8-Day Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach Escape

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Arusha → Serengeti → Zanzibar → Zanzibar Airport

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Arusha

   Meet the local team, settle in and review the confirmed safari flight, luggage and transfer arrangements. Arusha is northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. This is a joining departure, so the safari vehicle is shared with other guests. Dinner and overnight are at your hotel in Arusha.

2. Day 2

   Arusha to Serengeti

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart Arusha bound for Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Look for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra as the light softens through the afternoon. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. Dinner is served at your Serengeti camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

3. Day 3

   Full-Day Serengeti Safari

   Spend a full day exploring with morning and afternoon drives shaped by habitat and current wildlife movement. Your route takes in vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses, with your guide reading recent movement to decide where to spend time. There is the possibility of seeing lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, though wild sightings are never guaranteed. The scale of the plains rewards a full day, with time to work several areas rather than rushing between them. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. The evening returns you to your Serengeti accommodation for dinner and overnight.

4. Day 4

   Full-Day Serengeti Safari

   Use another complete day for a complementary area and a relaxed final evening in the bush. The drives cover vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses, moving between habitats as conditions change. Sightings may include lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, depending on season and conditions. The scale of the plains rewards a full day, with time to work several areas rather than rushing between them. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. The evening returns you to your Serengeti accommodation for dinner and overnight.

5. Day 5

   Serengeti to Zanzibar

   After breakfast you leave Serengeti for the onward connection to Zanzibar, flying east from the mainland to the island. On arrival at Zanzibar you check in, and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town. Marine and coastal wildlife can include reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, though sightings are never guaranteed. Zanzibar pairs a long Swahili and Omani trading history in Stone Town with reef beaches on the north and east coasts. Dinner and overnight are at your camp or lodge in Zanzibar.

6. Day 6

   Zanzibar Beach Day

   Enjoy an unstructured day by the Indian Ocean, with optional activities included only when specifically quoted. The setting is the Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town. There is the possibility of seeing reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, though sightings are never guaranteed. Optional activities are included only when they are specifically quoted for your booking. Dinner and overnight are at your accommodation in Zanzibar.

7. Day 7

   Zanzibar Beach Day

   Keep another complete day for rest, swimming or a separately arranged island experience. The setting is the Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town. There is the possibility of seeing reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, though sightings are never guaranteed. Optional activities are included only when they are specifically quoted for your booking. You return to your lodge or camp in Zanzibar for dinner and overnight.

8. Day 8

   Departure from Zanzibar

   Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for the booked onward flight. There is a last chance to enjoy the Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town before you leave. The pick-up time is confirmed in advance to match your flight, with luggage collected from your room. Your Land Rail arrangements end with the drop-off for your onward journey.