeze and sound of the sea welcome you to the coast.

Accommodation: Melia Zanzibar Beach Resort or similar

Spend the next four days enjoying the tranquility and luxury of Zanzibar’s northeast coast. Relax by the beach or infinity pool, sip on tropical drinks, and indulge in fresh seafood and gourmet meals under swaying palms. For the adventurous, optional activities abound: snorkel or dive the stunning coral reefs of Mnemba Atoll, sail into the sunset on a traditional Swahili dhow, explore the lush Jozani Forest in search of the red colobus monkey, or take a Swahili cooking class for a hands-on cultural experience. The days are yours to tailor as you please—whether that means wellness treatments at the spa, kayaking in the lagoon, or simply doing nothing at all.

Accommodation: Melia Zanzibar Beach Resort or similar

Today, step back in time with a guided tour of Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its maze-like alleys, bustling markets, and ornate wooden doors that tell stories of the island’s Swahili, Arab, and European influences. In the afternoon, head to a local spice plantation to trace the roots of Zanzibar’s nickname—“The Spice Island.” Engage your senses as you see, touch, and taste spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla in their natural form. Return to your resort for one final evening in paradise.

Accommodation: Melia Zanzibar Beach Resort or similar

After a relaxed breakfast, depending on your international flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your onward journey.