23 Day Discover Tanzania and Zanzibar

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

We begin the most anticipated 16 Day Discover Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Holiday upon arrival in Arusha. You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro airport and proceed to your place for an overnight stay. Accommodation at Lake Duluti Lodge.

Day 2: Tengeru Cultural Tourism Project and Lake Duluti

Breakfast and then visit the Tengeru Cultural Tourism Project where you can get to know the local people and get a real insight into the culture of Tanzania. Get insight into the Meru Culture. 

Head out for the 3-hour Patandi Bush tour where you visit the Patandi village and the homes of the local community. See the farms, cattle rearing, and coffee-making process. During the coffee farm tour, you will learn all about the fascinating process of coffee production: from fruit to cup.

After a short hike over Tengeru’s coffee and fruit plantations, you will be shown how coffee is made. Roasting, grinding, sieving, packing – of course, you can lend a hand at any point! At the end of the tour, you’ll even get to taste the coffee you made yourself. 

After lunch, head out to Lake Duluti for a walk along caldera lake, and learn about the historical background and mysteries associated with it. A boat ride can be organized or enjoy watching the flora that abounds in the area. Accommodation and meals at Lake Duluti Lodge. 

Day 3: Arusha National Park  – Game Safari and Maasai Markets/ Cultural Center.

After breakfast, head out to Arusha National Park for a game safari that allows you to follow the trails through the open savannah grasslands and visit further reaches of the park including Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater. Here you will get to witness breathtaking wildlife including hippos, giraffes, zebras, and many types of primates.

Have picnic lunch surrounded by serene landscapes, expansive skies, and the occasional sights and sounds of wildlife.  In the evening, check out the vibrant Central and Maasai Markets or a visit to the Cultural Heritage Center to learn more about the art, history, and tribal culture of the natives.  Accommodation and meals at Arusha Coffee Lodge 

Day 4: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

After breakfast drive to Tarangire National Park passing through several small villages where locals sell their goods in small markets by the roadside. You will arrive in time for lunch.  After lunch, you will proceed with a game drive in the park which has the highest concentration of wildlife after the Serengeti.

Look out for the wildebeests, zebras, lions, elephants, impalas, buffaloes, giraffes, and gazelles. The park is home to hundreds of impressive bird species.  After dinner, you will depart for 2 hours of night game drive to look for nocturnal animals (like aardvarks, porcupines, bush babies, and others). Accommodation and Meals at Maramboi Tented Lodge

Day 5: Tarangire – Walking Safari and Evening Game Safari.

After breakfast, head out for an enriching walking safari guided by a ranger. Later, enjoy an exhilarating game safari that extends into the evening, exploring a landscape renowned for its iconic features: massive elephant herds, lions that climb trees, and the legendary baobab trees, revered as the “Tree of Life” for their mystical significance in various cultures. Tarangire National Park is celebrated for the perennial Tarangire River, a lifeline for wildlife during dry spells. Return to Maramboi Tented Lodge in the evening for a delightful dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara for a village tour at Mto wa Mbu town,  arriving in time for lunch. Mto wa Mbu is a small but very busy town where people who belong to all the 120 different tribes of Tanzania live together. This easy but very exciting walk will allow you to interact with the local people and learn a lot about their daily lives.

In the afternoon depart for a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. This park has the largest concentration of baboons in North Tanzania, tree-climbing lions, and others. It is also the best place to see flamingos and other birds. Accommodation and meals at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

Day 7: Lake Manyara To Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch for a full day of game viewing. This is the best place to see the endangered black rhino (less than 1000 black rhinos are left in the wild in the world). You will also have opportunities to see hippos, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and warthogs among others. Accommodation and Meals at Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge 

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater To Ndutu

After breakfast, drive to Ndutu Ang’ata camp for lunch, with a short stop in a traditional Maasai village (if interested) then continue with a game drive in the Ndutu area. Ndutu is the area between Southeast Serengeti and North West Ngorongoro where the great migration will be from January to late April. This short grassland area has highly nutritious grass due to the minerals found in the area and it is where the great migration calves in February. Other animals in the place include hyenas, warthogs, elephants, giraffes, and many more. Accommodation and Meals  at Ndutu Safari Lodge 

Day 9: Ndutu Game Safaris – Great Migration.

