13 Days Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Thirteen days that begin with a dry season safari through Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire, then finish with three relaxing nights on the white sand beaches of Nungwi in Zanzibar.
13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach overview
This 13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday is planned for the dry season months from June through February. The first part of the trip focuses on wildlife, with time in northern Serengeti for the Mara River area, central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. For the final days you fly to Zanzibar and settle on Nungwi Beach for a calm finish beside the Indian Ocean.
The rhythm keeps several nights in each key area so that drives stay flexible instead of rushed. Mornings and late afternoons are free for long game drives, while middays leave room for rest at camp or lodge. Once you reach Zanzibar the pace slows again and the days become softer, with space for snorkeling, diving or simple time on the sand.
If you want to compare prices and lengths before deciding, you can also look at the wider Tanzania safari cost guide for 2 to 13 days and then return to this 13 day plan when dates and budget feel clear.
13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach itinerary
Routing and camp names can adjust slightly with season and availability while keeping the same balance between dry season game viewing and relaxed beach time.
Day 1. Arrival at Kilimanjaro and transfer to Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport a Hazina Afrika representative meets you in the arrivals area. The team member assists with your tourist visa, helps with luggage and guides you through customs so the first steps stay calm. Outside the secure zone a transfer host welcomes you properly and begins the road journey toward Arusha.
The drive usually takes about one hour, which gives a first feel for the landscape and light. Once you reach Ilboru Safari Lodge you check in, enjoy dinner and receive a simple briefing for the safari days ahead. This evening is kept quiet so that you can rest after the flight.
Days 2 and 3. Northern Serengeti and Mara River area
After an early breakfast a Hazina Afrika driver transfers you to Arusha Domestic Airport for the morning flight to northern Serengeti. The aircraft route passes over Ngorongoro Crater, southern plains and central Serengeti, which gives you a clear sense of the scale of the ecosystem even before landing. Views of the escarpment and woodlands help set the scene for the ground days that follow.
At Kogatende airstrip your driver guide meets you and the safari begins in earnest. The northern Serengeti stretches to the Masai Mara border and holds excellent wildlife throughout the dry season. During many weeks the Great Migration moves through this zone, and with luck you may see herds testing or crossing the Mara River. You spend two nights at Mara Kati Kati Camp or similar, with flexible game drives that follow current movement rather than a fixed pattern.
Days 4 and 5. Central Serengeti and Seronera Valley
On day four you begin driving south through the Lobo area toward central Serengeti. This section often holds both resident and migratory wildlife around permanent water sources, so many routes include slow loops along valleys and river lines. It is common to see all three big cats in this zone, with lions, leopards and cheetahs using different parts of the habitat.
Once you reach Seronera the ecosystem changes again. Grassland, rocky kopjes and woodland blend together, and this mix supports a high density of plains game and predators. Several research projects, including the long running Serengeti Lion Project, are based here because viewing is so consistent. Two nights at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp or similar allow full days of exploring, with your guide choosing early starts or later departures depending on light and animal movement.
Day 6. Olduvai visit and Ngorongoro highlands
After breakfast you enjoy one final central Serengeti game drive before turning southeast toward the Ngorongoro highlands. The route passes through wide open plains and then climbs gently toward the escarpment. On the way you stop at Olduvai, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Africa, where a small museum explains the work of the Leakey family and other researchers.
Later in the afternoon the road rises into cooler highland air and forested slopes. By late day you arrive at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or similar, perched on the rim with views across the crater floor when clouds lift. Evening light over the caldera gives a strong sense of where you will go the next morning.
Day 7. Ngorongoro Crater and on to Karatu
The day starts with a pre dawn departure from the lodge and a descent into Ngorongoro Crater. Early arrival on the floor helps you avoid much of the later traffic from group tours and often gives the calmest encounters. The crater holds a high concentration of wildlife in a compact area, including black rhino, large buffalo herds, lions and many smaller species.
