A softer opening
Arusha begins the journey with space to recover from travel and settle into Tanzania together.
Private family journey
12-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Family Safari
Arusha · Arusha National Park · Tarangire · Mto wa Mbu · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Zanzibar
A longer family journey from Tanzania's northern wild places to Zanzibar's coast, with enough time for every generation to follow the wild, rest well and make the experience entirely their own.
12 days
11 nights
Overview
The luxury of a family journey with nowhere to rush.
This twelve-day story lets Tanzania unfold in layers. Begin in Arusha and Arusha National Park, spend time beneath Tarangire's baobabs and among the warmth of Mto wa Mbu, then move through the Ngorongoro Crater and three Serengeti nights before flying to Zanzibar's north coast.
The longer rhythm changes everything. Grandparents can take in the view, children can stay curious and every traveller has space to find a favourite moment, from the first game drive to the final Indian Ocean sunset.
07
Wild and coastal chapters
11
Nights to rest and reconnect
01
Private guide, vehicle and flight
Highlights
More days for the moments that become family legends.
This route honours the pleasure of staying longer: Arusha's forested foothills, Tarangire's baobabs, a meaningful Mto wa Mbu encounter, generous Serengeti time and a final island chapter with no need to hurry past what matters.
Tanzania, beyond the game drive
Arusha National Park, Tarangire and Mto wa Mbu connect forest, wildlife, culture and local life with ease.
The Crater and beyond
Ngorongoro adds a dramatic highland chapter before the route opens into the Serengeti's great scale.
Serengeti to Zanzibar
Stay long enough for the plains to feel familiar, then trade game drives for ocean time and a beautifully gentle finish.
Day by day
A route with room
to become a story.
Follow the journey below. The map will keep pace with each chapter, while the small details stay deliberately open to the rhythm of the wild.
Day 01
Arusha
A warm Arusha welcome
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport to a personal Excellent Guides welcome and an easy transfer into Arusha. There is no schedule to chase this evening, only time to settle beneath Mount Meru and begin looking forward to the days ahead.
Day 02
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park, beneath Mount Meru
After breakfast, travel into Arusha National Park, where forest, open glades and the Momella Lakes sit beneath Mount Meru. Giraffe, buffalo, colobus monkeys and flamingos offer a gentle first wildlife day, with the pace always shaped around the family.
Day 03
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire's first welcome
Travel south after breakfast into Tarangire, a world of immense baobabs, golden grass and elephant families moving with quiet purpose toward the river. Your guide introduces the park at the pace of the day, leaving room for every new sighting to become its own small story.
Day 04
Mto wa Mbu · Karatu
Mto wa Mbu, rich with local life
Leave Tarangire after breakfast for Mto wa Mbu, where fertile farms, small workshops and lively kitchens bring a human rhythm to the journey. Walk with a local host, taste the richness of the Rift Valley and meet makers whose work carries the story of the place. By afternoon, continue into Karatu's cooler green hills.
Day 05
Ngorongoro Crater · Karatu
Ngorongoro, a world within walls
Set out while the morning is fresh for the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. Lions, elephants, buffalo, hippo and, with luck, the rare black rhinoceros share this remarkable natural bowl. A private picnic lets the family take in the scene before returning through the highlands for an easy Karatu evening.
Day 06
Karatu · Central Serengeti
The Serengeti opens beyond every horizon
After breakfast, the journey travels west toward the Serengeti. The road itself becomes a game drive as the highlands loosen into open country, then the first immense plains appear. Arrive with the afternoon light still to enjoy and settle in for three nights where the wild can set the pace.
Day 07
Central Serengeti
Serengeti, first light
Wake to the sound of the plains and follow the first movement of the day. A lion pride may be settling after a night hunt, giraffes may be crossing the grassland or the migration may be drawing the eye to a distant horizon. Your guide lets the best sighting decide the pace.
Day 08
Central Serengeti
Follow the story that is moving
A second Serengeti day is made for the long look. Track leopard through riverine woodland, follow elephants across open country or spend time with wildebeest when the herds are near. The value of staying longer is simple: there is never pressure to leave too soon.
Day 09
Serengeti · Nungwi, Zanzibar
From the plains to the Indian Ocean
After breakfast and a final unhurried game drive, fly from Seronera to Zanzibar. The change of scene is its own kind of magic: bush grass becomes blue water, safari dust gives way to a soft sea breeze and the rest of the day belongs to the family. Settle into Nungwi, where the Indian Ocean waits just beyond the garden.
Day 10
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Zanzibar, held lightly
Wake to an island day with no agenda beyond the feeling you want to follow. Swim in clear water, take a slow walk along the beach, enjoy a long lunch or simply keep a shaded place by the pool. After the Serengeti's intensity, this softer rhythm gives every family memory room to settle.
Day 11
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Zanzibar, with nothing to rush
The island day belongs to the family. Swim, snorkel, take a quiet walk on the beach or simply stay close to the pool with a good book and nowhere else to be. As evening arrives, watch the sky soften over the ocean and enjoy the rare pleasure of a journey that leaves room for everyone to slow down together.
