A trip to Tanzanie is one of Africa's finest safari experiences. But the journey wouldn't be complete without a stay in Zanzibar. This paradise island is the perfect place to rest after the intense days spent in the country's parks and reserves. Discover our itinerary and all our tips for combining safari adventures and relaxation on a single Tanzanie trip!

Why Combine a Safari in Tanzanie with a Stay in Zanzibar?

Are you planning a Tanzanie trip for a safari and wondering if it's worth including Zanzibar in your itinerary? Or conversely, do you dream of discovering the paradise settings of Zanzibar island and think it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to discover Tanzanie's natural jewels on a safari?

If you're asking yourself all these questions, then you've come to the right place! Here are all the reasons that should inspire you to combine a Tanzanie safari with a final stay in Zanzibar:

For Two Trips in One

A trip to Tanzanie and Zanzibar during a single stay gives you two trips in one within the same country.

On one hand, you'll discover the wild and emblematic landscapes of Africa through parks and reserves where countless animals dot the golden savannas and verdant forests. On the other, you'll immerse yourself in the paradise settings of the Indian Ocean while discovering a culture and history quite different from that of the continent.

In short, combining Tanzanie and Zanzibar will give you the opportunity to discover two distinct facets of the country.

To Multiply Experiences and Activities

Beyond enjoying great landscape diversity, a Tanzanie-Zanzibar combination offers the chance to multiply activities.

The interior will promise moments full of emotion: encounters with animals, notably the Big Five, during wildlife safaris will definitely give you chills. You can dine under the stars and sleep in the heart of the savanna for an unforgettable experience. Depending on the season, you may even witness one of the planet's most impressive natural spectacles: the great migration.

On the Zanzibar side, all the beach pleasures await you: relaxation on Tanzanie's most beautiful beaches, scuba diving to discover exceptional marine life, all kinds of water activities, sunset dhow (traditional boat) excursions, discovery of a rich and blended culture, particularly in Stone Town, Zanzibar's capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site...

To End Your Trip Gently

We strongly recommend heading to Zanzibar after a safari in Tanzanie, and there's a good reason for it. Indeed, safaris require you to maintain an intense and often demanding pace. With its white sand beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and soothing environment, Zanzibar island is the ideal destination to rest after a safari and finish your trip gently.

Moreover, the island boasts an ultra-varied and affordable hotel selection. From charming boutique hotels to large resorts and luxury hotels, you can treat yourself and rest in an accommodation where comfort and services are unbeatable!

Our 11-Day Itinerary for Combining Tanzanie Safaris and a Zanzibar Beach Stay

Here's our 11-day itinerary to give you an idea of what a trip combining Tanzanie and Zanzibar might look like:

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Night in Arusha

After landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be welcomed by our English-speaking team who will transfer you to the city ofArusha. Nestled at the foot of the spectacular Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, the city is the starting point for safaris in northern Tanzanie.

Depending on your arrival time and fatigue level, you can rest and prepare for the adventure ahead by staying comfortably at your hotel (the Outpost Lodge), or venture out freely to discover the city. You can then visit the Boma Natural History Museum, go shopping at Arusha's central market, or discover the historic Uhuru monument.

Day 2: Safari at Tarangire National Park

After a good night's rest in Arusha, the adventure can officially begin. And what an adventure it is! For this first day of safari, we invite you to head to the Tarangire National Park, a park renowned for being home to one of the world's largest elephant populations!

Beyond the pachyderms, the park is home to many African animals, including buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles, zebras, lions, and more. Don't forget the 500 species of migratory birds you can observe in the marshes and other watering holes. As for landscapes, you'll be mesmerized by the many umbrella acacias and majestic baobabs dotting the reserve.

At the end of this first safari day, you'll head to the town of Karatu where you can spend a well-deserved night at Eileen's Trees Inn.

Days 3 and 4: Safari at Serengeti National Park

Your journey continues toward the Serengeti National Park where you'll safari for two days.

With a phenomenal area of 14,763 km², it's considered one of Africa's most important wildlife sanctuaries and one of the world's most renowned wild reserves. And for good reason: it's one of the rare places where you can encounter virtually all African animals in a single location!

You can notably spot the famous Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and black rhinoceros) as well as other uncommon animals like topis, kongonis, elands, impalas, Grant's gazelles, servals, Nile crocodiles, leopard tortoises. It's also here that part of the great migration takes place annually (see box).

