13-Day Safari · 4 comfort levels
From
$5,915
per person
Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing. Your written quote confirms the final price.
An unhurried holiday that starts with four relaxed nights around Arusha and a day in Arusha National Park, then Tarangire, the Serengeti and the crater, and four nights on Zanzibar.
This holiday starts slowly on purpose. You spend your first four nights around Arusha, with time to recover from the flight, a game drive in Arusha National Park on the slopes of Mount Meru and an optional cultural day, before the main safari begins.
Then you travel to Tarangire for its elephants and baobabs, into the Serengeti for two nights and back through the Ngorongoro Crater, all with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
A flight takes you on to Zanzibar for four nights by the sea, with Stone Town, a spice farm and the reefs nearby if you want them.
Best months to travel: Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Dec · Jan · Feb
The route stays the same at every level. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel and how much is arranged for you.
From $5,915per person
$455–$555 per day · $5,915–$7,215 for 13 days
A comfortable, well-organised safari with excellent wildlife viewing and good value, without paying for extensive luxury services.
From $9,815per person
$755–$1,200 per day · $9,815–$15,600 for 13 days
Upgraded lodges and premium tented camps with stylish interiors, excellent dining and attentive hospitality, while the safari stays focused on wildlife.
From $16,900per person
$1,300–$2,200 per day · $16,900–$28,600 for 13 days
Exceptional camps and lodges with premium suites, refined cuisine and personal service, chosen for location and exclusivity.
From $29,900per person
$2,300–$5,000 per day · $29,900–$65,000 for 13 days
Created for special celebrations and discerning travellers. Inclusions are tailored to the property and flights you choose, because not every camp offers every service.
These are indicative planning prices per person, based on 2 adults sharing a room and a private safari vehicle. They are not confirmed quotations.
Your final cost depends on your travel dates, lodge and hotel availability, flight fares and the services you choose, so we confirm the price in writing before you pay a deposit.
To request a price for one traveller or a group of three to six, select your group size in the booking box and Ombeni will quote you directly.
Your private vehicle and guide are shared only by your own party, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.
Day 1
Our driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and takes you to your hotel in Arusha, about an hour away, beneath Mount Meru. The first day is kept free so you can rest after your flight.
Depending on when you land, you can relax in the garden or by the pool. Your guide briefs you on the route, the driving times and what to bring before an early night.
Day 2
A free day to recover from the flight and adjust to the time. Relax by the pool, read in the garden or ask us to arrange a short outing in town, such as the central market or a cultural centre.
Your guide is on hand to answer questions about wildlife, photography and what to pack for the days ahead.
Day 3
Your first game drive is in Arusha National Park, a small, beautiful park on the slopes of Mount Meru, about an hour from town. Its montane forest, open glades, the Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes are home to giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, warthogs, black-and-white colobus monkeys and many birds, often with flamingos on the lakes.
If you'd like to stretch your legs, you can add a guided walk with an armed ranger. You return to Arusha in the late afternoon.
Day 4
Another easy day before the main safari. Stay at the hotel and organise your bags and cameras, or join an optional excursion: a coffee farm on the slopes of Mount Meru, a walk through a village or a visit to the town's markets and craft shops.
In the evening, your guide checks that you're ready for the drive to Tarangire in the morning.
Day 5
After breakfast, your private guide drives you to Tarangire National Park, about two hours from Arusha. The park is known for its large elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and the Tarangire River, which draws wildlife in the dry season. You may also see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and many birds, and lions live here too.
You stop for a picnic lunch in the park and explore a different area in the afternoon, before driving to your lodge near the park.
Day 6
A long, scenic drive takes you up into the Ngorongoro highlands, along the crater rim and down onto the Serengeti's open plains. You game-drive on the way to camp, looking for the herds, lions and cheetahs.
We choose your camp to suit your travel month, so you're close to the best wildlife at that time of year.
Day 7
You spend the whole day in the Serengeti with your private guide, starting early when the light is soft and the animals are active. Look for lions on the rocky kopjes, cheetahs scanning the plains, leopards in the trees along the rivers and herds of wildebeest and zebra. A picnic lunch keeps you out on the plains instead of driving back to camp.
For a special morning, you can add a sunrise hot-air balloon flight with a bush breakfast.
