From high in the mountains, across the savannah, and out into archipelagos, this two-week tour perfectly encapsulates all that Tanzania has to offer. Begin in Tanzania’s quiet corners, hiking through the Usambara Mountains with three-horned chameleons, and then driving beneath baobab trees in Tarangire National Park. Venture on to the golden plains of the Serengeti in search of the Great Wildebeest Migration, before exploring the historically saturated and impossibly beautiful shores of Zanzibar....
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Usambara Mountains – Welcome to Tanzania!
Karibu Tanzania! Welcome to Tanzania! Today you will finally touch down in the capital city of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean. Your private driver will await you in the arrivals hall of the terminal, where together you will drive out of the city and towards the northern Usambara Mountains. Over the course of this five-hour trip, the landscape will shift dramatically from the urban city into farmland before you begin to climb into the mountains. You will arrive at your lodge, a restored colonial farmhouse in the western portion of the Usambara range. Cozy and quaint, this tranquil retreat will be your base for exploring the region over the coming days.
Arriving in the late afternoon, the remainder of the day will be spent relaxing around the lush lodge grounds. The property itself is in a stunning location, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and ancient forests. Enjoy dinner in the main dining room before snuggling in beside the fireplace with a book as the cool mountain air blows through.
What's Included:
Day 2
Usambara Mountains – Explore the Magamba Forest Reserve on Foot
Day 3
Usambara Mountains – Hike to Irente Viewpoint
Day 4
Arusha – Drive Under the Shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 5
Tarangire National Park – Drive to Tarangire National Park for an Afternoon Game Drive
Day 6
Seregenti National Park – First Encounters with the Serengeti
Day 7
Ngorongoro Crater – Famed Plains of the Serengeti and Wonders of the Ngorongoro Crater
Day 8
Arusha – Explore the Floor and Plateau of the Ngorongoro Crater
Day 9
Stone Town – Fly to the Stunning Eastern Beaches of Zanzibar
Day 10
Stone Town – Stroll the White Shores of Kiwenga Beach
Day 11
Stone Town – Set Sail on the Indian Ocean on a Local Dhow
Day 12
Stone Town – A Final Day of Relaxation or Continued Adventure
Day 13
Stone Town – Hike in the Jozanzi Forest alongside Red Colobus Monkeys
Day 14
Stone Town – Spend the Final Day Exploring the Cobbled Streets of Historical Stone Town
Day 15
Dar es Salaam – Depart to Home
Trip Highlights
- Traverse the golden plains of the Serengeti, observing one of the planet’s greatest spectacles: The Great Wildebeest Migration
- Climb through the Usambara Mountains, observing endemic flora and fauna while supporting local community development projects
- Picnic beneath baobab trees as gazelle drink from the nearby river in Tarangire National Park
- Descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in search of Africa’s prized Big Five
- Sip a mojito on Zanzibar’s white sand beaches as you look out over the turquoise waters in search of dolphin
- Set sail on a traditional dhow on the calm Indian Ocean, pausing to snorkel in stunning reefs with abundant marine life
- Explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets in the historically saturated city of Stone Town
Detailed Description
This tour eases you into the rhythm of Tanzania by ushering you into the tranquil and remote northern Usambara mountain range. Spend days hiking through the rainforest, pausing at waterfalls and vantage points looking out over the plains below. Take time to visit with local community members learning of a unique model for tourism, which has enabled local development and growth. Move south into the raw and rugged landscapes of Tarangire National Park, pausing for a picnic under an ancient baobab tree while wildlife circulates around you.
Excitement builds while driving towards the famed plains of the Serengeti. Traversing the savanna, skilled guides will locate the Great Wildebeest Migration and the predators that escort it. Drive alongside the riverbank, watching hippos bob and crocodiles laze in the strong African sun. Moving east, descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater – an ancient collapsed volcano that acts as a natural enclosure for a dense population of lion. Spend a day exploring the lush rainforest slopes, the grassy bottom and the surrounding plateaus before returning to Arusha.
This trip culminates on the aquamarine shores of the Indian Ocean. Touching down on the island of Zanzibar, a final few days will be spent quietly relaxing on soft white beaches in the shade of a palm tree. Set sail onto the calm waters with a snorkel in hand, popping beneath the surface to swim amongst schools of tropical fish. Spend a few final hours navigating the winding streets of Stone Town, soaking in the rich Swahili culture and history. Finally, indulge in one last sundowner as the sun sets over the continent, creating the perfect farewell to this African adventure.
Ideal Travel Months
Given the wide variety of areas covered in this tour of Tanzania, the ideal travel months will depend largely on what you hope to see on this trip. Phenomenal year round, the following points provide guidance to the annual highlights in each region.
The wildebeest calve their young for a brief period in February in the Ngorongoro Crater and SerengetiThe Wildebeest Migration is in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater from November – JuneHumpback whales swim past Zanzibar on their annual migration between July and SeptemberTarangire is a migratory park, with enormous populations of wildlife arriving at the riverbanks between July and October. Peak tourism season in Tanzania generally occurs between July and August and December. Rains occur in Tanzania between March and May, with much of the precipitation occurring on the coast. July through to October are among the driest months in the country.Starting Price
$11,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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