These two days of safari will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the savanna. You'll stay at Domel Wilderness Camp where you can sleep in an authentic canvas camp, but comfortable, in the heart of the savanna.

Day 5: Safari at Ngorongoro Crater

For this 5th day in Tanzanie, we invite you to discover Ngorongoro Crater. Located within Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the crater is the world's largest intact and non-submerged caldera. Perched at 2,200 m altitude, the caldera measures 20 km in diameter and 600 m in depth.

Beyond its impressive dimensions and extraordinary landscapes, Ngorongoro Crater is a fabulous playground for safari. Through its expansive pastureland, you can spot many savanna animals such as hippopotamuses, elephants, black rhinoceroses, lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, wildebeest, gazelles, hyenas, and jackals. The site also encompasses nearly 400 bird species. In fact, it's one of the best places to see flamingos in Tanzanie.

After a discovery-filled day, you'll return to Karatu for the night at Country Lodge. To finish the day beautifully, you can enjoy the hotel's pool or get a massage before flying off the next day to the spice island!

Days 6, 7, 8, and 9: Zanzibar, Relaxation and Water Activities

After exploring the continent's main parks, you can fly to Zanzibar island. Lost off the coast of Tanzanie and bordered by the Indian Ocean, this small piece of paradise awaits you with an enchanted interlude to end your stay.

For these four coming days, we suggest you stay in the village of Paje. You'll love the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of this small village rhythmed by the comings and goings of fishermen departing to sea in traditional dhows. You'll also discover seaweed farming (particularly at the Paje Seaweed Center).

The village is also known for its sublime beach and surrounding ones that rank among Zanzibar's most beautiful beaches. Beyond beach lounging, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy water activities. Paje beach is particularly renowned as a destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Not to mention scuba diving and snorkeling possibilities.

In short, whether you want to take it easy or get a rush of adrenaline, you'll find what you're looking for in Paje.

For these few days in Paje, we suggest you stay at Cristal Beach Resort, a hotel with a tropical and warm atmosphere, situated right on the beach, so you can have your feet in the water from morning to evening!

Day 10: Red Colobus Trek in Jozani Forest and Stone Town Visit

For this penultimate day in Tanzanie, we invite you to start by going on a trek at the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park to observe red colobus (also called red-backed colobus). This is an endangered species endemic to the Zanzibar archipelago: you won't find it anywhere else! You can then go for a stroll through the park's mangroves.

For the rest of the day, you'll be driven to Zanzibar City, the archipelago's capital, where you can freely visit the old town of Stone Town. With its maze of alleys, where mosques, Anglican cathedrals, and Arab-Persian merchant residences coexist, Stone Town's old quarter will immerse you in a completely different atmosphere.

Start with the must-do "spice tour" which allows you to discover the production stages of local spices (cloves, vanilla, black pepper, etc.) through spice farms. Don't miss the Old Arab Fort and the former sultan's palace, major points of interest. You can, if you wish, finish the day beautifully with a dhow sail at sunset...

Day 11: End of Trip

Depending on your return flight time, you can continue your visit of Zanzibar and Stone Town until our team takes you to the airport.

Practical Information

What is the Best Time to Visit Tanzanie and Zanzibar?

Whether for a safari or to enjoy Zanzibar's beaches, the best time to visit Tanzanie is during the dry seasons, either June to October or November to February. Not only will you enjoy sunny days, but these are also the times when you'll see the most wildlife during safaris.

How Much Time Should You Plan for Combining a Tanzanie Safari and a Zanzibar Stay?

The ideal duration for combining a Tanzanie safari with a relaxing Zanzibar stay is 10 days minimum on the ground. This way, you can enjoy 4 to 5 days of safari in the country's main parks and rest 4 to 5 days on Zanzibar's beaches. It's the ideal compromise between safari intensity and Zanzibar's beach pleasures.

Of course, if you can manage it, you could plan a longer stay to extend the pleasures and discoveries... Don't hesitate to ask us for advice!

How to Get to Zanzibar from Tanzanie?

The simplest way to get to Zanzibar from mainland Tanzanie is by taking a domestic flight. For this itinerary, we suggest departing from Arusha Airport with Precision Air. Budget approximately 1 hour 20 minutes of flight time to Zanzibar International Airport (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport).

Another more economical option is to take a ferry from