Highlights of Tanzania: Safari Adventures & Indian Ocean Islands - 14 Days

Highlights

• See exotic animals on game drives in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro
• Visit the tribespeople of Mto Wa Mbu and take part in a cultural exchange
• Tour the historic center of Zanzibar and laze on its white-sand beaches
• Swim in the crystalline waters of Pemba, a gem of the Indian Ocean

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha, Optional Activities

Welcome to Tanzania! This gem of a country is a wildlife lover's paradise, home to some of Africa's most famous safari destinations and unspoiled national parks. Located in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, Tanzania is known for its vast wilderness areas. This country is home to the Serengeti ecosystem, where millions of plains animals migrate around its fertile savannas. Also here is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the only place you can see all Big Five animals—lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and black rhinos—on a single game drive.

Upon arrival in the northern city of Arusha, your driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. After unpacking and unwinding, take some time to head out and admire the views. Not only does this city sit at the foot of the 14,980-foot (4,566 m) Meru volcano, but at certain places, you can also spot the snowcapped table of Kilimanjaro. Coffee lovers will want to hit a café and sample this country's famous robusta and arabica roasts. After all, Tanzania is the third-largest coffee producer in Africa, and this bean is its largest export crop.

Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel to drive southwest to one of Tanzania's many natural treasures: Tarangire National Park. This 1,000-square-mile (2,600 sq km) protected area may only be the sixth largest national park in the country, but there's no shortage of incredible wildlife here. It's one of Tanzania's finest birding destinations, as there are almost 500 avian species in the park. Plus, during the migratory season of July to October, there are incredible numbers of plains game like wildebeests, antelope, and zebras.

Elephants are the main attraction in Tarangire, with up to 3,000 roaming the park during peak months between Jun-Nov. Other common animals include giraffes, the Thompson's gazelle, greater and lesser kudus, elands, leopards, and cheetahs. However, the real prizes in the park are the dwarf mongoose, oryx, and gerenuk (also called the "giraffe gazelle")—but sightings are pretty rare.

The best part is that because Tarangire is a quiet, often overlooked park, there are fewer crowds to witness the spectacle of its migrating residents. You'll arrive at the park in time for lunch and check into your thatched tent or bungalow at Tarangire Safari Lodge. Later, embark on an afternoon game drive to view the abundant wildlife. At the end of the day, you'll return to the lodge in time for sunset and dinner with a view.

Day 3: Cultural Exchange in Mto Wa Mbu, Transfer to Ngorongoro

Wake up early for one last exploration of Tarangire. Around midday, enjoy a picnic lunch and then head north to the village of Mto Wa Mbu. This farming community of around 18,000 people is unique in that it's one of the only places where all of Tanzania's some 120 tribes live side by side.

Here you'll participate in a cultural tourism program and meet some of the different tribespeople—notably members of the Mbugwe, Iraqw, Gorowa, Irangi, Chagga, and Maasai. The exciting thing is that each day the tour offers a different cultural immersion depending on the activities going on in the village. Examples include visiting local farms and the homes of working families who produce everything from homemade banana beer to palm oil.

Afterward, you'll continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara. This luxurious retreat sits on a lush mountain escarpment with views of the area's famous Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest volcanic caldera. This UNESCO World Heritage Site measures 1,968 feet (600 m) in depth and covers 100 square miles (260 sq km). It's also unusual in that over 40,000 Masaai tribespeople live here, and their cattle, goats, and sheep graze right alongside the abundant wildlife, offering a are insight into a way of living in harmony with nature that has hardly changed since ancient times.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Full-Day Game Drive

After breakfast, head down to the crater's base for a full-day, 4WD tour around Ngorongoro. There will be ample opportunities to spot exotic wildlife throughout the day. This area, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, is home to over 20,000 large animals. Here you can spot buffalo, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, hyenas, jackals, ostriches, warthogs, and vast herds of gazelles. Also, thanks to anti-poaching patrols, the crater is one of the few places in East Africa where visitors are sure to see black rhinos.

Most interesting, however, might be the region's anthropological wonders. Archaeological studies at Ngorongoro have revealed evidence of human evolution dating back some four million years. This includes fossilized footprints of early Homo sapiens and remains that document the development of stone technology. After the game drive, you'll head back to the lodge in time for dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge

In the morning, you'll leave Ngorongoro and head north on a three-hour drive toward Serengeti National Park, but you'll have the option to stop on the way at Olduvai Gorge. This vast canyon (about 30 mi /48 km long and 300 ft /90 m deep) is home to paleoanthropological sites that have been crucial in furthering our understanding of human evolution. Hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools have been found in the area, dating back millions of years, concluding that humans evolved in Africa. 

After Olduvai Gorge, you'll continue on into Serengeti National Park. This legendary wildlife reserve is the archetypal safari destination. In the Maasai language, the name Serengeti means "endless plains," and this protected area's 5,700 square miles (14,763 sq km) deliver on that promise. The park is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve that supports the world's largest concentration of plains game. This includes famous Big Five animals like lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and black rhinos.

