9 Zanzibar Beach Holiday with Best Tanzania Safari Parks
This 9-day tour fuses a Zanzibar beach holiday with the finest Tanzania safari parks, offering both coastal serenity and rich wildlife encounters. From Stone Town’s heritage to the vast plains of Serengeti and Ngorongoro’s crater floor, each day is crafted for depth and variety. It’s a seamless blend of culture, nature, and relaxation across Zanzibar beach holiday highlights and Tanzania safari parks.
A Zanzibar beach holiday combined with the best Tanzania safari parks offers a rare blend of coastal serenity and untamed wilderness. This 9-day itinerary is designed for travelers who crave variety starting with the cultural charm of Stone Town and the turquoise waters of Zanzibar, then shifting into the heart of Tanzania’s most iconic safari landscapes. From Tarangire’s elephant herds to the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater and the vast plains of Serengeti, each park delivers a distinct wildlife experience. The journey is carefully paced to balance relaxation with adventure, ensuring that every moment feels purposeful and rewarding.
What makes this itinerary stand out is its seamless integration of Zanzibar beach holiday pleasures with the raw beauty of Tanzania safari parks. You’ll not only track rhinos and witness big cats in action, but also engage with Maasai culture, sail on a sunset dhow, and explore spice plantations and sandbanks. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, this trip offers depth, diversity, and a strong sense of place. It’s more than just a vacation it’s a curated experience that celebrates East Africa’s contrasts, from coral reefs to crater floors, making your Zanzibar beach holiday and Tanzania safari parks adventure truly unforgettable
Tour highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Zanzibar, Transfer to Your Lodge in Stone Town and Beach Bliss
Day 2: Fly to Arusha and Transfer for a Game Drive in Tarangire
Day 3: Proceed to Lake Manyara Safari
Day 4: Continue for Ngorongoro Experience
Day 5: Rhino Tracking and Continue for Serengeti Game Drive
Day 6: Best Cultural Safari and Fly Back to Zanzibar with Sunset Dhow Cruise
Day 7: Spice Tour and Beach Adventures
Day 8: Continue to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Experience
Day 9: Beach Hopping and Departure
Price Includes:
- all airport pick up and transfers in private car
- Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4 x 4 Land Cruiser with photographic roof hatch (Change of car at the border)
- Services of a professional English speaking safari guides on Kenyan & Tanzanian side
- All wildlife reserve entry fees
- All game drives as mentioned in the itinerary
- mineral water
- A visit to a Masai Village or Ngorongoro Crater
- Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority
Price Excludes:
- International Flights
- Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities for safari guide and lodge staff ( please tip separately)
- Travel insurance if needed
- Visa fee for Tanzania ( 50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
- Drinks and beverages in lodges and tented camps
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at Masai Mara Game Reserve (485 USD per person)
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti (549 USD per person), including concession fees
Itinary in details
- Day1Arrival in Zanzibar, Transfer to Your Lodge in Stone Town and Beach Bliss
Your Zanzibar beach holiday begins with a warm welcome at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, followed by a scenic transfer to your lodge in historic Stone Town. After settling in, enjoy a leisurely afternoon soaking up the coastal charm whether it’s a stroll through narrow alleys filled with Swahili architecture or unwinding on the beach with views of the Indian Ocean. This day sets the tone for your Zanzibar beach holiday, blending cultural intrigue with seaside relaxation. It’s the perfect soft landing before heading into the wild beauty of Tanzania safari parks, which await in the days ahead
- Day2Fly to Arusha and Transfer for a Game Drive in Tarangire
After breakfast, you’ll fly from Zanzibar to Arusha, where your Tanzania safari parks adventure begins. Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to Tarangire National Park, known for its towering baobabs and large elephant herds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive through this wildlife-rich landscape, spotting lions, giraffes, and migratory birds. This marks the transition from Zanzibar beach holiday serenity to the raw excitement of Tanzania safari parks. You’ll overnight near the park, surrounded by nature and the sounds of the bush, ready for more exploration tomorrow
- Day3Proceed to Lake Manyara Safari
Today you’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact gem among Tanzania safari parks, famous for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-lined shores. Your game drive will take you through groundwater forests, open plains, and acacia woodlands, offering diverse sightings from baboons to hippos. This day adds depth to your Tanzania safari parks experience, showcasing a unique ecosystem in contrast to Tarangire’s dry savanna. After the adventure, you’ll relax at your lodge with views of the Rift Valley escarpment, reflecting on how your Zanzibar beach holiday is seamlessly paired with thrilling wildlife encounters
- Day4Continue for Ngorongoro Experience
After breakfast, you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most iconic Tanzania safari parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater floor is teeming with wildlife zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, and even elusive black rhinos. Your full-day game drive offers a chance to witness this natural amphitheater’s biodiversity up close. The dramatic scenery and dense animal populations make Ngorongoro a highlight of any Tanzania safari parks itinerary. As your Zanzibar beach holiday continues to unfold, this day adds a layer of grandeur and ecological wonder to your tour
- Day5Rhino Tracking and Continue for Serengeti Game Drive
Start the day with focused rhino tracking in the Ngorongoro region before heading toward the legendary Serengeti. This vast expanse is the crown jewel of Tanzania safari parks, known for its endless plains and the Great Migration. Your afternoon game drive may reveal cheetahs, elephants, and prides of lions lounging under acacia trees. The transition from crater to savanna deepens your Tanzania safari parks experience, offering scale and spectacle. As part of your Zanzibar beach holiday, this day bridges the wild with the serene, promising unforgettable wildlife moments
- Day6Best Cultural Safari and Fly Back to Zanzibar with Sunset Dhow Cruise
Before leaving the Serengeti, you’ll engage in a cultural safari visiting a Maasai village to learn about traditional customs, dances, and pastoral life. This enriching encounter adds human depth to your Tanzania safari parks journey. Afterward, you’ll fly back to Zanzibar, where your Zanzibar beach holiday resumes with a magical sunset dhow cruise. Sail along the coast with the wind in your sails and the sun dipping below the horizon. This day beautifully merges the cultural and natural highlights of Tanzania safari parks with the tranquil pleasures of island life
- Day7Spice Tour and Beach Adventures
Your Zanzibar beach holiday continues with a guided spice tour through lush plantations, where you’ll learn about cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and other aromatic treasures that made Zanzibar famous. Afterward, enjoy beach adventures snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on powdery sands. This day balances sensory exploration with coastal leisure, reinforcing the contrast between the wild terrain of Tanzania safari parks and the tropical calm of Zanzibar. It’s a chance to unwind while still engaging with the island’s rich agricultural and maritime heritage
- Day8Continue to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank Experience
Today’s excursion takes you to Prison Island, home to giant tortoises and colonial history, followed by a boat ride to Nakupenda Sandbank. Swim in turquoise waters, sunbathe on pristine sands, and enjoy fresh seafood prepared on-site. This day of your Zanzibar beach holiday is all about indulgence and natural beauty, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the rugged excitement of Tanzania safari parks. The combination of marine exploration and island relaxation makes this one of the most photogenic and peaceful chapters of your trip
- Day9Beach Hopping and Departure
On your final day, enjoy beach hopping along Zanzibar’s coast whether it’s Nungwi’s lively shores or the quiet elegance of Kendwa. Savor your last moments of the Zanzibar beach holiday with a swim, a cocktail, or a walk along the tide line. Later, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure, closing a journey that seamlessly blended the serenity of Zanzibar beach holiday with the adventure of Tanzania safari parks. It’s a farewell to a trip filled with wildlife, culture, and coastal charm