11 Days Northern Circuit Family Safari & Zanzibar

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you are met by your private driver guide and transferred to your luxury lodge in Arusha. After check in, take time to refresh, enjoy the gardens or pool, and settle in after your journey. If you arrive early, we can add a gentle activity such as a coffee estate visit, a short city tour, or a relaxed lunch with views of Mount Meru. In the evening, your guide gives a simple safari briefing, confirms timings, and tailors the next days to your family pace so everyone starts confidently and comfortably.

Night: Arusha Coffee Lodge / Gran Melia Arusha / Mount Meru Hotel / Kibo Palace Arusha / Arusha Serena Hotel

After breakfast, travel to Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephant herds, giant baobab trees, and classic savannah scenery. Your private guide sets the pace, stopping for wildlife whenever your family is interested, whether it is a herd of elephants crossing the road, a pride of lions resting in the shade, or colourful birds around the river. Enjoy a picnic lunch or a lodge lunch depending on timing, then continue on a relaxed afternoon game drive. As the light softens, you head to your luxury camp or lodge for sundowners, a warm dinner, and a peaceful night in the bush.

Night: Nimali Tarangire / Nyikani Tarangire / Acacia Tarangire / Tarangire Kuro Treetop Lodge / Seriani Tarangire Camp

This morning you continue to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact and scenic gem that changes from groundwater forest to open floodplain and lake shore. Manyara is known for lively birdlife and strong photographic moments, with chances to see elephants in the forest, giraffes on the open areas, and even lions that sometimes rest in trees. Your guide plans the route around conditions and your interests, and can include a picnic break at a viewpoint for a relaxed family moment. After the game drive, head to your luxury lodge near the escarpment and enjoy sunset views, a gentle evening, and time to recharge.

Night: Kilimamoja Lodge / Escapment Luxury Lodge / Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge / The Jungle Pearl Resort / Suricata Boma Lodge

After breakfast, travel toward the Serengeti, watching the landscape open into wide plains as you approach Tanzania’s most famous park. Along the way, your guide shares stories about the region, wildlife movement, and local culture, with scenic stops when you want them. Once inside the Serengeti, the adventure begins immediately, with your first game drive across open grasslands where predators often hunt and large herds graze. Arrive at camp in time for a relaxed evening, enjoy a well prepared dinner, and listen to the sounds of the plains before a deep, comfortable sleep.

Night: Melia Serengeti / Four Seasons Serengeti / Nimali Serengeti / Serena Serengeti / The Ark Serengeti

Enjoy a full day focused on the Ndutu area of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, a region that is especially famous during calving season when large herds gather and predator action can be intense. Start early to catch the best light and animal activity, then follow wildlife trails across open plains and short grass areas where cheetahs and lions often patrol. With your private guide, the day is fully flexible, so you can pause for longer at special sightings, plan a picnic in a quiet spot, and return to camp when the family is ready. This is one of the most exciting safari days for photography and unforgettable wildlife moments.

Night: Sound of Nature / Sound of Silence / Nimali Serengeti / Melia Serengeti / Four Seasons Serengeti

Wake up to the sounds of the Serengeti and head out for another day of wildlife exploration. Your guide can plan an early morning drive for fresh tracks and active predators, then return to camp for brunch and rest, or continue with a longer adventure based on what the family enjoys most. If you want an extra special experience, a hot air balloon safari can be added for sunrise views over the plains, followed by a champagne style bush breakfast. In the afternoon, return to the best wildlife areas for the season and end the day with a relaxed evening at camp.

Night: Melia Serengeti / Nimali Serengeti / Serena Serengeti / Sound of Nature / The Ark Serengeti

Today combines two iconic experiences: the Ngorongoro Crater and the start of your Zanzibar beach finale. Begin with an early descent into the crater for a game drive on the crater floor, where you may see black rhino, lions, buffalo, hippos, and large numbers of grazing animals in a dramatic setting. Enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool, then ascend and transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your luxury hotel, where the evening is yours to relax, enjoy the sea breeze, and celebrate the transition from safari to island comfort.

Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa

After breakfast, enjoy a full day Safari Blue experience, one of Zanzibar’s most loved ocean adventures. Cruise on a traditional dhow, visit beautiful sandbanks, and snorkel in clear waters where colourful fish move through coral gardens. The day is relaxed and fun, with plenty of time for swimming, beach moments, and family photos. A fresh seafood lunch is served on an island or sandbank, and your crew keeps everything easy and comfortable. Return to your hotel in the afternoon for a sunset swim or a quiet evening with ocean views.

Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa

Today is a flexible beach day that can combine Mnemba area waters with the easy beauty of Nungwi. If you love the ocean, you can take a snorkelling trip toward Mnemba’s clear waters, watch for dolphins, and enjoy quiet time on the sea. If you prefer to keep things simple, spend more time at Nungwi beach with swimming, beach walks, and family relaxation. Your hotel provides comfort and service throughout the day, and you can add spa time, sunset cocktails, or a special dinner to make the evening feel extra memorable.

Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa

After a relaxed breakfast, visit Jozani Forest, home to the rare red colobus monkeys and beautiful tropical scenery. Walk gently through the forest with a local guide, learning about the plants and wildlife, then continue to the mangrove boardwalk for a quiet and scenic experience. The tour is not demanding, which makes it suitable for families and a nice change from game drives. Return to your hotel with time to relax by the pool or beach, enjoy fresh island cuisine, and reflect on the journey before your final day in Zanzibar.

Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa

On your final day, enjoy a guided walk through Stone Town’s historic streets, where carved doors, bustling markets, and coastal architecture tell Zanzibar’s story. Visit highlights based on your interests, such as the Old Fort area, local shops, and seafront viewpoints, then enjoy a relaxed lunch or coffee before your transfer. Your private team handles timing so the day feels easy, with enough space for last minute shopping and photos. When it is time, you are transferred to the airport for your departure, carrying memories from both the safari and the island.

Night: None (Departure day)