Duration
8-Day
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
On this 8-day top comfort safari and beach combination, we'll experience breathtaking wildlife in the midst of some of the most diverse landscapes. See lions on trees, elephants amongst the acacias, a huge variety of animals inside a collapsed volcano, home to the endangered black rhino and the Serengeti big cats. You will also get a taste of Zanzibar at the end where you will get an opportunity to see the beauty of Tanzania Island at its best with its miles of beautiful white sandy beaches.
Plan snapshot
Duration
8-Day
Route
Arusha to Zanzibar
Via Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP
Country & park
Tanzania / Tarangire National Park
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
5 years
Activities
game drives & beach time
Accommodation
Mtoni River Lodge - Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City) – Breakfast Included
Meals
Breakfast Included; All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
USD
Before booking
Quote flow
This mid-range tour uses lodges and tented camps.
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
The minimum age for this tour is 5 years.
Day 1
Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 2
Mid-range lodge 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Luxury tented camp inside Central Serengeti NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4
Mid-range lodge in Karatu (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
Mid-range hotel in Zanzibar Stone Town (Zanzibar) – Breakfast & Lunch Included
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 6-7
Luxury hotel in Nungwi (Zanzibar) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 8
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) which caters for domestic flights, you will be met by an African Big Cats Safaris representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha. Your overnight stay will be at Mtoni River Lodge. Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
After an early breakfast, we'll depart for Tarangire National Park. The park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. This ‘river of warthogs’ is the only source of water for wildlife in the region during the dry season. In some places, the vegetation is quite dense, including elephant grass and acacia woodlands. The park is well known for its elephant families and the giant baobab trees, which can often be seen congregating by the river. Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. You may also see giraffe, bushbuck and hartebeest. These animals are closely followed by a range of predators, including lions and leopards. There are more breeding species of birds found in Tarangire National Park than anywhere else on the planet. You'll have a late afternoon drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and your overnight stay at Eileen's Tree Inn. Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
You'll have an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and is said to have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes described as the Eighth Wonder of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Crater has achieved world renown status, attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors each year. There is nowhere else in Africa quite like Ngorongoro! One of the best places in the country to see the endangered black rhinoceros, the park is home to the entirety of the Big Five and is a particularly good place to see herds of wildebeest, zebras, the elusive caracal and Cape buffalo year-round. You will also visit the hippo pool for the hippos. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Later on, drive to Serengeti National Park for dinner and your overnight stay at Embalakai Camp. Luxury tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Breakfast will be served at the camp and thereafter we will head for a game viewing drive. The Serengeti is truly spectacular. It is famous for its vast open grasslands which allows for an excellent sightings of wildlife. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest national park and it is also one of the oldest ecosystems on earth. Its climate and vegetation have remained largely untouched for millions of years. Whilst the Serengeti boasts abundant wildlife, it is perhaps best known for its annual great migration. Vast numbers of wildebeest accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope move in an annual pattern, constantly seeking for fresh grazing grounds. The precise timing of the migration is entirely dependent on the rainfall patterns each year. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. We will drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and on to Ngorongoro Highlands for dinner and your overnight stay at Eileen's Tree Inn. Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town) All meals included All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)
Day 5
Have breakfast in the morning then continue with a short drive to Lake Manyara for game viewing. Your first encounter will be spotting large troupes of baboons. Lake Manyara National Park is a protected area in Tanzania's Arusha and Manyara Regions, situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. Lake Manyara NP boasts a spectacular array of diverse terrain as well as plants and animal species. Established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made the area renowned, the park provides an amazing wildlife experience. Elephants are not the only animals that Lake Manyara is famous for. Tree-climbing lions are occasionally sited. Lake Manyara, an alkaline shallow lake is home to the flamingos. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. After lunch, drive back to Arusha in time for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Stone Town for dinner and your overnight stay at Marumaru Hotel. Mid-range hotel located in Zanzibar Stone Town (Zanzibar) Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
After breakfast, you will head straight to the city of Stone Town before travelling to the northern coast of Zanzibar known as Nungwi which has the kind of white coral sand that seems to glow even after nightfall. For its entire bustle, it can still feel secluded. Nungwi expansive coastline is wide open for swimming and snorkelling in some of Africa’s most pristine, reef-rich waters. It’s one of the rare Zanzibar beaches untroubled by severe undulations of high and low tides, making it perfect for all day water activities. Deep-sea fishing near Nungwi is top-notch, with opportunities to catch kingfish, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and enormous striped marlin from the Indian Ocean. There are plenty of activities on offer, walking tours, sunset cruises, diving excursions, and parasailing to name a few. All it really takes is a sunset sighting of traditional dhow boats bobbing in the sea to be captured by this enchanting African beach You will spend two nights at Nungwi Dreams. Luxury hotel located in Nungwi (Zanzibar) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8
After breakfast and a bit of relaxation at the hotel in Zanzibar and depending on the time of your flight, you will be transferred straight to the airport/ferry which mark the end of your epic adventure. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Offered by
African Big Cats has distinguished itself from the crowd for its commitment to excellent service and innovative itineraries. Our safaris are conducted with optimum care to provide our customers with a truly memorable experience. We strive to introduce you to the country, its culture, its people, as well as the wildlife. We have a closely knit team of professionals to guarantee your satisfaction.
