9-Day Tanzania Bush & Beach Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Arusha → Tarangire → Ngorongoro Highlands → Ngorongoro Crater → Serengeti → Zanzibar → Zanzibar Airport

1. Day 1

   Arusha to Tarangire

   Bags are loaded after breakfast and you depart Arusha bound for Tarangire, driving south-west from Arusha through Maasai grazing country. Once you reach Tarangire there is time to check in before heading out among rolling country of ancient baobabs, seasonal swamps and the year-round Tarangire River. Look for large elephant herds, zebra, wildebeest, eland and a notably rich birdlife as the light softens through the afternoon. In the dry season the Tarangire River draws wildlife from a wide area, and the park is famous for its baobab-studded landscape. This is a joining departure, so the safari vehicle is shared with other guests. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Tarangire.

2. Day 2

   Tarangire to Ngorongoro Highlands

   The morning starts in Tarangire, from where you continue overland to Ngorongoro Highlands, climbing the forested crater highlands to the rim viewpoint. After check-in and a chance to freshen up, you head out into a collapsed volcanic caldera roughly six hundred metres deep, with grassland, soda lake and fever-tree forest on its floor. This is good country in which to look for lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and one of the few remaining populations where black rhino may be seen. The crater floor holds a resident concentration of wildlife year-round because the caldera walls create a largely self-contained ecosystem. The evening is spent at your Ngorongoro Highlands accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

3. Day 3

   Full-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari

   Descend for the regulated crater-floor game-drive window, then continue toward the Serengeti or return to the highlands according to the confirmed plan. Your route takes in a collapsed volcanic caldera roughly six hundred metres deep, with grassland, soda lake and fever-tree forest on its floor, with your guide reading recent movement to decide where to spend time. There is the possibility of seeing lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and one of the few remaining populations where black rhino may be seen, though wild sightings are never guaranteed. Descending for a crater-floor game drive is the centrepiece, usually with a picnic lunch beside a hippo pool. The crater floor holds a resident concentration of wildlife year-round because the caldera walls create a largely self-contained ecosystem. The evening returns you to your Ngorongoro Crater accommodation for dinner and overnight.

4. Day 4

   Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Ngorongoro Crater for the drive to Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. Lunch and check-in come first, then an afternoon drive through 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. The evening is spent at your Serengeti accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

5. Day 5

   Full-Day Serengeti Safari

   Use a full day for morning and afternoon drives shaped by current wildlife and road conditions. The drives cover vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses, moving between habitats as conditions change. Keep watch for lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra as you move between the different habitats. 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. You return to your camp or lodge for dinner and a second night at Serengeti.

6. Day 6

   Serengeti to Zanzibar

   Following breakfast you set out from Serengeti on the way to Zanzibar, flying east from the mainland to the island. You reach Zanzibar in the afternoon and check in, with time to settle in beside 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 is served at your Zanzibar camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

7. Day 7

   Zanzibar Beach Day

   Keep the day free for the Indian Ocean and the property’s confirmed facilities. 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. The evening is spent at your Zanzibar accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

8. Day 8

   Zanzibar Beach Day

   Choose a separately arranged island activity or enjoy another unstructured coast day. 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.

9. Day 9

   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.