Paradise Tanzania & Zanzibar

We arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where we are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel in Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. The remainder of the day is free to relax after the journey — perhaps strolling through the tropical gardens or simply resting in preparation for the adventures ahead.

Dinner is at own arrangements tonight.

After breakfast, we have the option to join an excursion (at extra cost) to a nearby Maasai Manyatta, a traditional cultural village. Arriving in the early morning, before the cattle head to the grazing lands, we have the rare opportunity to meet the proud Maasai people, whose captivating traditions and way of life have remained largely unchanged for centuries.

We then continue to Lake Manyara National Park — a compact yet stunning jewel of the northern safari circuit. Nestled between the Rift Valley escarpment and the shimmering soda lake, the park is a mosaic of forests, open plains, and acacia woodlands. On our game drive, we look for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and with luck, the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. Along the lakeshore, flamingos and pelicans brighten the water’s edge, while more than 400 bird species make this a paradise for bird enthusiasts.

After lunch, we venture deeper into the park before returning to our lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

This morning, we journey into the legendary Serengeti National Park, crossing the highlands of Ngorongoro along the way. Known as the “endless plains,” the Serengeti is Tanzania’s largest park and one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries on earth. Its vast savannas, dotted with acacia trees and rocky outcrops, are home to mighty prides of lions, roaming elephants, graceful giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and countless antelope.

After a picnic lunch in the wilderness, we set out on an afternoon game drive before reaching our tented camp. Tonight, we dine beneath a canopy of stars in the Serengeti sky, serenaded by the sounds of the wild.

A full day on safari in the Serengeti allows us to fully immerse ourselves in its endless wonders. At sunrise, the plains awaken with the calls of lions and hyenas, while herds of antelope graze in the soft morning light.

During our game drives, we may encounter cheetahs sprinting across the savanna, hippos wallowing in muddy rivers, or leopards draped across the branches of acacia trees. No two drives are ever the same — the Serengeti is alive with movement, color, and unforgettable encounters. With luck, we may even witness a hunt unfolding before our eyes or watch a family of elephants wandering gracefully across the plains.

After a picnic lunch in the bush, we continue exploring until dusk, before returning to our camp for dinner and overnight stay.

We rise early for a final game drive in the Serengeti, savoring one last chance to witness the stirring of life across the plains at dawn. After returning to camp for lunch, we continue our journey toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. Rolling green hills gradually open into sweeping vistas over the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. Along the way, Maasai villages dot the landscape, their bright red robes a striking contrast against the golden grasses. By evening, we arrive at our lodge near the crater’s rim, in time for dinner and ready for tomorrow’s unforgettable descent into this natural wonder.

Today, we descend nearly 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. This extraordinary volcanic caldera shelters more than 25,000 large animals, including lions, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, and — with luck — the rare black rhino. The crater floor also teems with birdlife, where flamingos, crowned cranes, and ostriches bring splashes of color to the sweeping landscape.

We pause for a picnic lunch by Lake Magadi before continuing our game drive through this natural paradise.

In the late afternoon, we ascend the crater walls and return to our lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, we check out with our picnic lunch and drive back to Arusha for our flight to Zanzibar — the island of spices and white-sand beaches. The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean greet us, inviting us into a different kind of paradise.

On arrival, we transfer to our 4-star beach resort and settle in on an all-inclusive basis. Here, dinner and relaxation by the shimmering shoreline of Zanzibar await.

Four Full Days in Zanzibar – Paradise at Leisure

After the thrill of safari, we trade the savannas for the sparkling Indian Ocean. With four full days in Zanzibar, there’s time to relax, recharge, and discover the island at your own pace.

Bask on powdery white-sand beaches, swim in turquoise waters, or choose from a variety of optional excursions. A stroll through historic Stone Town reveals winding alleys, spice markets, and Arab-inspired architecture, while a spice plantation tour awakens the senses with the fragrances of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. For the adventurous, there are water sports, snorkeling, diving, and even a sunset dhow cruise across the horizon.

With its unique blend of history, culture, and tropical beauty, Zanzibar offers the perfect ending to your Tanzanian journey.

We offer 2 optional excursions during your stay in Zanzibar:

• Stone Town & Prison Island

Step back in time on a guided walk through Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved wooden doors, bustling bazaars, and spice-scented markets bring the city’s history to life. Highlights include the Anglican Church built on the site of the former slave market, the haunting underground slave chambers, Dr. Livingstone’s house, the Sultan’s Palace Museum, and the ornate Old Dispensary.

From the waterfront, we board a short boat ride to Prison Island. Once used as a slave holding site and later a British quarantine station, it is today a peaceful retreat of white beaches and coral reefs. The island is also home to giant Aldabra tortoises, some over a century old. Here, you’ll have time to swim, snorkel, or simply relax while enjoying panoramic views of the ocean and Stone Town’s skyline.

• Spice Tour

Experience why Zanzibar is known as the Experience why Zanzibar is known as the “Spice Island”. On this guided tour, we travel through lush villages and stop at Kidichi to see the 19th-century Persian Baths, built by Sultan Seyyid Said for his Persian princess. At Kizimbani, we stroll through spice and fruit plantations, where the air is rich with the scents of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, and lemongrass.

We taste tropical fruits fresh from the trees — pineapples, coconuts, mangoes, and jackfruit — while learning how spices are used in local cuisine and traditional medicine. Rare plants like the henna bush, ylang-ylang (the perfume tree), and the lipstick tree add an exotic touch. Along the way, we meet local farmers, capture colorful photos, and soak up the authentic atmosphere of rural Zanzibar before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, we check out and transfer to the airport for our flight home — carrying with us unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s breathtaking wildlife and Zanzibar’s turquoise shores.