8 days · Safari + Zanzibar

Tanzania in 8 days

Tanzania in 8 days: Serengeti/Ngorongoro + Zanzibar. Northern safari and Indian Ocean beach without transfer overload.

SerengetiNgorongoroZanzibarStone Town
Adapt this guide

Northern safari leads; Zanzibar is the prize

In 8 days: Arusha (1) + northern safari (4–5) with Ngorongoro and Serengeti (or Tarangire) + Zanzibar (2–3). Don’t stack Kilimanjaro summit + Selous + Pemba + full Serengeti.

When

Jun–Oct (dry)

Classic safari; Serengeti migration (dates vary). Peak demand — book lodges.

Jan–Mar (calving)

Southern Serengeti: calves and predators. Pleasant Zanzibar.

Apr–May (rains)

Cheaper; rough roads; some camps close. Possible with flexibility.

Budget / day

US$200–500

Safari lodge*

US$80–200

Zanzibar

Park fees*

Parks

US$280–700

Safari total

8 days

Day 1

Arusha

Arrive Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha, operator briefing, rest. Don’t force a full city tour.

  • Sleep near the airport or in a lodge known to your operator.
Days 2–5

Ngorongoro + Serengeti (or Tarangire)

Crater (serious half day), then Serengeti game drives. Shorter alt: Tarangire + Ngorongoro if time is tight.

  • One northern circuit well > adding Manyara + express Selous. Park fees are high — choose nights wisely.
Days 6–8

Zanzibar

Flight to ZNZ: Stone Town (1 night) + east/north beach (Nungwi/Paje). Snorkel or sea only — don’t force spice tour + dolphins + 3 islands.

  • International out of ZNZ if you can — saves returning to JRO.

Practical

Flights & safaris

JRO → northern circuit by 4x4; light Serengeti–Zanzibar flights frequent. Book a package with a solid operator.

Where to stay

Arusha lodge · Serengeti/Ngorongoro rim camps · Stone Town + beach resort.

Health & fees

Yellow fever/malaria: see a doctor. Park fees and concessions belong in the budget. Evacuation insurance.

Food

On safari: typical full-board. Zanzibar: seafood, spices, Stone Town cafés. Constant hydration.

Tips

Serious Ngorongoro half day

Descend into the crater early — not a 45-minute selfie stop.

Kilimanjaro + safari + Zanzibar

The summit deserves its own week. Here safari + beach already fill 8 days.

Stone Town 1 night

History and food; then switch to beach. Two Stone Town nights are excess if you want sea.

Express Selous from the north

Another ecosystem and another airport. Save it for a second trip.

Checklist

Tanzania on TripMatches

Build Serengeti/Ngorongoro + Zanzibar, share nights and align game drives vs beach with your group.

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