Day 8
You leave the Serengeti early and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, descending to its floor for a game drive among buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas and lions, with a chance of the black rhino. You have a picnic lunch in the crater.
In the afternoon, you climb out to your lodge in the highlands for your last night on safari.
Day 9
After breakfast, you drive to the airstrip at Lake Manyara or Arusha for the flight to Zanzibar, which is included. Our driver meets you at Zanzibar Airport and takes you to your beach hotel.
The rest of the day is free to swim, walk the beach or simply rest after the safari.
Day 10
After the early starts of the safari, today is yours. Swim, read under the palms, use the pool or walk the shore. On the east coast the sea goes a long way out at low tide, so ask the hotel about the best times to swim.
If you'd rather be busy, you can add snorkelling, kayaking or a boat trip.
Day 11
Today you can explore Zanzibar's history on a guided walk through Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and busy markets shaped by African, Arab, Indian and European influences. Many travellers add a spice farm to see, smell and taste cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg.
If you'd rather stay on the beach, that's fine too. In the evening, a sunset dhow cruise is a lovely way to end the day.
Day 12
Spend the day on the water: snorkel over coral reefs, sail a traditional dhow to a sandbank or join a full-day Safari Blue trip in Menai Bay, depending on the tides and the weather. Choose a licensed operator, and we'll book it for you.
Or keep the day free for the beach and the pool.
Day 13
Enjoy a last breakfast by the sea before our driver takes you to Zanzibar Airport for your flight home, timed around your departure. If your international flight leaves from the mainland, we book the connecting flight and allow plenty of time.
Pick your comfort level, then choose a stay for each part of the route. Your choices go with your booking request. Ombeni confirms availability and your final price, and suggests a similar stay if one is full.
Your nights on this trip
Nights 1–4
City hotel
Central Arusha
A modern hotel in the centre of Arusha, an easy first stop after your flight. Air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor pool make it a comfortable place to rest before your safari briefing.
What you can do here
Riverside country inn
Usa River, between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport
A small country inn set in mature tropical gardens on the Usa River, about 35 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport. Shaded paths lead down to the river, which makes it a quiet place to rest after a long flight.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee estate
Coffee estate about 7 km from Arusha
Thatched cottages in tropical gardens on a coffee estate outside Arusha, each with a fireplace and private veranda, with views of Mount Meru.
What you can do here
Four-star city hotel
About 2 km from central Arusha
A comfortable hotel close to the centre of Arusha, with a large outdoor pool beside a landscaped garden.
What you can do here
City hotel in gardens
Near the Clock Tower, central Arusha
A historic hotel in the middle of Arusha, close to the Clock Tower, with a swimming pool surrounded by gardens.
What you can do here
Large garden hotel
Foot of Mount Meru, Arusha
A large hotel set in about 15 acres of landscaped gardens at the foot of Mount Meru, a comfortable base before or after your safari.
What you can do here
Garden lodge
Usa River, near Arusha
A peaceful lodge of rooms, suites and a family cottage spread through gardens at Usa River, between Arusha and the airport.
What you can do here
Quiet country lodge
Near Arusha
A highly rated country lodge near Arusha, with plenty to do for travellers who like to stay active before their safari.
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Airport lodge
Next to Kilimanjaro International Airport
A simple, country-club-style lodge of thatched cottages right by the airport, ideal for a late arrival or an early flight.
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Airport lodge
Near Kilimanjaro International Airport
A newer lodge of cosy bungalows among banana and palm trees, well suited to a short stay around an international flight.
What you can do here
Elewana lodge on a working coffee estate
Western edge of Arusha
Set among the coffee fields of a large estate on the western edge of Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru. It is a peaceful first stop after a long flight, with gardens to relax in before your evening safari briefing.
What you can do here
Boutique lodge on a coffee estate
Burka Coffee Estate, outside Arusha
An intimate lodge of garden cottages on a working coffee estate, with the former farmhouse at its heart. Winding paths link the cottages to the main house, giving it the feel of a private country home.
What you can do here
Luxury city hotel
Kijenge, Arusha
A large luxury hotel in Arusha, with private balconies, several restaurants and landscaped gardens. It suits travellers who like the facilities of a full-service hotel before heading into the bush.