After a picnic breakfast you explore different corners of the basin, moving between swamp, grassland and lake edges. By early afternoon you leave the floor, climb back to the rim and then continue to Karatu. Tonight you stay at Ngorongoro Farm Lodge or a similar property in the highlands, where gardens and cooler air provide an easy end to a very full wildlife day.
Day 8. Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast you travel roughly one hour to Lake Manyara National Park. The entrance road leads straight into thick groundwater forest that feels very different from the open Serengeti and crater landscapes. Elephants, baboons and other primates often move through this shaded environment, while birdlife is rich along the lake shore and within the fig trees.
Lake Manyara is known for tree climbing lions, although the dense forest makes sightings of lions in trees rare. You enjoy a relaxed drive through several habitats and, if time and interest allow, you may add an optional village visit at Mto wa Mbu to see banana farms, markets and daily life. In the afternoon you continue to Maramboi Tented Camp on the eastern shores of Lake Manyara, where open views and regular animal movement around the pan create an original setting for sundowners.
Day 9. Tarangire National Park
From Maramboi you reach the Tarangire gate in around twenty minutes, which allows a full day in the park. During the dry season wildlife from a large surrounding area moves toward the Tarangire River, which often becomes the only reliable water source. As a result this valley can hold very high numbers of elephants, zebra, buffalo and many smaller animals between June and November.
Game drives follow the river bends and higher ground, pausing at viewpoints where herds gather in the heat of the day. Tarangire is also known for its impressive baobab trees, which create a strong sense of place in photographs. In the evening you return to Maramboi Tented Camp for a second night and a last sunset over the plains before you switch landscapes and move toward the coast.
Days 10 to 12. Fly to Zanzibar and Nungwi Beach
After a relaxed breakfast you travel back toward Arusha Domestic Airport to connect with the early afternoon Auric Air flight to Zanzibar. The flight often takes around ninety minutes and brings a simple shift from bush to ocean. On landing at Zanzibar Airport an Island Express transfer representative meets you and drives you to Ras Nungwi or a similar beach lodge on the white sand coast.
During three nights you have time to slow the pace and let the safari days sink in. Mornings can be used for snorkeling, diving or boat trips, while afternoons lend themselves to swimming, reading or walking the beach. Optional excursions such as Stone Town tours or spice farm visits can be arranged on site at additional cost, so you choose how active you want this part of the trip to feel.
Day 13. Departure from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam
On your final day you enjoy a last swim or slow breakfast depending on flight times. Later an Island Express transfer representative collects you at the lodge and drives you back to Zanzibar Airport for the short flight to Dar es Salaam. The hop usually takes about twenty minutes and positions you for your international connection.
A day room at Hotel Slipway or a similar property can be arranged so that you have a base between flights. In the evening a final transfer brings you to Dar es Salaam International Airport for your journey home. If you prefer to shorten the route you can also consider options such as the 8 day Tanzania safari or the 10 day safari and culture itinerary and then add Zanzibar separately.
How this 13 day trip balances safari and Zanzibar beach time
This plan gives enough days in each key wildlife area before shifting to the coast. As a result you keep strong sightings without feeling that the beach section has been squeezed into the end of a rushed safari.
Dry season safari focus
Northern and central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire work particularly well in the dry season. Rivers and permanent water points draw wildlife together, which leads to consistent viewing and clean photographic opportunities.
Three full nights on Nungwi Beach
Rather than adding only one or two nights at the coast, this route keeps three nights on Zanzibar. That pattern gives a real break and enough time to enjoy the ocean, local food and slower pace without feeling that you have just arrived when it is time to leave.
Simple flights between bush and coast
Flights between the northern safari circuit, Arusha and Zanzibar keep transfers clean and predictable. You avoid long road days at the end of the trip, which means you reach the beach fresher and ready to enjoy it.
Flexible daily rhythm
Within the structure of the route there is room to adjust each day. You can request longer time at sightings, earlier starts, later returns to camp or more time around the pool depending on energy levels and specific interests.
