11-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar
Safari imagery
Six nights on safari, four nights at the coast. The northern circuit first, then a flight east to Zanzibar. The combination works because the two halves are genuinely different: bush versus beach, cold mornings and elephant dust versus warm water and coral sand. Most people who do one want the other. This route gives you both without feeling rushed in either.
Safari Overview
The route covers Tarangire (one night), the central Serengeti (two nights), and Ngorongoro Crater (one night) before flying from Arusha to Zanzibar on Day 7. Four nights on the island, with the choice of north coast (consistent swimming year-round) or east coast (better October through March). We book the coast that suits your travel dates. The safari leg is tighter than the 8-day classic, but every park is properly included: an afternoon drive in Tarangire for the baobabs and elephants, two full Serengeti days for big cats, a full crater day on the floor. Zanzibar adds Stone Town, the coast, and the transition that most Tanzania trips skip entirely.
Your Itinerary
Activities
Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your Arusha hotel. The drive takes about 45 minutes. Rest, early dinner, briefing on the route for tomorrow. First game drive is in the morning.
Accommodation
Arusha Coffee Lodge or similar
Meals
Dinner
What's Included
Included
- All Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro park and conservation fees
- Ngorongoro crater vehicle descent fee ($295 per vehicle)
- Private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for the safari leg
- Professional English-speaking guide, Arusha-based
- 6 nights safari accommodation (1 Arusha, 1 Tarangire, 2 Serengeti, 1 Ngorongoro) + 4 nights Zanzibar
- Full-board on safari, half-board in Zanzibar (breakfast and dinner)
- Bottled water and soft drinks on game drives
- All road transfers on the safari circuit
- Coastal Aviation flight Arusha to Zanzibar (one-way per person)
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation insurance
Not Included
- International flights
- Tanzania e-visa ($50 for most nationalities)
- Travel insurance
- Guide gratuity (suggested $25 per day for 5 safari days)
- Lodge staff gratuity (suggested $5-7 per day)
- Hot air balloon safari ($590 per person, optional)
- Zanzibar snorkelling and optional excursions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
Common Questions
How does this compare to the honeymoon safari?
The honeymoon safari has one more safari night (7 versus 6) and includes additional inclusions: champagne on arrival, private sundowners, a crater-floor picnic, and a sunset dhow cruise in Zanzibar. It is positioned for couples celebrating something and priced accordingly (from $5,500 vs from $3,800). The 11-day Tanzania and Zanzibar route is the same core experience without the couples-specific add-ons and at a lower price point. Both routes are entirely private.
Which coast of Zanzibar will we stay on?
We book the right coast based on your travel dates. The north coast (Nungwi, Kendwa) has consistent swimming year-round: deep water off the beach means no tidal flats. The east coast (Paje, Jambiani) is better October through March when the Indian Ocean is calm and snorkelling is clearest. June through October, southeast trade winds turn the east coast into a kitesurf destination. If you are travelling June-October and prefer swimming over kitesurfing, we put you on the north coast.
Is the safari leg rushed at 6 nights?
Compared to the 8-day classic, yes, slightly. Tarangire gets one afternoon drive rather than a full day, and you have two full Serengeti days rather than three. You still see all three parks properly. The 8-day version gives more time in the Serengeti, which is the park that rewards extended stays most. If the beach time matters as much as the safari time, the 11-day route is the right balance. If you want to prioritise the safari, extend to the 8-day classic and add a shorter Zanzibar leg.
How do we get from the safari circuit to Zanzibar?
Coastal Aviation operates a daily flight from Arusha to Zanzibar. Departures run around midday. The flight is approximately one hour and 45 minutes, with no connection through Dar es Salaam. The fare is included in this package. We handle all booking and airport transfers on both ends.
Do we need a visa for Zanzibar separately?
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania. Your mainland eVisa covers the island. You fill in a short second immigration form on the domestic flight, about three minutes. Apply for the Tanzania eVisa online at evisa.go.tz before departure. The fee is $50 for most nationalities, $100 for US citizens.
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