Arusha, calmly introduced
Begin beneath Mount Meru, with enough time to recover from travel before the safari opens.
Private senior journey
12-Day Tanzania & Zanzibar Grand Safari
Arusha · Arusha National Park · Tarangire · Mto wa Mbu · Ngorongoro · Serengeti · Zanzibar
A longer Tanzania story that moves from the northern circuit's grand wildlife landscapes to Zanzibar's calm, luminous coast.
12 days
11 nights
Overview
One country, two beautiful rhythms, with time for both.
Begin gently in Arusha and Arusha National Park, then take your time through Tarangire, Mto wa Mbu, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. The route stays entirely within Tanzania, with every transition shaped to feel comfortable, intuitive and unhurried.
When the wildlife chapters have had time to unfold, fly to Zanzibar for white sand, warm water and an island finish that lets the whole journey settle beautifully.
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Chapters, gracefully linked
11
Nights from bush to beach
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Private Tanzania journey
Highlights
Tanzania, from the wilderness to the water, without a rush.
This longer private safari is built around generous wildlife time, seamless transitions and an island finish that lets every chapter end in comfort and begin with anticipation.
Tanzania in layers
Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti arrive in a sequence that makes every transition feel natural.
Days with room to stay
Generous time in the bush allows every sighting and every return to camp to feel unforced.
Zanzibar, beautifully held
An island finish of white sand and warm water lets the whole safari settle into its final rhythm.
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
Arrive beneath Mount Meru
Your Excellent Guides host meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and brings you through the soft slopes beneath Mount Meru to Arusha. The first evening is deliberately easy: settle in, enjoy dinner and let Tanzania begin without any pressure to do more.
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 shaped around the pleasure of taking time to look.
Day 03
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire's ancient rhythm
After breakfast, travel to Tarangire, where baobabs, golden grass and the river give the landscape its unhurried rhythm. The afternoon drive is an invitation to settle into elephant country, with the day shaped around the wildlife and your own comfort.
Day 04
Mto wa Mbu · Karatu
Mto wa Mbu, brought to life
Leave Tarangire after breakfast for Mto wa Mbu, where fertile farms, colourful markets and small workshops bring a welcome human rhythm to the journey. Walk gently with a local host, taste seasonal produce and meet makers whose work belongs to this part of northern Tanzania. Later, continue to Karatu's cooler hills.
Day 05
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro, a world within walls
Set out early for the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater. Within its ancient walls, look for lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and the rare black rhinoceros, then enjoy a private picnic on the floor before rising back to the rim. The day is deliberately paced to leave room for both the wildlife and the quiet wonder of the landscape.
Day 06
Ngorongoro · Central Serengeti
The Serengeti opens beyond every horizon
After breakfast, continue west toward the Serengeti. The road becomes a game drive as the cool highlands open into the enormous grasslands, making the transition itself part of the safari. By afternoon, you are settled in the central plains, with three Serengeti nights ahead.
Day 07
Central Serengeti
The Serengeti, at your own pace
Begin with the first light, then let the day follow the most compelling signs: a lion pride shifting through the grass, elephants moving across open country or the seasonal pulse of the migration. There is no pressure to collect sightings. Your guide gives each meaningful moment the time it deserves.
Day 08
Central Serengeti
One more day for the plains
A second complete Serengeti day is the luxury of not treating the wilderness as a checklist. Return to a favourite area, take a gentler drive through the morning or follow the wildlife wherever it leads. The safari's most vivid scenes often arrive when there is room to wait for them.
Day 09
Serengeti · Nungwi, Zanzibar
From savannah to sea
After a last unhurried game drive, fly from Seronera to Zanzibar. The change of scene is wonderfully complete: the warm tones of the plains give way to white sand, salt air and the Indian Ocean. Your host meets you and brings you north to Nungwi, where the afternoon belongs entirely to you.
Day 10
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Zanzibar, held lightly
Wake to an island day with no agenda beyond the feeling you want to follow. Walk the beach, swim in the clear water, enjoy a slow lunch or simply keep a shaded place by the pool. After the wildlife intensity of the north, this softer rhythm gives every memory room to settle.
Day 11
Nungwi, Zanzibar
Zanzibar, with nothing to rush
This final full island day can be exactly as quiet or as curious as you like. Let the morning begin slowly, choose a swim, a short outing or a table by the sea, then gather for sunset with the knowledge that every chapter has been given the time it deserved.
Day 12
Nungwi · Zanzibar Airport · Departure
Leave with the ocean still in view
Enjoy a final island breakfast before your private transfer to Zanzibar Airport. The journey closes where its final rhythm began: with time, comfort and the sea close by. You leave with the Serengeti's horizons, the Crater's remarkable life and Zanzibar's gentler light all part of one Tanzania story.
Where you'll stay
Hand selected for an
unmatched experience.
From Arusha's green calm to Tarangire's baobabs, the Crater rim, the Serengeti plains and Zanzibar's north coast, each stay is selected to make every transition feel seamless and restorative.
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Luxury Arusha retreat
Gran Melia Arusha
A polished Arusha retreat, chosen for a gentle first landing before the wilderness begins.
Arusha hotel
Arusha Serena Hotel
A second comfortable Arusha night, allowing every traveller to settle into Tanzania well rested.
Tarangire lodge
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
A characterful lodge among kopjes and baobabs, offering a deeply comfortable base in the park.
Karatu highland lodge
Karatu Lodge
A restful highland stay after Mto wa Mbu's warmth and colour, positioned for an easy Crater morning.
Crater-rim lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
A restful Crater-rim lodge, where the highland air and wide views create a beautiful pause before tomorrow's descent.
Serengeti lodge
Serengeti Explorer
A contemporary retreat in the central plains, chosen for its ease, thoughtful service and sense of space.
Beach resort
Nungwi Beach Resort by Turaco
A relaxed north-coast retreat where the final chapter begins with the sea in view.
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 Zanzibar accommodation and meals as outlined in the itinerary
- All national park entry fees, current government taxes and levies
- Scheduled Seronera to Zanzibar flight, bottled drinking water and 24-hour support from the Arusha office
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 experience Tanzania and Zanzibar with room to breathe?
Share your preferred dates, comforts and interests. We will shape this bush-to-beach journey around a pace that lets every chapter feel as rewarding as the destination itself.
