10-Day Tanzania Safari Itinerary: Northern Circuit + Zanzibar

Ten days is the sweet spot for a first Tanzania safari. Less than that and you’re rushing the parks, burning a third of the trip on long drives between camps. More than that and most travelers start to want pool time. This itinerary is the route we recommend to most first-time travelers planning a Northern Circuit trip: three nights in the parks, three nights chasing wildlife in the Serengeti, and three nights decompressing on Zanzibar.

The version below assumes two travelers in late June through October — the dry season, when game viewing is at its best and the great migration is typically grazing through the central or western Serengeti. We’ll flag the changes if you’re going in shoulder season.

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport

Most flights from the US land at Kilimanjaro International (JRO) in the evening. Skip the temptation to head straight into the parks. You’ve been in transit for 20+ hours; your guide will thank you, and so will your back. Stay at one of the lodges between Arusha and Moshi — the coffee plantations on the slopes of Mount Meru are quiet, the food is good, and you can swim before bed.

Where to stay: Arusha Coffee Lodge, Onsea House, or Gran Meliá Arusha.

Tip from us: Buy your Tanzania visa online before departure ($100 e-visa, ~5 day approval). The on-arrival queue at JRO can run an hour after a transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, drive south-west to Tarangire (about 2.5 hours from Arusha). Tarangire gets skipped in budget itineraries, which is a mistake — the elephant density here is among the highest in Africa, and the baobab-studded landscape is the kind of thing you flew here for.

Half-day game drive after lunch, then settle in for sundowners on the Tarangire River. Two nights minimum if your schedule allows; if not, one night works.

Where to stay: Karibu Tarangire Elephant Springs is our top pick — intimate tented suites set among ancient baobabs, with a natural spring on property that pulls elephants in close enough to watch from your veranda. For alternatives, Tarangire Treetops or Sanctuary Swala work well in the same price tier.

What you’ll see: Elephant herds (often 50+ together), giraffe, zebra, impala, lesser kudu. Lion sightings are reliable; leopard sightings are lucky.

Day 3: Tarangire to Ngorongoro Highlands

Morning game drive, then drive north-west through the Karatu farming highlands. The shift in scenery — from dry savanna to green coffee country — is one of the underrated joys of the Northern Circuit. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim by mid-afternoon. Elevation here is 7,500 feet; pack a fleece for evenings.

Where to stay: Lion’s Paw sits right on the eastern crater rim with unobstructed views into the caldera — the location alone earns its place at the top of our list. For a more grounded mid-range stay, drop down to Plantation Lodge in Karatu.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive

Down into the crater at dawn — leave the lodge by 6:30 AM. The crater floor is roughly 100 square miles, fenced by 2,000-foot walls, and it concentrates wildlife in a way no other park does. Plan a full day inside: lions, black rhino if you’re lucky, hippos, and the densest population of large mammals on the continent.

Pack a picnic lunch and eat at the hippo pool. Out by 4 PM (park rule), back up to the rim, hot shower, dinner. You’ll sleep well.

Day 5: Fly to Central Serengeti

Skip the drive. The road from Ngorongoro into the Serengeti is long, dusty, and steals a day from your trip. Instead, transfer to Manyara airstrip and take a short bush flight (Coastal Aviation or Auric Air) to Seronera in the central Serengeti. You land at 11 AM with the whole day ahead.

Afternoon game drive en route to camp. The central Serengeti is the safest bet for big cats year-round; the migration herds pass through in May, but lion and leopard sightings are reliable any month.

Where to stay: Karibu Sametu Camp is our pick for the central Serengeti — tented suites set along the Ngarenanyuki River on the quieter eastern edge of the Seronera ecosystem, with cats and resident game right outside camp year-round. For larger groups or alternative price points, Four Seasons Serengeti and Singita Sasakwa work the same area.

Day 6: Full Day Central Serengeti

Two game drives, morning and afternoon, with a long siesta in between. The Seronera valley is famous for leopards lounging in sausage trees. Ask your guide to drive the Maasai Kopjes — granite outcrops where lion prides den year-round.

If you’re visiting between July and October, this is the day to fly north and overnight at Karibu Mara River Camp — 10 minutes from the Mara River where the crossings happen. Add one extra night for a crossing attempt; they’re unpredictable but unforgettable. If you’re traveling in calving season (January-February) the equivalent move is south to Karibu Woodlands Camp at Naabi Hill.

Day 7: Serengeti to Zanzibar

Morning game drive, then bush flight back to Arusha and connect to Zanzibar (typically a 3-hour total transit). You land on the coast by mid-afternoon. The shift from dusty bush to humid coastline is jarring in the best way.

Where to stay (north coast): Zuri Zanzibar, Kilindi, Mnemba Island for a serious splurge. Where to stay (east coast): Baraza Resort, Breezes Beach Club, Matemwe Lodge.

Days 8 & 9: Zanzibar

Two days of nothing. Snorkel at Mnemba Atoll, walk through Stone Town, eat grilled prawns at sunset. Many travelers want a guided spice plantation tour; we’d say skip it unless you’re a serious foodie. The beach is the point.

Day 10: Departure

Most international flights from Zanzibar leave in the evening, so you get a full last day. Late checkout, one more swim, then transfer to ZNZ airport. Connect through Doha, Addis Ababa, or Amsterdam back to the US.

What it costs

Pricing varies wildly with lodge selection. Rough per-person numbers for two travelers sharing:

Style	Per person	What you get
Mid-range	$5,800–$6,800	Sopa/Serena-tier lodges, shared vehicle option, basic Zanzibar resort
Premium	$7,500–$9,500	&Beyond, Singita, Four Seasons; private vehicle throughout; top-tier Zanzibar
Ultra-luxury	$12,000+	Mobile migration camp, Mnemba Island, helicopter transfers

Prices include park fees, all meals on safari, private guide, bush flights between parks, and lodge transfers. They exclude international flights, Tanzania visa ($100), travel insurance, and tips.

Why this routing works

Three reasons we keep recommending this exact ten-day route over the dozens of variations:

1. You don’t fly home exhausted. Game drives are long, dusty, and the days start at 5:30 AM. Three days of Zanzibar at the end is the difference between a trip you remember fondly and a trip you need a vacation from.
2. Each park earns its keep. Tarangire is the elephant park, Ngorongoro is the concentration park, the Serengeti is the cat park. Cut any of them and the trip loses character.
3. Internal flights pay for themselves. Driving from Ngorongoro to Serengeti is a 5-hour ordeal on washboard roads. The short flight costs ~$300/person and buys you a full game drive day. Worth it every time.

Big 5 sighting probability

Rough month-by-month odds for spotting each on this route. “Reliable” means most groups see them; “occasional” means lucky days; “rare” means low probability without a specific extension.

Animal	Jun–Oct	Nov–Feb	Mar–May
Lion	Reliable	Reliable	Reliable
Elephant	Reliable	Reliable	Occasional
Buffalo	Reliable	Reliable	Reliable
Leopard	Occasional	Occasional	Occasional
Black Rhino	Occasional (crater only)	Occasional	Occasional

Ready to book?

We work with three operator partners who run this routing well at different price points. Send us a quote request with your dates and budget, and we’ll match you with the best fit and send a detailed proposal within one business day.

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