Why choose between the bush and the beach when you can have both? Our 8-Day Safari & Zanzibar Beach Combo is one of Nashivai's most popular itineraries, pairing five unforgettable days of wildlife viewing in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater with three nights of barefoot luxury on the spice island of Zanzibar. Wake to the roar of lions at dawn and fall asleep to the whisper of the Indian Ocean — all in a single seamless holiday.
The safari portion concentrates on two of Africa's most celebrated wildlife arenas. In the vast golden plains of the Serengeti, you'll track the Big Five, follow winding riverlines where crocodiles bask, and witness predator-prey interactions that define the natural world. Then descend 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth — where roughly 25,000 large animals roam the crater floor in staggering density.
A scheduled flight from Arusha whisks you to Zanzibar, trading dust for turquoise water in under two hours. Your beach resort on the northeast coast offers powdery white sand, infinity pools, and optional excursions from Stone Town's labyrinthine alleys to Mnemba Atoll's kaleidoscopic coral gardens. Snorkel with dolphins, wander through centuries-old spice plantations, or simply lie in a hammock and let the Indian Ocean breeze carry your cares away.
Your adventure begins with a morning pickup from your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Board a scheduled light aircraft flight that sweeps you westward over the Great Rift Valley, touching down at Seronera Airstrip in the heart of the Serengeti. Your private safari vehicle and guide are waiting on the airstrip — within minutes you'll be on your first game drive, eyes peeled for lions lounging on granite kopjes and herds of elephant trailing toward waterholes. After a picnic lunch under an acacia, continue tracking wildlife through the golden afternoon until you reach your lodge perched on a hillside with panoramic views of the endless plains.
Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge — Mid-range lodge with pool, bar, and stunning sunset views
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Rise before dawn with a steaming cup of Tanzanian coffee and head out as the first light paints the plains in shades of amber and rose. The early hours are prime time for predators — leopards draped over sausage trees, cheetahs scanning the horizon from termite mounds, and prides of lions returning from a night hunt. After a hearty brunch at the lodge, set out again in the late morning to explore the Seronera Valley, where the permanent waters of the Seronera River attract a year-round concentration of wildlife. Break for a picnic lunch at a scenic outlook, then spend the afternoon following the movements of large herds — wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and giraffe moving in their timeless rhythms across the savannah.
Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a final sunrise game drive as you track wildlife heading southeast toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. En route, stop at Olduvai Gorge — the "Cradle of Mankind" — where the Leakey family uncovered fossils spanning two million years of human evolution. A small museum perched on the gorge rim tells the story of our earliest ancestors. Continue climbing through lush highland forest to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where your lodge commands breathtaking views down into the 260-square-kilometre caldera. Watch the sunset paint the crater walls in shades of copper and gold from the comfort of the lodge terrace.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge — Perched on the crater rim with panoramic views
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend 600 metres down the steep crater wall as dawn breaks, entering one of the most wildlife-dense arenas on Earth. The crater floor is a microcosm of East African habitats — soda lakes fringed with flamingos, fever-tree forests sheltering elephants and bushbuck, and open grasslands where zebra and wildebeest graze alongside the crater's famous black-maned lions. You may even spot the rare and critically endangered black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the Hippo Pool, watching pods surface and subside in the warm shallows. In the afternoon, ascend the crater wall and drive back to Arusha, where a comfortable lodge awaits for a well-earned dinner and a good night's rest before tomorrow's flight to the coast.
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge — Set on a working coffee plantation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for a scenic scheduled flight to Zanzibar. As the plane banks over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, you'll see the island emerge like an emerald set in sapphire — fringed by white surf and coral reefs. On arrival at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, your beach concierge meets you for the scenic drive to the northeast coast. Check into your beachfront resort, slip off your shoes, and feel the warm sand between your toes for the first time. The rest of the day is yours to swim in the infinity pool, stroll the powder-white beach, or simply lie in a hammock beneath the coconut palms with a good book and a cold cocktail.
Accommodation: Zuri Zanzibar Hotel — 5-star beach resort with private beach, spa, and water sports
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you'll discover why Zanzibar is called the Spice Island. After a leisurely breakfast, drive to a working spice farm where your guide will introduce you to vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves — the aromatics that once made Zanzibar one of the wealthiest islands on Earth. Taste fresh tropical fruits plucked straight from the tree. Continue to Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cultural heart of Zanzibar. Wander through a labyrinth of narrow alleys, ornate carved doors, and bustling bazaars. Visit the former slave market, the House of Wonders, and the lively fish market where dhows unload the day's catch. Return to your resort in the late afternoon for a sunset swim.
Accommodation: Zuri Zanzibar Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board a traditional dhow after breakfast and sail across crystal-clear waters to the Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve, one of the finest snorkelling sites in East Africa. Slip into the warm ocean and discover a kaleidoscopic underwater world — turtles gliding through coral gardens, schools of technicolour reef fish, and if you're lucky, playful dolphins joining your swim. Back on the dhow, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch prepared on board as you drift over turquoise lagoons. Return to the resort in the early afternoon, leaving plenty of time for a massage at the spa, a final swim, or simply watching the sky turn crimson as the sun dips below the horizon.
Accommodation: Zuri Zanzibar Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Savour one last breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean, perhaps taking a final dip in the warm sea before packing. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for a bit of souvenir shopping in Stone Town — look for hand-carved doors, kanga fabrics, and Zanzibar's famous spice mixes. Your driver transfers you to the airport in good time for your onward flight, carrying memories of lion roars at dawn and ocean breezes at sunset — the perfect twin memories of Tanzania.
Meals: Breakfast
All prices are per person sharing a double/twin room. Single supplements and child discounts available on request.
| Season | Dates | Per Person (Double) | Single Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May | $4,800 | $1,200 |
| Shoulder Season | Jan–Mar, Jun | $5,500 | $1,400 |
| High Season | Jul–Oct, Dec | $6,200 | $1,600 |
Children aged 6–11 receive a 25% discount when sharing with two adults. Children under 6 are not recommended for this itinerary due to the mix of safari and beach environments. Zanzibar beach resorts offer kids' clubs and babysitting services.
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha, which receives direct flights from Amsterdam (KLM), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), and Dubai (flydubai). Alternatively, fly into Arusha Airport (ARK) via domestic connection from Dar es Salaam. Our team will meet you at arrivals and transfer you to your pre-safari lodge.
This itinerary includes two internal flights that dramatically reduce travel time:
Luggage on light aircraft is limited to 15 kg in soft bags. Hard suitcases cannot be accommodated on small planes. We provide a complimentary luggage storage service in Arusha for your main suitcase, supplying a soft duffle bag for the safari portion.
Your tour ends in Zanzibar. You may fly home directly from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) which has connections to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, and international hubs. Alternatively, fly Zanzibar → Dar es Salaam or Nairobi to connect with your international departure. We arrange all transfers.
Most nationalities can obtain a Tanzania visa on arrival (USD $50 for most countries, USD $100 for US citizens) or apply for an e-Visa online before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates with at least one blank page.
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Founded by passionate Tanzanians who grew up in the shadow of Mount Meru, we've been sharing the wonders of East Africa with travellers from around the world since 2012. Our team of over 30 experienced guides, camp managers, and logistics staff work together to create seamless safari and beach experiences that showcase the very best of Tanzania.
We believe that a safari should be more than ticking off the Big Five — it should be a transformative journey that connects you with the land, the wildlife, and the warm-hearted people of Tanzania. Every itinerary is crafted with deep local knowledge, ensuring you're in the right place at the right time for the most extraordinary wildlife encounters.