What you can do here
Lakeside hotel and spa
Lake Duluti, about 20 km from Arusha
Formerly the Lake Duluti Serena, this hotel stands among coffee plantations on the shore of Lake Duluti, with stone-built cottages grouped around a flowery village square.
What you can do here
Boutique hotel
Serengeti Road, Arusha
An elegant boutique hotel of 29 rooms and suites, about 2 km from central Arusha, with a garden and an outdoor pool.
What you can do here
Villas and lodge
Private wildlife estate outside Arusha
A mix of private villas and a small lodge on a private wildlife estate just outside Arusha, a quiet start to your safari.
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Private six-bedroom villa
Golf estate, about 25 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport
A luxury six-bedroom villa on a championship golf estate. You can book the whole villa or single rooms, which makes it ideal for families and friends.
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Night 5
Tented lodge
Just outside Tarangire's western boundary, near Sangaiwe Gate
A tented lodge in a wildlife management area on Tarangire's western edge, about ten minutes from Sangaiwe Gate. A waterhole near the lodge draws passing animals, and there are views towards Lake Burunge.
What you can do here
Tented lodge
Between Tarangire and Lake Manyara
A tented lodge on open grassland between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, around 20 minutes from the Tarangire gate. Raised tents look out towards the lake and the Rift Valley escarpment.
What you can do here
Treehouse lodge
Randilen Wildlife Management Area, next to Tarangire
Twenty treehouse rooms set among marula and baobab trees, in a wildlife management area outside the national park. That location allows night drives and bush walks, which aren't possible inside Tarangire.
What you can do here
Luxury tented camp
South-western Tarangire National Park
A small camp of canvas tents inside the national park, in Tarangire's south-west at the edge of the Gurusi wetlands. The tents overlook a waterhole, so wildlife can come to you between game drives.
What you can do here
Luxury tented lodge
Burunge Wildlife Management Area, between Tarangire and Lake Manyara
An intimate lodge of eight tented suites on a private concession between Tarangire and Lake Manyara, including a two-bedroom family suite. Being outside the national parks means you can walk and drive at night as well as take game drives.
What you can do here
Nights 6–7
Small tented camp
Seronera, Central Serengeti
A small tented camp in the Seronera area, in the heart of the Serengeti and close to the airstrip. That makes it a practical base for a final game drive before you fly back to Arusha.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Central Serengeti
A comfortable tented camp in the heart of the Serengeti, well placed for game drives in the central park.
What you can do here
Hillside tented lodge
Central Serengeti
Spacious tents raised on wooden platforms on a ridge overlooking the central plains, about half an hour from Seronera. It is a comfortable base for the Seronera Valley, with big views from the camp.
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Hilltop lodge
Central Serengeti
A lodge perched on a hill above the plains, blending African architecture with modern comfort, with a swimming pool and wide views.
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Classic park lodge
Heart of the Serengeti
A classic lodge in the heart of the park, built around a rocky outcrop.
What you can do here
Tented lodge
Central Serengeti, about 24 km from Seronera Airstrip
A safari-tented lodge in Central Serengeti, a comfortable base for game drives around Seronera.
What you can do here
Tented camp
Makoma Hill, Central Serengeti
A tented camp at the foot of Makoma Hill, south-west of Seronera, about 45 minutes from the airstrip.
What you can do here
Luxury tented suites
Eastern Serengeti
A boutique camp of canvas suites in the eastern Serengeti, each with a private deck and plunge pool. The area is known for excellent predator viewing, particularly cheetah.
What you can do here
Tented camp
Seronera Valley, Central Serengeti
A tented camp in a secluded part of the Seronera Valley, one of the Serengeti's best areas for big cats.
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Upscale safari lodge
Nyaburo Hills, Serengeti
A large new lodge on the Nyaburo Hills, built on the site of the former Serengeti Sopa Lodge, with rooms and suites overlooking the plains.
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Luxury lodge
Nyamuma Hills, above the Mbalageti valley
A luxury lodge of 50 rooms overlooking the Mbalageti River valley, with a pool facing the park, under an hour from Seronera Airstrip.
What you can do here
Small semi-permanent camp by Asilia
Just north of the Moru Kopjes
A small camp of eight luxury en-suite tents in a lesser-visited part of the Serengeti, with easy access to Seronera and the southern plains.