Typical price for this 13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday
Rates below are per person in USD for two travelers sharing. Final proposals adjust with season, exact lodges and the balance between drive in and fly in segments.
- Prices include private 4x4 on safari days, professional driver guide, park and conservation fees, named internal flights, airport transfers and full board on the safari section.
- They also include half board at the Zanzibar beach lodge listed or a similar property in the same category.
- They exclude international flights, some drinks, visas, travel insurance and tips, which remain at your discretion.
For a broader comparison of shorter and longer plans you can refer again to the 2 to 13 day Tanzania safari cost guide and then ask us for a confirmed quote tied to your travel window.
Best time for this 13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach itinerary
The route is designed with the dry season in mind, although it still works during shoulder months. These short notes give a simple framework before we talk about exact dates.
June to October
Dry conditions dominate in most parks. Tarangire is at its strongest, and northern plus central Serengeti hold excellent numbers of wildlife. Zanzibar usually has clear days, making this a reliable window for guests who want firm weather patterns.
November and early December
Short rains can arrive, although showers often appear between clear spells. Landscapes become greener and fewer vehicles travel compared with the central dry season months, which appeals to guests who prefer quieter sightings.
Christmas and New Year period
Festive weeks can be busy, especially on Zanzibar and in key Serengeti areas. Early planning helps secure the rooms and flight slots that keep the route smooth.
January and February
Conditions remain dry or mixed in many northern parks. Zanzibar stays warm, and the combination of safari and beach continues to work well for couples and families looking for winter sun.
What is included and not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop up roof and fridge for drinks on all safari days.
- Professional English speaking driver guide for the full safari section.
- Park, concession and conservation fees for Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire.
- Full board accommodation at Ilboru Safari Lodge, Mara Kati Kati Camp, Serengeti Kati Kati Camp, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm Lodge and Maramboi Tented Camp or similar.
- Half board accommodation at a Nungwi beach lodge in Zanzibar or a similar property in the same category.
- Internal flights as listed between Arusha, Serengeti, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam when included in the quote.
- Airport transfers at the start and end of your trip and bottled drinking water in the vehicle.
Not included
- International flights, visas and comprehensive travel insurance.
- Some lodge drinks, laundry, personal expenses and optional activities such as balloon flights or extra tours in Zanzibar.
- Gratuities for guides, camp staff and transfer drivers.
- Dive packages, deep sea fishing or other specialist coastal activities that you choose on the island.
Scenes from recent 13 day safaris and Zanzibar combinations
These images show the kind of dry season light, wildlife and open space that you can expect on this route before flying to the coast.
Guest reviews
Guests who choose this 13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar combination often mention the clean routing, flexible days and the way the beach section feels like a natural extension of the safari rather than a separate trip.
Frequently asked questions about this 13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach trip
Is this 13 day itinerary good for a first visit to Tanzania
Yes. The route covers many of the key northern parks and finishes with time on Zanzibar, so first time visitors gain a broad sense of both wildlife and coast. The extra length compared with shorter itineraries lets the days breathe, which often leads to a more relaxed experience.
Can I reverse the order and start with Zanzibar
It is possible to start with Zanzibar and then fly to Arusha for the safari section. However many guests prefer to begin with wildlife and finish with the beach, because that direction lets them unwind after the more active days in the bush.
Is this 13 day plan suitable for families
The itinerary works well for families, especially when children are old enough to enjoy several hours on game drive. The beach days at the end give space to rest and play after the busier safari mornings. We can also suggest minor adjustments to lodges or daily timing to match the ages in your group.
Can I upgrade or change the Zanzibar lodge
Yes. Many Nungwi and Kendwa properties can be used across upper mid range, deluxe and luxury levels. Once we know your budget, we can offer different beach options and still keep the same basic routing.
How far in advance should I book this 13 days Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday
For peak dry season months between July and October, and for festive periods, it is wise to plan several months in advance. This timing helps secure the better located camps in Serengeti and Tarangire and also the beach rooms that match your style.
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