Sixteen days is enough time to see Tanzania properly, without rushed mornings or a schedule packed too tight to enjoy. This route opens in the often-overlooked Arusha National Park at the foot of Mount Meru, moves on to Tarangire's baobab-studded elephant country, settles into Central Serengeti for three unhurried days among the resident big cats, and finishes with a full week on the beaches of Zanzibar. It's the itinerary we suggest to guests who want to see Tanzania in full and aren't in a hurry to do it.
Trip HighlightsArrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your lodge on the edge of Arusha National Park. Depending on your arrival time, there's an optional afternoon canoe trip on the Momella Lakes, drifting past hippos, waterbuck and (water levels permitting) flamingos, with Mount Meru rising behind.
🏨 Overnight: Ngare Sero Mountain LodgeSpend the day in one of Tanzania's quieter parks: a game drive around the Momella Lakes and the Ngurdoto Crater viewpoint, keeping an eye out for giraffe, buffalo and black-and-white colobus monkeys, followed by a guided walking safari with an armed ranger at the foot of Mount Meru.
🏨 Overnight: Ngare Sero Mountain LodgeDrive southwest to Tarangire National Park, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive through baobab country, following the Tarangire River where the park's elephant herds tend to gather.
🏨 Overnight: Tarangire TreetopsA full day covering Tarangire's varied habitats, from riverine forest to the Silale Swamp, where dry-season wildlife numbers are among the highest anywhere in the park system.
🏨 Overnight: Tarangire TreetopsDrive west across the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping at a viewpoint over the crater, before continuing across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti's short-grass plains into the Seronera region.
🏨 Overnight: Serengeti Pioneer CampSpend the day in the Seronera Valley, the Serengeti's most reliable big-cat territory year-round, with strong resident populations of lion, leopard and cheetah among the river courses and granite kopjes.
🏨 Overnight: Serengeti Pioneer CampA second full day in the Serengeti. Early risers can add an optional hot-air balloon flight over the plains at dawn, followed by a bush breakfast, then an afternoon game drive in a different part of the park.
🏨 Overnight: Serengeti Pioneer CampAfter a final morning game drive, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar via Arusha, timed to arrive in time to check into your Stone Town heritage hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
🏨 Overnight: Kiponda Heritage HouseExplore Stone Town on foot with a local guide, taking in the House of Wonders, the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens, plus a spice farm tour in the countryside. In the afternoon, transfer across the island to Michamvi Beach.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatA full free day at the resort, with its white sand beach and calm, shallow lagoon. Kayaking, paddleboarding and diving trips are available if you'd rather stay active.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatSet sail on a traditional wooden dhow along the reef-fringed coastline, with time to snorkel over the coral gardens before heading back to shore as the sun goes down over the Indian Ocean.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatAn unhurried day to swim, read, or book a spa treatment. It's the first of several free days built into the second half of this itinerary on purpose.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatAn optional half-day trip to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar's last sizeable stretch of tropical forest, to walk among red colobus monkeys and along the raised mangrove boardwalk, before heading back to the beach for the afternoon.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatAnother full free day by the ocean, with nothing fixed on the schedule. A fair trade-off after all those early safari mornings.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatYour last full day in Zanzibar. Swim, relax by the pool, or take a final stroll along the beach, then a farewell dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean as the sun goes down.
🏨 Overnight: Baraza Beach RetreatA final relaxed breakfast by the ocean, then the transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your onward flight.
✈ Transfer to Zanzibar Airport| Season | Per Person (sharing) | Group of 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Season (Jul–Sep, late Dec) | $14,320 | $73,030 |
| High Season (Jun, Oct) | $12,540 | $63,950 |
| Low Season (Mar–May) | $10,450 | $53,290 |
June through October brings the driest conditions across the northern circuit and calm, sunny days in Zanzibar, which makes it the most popular and priciest window for this itinerary. December through February is also a good option, with greener scenery on safari and warm weather on the coast. The long rains from March to May bring the lowest rates of the year across both halves of the trip, with lush landscapes and more frequent, though usually brief, afternoon showers.
Tell us your travel dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and send a tailored quote within 24 hours.