Office In
Tanzania
Size
20-50 employees (Founded in 2013)
Member Of
TATO & TTB
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
Tanzania
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5My family and I had the most incredible experience with African Big Cats Safaris during our recent trip to Tanzania! From the moment we were picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport, everything was seamless and professionally handled. Our guide, Obeydi, was not only knowledgeable about the wildlife and ecosystems but also incredibly friendly. We visited the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park — each destination offering breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. We saw all the Big Five, including a rare sighting of a leopard lounging in a tree and a pride of lions with cubs just a few meters from our vehicle! The accommodations were top-notch, blending comfort with the authentic safari experience. The team ensured we were well-fed, safe, and informed throughout the journey. I highly recommend African Big Cats Safaris to anyone looking for a well-organized, ethical, and truly magical safari experience in Tanzania. I would definitely book with them again!
Joanna · United Kingdom
OUTSTANDING LIFETIME EXPERIENCE We searched Safaribookings.com intensely and chose African Big Cats Safaris because they ticked all the boxes for us. From the initial contact, the staff were very professional and helpful. Joshua and Naomi answered any questions quickly and with a friendly approach. The meetings at the start and end of the safari with Emanuel (Managing Director) shows the dedication and personal care this company has. The itinerary for the Photographic Safari was excellent. We added an extra day in Arusha at the start without any problem. The safari was well planned and the accommodation in each location was superb. This excellent safari was made OUTSTANDING by our driver/guide FESTO. He is a human encyclopaedia when it comes to the birds, animals and culture of his country. His driving skills are impressive. His passion is infectious. Each day we shared wonderful, magical experiences. Festo became a friend in the short time we were with him. This was our first safari and we were lucky to have chosen African Big Cats Safaris. They would be the only company we would go back to. We highly recommend them.
Julie · United Kingdom
It's been a month since our safari trip. It was an amazing trip. Beyond my expectations. The collaboration with African Big Cats started from months before the trip. The operators, including Salim and others, were helpful. Most of our specified lodging requests were fulfilled and we were able to finalize the trip. They communicated efficiently and accurately. The entire trip was well planned. We went to Tarangire, Serengeti Central, Serengeti North and Ngorongoro. Some highlights are of course the great migration, the wildebeests crossing in Serengeti, the great view in the Ngorongoro crater, seeing cheetah in the night safari in Tarangire. Our guide Khalid is professional. He knows all the animals. We were able to get to know a lot of species in the trip. He helped us mark in our book so we always know what we saw in the trip. We also enjoyed listening to stories about the national parks, Masaai/Meru/Arusha tribes, the culture and thelife in Tanzania. The guide has been very friendly and our time together was great. Our mom's big hope in the trip was to see the crossing. But we were unlucky on the first full day in the north Serengeti. By the end of the day we were unsure about if we still had any chance to see it because we needed to go back to the central Serengeti on the next day. Our guide suggested to wait for the crossing as much as we could on the next day. Because of his suggestion we were able to see the crossing. We saw a huge herd crossed and crocodiles preying wildebeests. It was awesome! On the first day the manager Emanuel gave us a detailed briefing in Arusha. That's a good experience to start the trip. For the lodgings, the first day's lodging in Mtoni River Lodge Arusha is a bit small for 3 persons in a room. Other than that its good. If I have the privilege to get to safari tour in Tanzania again, I would be going with African Big Cats and Khalid again.
JC · United States
Our experience with African Big Cats was absolutely fantastic! We did a private safari in Spanish, and from start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Endeni, was simply amazing — incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife, always kind and patient, and truly passionate about what he does. He made every game drive special, spotting animals we would have never seen on our own and sharing fascinating stories about each one. The organization was flawless: great communication, well-planned itinerary, comfortable accommodations, and no hidden surprises. Everything was handled with care and attention to detail. You can really tell that the team goes above and beyond to make sure you enjoy every moment. Overall, the value for money was excellent, and we came home with unforgettable memories. We 100% recommend African Big Cats to anyone looking for a trustworthy and professional safari operator in Tanzania — especially if you want a personalized, smooth, and truly memorable adventure!
Ignacio · Mexico
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children who are 5 years and older.
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Mtoni River Lodge - Mid-range lodge in Arusha (City) – Breakfast Included. Meals: Breakfast Included
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators () Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Operator policy
This tour is offered by African Big Cats Safaris, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
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