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They created us a beautiful and seamless honeymoon
They created us a beautiful and seamless honeymoon. They…
Nikhila Reddy, June 2026
Your 11-day itinerary, day by day
This is the exact 11-day route shown on the original trip page. Road transfers, northern Serengeti light-aircraft flights and the Zanzibar beach stay are coordinated as one tailor-made journey.
Duration11 days
Guide price$7,545
RouteKilimanjaro to Zanzibar
Where you stay4 lodges & camps
Show prices inindicative only, we quote in USD
Make an Enquiry- Day 1-2
Arrive at Kilimanjaro and transfer to Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your lodge to settle in after the international journey.
OvernightArumeru River Lodge (1 night)
- Day 2-4
Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Highlands
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a day of game viewing, then continue up the escarpment to your lodge in the Karatu Highlands. The following day, descend to the Ngorongoro Crater floor with a picnic lunch before returning for sundowners.
OvernightBashay Rift Lodge (2 nights)
- Day 4-7
Northern Serengeti
Transfer to the airstrip and fly over the northern Serengeti plains. Settle into camp and head out on an afternoon game drive, followed by two full days of shared morning and afternoon game drives.
OvernightMara River Post (3 nights)
- Day 7-11
Zanzibar beach stay
Fly from the northern Serengeti to Zanzibar and transfer to Kendwa Beach. Spend the next three full days relaxing on the white-sand coast and exploring at your own pace.
OvernightGold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa (4 nights)
- Day 11
Depart Zanzibar
Enjoy a final morning at leisure before transferring to Zanzibar Airport for your onward flight arrangements.
Your northern Tanzania and Zanzibar route
The journey starts in Arusha, visits Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, flies into the northern Serengeti and finishes with four nights on Zanzibar.
- 1Arusha
- 2Lake Manyara National Park
- 3Ngorongoro Crater
- 4Northern Serengeti
- 5Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar
Each numbered stop follows the itinerary in order. Road transfers connect Arusha, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro; light aircraft connect the Serengeti and Zanzibar.
Where you'll stay
Four stays carry the journey from the northern circuit to the Indian Ocean. Every gallery below uses verified first-party images from that property's current Brilliant Africa page.
Arusha
Arumeru River Lodge
A relaxed garden lodge near Kilimanjaro airport, ideal for recovering from the international journey before setting out on safari.
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
Bashay Rift Lodge
A comfortable highlands lodge in coffee-farm country, well placed for Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Northern Serengeti
Mara River Post
An intimate hilltop camp overlooking the Mara River, positioned for northern Serengeti game drives and dry-season migration crossings.
Kendwa Beach, Zanzibar
Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa
A polished beach resort on Kendwa's calm, non-tidal shore, giving the trip four nights of easy swimming and downtime after safari.
Ready to plan your Classic Northern Tanzania & Zanzibar Circuit?
Share your dates, priorities and budget. One of our Tanzania specialists will come back with first thoughts and tailor this itinerary around you, with no obligation.
What's included
Every Brilliant trip is fully inclusive of the things that matter, plus a level of support you won't find with an off-the-shelf package.
In your price
- Experienced safari guides
- All domestic and internal flights listed in the itinerary
- All road transfers and airport pick-ups and drop-offs
- All accommodation as per the itinerary, amendable to your budget and preferences
- Fees for guides, scouts, drivers and cooks
- All entrance and park fees
- Fees for all activities as per the programme
- Shared or private daily game drives, depending on your route and preferences
- Full-board meal plan unless specified otherwise
- Select local-brand drinks on safari
- AMREF Flying Doctors cover
- Conservation charges
With Brilliant, you'll also get
- One-to-one planning with a dedicated East Africa specialist through our Bucket List Safari System
- A local ground-support team on hand throughout your trip
- Dedicated pre-travel support for practical questions and preparation
- A personalised guest portal and mobile app
- WhatsApp contact with your local support team
- A one-to-one safety briefing
- Step-by-step visa and travel-document guidance
- Access to our international flight specialist for US guests
The 'Life Happens' Postponement Guarantee
If life gets in the way and you need to postpone your trip, we won't charge any fees to move it and your deposit is applied to the rescheduled dates. Terms and conditions apply, enquire for details.
Prices are per person based on two people travelling together during high season from July to October. Travel outside this period generally costs less, and final pricing depends on dates and availability.
Your questions answered
How much does the Classic Northern Tanzania & Zanzibar Circuit cost?
The 11-day itinerary starts from $7,545 per person based on two people travelling together during the July to October high season. Final pricing depends on dates, flight schedules and availability.
How long is the safari section?
The itinerary includes one night in Arusha, two nights in the Ngorongoro Highlands and three nights in the northern Serengeti before four nights on Zanzibar.
How do you travel from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
The trip uses a light-aircraft flight from the northern Serengeti to Zanzibar, avoiding a return drive through the northern circuit.
When is this route best?
The guide price is based on July to October, when the northern Serengeti can coincide with Great Migration river crossings. Other months may be quieter and better value. We will choose the right safari area for your dates.
Can I change the beach hotel or add nights?
Yes. This is a tailor-made starting point. We can change any camp or hotel, extend the safari or beach stay and adjust the balance around your priorities.
Talk to someone who's actually been there
A safari-and-beach itinerary works best when the flight sequence, migration season and beach location are aligned. Our Tanzania specialists will tailor the camps, guiding and Zanzibar stay around your dates and budget.
Barry
Safari Specialist & Field Guide
Alyson
Guest Experience Specialist
Tracy
Tailor-Made Safari Specialist
Holly
Guest Experience Specialist
Marc
Africa Travel Specialist
Speak to an Expert
Interested in the Classic Northern Tanzania & Zanzibar Circuit? Tell us your dates, budget and priorities. A Tanzania specialist will tailor the safari camps, internal flights and Zanzibar stay from the first conversation.
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4.9 out of 5 based on 188 reviews
We don't just write about these safari destinations; we send travellers there every season. Here's what they say about planning their trip with Brilliant.
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Our Safari trip was an amazing experience
Our Safari trip was an amazing experience from the time we…
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Once in a life time holiday
We went on my 60th Birthday once in a lifetime Safari. Wow…
Sheena, May 2026
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Memorable, amazing and well organised
Very well organised tour. Lovely lodges and tented lodges. Great…
Susan Twomey, June 2026
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Ready to plan your African adventure?
1
Listen
We start by getting to know you: your dates, who's travelling, your budget and the wildlife and moments you're dreaming of.
2
Design
Then we design your safari from scratch, hand-picking the camps, routing and pace to suit you. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial expert advice.
3
Refine & reserve
We fine-tune every detail with you, then place a 24 hour hold on your preferred camps, with no obligation, before you confirm.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.