What you can do here
Classic 1930s-style camp
Moru Kopjes, south-central Serengeti
A camp of 12 tents on a kopje overlooking the Moru Kopjes and Lake Magadi, inspired by the mobile safari camps of the 1930s.
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High-end safari lodge
Central Serengeti
A high-end lodge in the central Serengeti with luxurious suites, an infinity pool, a spa and excellent service, close to prime wildlife areas.
What you can do here
Night 8
Garden lodge
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A relaxed lodge set in about eleven acres of gardens in Karatu, the highland farming town between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. It is a short drive from the Ngorongoro gate, so it works well before or after a day in the crater.
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Lodge on a working coffee farm
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
A lodge on a coffee farm in the Karatu highlands, close to the Ngorongoro Crater. The farm also grows vegetables and keeps livestock, which gives the place a warm, rural feel after a day in the park.
What you can do here
Lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
Built into the rim of the crater, with traditional decor and sweeping views over the crater floor. Sleeping on the rim puts you close to the descent road for your morning game drive.
What you can do here
Large lodge on the crater rim
Eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
A large lodge on the quieter eastern rim of the crater, with its rooms set around a central swimming pool. Your Ngorongoro stay here comes with views over the crater floor.
What you can do here
Simple lodge near the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A simple, good-value lodge in the forest close to the crater rim, with 24 en-suite rooms. It puts you close to the crater for much less than the bigger rim lodges.
What you can do here
Mid-range tented camp
Ngorongoro Highlands
A mid-range tented camp in the highlands, close to the descent road into the crater, which suits an early start.
What you can do here
Lodge on a coffee farm
About 20 minutes from Karatu
A lodge on a large coffee farm, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate of the conservation area, with a pool and evening campfires.
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Lodge on a working coffee farm
Edge of Karatu town
A lodge on an active coffee farm at the edge of Karatu, with rooms in private cabins, a pool and a spa.
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Mid-range lodge
Karatu
A mid-range lodge of cottages and spacious tents in landscaped gardens, with a pool, a bar and a restaurant.
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Mid-range hilltop lodge
Hilltop near Karatu
A comfortable mid-range lodge on a scenic hilltop near Karatu, with a pool, a lounge and a restaurant.
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Good-value cottage lodge
Eastern edge of Karatu town
Affordable cottage-style rooms at the edge of Karatu, about 30 minutes from both the crater and Lake Manyara.
What you can do here
Good-value lodge
Karatu
A comfortable and affordable lodge in Karatu, offering a good base for exploring the crater.
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Cottage lodge
Karatu, near the Ngorongoro Crater
A lodge of private cottages at the edge of Karatu, close to the village of Rhotia and about 30 minutes from the Ngorongoro gate. Each cottage has its own veranda, making it a restful stop between Tarangire and the crater.
What you can do here
Colonial-style manor on a coffee estate
Karatu Highlands
An elegant manor house on a large Arabica coffee estate in the Karatu highlands, just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private suites set in cottages around the grounds.
What you can do here
All-inclusive luxury lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands
An all-inclusive lodge of spacious cottages set in lush gardens, a calm base in the highlands for your crater day.
What you can do here
Historic working coffee farm
Near Karatu, on the slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands
A working farm with roots going back to 1929, set among gardens and coffee on the forested slopes below the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests stay in private cottages, and much of the food comes from the farm.
What you can do here
Luxury forest lodge
About 15 minutes from Karatu town
A luxury lodge on forested land near Karatu, with secluded cottages that have fireplaces and private decks overlooking the trees.
What you can do here
Lodge on a working coffee plantation
Karatu
A stylish lodge on a working farm and coffee plantation, with rooms and suites spread through park-like gardens around a large pool.
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Farmhouse-style lodge
Karatu, about 15 minutes from the Lodoare gate
A farmhouse-style lodge of suites on about 40 acres, with views of the Oldeani Mountains and a pool.
What you can do here
Cottage lodge among coffee plantations
Between Rhotia and Karatu
A lodge of cottages surrounded by coffee plantations and forest, each with a private veranda and a fireplace.
What you can do here
Colonial-style lodge on a coffee plantation
Karatu highlands
An upper mid-range lodge on a working coffee plantation above Karatu, built in the style of old colonial farms, about 30 minutes from the Lodoare gate.
What you can do here
Luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
A rebuilt lodge on the rim of the crater, reopened in 2023 on the site of one of the first lodges at Ngorongoro.
