Our most popular combination itinerary, the Classic Safari & Beach, delivers exactly what its name promises: six unforgettable days on Tanzania's Northern Circuit followed by four nights of pure relaxation on Zanzibar's Nungwi beach.
Track wildlife through the elephant-rich plains of Tarangire, witness the endless herds of the Serengeti, and descend into the natural amphitheater of the Ngorongoro Crater in search of the Big Five. Then, trade your safari vehicle for a sun lounger as you unwind on the powder-white sands of Nungwi, one of Zanzibar's most beautiful stretches of coastline. This is the ideal itinerary for first-time visitors to Tanzania who want to experience both worlds without compromise.
6 days across 3 top parks
Big Five in a natural amphitheater
4 nights of tropical relaxation
This combined itinerary is wonderful throughout the year. The dry season from June through October offers the best game viewing on the Northern Circuit and the Great Migration in the Serengeti, alongside calm, dry conditions in Zanzibar ideal for the beach portion.
The green season from November through May brings lush landscapes, fewer visitors, and lower rates on the mainland, while Zanzibar remains warm year-round. February is particularly good for the Serengeti's calving season, paired with Zanzibar's warm, calm waters. Avoid the long rains in April–May if beach time is the priority.
Your safari begins with a morning pickup from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport, followed by a drive south to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Enjoy an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River, where wildlife congregates in large numbers during the dry season. Settle into your lodge for a relaxed dinner as the sounds of the African bush set in.
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Tarangire before departing for the Serengeti, driving through the Ngorongoro Highlands en route. Arrive in the central Serengeti in the afternoon with time for a game drive as you make your way to your lodge, set amid the endless plains that give the Serengeti its name — "the place where the land runs forever" in the Maasai language.
A full day exploring the Serengeti's central Seronera Valley, one of the richest wildlife areas in Africa, with resident populations of lion, leopard, and cheetah alongside herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Enjoy a picnic lunch out on the plains, and continue searching for wildlife into the late afternoon before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Enjoy a final Serengeti sunrise and morning game drive before departing for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Optionally stop at Olduvai Gorge, the Cradle of Mankind, where some of humanity's earliest ancestral remains were discovered. Continue to your lodge perched on the crater rim, with sweeping views over the caldera below, and settle in for the night ahead of tomorrow's crater descent.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places on Earth to see the Big Five in a single day. This natural amphitheater, formed by a collapsed volcano, is home to a dense concentration of wildlife including lion, elephant, buffalo, and the rare black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the crater's hippo pool before ascending back to your lodge for a relaxed evening.
After breakfast, transfer to the nearby airstrip for your scenic flight to Zanzibar, watching the landscape transform from savanna to coastline as you approach the Spice Island. Upon arrival, a private transfer takes you north to Nungwi, home to some of Zanzibar's most beautiful beaches. Settle into your beachfront resort and toast the start of your relaxation with a sunset cocktail on the sand.
A full day dedicated to rest after your safari. Swim in the calm, shallow turquoise waters of Nungwi, relax under a palm-thatched umbrella, or book an optional spa treatment. The beach here is known for being swimmable at every tide, unlike much of Zanzibar's east coast. Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at the resort as the evening breeze rolls in.
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Choose to join an optional excursion to historic Stone Town for a guided tour of its winding alleys, the former Sultan's Palace, and the House of Wonders, or opt for a snorkeling trip to the nearby reefs. In the late afternoon, consider an optional sunset dhow cruise along the coast, with the sky glowing orange and pink over the Indian Ocean. Otherwise, simply continue relaxing on the beach.
Your last full day in paradise. Spend it however you wish — one more swim, a walk along the beach at sunrise, or simply lounging with a good book. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the resort's restaurant, reflecting on the incredible journey from the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar.
Enjoy a final breakfast with ocean views and a last swim in the warm Indian Ocean before checkout. A private transfer will take you to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your onward flight, with connections available via Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa. Depart with memories of Tanzania's finest wildlife and its most beautiful beaches.
Prices are per person, based on double/twin sharing.
| Season | Dates | Price (Per Person) | Single Supp. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May | $3,850 | $680 | Available |
| Shoulder | Mar, Jun, Nov | $4,350 | $740 | Available |
| Peak Season | Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb | $5,100 | $820 | Limited |
Price includes the full Northern Circuit safari, internal flight to Zanzibar, 4 nights at a Nungwi beach resort, most meals, and all transfers.
| Day | Accommodation | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Tarangire Safari Lodge | Safari Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 3–4 | Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge | Safari Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 5–6 | Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Safari Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 7–10 | Nungwi Beach Resort | Beach Resort | ★★★★ |
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to begin the safari portion. Most international airlines serve JRO. On Day 6, you'll fly from the Ngorongoro area to Zanzibar. Your departure flight should be from Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), or via Dar es Salaam (DAR). We can help arrange multi-city flights.
Your guide will pick you up from any hotel in Arusha city center or from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Pickup time is typically 8:00 AM on Day 1. An overnight stay in Arusha before the safari is recommended.
Day 6: Ngorongoro area to Zanzibar, approximately 1.5 hours. Luggage limit: 15 kg in soft-sided bags. Excess luggage can be stored at our Arusha office.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for USD $50 (USD $100 for US citizens). The visa covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining is required. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an endemic area.
Arusha, Tanzania • Established 2015
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Our Classic Safari & Beach combo is our most requested itinerary, pairing the very best of the Northern Circuit's wildlife with the relaxed pace of a Zanzibar beach holiday, all handled seamlessly by our experienced team.
The Ngorongoro Crater morning was unbelievable — we saw all of the Big Five before lunch. Then landing in Nungwi a few hours later felt like stepping into a completely different, equally amazing world. Perfectly organized from start to finish.
— Chris & Nadia P., Germany • August 2025This was our first trip to Tanzania and Nashivai made it effortless. Our guide on the safari portion was outstanding, and the Nungwi resort was the ideal place to decompress afterward. Highly recommend this exact itinerary.
— Michael T., USA • June 2025