8-Day Serengeti & Zanzibar Beach Escape

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Arusha → Serengeti → Zanzibar → Zanzibar Airport

1. Day 1

   Arusha to Serengeti

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Arusha for the drive to 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. Your guide works the area for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, with sightings varying by season and conditions. 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. This is a joining departure, so the safari vehicle is shared with other guests. Dinner is served at your Serengeti camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

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

   Zanzibar to Zanzibar Airport

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Zanzibar for the drive to Zanzibar Airport, flying east from the mainland to the island. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town. Your guide works the area for reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, with sightings varying by season and conditions. Zanzibar pairs a long Swahili and Omani trading history in Stone Town with reef beaches on the north and east coasts. The evening is spent at your Zanzibar Airport accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

4. Day 4

   Full-Day Zanzibar Airport Safari

   An unhurried full day in Zanzibar Airport gives your guide room to follow whatever the morning turns up. The drives cover Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town, moving between habitats as conditions change. Sightings may include reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, depending on season and conditions. Days here are unstructured, with swimming, reef trips or a Stone Town walk as you prefer. Zanzibar pairs a long Swahili and Omani trading history in Stone Town with reef beaches on the north and east coasts. The evening returns you to your Zanzibar Airport accommodation for dinner and overnight.

5. Day 5

   Serengeti to Zanzibar

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart Serengeti bound for Zanzibar, flying east from the mainland to the island. Once you reach Zanzibar there is time to check in before heading out among Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town. Your guide works the area for reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, with sightings varying by season and conditions. 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

   Full-Day Zanzibar Airport Safari

   An unhurried full day in Zanzibar Airport gives your guide room to follow whatever the morning turns up. The drives cover Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town, moving between habitats as conditions change. Keep watch for reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest as you move between the different habitats. Days here are unstructured, with swimming, reef trips or a Stone Town walk as you prefer. Zanzibar pairs a long Swahili and Omani trading history in Stone Town with reef beaches on the north and east coasts. The evening returns you to your Zanzibar Airport accommodation for dinner and overnight.

7. Day 7

   Full-Day Zanzibar Airport Safari

   An unhurried full day in Zanzibar Airport gives your guide room to follow whatever the morning turns up. The drives cover Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town, moving between habitats as conditions change. Sightings may include reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest, depending on season and conditions. Days here are unstructured, with swimming, reef trips or a Stone Town walk as you prefer. Zanzibar pairs a long Swahili and Omani trading history in Stone Town with reef beaches on the north and east coasts. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a second night at Zanzibar Airport.

8. Day 8

   Full-Day Zanzibar Airport Safari

   You spend the day in Zanzibar Airport, heading out early and returning as the light goes. Your route takes in Indian Ocean coastline of white sand, reef and the coral-stone lanes of Stone Town, with your guide reading recent movement to decide where to spend time. Keep watch for reef fish, dolphins offshore and the endemic red colobus in Jozani Forest as you move between the different habitats. Days here are unstructured, with swimming, reef trips or a Stone Town walk as you prefer. 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 again at your Zanzibar Airport camp or lodge.