14-Day Full Tanzania: North, Zanzibar & South
The complete Tanzania journey — four national parks, the spice island, and wild southern forests
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive Arusha — Tarangire Afternoon Drive
Arrive Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport and head straight to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon game drive. The elephant herds here are the largest in Tanzania by density — up to 300 animals congregating around the Tarangire River in the dry season.
Tarangire camp or lodge
Day 2 — Full Day Tarangire
A full day exploring Tarangire's varied habitats — swamp, savannah, and baobab woodland. Morning and afternoon drives with a bush lunch. Look for the unusual fringe-eared oryx, lesser kudu, and the iconic yellow-barked fever trees around the swamp area.
Tarangire camp or lodge
Day 3 — Drive Through Ngorongoro — Arrive Serengeti
Drive north through the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping at the crater rim viewpoint. Continue into the Serengeti for an evening drive across Africa's most famous plains. The scale is breathtaking — 14,750 km² of open grassland, acacia woodland, and kopje-dotted savannah.
Serengeti tented camp
Day 4 — Full Day Serengeti — Seronera Valley
A full day in the Seronera Valley predator heartland. Morning drives for lion and cheetah, afternoon exploring the acacia woodland for leopard. The kopjes offer panoramic views and are favourite resting spots for lion prides after a successful hunt.
Serengeti tented camp
Day 5 — Serengeti — Great Migration Zone
Drive to the migration zone relevant to the time of year — Western Corridor for Grumeti river crossings (July–Sept), Southern Serengeti for calving season (Jan–Mar), or Northern Serengeti for Mara crossings (Aug–Oct). Your guide will position you for the best sightings based on current conditions.
Serengeti migration camp
Day 6 — Ngorongoro Crater — Full Day
Descend 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day on the crater floor. With 25,000 large animals in 260 km², wildlife viewing is extraordinarily concentrated. The black rhino is one of the most sought-after sightings — your guide will know the best spots.
Ngorongoro rim lodge
Day 7 — Fly Arusha to Zanzibar
Morning flight from Arusha (or Kilimanjaro) to Zanzibar — Tanzania's fabled spice island. Arrive in time for a walking tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow alleyways, carved Omani doors, and the old slave market tell the island's complex history.
Stone Town boutique hotel
Day 8 — Zanzibar — Spice Farm & Afternoon Beach
Morning spice farm tour — Zanzibar was the world's largest clove producer and the island is still fragrant with vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Taste spices straight from the plant with your guide. Afternoon transfer to the beach for swimming, or arrange snorkelling at a nearby reef.
Zanzibar beach hotel
Day 9 — Zanzibar — Beach Day
A full rest day on Zanzibar's famous beaches. The north coast at Nungwi has calm warm water year-round; the east coast at Paje is Tanzania's kite-surfing hub with consistent trade winds. Optional activities: dolphin tours at Kizimkazi, Jozani Forest to see the endemic Red Colobus monkey, or a sunset dhow cruise.
Zanzibar beach hotel
Day 10 — Fly Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park
Fly south to Nyerere National Park — the transition from beach to bush is one of the most dramatic shifts in a Tanzania journey. Afternoon boat safari on the Rufiji River, with hippos, crocodiles, and fish eagles at water level.
Nyerere fly camp
Day 11 — Nyerere — Wild Dog Tracking & Walking Safari
Nyerere holds one of Africa's largest wild dog populations. Morning tracking safari in the 4WD, then an afternoon walking safari with an armed ranger — read tracks, identify plants, and experience the African bush at human pace.
Nyerere fly camp
Day 12 — Fly to Ruaha National Park
Fly west to Ruaha — Tanzania's largest national park. Afternoon drive along the Great Ruaha River. Over 12,000 elephants call this park home, and the landscape of rugged hills and mopane woodland is dramatically different from the north.
Ruaha bush camp
Day 13 — Full Day in Ruaha
A full day exploring Ruaha with morning and afternoon drives. Ruaha has Tanzania's highest lion density and is one of the only parks where wild dogs, lions, and large elephant herds coexist. The Mwagusi Sand River holds water late into the season, concentrating wildlife.
Ruaha bush camp
Day 14 — Morning Drive — Fly to Dar es Salaam
Final morning game drive before flying back to Dar es Salaam for international connections. End this extraordinary journey with a last look at Africa's wildest wilderness as the plane climbs above the Ruaha landscape below.
Return to Dar es Salaam
Included
- ✓All domestic flights
- ✓All park and conservation fees
- ✓Safari vehicle with guide (north and south)
- ✓Full-board on safari, bed and breakfast in Zanzibar
- ✓Zanzibar Stone Town walking tour
- ✓Airport transfers throughout
- ✓Spice farm tour in Zanzibar
Not included
- ✗International flights
- ✗Tanzania visa ($50 USD)
- ✗Travel insurance
- ✗Gratuities
- ✗Zanzibar water activities (diving, snorkelling add-ons)
- ✗Premium beverages and personal items
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 14 days enough to see Tanzania properly?
Fourteen days covers the essential highlights — northern wildlife, beach, and southern wilderness — while still feeling unhurried. The main compromise is travel time between areas. If you can do 17–21 days, you could add Lake Manyara in the north and spend more time on Zanzibar or in Ruaha.
What is the best time of year for the full Tanzania itinerary?
June to October is the best overall window: dry season wildlife in both the north and south, calm Indian Ocean for Zanzibar beaches, and the Great Migration in the northern Serengeti. January to March is excellent for the calving season. Avoid April and May (heavy rains) for the south.
Can I skip the southern circuit to save money?
If budget is a concern, dropping the southern circuit (Days 10–14) and spending those days on Zanzibar or doing an additional northern park creates a strong 10-day itinerary. The south is spectacular and worth adding if your budget allows, especially for the wild dog experience and lack of crowds.
How do the domestic flights work for this trip?
Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Flightlink operate between Arusha, Zanzibar, Nyerere, and Ruaha with small prop aircraft. Flights are typically 40–90 minutes. Your safari operator will book these — always confirm your domestic flight luggage allowance (usually 15 kg in soft bags).
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