Journey from the depths of Ngorongoro Crater and the vast plains of the Serengeti to exotic Zanzibar. You'll discover the breadth of Tanzania's riches, including abundant wildlife, varied cultures, and valued traditions.
Tanzania Safari
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar
14 days from $8,397 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Journey from the depths of Ngorongoro Crater and the vast plains of the Serengeti to exotic Zanzibar. You'll discover the breadth of Tanzania's riches, including abundant wildlife, varied cultures, and valued traditions.
Tour Details
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Previous Journeys TravelerThe enormous sweep of the grasslands and plain was amazing as was the symbiosis between such disparate creatures as the zebras and wildebeest. We watched a baboon jump on our land cruiser hood and proceed to unscrew an antenna.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
Overview

Activity Level 3: Active
Expectations: Long touring days with many full-day safari drives. Although safari vehicles are comfortable, game drives can incur sitting for long periods of time during long, bumpy rides over very rough dusty terrain. Although some roads have been cleared through the game parks, the surfaces are unpaved and there can be deep tire ruts cut into the roadbeds. Walking is sometimes over difficult terrain. Safari viewing also requires very early morning departures from the lodge for better opportunities to spot animals. Generally, there is afternoon leisure time on those days. Transfers from one lodge to the next is over gravel roads in safari vehicles. Guests will also ride in small planes to access remote areas.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with long days of touring (both walking tours and driving time).
- Previous Journeys TravelerThe enormous sweep of the grasslands and plain was amazing as was the symbiosis between such disparate creatures as the zebras and wildebeest. We watched a baboon jump on our land cruiser hood and proceed to unscrew an antenna.
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Depart the U.S. for Arusha, Tanzania
Day 2 — Arusha
Upon arrival after midnight, transfer directly to the hotel where your room is ready for early check in.
Day 3 — Arusha
At this morning’s briefing, learn about the journey ahead then set out on an afternoon game drive in Arusha National Park, where you may spot leopard, zebra, giraffe – and in the distance, possibly, snowcapped Mt. Kilimanjaro. Inside the park see Mt. Meru, Africa’s fifth highest peak at almost 15,000 feet. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Arusha and Tarangire National Park
Depart today for the two-hour drive to Tarangire, Tanzania’s 1,100-square-mile park known especially for its high concentration of elephants and for the many baobab trees dotting the savannah. Enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, located within the park. After lunch and some time at leisure, late afternoon enjoy another game drive in the park, where you may see zebra, wildebeest, cape buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, and of course, elephants. (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Tarangire
In store today: morning and afternoon game drives in this gem of a park slightly off the beaten path. Along with the abundant game, you’re sure to see some of Tarangire’s 550 species of birds, as well as the many termite mounds scattered amid the grass- and swampland here. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Tarangire and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This morning depart for Ngorongoro, wildlife haven, and homeland of the semi-nomadic Maasai people. Arrive in time for lunch at your safari lodge uniquely set on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, blending in so much with the landscape as to be invisible from the crater floor. This afternoon is at leisure; the views of the crater from your lodge, spectacular. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Ngorongoro Crater
This morning descend to the floor of magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage site and at 100 square miles the world’s largest intact and perfectly formed volcanic caldera. The unique biosphere here has remained unchanged for eons; towering walls encircle the crater’s floor which represents Africa in microcosm: grassland, swamps, lakes, forests, and some 25,000 mammals, including elephant, black rhinoceros, lion, hippo, and zebra. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge, Serengeti National Park
En route today to the fabled Serengeti, visit 31-mile Olduvai Gorge. It was here in 1959 that anthropologist Mary Leakey discovered the 1.8 million-year-old skull of Australopithecus boisei – and revolutionized the study of human evolution. Part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (which itself is part of the Serengeti region), Olduvai is considered the “cradle of humanity” and ranks as one of the world’s most important prehistoric sites. Then visit a Maasai village before continuing on to Serengeti National Park, home to such plains dwellers as lion, cheetah, zebra, and wildebeest. The Serengeti, the Maasai’s “endless plain,” is considered Africa’s finest park, and you begin to see why on this afternoon’s game drive. (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Serengeti
In Tanzania’s northeast corner sits the vast Serengeti, 5,700 square miles (equal in size to Connecticut), one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges, and the Tanzanian portion of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Twice a year (Jan–Feb and Jun–Oct), some 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle migrate to new grazing lands, sparking one of nature’s most spectacular sights and the world’s largest migration. But the Serengeti’s plains teem with animal life year-round, and this is the best place to see lion and cheetah up close, perhaps on today’s game drives. (B,L,D)
Day 10 — Serengeti
Embark on more game drives today. You have the chance to see some – or all – of Africa’s “Big Five”: lion, Cape buffalo, elephant, rhino, and leopard, along with wildebeest, zebra, eland, gazelle, and other plains animals, and some 500 species of birds. (B,L,D)
Day 11 — Serengeti and Zanzibar
Fly this morning to tropical Zanzibar, Tanzania’s semi-autonomous Indian Ocean archipelago with a colorful history. Upon arrival mid-afternoon, set out to discover Stone Town, Zanzibar’s capital, and East Africa’s only ancient town still functioning. A heady mix of Moorish, Middle Eastern, Indian, and African influences (though predominantly Muslim today), Stone Town boasts a labyrinth of narrow alleys lined with shops, homes, hidden courtyards, and extravagantly carved wooden doors, as you see on your tour. From here travel to your beach resort on Zanzibar's eastern coast. (B,L,D)
Day 12 — Zanzibar
A morning tour of a spice plantation reveals why Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island” – its bounty of cloves, nutmeg, ginger, chilies, black pepper, vanilla, coriander, and cinnamon have found their way around the world for centuries. Return to your hotel in time for lunch on your own and an afternoon at leisure. Then celebrate your Tanzania adventure at tonight’s farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 13 — Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Depart for the U.S.
This morning take a quick flight to German-influenced Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city. Upon arrival, you will have a day room at a local hotel and an afternoon at leisure. Have an early dinner tonight, then depart for the airport and your overnight flight to the U.S. (B,D)
Day 14 — Arrive in the U.S.
Arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with your flights home.
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)