What you can do here
Boutique camp of dome tents
Slopes of Olmoti volcano, north of the crater
A small Asilia camp of eight dome-shaped tents, inspired by Maasai homes, on the slopes of Olmoti volcano. Each has a wood-burning stove against the cool highland nights.
What you can do here
Ultra-luxury lodge on the crater rim
Ngorongoro Crater rim
One of Africa's most celebrated lodges, with opulent suites on the crater rim and breathtaking views over the crater floor. It is closed for a major rebuild and due to reopen in 2027, so we confirm availability for your dates.
What you can do here
Nights 9–12
Boutique beach hotel
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
A boutique hotel of around 40 rooms on the beach at Nungwi, near the northern tip of the island. It is a lively, friendly base, with sea views from many rooms and the beach right below.
What you can do here
Beach bungalows
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
A good-value, 3-star stay in Nungwi village, a few minutes' walk from the beach. Rooms are simple and comfortable, and the village's restaurants and dhow builders are close by.
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Beach hotel
Kendwa, northern Zanzibar
A lively beach hotel on Kendwa beach, with rooms ranging from simple bungalows to beach houses. It is known for its monthly full-moon beach party, so ask for a quieter room if you'd rather sleep early on those nights.
What you can do here
Boutique beach hotel
Paje, south-east coast
A boutique hotel at the edge of Paje, about an hour from Stone Town, with rooms around several pools and a short walk to the beach. Paje's wide lagoon is one of the best places on the island for kitesurfing.
What you can do here
Small beach hotel
Paje, south-east coast
A small, relaxed hotel a few steps from Paje beach, with a homely feel and a garden pool. It is a good-value base for families and couples who want to be close to the sand and Paje's cafes.
What you can do here
Small beachfront hotel
Matemwe, north-east coast
A small, quiet beachfront hotel at Matemwe, close to the boats that leave for the Mnemba reefs. It suits couples looking for a calm base away from the busier beaches.
What you can do here
Luxury resort
Nungwi peninsula, northern Zanzibar
A luxury resort on the quieter, sheltered side of the Nungwi peninsula, with suites and villas set in tropical gardens above the sea. It suits couples who want space and calm close to the north coast's beaches.
What you can do here
Luxury beach resort
Kendwa, northern Zanzibar
A luxury resort on Kendwa beach, where the sand stays good for swimming at most tides. Bungalows, suites and villas sit among tropical gardens and a working spice garden, and the beach faces west for sunsets.
What you can do here
Adults-only all-inclusive resort
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
An adults-only, all-inclusive beach resort at Nungwi. Meals and drinks are included, which makes it an easy choice for couples who want to relax without planning each day.
What you can do here
All-inclusive beach resort
Nungwi, northern Zanzibar
A large all-inclusive resort at Nungwi on the island's northern tip, with several pools and restaurants. With meals, snacks and drinks included, it is an easy choice for families and couples alike.
What you can do here
All-inclusive luxury villa resort
Bwejuu, south-east coast
An all-inclusive resort of around 30 villas on Bwejuu beach, built in a palace-like Swahili and Omani style. Every villa has its own plunge pool, and a butler looks after each stay, which makes it a favourite for honeymoons.
What you can do here
Boutique luxury beach resort
Pongwe, east coast
A small, award-winning resort on the east coast at Pongwe, with villas, bungalows and suites set along a quiet beach. Its size keeps it peaceful and personal.
What you can do here
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June to October | The main dry season: excellent game viewing in all the northern parks, with the migration in the north of the Serengeti, and sunny, dry days on Zanzibar. |
| December to February | Green landscapes and the calving season in the southern Serengeti, with hot, mostly dry beach weather and calm seas. |
| November and March | Changeable, with some showers. Wildlife is still good and the parks are quieter. |
| April and May | The long rains. Some camps close and boat trips can be affected, but prices are often lower. |
Tell us your travel dates, the number of travellers, your preferred comfort level and your arrival and departure flights. We confirm the lodges, the beach hotel, the domestic flight and the final price in writing before you pay.
Still have questions? Ask Ombeni directly on WhatsApp.
Free, no-fluff guides from the people who run the trips.
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Indicative prices per person for 2 adults sharing. Your written quote confirms the final price.
From
$5,915
per person
