9-Day Serengeti National Park & Zanzibar Island

Upon arrival, Fantastic time travel representative will warmly welcome you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation in Arusha. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind, relax, and settle in for the night, gearing up for the exciting adventures ahead. Take some time to explore the vibrant city of Arusha and discover nearby attractions before embarking on your safari journey.

Overnight

Pazuri Inn 

In the morning, your personal safari guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Arusha. You’ll begin your journey to Tarangire National Park, traveling across the gently rolling Maasai plains, dotted with iconic acacia trees. From the open roof of your safari jeep, you’ll take in the stunning views of seasonal swamps, expansive savanna, and the life-giving Tarangire River. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife, including zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, elephants, and giraffes. If you’re lucky, you might even spot lions hunting or leopards lounging in the trees above. After an exciting and extensive game drive, you’ll head to one of our carefully selected mid-range lodges, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a cozy restaurant and retreat to a comfortable room to relax and dream of the thrilling wildlife you’ve encountered.

Overnight

Eileen's Trees Inn

After an early breakfast, you’ll set off for the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. Although the drive is long, it offers breathtaking views that make every mile worth it. As you venture deeper into the Serengeti, you’ll quickly understand why its name, meaning “endless plains” in the local language, is so fitting. Covering an impressive 6,900 square miles (18,000 square kilometers), the park’s vast plains stretch endlessly to the horizon, creating a surreal landscape that will leave you in awe.

The Serengeti is the heart of the Great Migration, where 2 million wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and countless antelopes cross the plains in search of fresh grazing. It’s also a haven for big cats and large predators, making it the ideal place to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. This iconic park has been the backdrop for countless wildlife documentaries, including the famous River Crossings, bringing its stunning natural drama to the world stage.

Overnight

Kontiki Serengeti Camp

Today, you’ll rise early for a thrilling morning game drive, giving you the chance to witness a spectacular African sunrise over the bush. After a refreshing cup of coffee, you’ll set off to experience the wilderness as it awakens, with the dew-covered grasses and the sounds of nature greeting the new day. Following your morning adventure, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast within the park, soaking in the serene surroundings. A delicious lunch will also be served amidst the beauty of the park, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the landscape. In the afternoon, you’ll head out once again to explore the vast plains, seeking out more of Africa’s incredible wildlife. As you journey through the park, you’ll continue your adventure, capturing the magic of the Serengeti before exiting the park in the late afternoon.

Overnight

Kontiki Serengeti Camp

Rise and shine! Today, you’ll embark on an early departure to the lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with the iconic Ngorongoro Crater awaiting you. Renowned as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this destination promises an unforgettable experience. Upon reaching the crater rim, you’ll begin your descent along a steep track into the 600-meter deep caldera, where a breathtaking array of wildlife, expansive grasslands, vibrant birdlife, and a serene lake await. The massive, collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals, including the Big Five, as well as spotted hyenas and some of the more than 500 bird species that thrive in the area.

Overnight

Eileen's trees inn

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll embark on the final leg of your epic safari to Lake Manyara National Park, a small yet incredibly diverse park located 120 km west of Arusha. The park’s namesake, a shallow saltwater lake, spans a large portion of the area, swelling and receding with the seasons. This unique ecosystem is home to thousands of flamingos, along with over 500 other bird species.

As you explore the park, you’ll encounter a rich variety of wildlife, including monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, and elephants. With some luck, you may even spot lions lounging in the trees—one of the park’s signature sights. Lake Manyara is famous for its varied landscapes, from open grassy plains to primate-filled woodlands and baobab-dotted cliffs. After a delicious lunch, you’ll make your way back to Arusha, where you’ll arrive in the late afternoon. From there, you’ll catch your flight to Zanzibar, where a tropical paradise awaits.

Overnight

Mayai Ocean Resort

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, your guide will pick you up for an exciting day of exploration. You’ll board a traditional dhow and set sail to a nearby island, where you’ll learn about its fascinating history and how it earned its name. The island is home to more than 50 tortoises, some over 100 years old, providing a unique opportunity to witness these ancient creatures in their natural habitat.

Next, you’ll embark on the Spice Tour, a 3-hour journey through the lush plantations of Zanzibar. Here, you’ll discover the world of tropical fruits, spices, and herbs, learning about the diverse plant life that thrives on the island. The tour will introduce you to famous spices like curry, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, pepper, tamarind, ginger, menthol, Zanzibar cloves, and many more, some of which were once coveted by the Sultan of Oman for trade across the Indian Ocean.

Overnight

Mayai Ocean Resort

Today is all about relaxation and soaking in the natural beauty of Zanzibar’s beaches. With their pristine white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and gently swaying palm trees, these beaches provide the perfect setting for a peaceful escape. You can unwind under the sun, swim in the warm, inviting waters, and bask in the tranquility of your surroundings. As the day winds down, enjoy the breathtaking sunsets that paint the sky in vibrant hues. The serene atmosphere and the island’s natural beauty make this the ideal spot for rest, rejuvenation, and pure relaxation.

Overnight

Mayai Ocean Resort

Today marks the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye. While it’s hard to part ways, we hope that the memories we’ve created together will stay in your heart long after you’ve left. Our team feels privileged to have been part of your journey and we trust that the experiences you’ve shared will remain with you forever. At your preferred time, you will be transferred to the airport, where we wish you safe travels as you head home with unforgettable memories.

Zanzibar Airport