Breakfast and then spend this day at the game drive in the Ndutu area exploring the great migration while looking for hunting lions and cheetahs. Accommodation and Meals at Ndutu Safari Lodge

Day 10: Ndutu – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast head to Serengeti National Park arriving in time for lunch at Ole Serai Luxury Camp. In the afternoon depart for a game drive in the park, Serengeti is the park with the largest concentration of big mammals in the world. Here you will see most of your animals on your trip including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, impalas, giraffes, and many more. Accommodation and Meals at Ole Serai Luxury Camp

Day 11: Serengeti National Park

Spend a full day exploring the vast Serengeti plains. You will rise early to enjoy an early morning game drive. At sunrise, you may encounter animals grazing in the beautiful light of sunrise and predators may still be busy hunting before retiring to rest for the day. Sunrise on the Serengeti is not to be missed and extraordinary photographic opportunities will abound at this magical time of day.

You have the option to return to your accommodation for a hot lunch or to opt for a packed lunch which can be enjoyed at one of the various picnic sites found in the Serengeti. After lunch, you will continue on a game drive. Around the time of dusk be on the lookout for lions.

Cheetahs can also be spotted on the plains in the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are not too high. They rely on daylight and speed to catch their prey. Hippo pods can be seen in the bigger pools and rivers while crocodiles can be seen sunning themselves on the riverbanks. Accommodation and Meals at Ole Serai Luxury Camp

Day 13: Serengeti –Gombe Stream National Park

Say goodbye to the Serengeti as you board a flight to Gombe National Park. This small but remarkable park is renowned for its chimpanzee population and the groundbreaking research conducted by Jane Goodall.

Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation, which may include a cozy lodge perched on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Enjoy the serene surroundings and the anticipation of chimpanzee trekking in the days to come. Accommodation and Meals at Gombe Forest Lodge 

Day 14: Gombe National Park Chimpanzee Trekking

Embark on an unforgettable chimpanzee trek in the lush forests of Gombe National Park. Your experienced guide will lead you through the terrain, providing insights into the chimpanzees’ behavior and the park’s ecosystem.

Observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat, an experience that offers a profound connection with nature. Return to your accommodation for a relaxing evening by the lake, sharing stories of the day’s encounters. Accommodation and Meals at Gombe Forest Lodge 

Day 15: Jane Goodall Research Centre Visit

Visit the Jane Goodall Research Centre within Gombe National Park to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing research and conservation efforts. Learn about the groundbreaking work that has contributed to our understanding of chimpanzees and their role in the ecosystem.

The afternoon is free for leisure, allowing you to explore the surroundings or relax by the lake. Accommodation and Meals at Gombe Forest Lodge 

Day 16: Fly to Ruaha National Park

Fly to Ruaha National Park, the largest national park in Tanzania, covering vast landscapes and supporting a diverse range of wildlife. Upon arrival, settle into your chosen accommodation, whether it’s a tented camp or a lodge nestled in the heart of the park.

Take in the breathtaking views and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Ruaha. The evening provides an opportunity to relax and prepare for the upcoming full day of game drives. Accommodation and Meals at Mwagusi Camp

Day 17: Game Safari in Ruaha National Park

Embark on a full day of game drives in Ruaha National Park, known for its large elephant population and varied landscapes. The park’s remoteness offers a sense of wilderness, and encounters with rare and elusive species are common.

Your guide will navigate through the park, maximizing your chances of witnessing the diverse wildlife that calls Ruaha home. As the day concludes, return to your accommodation for a peaceful night in the heart of this untamed wilderness. . Accommodation and Meals at Mwagusi Camp

Day 18: Fly From Ruaha to Nyerere National Park

Board a flight to Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve. As one of the largest protected areas in Africa, Nyerere National Park is characterized by its diverse ecosystems, including savannahs, rivers, and woodlands.

Upon arrival, check into your chosen accommodation, which may include a riverside lodge or a tented camp. Spend the evening absorbing the sounds of the African night and preparing for the adventures awaiting you in Nyerere National Park. Accommodation and Meals at Rufiji River Camp

Day 19: Full Day Nyerere National Park

Embark on a full day of game drives in Nyerere National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a haven for diverse wildlife. Explore the park’s landscapes, including the Rufiji River, home to crocodiles and hippos, and witness the interactions between predators and prey.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise along the Rufiji River, offering a unique perspective of the park’s beauty. Return to your accommodation for a restful night in this unspoiled wilderness. Accommodation and Meals at Rufiji River Camp