Day 12
Nungwi · Zanzibar Airport · Departure
Leave with the ocean still in view
Enjoy a final breakfast with the Indian Ocean close by, then transfer to Zanzibar Airport at the time that suits your onward flight. Home may be waiting, but the journey remains: elephant families, the Crater, a particular Serengeti sunset and the rare pleasure of having shared it all together.
Where you'll stay
Hand selected for an
unmatched experience.
Every stay is selected for its sense of place and its ability to make a multi-generational journey feel easy: comfort after the drive, thoughtful service, room to reconnect and a gentle final chapter on Zanzibar's north coast.
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Luxury Arusha retreat
Gran Melia Arusha
A polished Arusha stay that makes the opening of the journey feel calm and considered.
Tarangire tented camp
Karibu Camps - Elephant Spring
A welcoming tented camp among Tarangire's kopjes and ancient baobabs, where elephant country feels close after dark.
Karatu highland lodge
Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
A peaceful highland base after the colour and warmth of Mto wa Mbu, with time to rest before the Crater.
Serengeti lodge
Serengeti Explorer
A refined Serengeti retreat with space to settle into the wilderness for the next three nights.
Zanzibar beach resort
Nungwi Beach Resort by Turaco
A relaxed north-coast retreat for family time by warm water, white sand and the slow arrival of evening.
What's included
The ease is built in.
The journey is designed so the practical details quietly support the experience. Before travel, we will confirm every element against your exact dates and preferred level of accommodation.
- Private airport transfers, a custom-built 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser and professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full-board safari accommodation, with Arusha meals as outlined in the itinerary
- All national park entry fees, current government taxes and levies
- Scheduled domestic flight from Seronera to Zanzibar, bottled drinking water and 24-hour support from Arusha
Not included
- International flights, Tanzania entry visa and travel or health insurance
- Balloon safaris, optional excursions, spa treatments, laundry and bar services
- Tips, personal purchases and meals, drinks or activities not specified in the itinerary
Testimonials
In their own words
“Your #1 safari company”My 10-day safari with Excellent Guides was by far the most exciting experience. We saw all of the Big Five, from Arusha to the Serengeti. Our guide Hassan was the best: patient and full of knowledge. I highly recommend this company.
“Priceless experience!”Organising the trip, the lodge and the trek up Kilimanjaro with Excellent Guides was a unique experience. On summit night, my guide's positive motivation and good mood carried me to the top. A mega experience. Thank you!
“Excellent indeed!”Our honeymoon safari and relaxing days in Zanzibar were so much more than we expected. Rajabu is such an experienced, warm-hearted guide. We saw all the Big Five. A memory forever engraved in our minds.
“It seems like a dream”Our guide Jerry was the main reason our safari was so successful. So knowledgeable, with such a love for nature and the animals. How close we came to the wildlife was unbelievable. Everything I dreamed it would be, and more.
“We literally saw everything”The guides were like walking encyclopedias, and they knew where to find the animals, including a cheetah stalking its prey and taking off on an epic run. I truly can't say enough about this company.
“The dream safari”Two wonderful weeks through northern Tanzania. Their professionalism and experience, the smiles always on their faces and their attention to every detail made our honeymoon unique and unforgettable.
“Professionals, great service”Everything was wonderful: the organisation, the hotels and the safari itself. Professionals all the way, excellent service. We recommend them with all our heart.
“Once in a lifetime”Our guide Cosmas was amazing. Knowledgeable about the animals, the geography and the history of the region. The customer service was out of this world. They really spoil you.
“Wow! Unforgettable”We planned the trip for six months with Dearson, who answered every question promptly and personalised the itinerary to our wishes. The hospitality at every camp was outstanding.
“What an experience”Apollo and Ross were fantastic: fun, energetic, knowledgeable and informative. They found the Big Five and took such wonderful care of us throughout our first safari.
“A trip to Eden”We loved travelling through the reserves, watching the wildlife and visiting the tribes. John was kind, deeply knowledgeable and could notice even the most hidden animals.
“Photo Safari”Our guide took us to wonderful places and made the photographic safari exceptional. He was skilled, fun and friendly, and I returned home with beautiful memories and images.
“Smoothly run and professional”Communication was excellent, the ownership was involved and our hotels and lodges were fantastic. From airport pickup to drop-off, everything ran smoothly.
“Amazing week”Our guide was attentive, punctual and remarkable at spotting animals from miles away. He became our eyes, our source of knowledge and our friend throughout the journey.
“Miraculous!”My mum and I had the most incredible time. Travelling through Tarangire and Ngorongoro felt like travelling with a friend who cared deeply about making our experience perfect.
“Four action-packed days”Excellent Guides listened carefully, made every day count and placed us in safe, knowledgeable hands. Their network and respect for the wilderness made the safari extraordinary.
“Excellent!”Communication, preparation, lodges and guiding were all excellent. We especially valued travelling with a Tanzanian-owned company whose guide went the extra mile.
“The perfect honeymoon”We could sit back and enjoy every moment. The lodges were excellent, the vehicle was well maintained and our guide's knowledge and thoughtful approach made the journey faultless.
Make it your own
Ready to give the family more time in Tanzania and Zanzibar?
Tell us who is travelling, the dates you are considering and how you would like the days to feel. We will shape this longer bush-and-beach journey around the people and moments that matter most.