Upon arrival in the park, you'll head to your camp. Don't let the word "tent" fool you—your accommodations at Serengeti Heritage Luxury Camp feature welcome amenities like king beds and private terraces. It's located right in the African bush and will be your base for explorations over the next couple of days.

Days 6-7: Explore Northern Serengeti National Park

Over the next two days, you'll venture across the Serengeti on a series of game drives and bush walks. There's a lot to see here, as the Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest. Besides being a great place to spot Big Five animals (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos), the Serengeti hosts the annual Great Migration. From Jun-Nov, this "greatest wildlife show on earth" sees more than a million wildebeest, plus hundreds of thousands of zebras and Thomson's gazelles, undertaking the long trek to new grazing grounds. 

Today you'll explore the northern region of Serengeti, near the Massai Mara Reserve in neighboring Kenya, as this is the main route of the migration. The area also offers a chance to escape the crowds, as it's remote and relatively inaccessible. Those who make it here are rewarded with sweeping vistas of rolling green hills, granite outcrops, and acacia woodlands dotting the open savanna.

Then there's all that incredible wildlife. Besides the massive herds of wildebeests and zebras, this sector is also home to the greatest concentration of elephants in the Serengeti and good numbers of lions, leopards, and cheetahs—plus giraffes and hippos. Depending on your preference, head out early each morning for dawn game drives and return to camp in time for lunch. Later in the afternoon, you can embark on a second game drive or opt to relax by the pool with a good book. 

Day 8: Fly to Zanzibar, Free Afternoon

It's time to trade the savanna for the beach this morning as you transfer back to the airport in Arusha, where you'll board a 1.5-hour flight east to Zanzibar. This island is one of the gems of the continent, featuring world-class beaches and rich history. Upon arrival at the airport in Zanzibar City, you'll transfer to your hotel, the opulent beachfront Elewana Kindili. Then, you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the island's best stretches of sand, like Michamvi Kae, the "secret beach." If you're feeling social, head to the raucous beach clubs in the coastal village of Nungwi.

Days 9-10: Beaches, Watersports & Cultural Activities in Zanzibar

The next two days are free for you to create your own itinerary of island fun. Adventurers might prefer snorkeling and diving tours. Matemwe is the best spot, as it provides access to the Mnemba Atoll and the coral reefs that surround it. Nature lovers can hike Jozani Forest, home to exotic animals like the red colobus monkey. For more natural splendor, head to the southeastern coast and the Kuumbi Caves in Jambiani. Other activities include kayaking in mangrove forests, surfing on the southeast coast, biking around the island, or kite surfing. You can also head out to sea for a sport-fishing adventure.

Also, besides beaches and nature, Zanzibar has a rich history. The medieval center, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This warren of alleyways, shops, bazaars, and mosques is home to some of Zanzibar's oldest and most historic buildings. (Foodies will love Stone Town Market, which offers spices, snacks, produce, teas, and fresh meals.) One can't-miss historical landmark is the Arab Fort, a defensive fortification built in the 17th century. You can also visit the solemn site of a former slave market and learn about this tragic part of the island's history.

Day 11: Fly to Pemba Island, Free Afternoon

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport and catch the 30-minute flight north to Pemba Island. If you thought Zanzibar was a tropical paradise, wait until you see Pemba—it's regarded as the most beautiful of all the islands in this archipelago. This jewel was dubbed El Huthera or "The Green" by early Omani sailors. Ever since, Pemba has managed to retain its laid-back charm and even today remains unspoiled by modern civilization. There are very few modes of transport and limited accommodations here, so expect the very definition of a rustic, barefoot beach holiday.

Check into your secluded, thatched-roof cabin at the Pemba Eco Lodge, located on the neighboring island of Shamiani, then while away the rest of your afternoon at the beach, enjoying the solitude of this secluded, sustainable retreat.

Days 12-13: Optional Activities on Pemba Island

Take your pick from a long list of optional activities to keep you occupied over the next couple of days. Pemba is one of Tanzania's top diving and snorkeling destinations, making it a playground for water lovers. For example, located between Pemba and mainland Tanzania is the Pemba Canal, which is 6,561 feet (2,000 m) deep and home to diverse sea life like barracuda, tuna, sharks, and even whales.

Nature is another highlight of the island. The lack of infrastructure combined with the many clove, mango, and coconut groves lining green hills and fertile valleys make this a huge draw for spiritualists and traditional healers. One of the most memorable ways to pass the time is to lie under a blanket of stars as the scent of clove carries in the ocean breeze and the sounds of tropical birds lull you to sleep. Other activities include visiting the Mkame Ndume Ruins (an abandoned 15th-century palace) and enjoying fresh seafood and delicious Swahili cuisine. At the end of your stay, you'll return to Zanzibar. 

Day 14: Fly to Arusha, Depart

After breakfast, enjoy one last stroll along the powdery white beaches of Pemba. You'll transfer to the airport and fly to Arusha to catch your connecting flight home at the appropriate time. Safe travels!

More Great Tanzania Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Tanzania? Check out these other Tanzania itineraries, explore more ways to spend two weeks in Tanzania, or discover the best time to visit Tanzania.