8 Days Tanzania Short Safari and Beach Holidays
8 Days Tanzania Short Safari and Beach Holidays
8 Days Tanzania Short Safari and Beach Holidays
8 Days Tanzania Short Safari and Beach Holidays
Experience the best of Tanzania on this unforgettable 8-day safari and beach holiday, combining world-class wildlife viewing with the tropical beauty of Zanzibar. Your adventure takes you through some of Tanzania’s most renowned national parks, including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater.
Enjoy exciting game drives across diverse landscapes, from Tarangire’s elephant-filled savannahs and ancient baobab trees to the wildlife-rich plains of the Serengeti and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter the Big Five, witness incredible wildlife behavior, and experience some of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.
After your safari adventure, fly to the exotic island of Zanzibar, where white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich Swahili culture provide the perfect setting for relaxation. Spend your time unwinding by the ocean, exploring historic Stone Town, or enjoying optional activities such as snorkeling, diving, spice tours, and traditional dhow cruises.
This itinerary offers the perfect balance of adventure, wildlife, culture, and beach relaxation, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking a complete Tanzanian experience in one memorable journey.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Tarangire National Park
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. After being warmly greeted by your safari guide, you will head to Tarangire National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and stunning baobab trees. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive through the park, where you can spot giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and lions. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, offering the chance to see over 500 species of birds.
Highlights:
- Afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park.
- Spot elephants, lions, zebras, and a variety of bird species.
- Overnight stay at a lodge or tented camp near the park.
Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, head to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its diverse landscapes and wildlife. The park is home to the famous tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and a variety of other animals, including elephants, baboons, and hippos. Spend the afternoon on a game drive through the park, exploring its forests, savannahs, and wetlands.
Highlights:
- Visit the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara.
- Afternoon game drive and birdwatching opportunities.
- Overnight stay at a lodge with views over Lake Manyara.
Day 3: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive to the Serengeti National Park, one of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves. The Serengeti is renowned for its vast open plains and incredible wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, and the iconic Great Migration (seasonal). Upon arrival, embark on an afternoon game drive to witness the park’s rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights:
- Evening game drive in the Serengeti to spot large herds of wildebeest, zebras, and predators.
- Experience the Serengeti’s endless plains, perfect for wildlife viewing.
- Overnight stay at a lodge or camp in the Serengeti.
Day 4: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Spend the entire day in the Serengeti, exploring different areas of the park. Early morning and late afternoon game drives provide the best opportunities to observe wildlife activity. Serengeti is home to all of Africa’s “Big Five” – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos, making it a prime destination for big game enthusiasts. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains in search of fresh grazing land.
Highlights:
- Full day of game viewing in Serengeti National Park.
- Opportunity to witness the Great Migration (seasonal).
- Explore Serengeti’s varied landscapes, from the open savannah to riverine woodlands.
Day 5: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
On the fifth day, leave the Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Garden of Eden.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a collapsed volcano and features a lush landscape filled with a wide variety of wildlife. Spend the afternoon descending into the crater for a game drive where you will see lions, buffaloes, rhinos, and the elusive cheetahs.
Highlights:
- Game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, home to a wide range of wildlife.
- Spot the rare black rhino, one of the crater’s most endangered species.
- Overnight stay at a lodge overlooking the crater rim.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater to Zanzibar
On day six, after an early morning game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll head back to Arusha for a flight to Zanzibar, the perfect destination for a beach holiday. Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, you will be transferred to your luxury beach resort. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the island’s stunning beaches, or explore the historical Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights:
- Morning game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Flight to Zanzibar, with transfer to your beach resort.
- Afternoon relaxation on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches or explore Stone Town.
Day 7: Full Day in Zanzibar – Beach Relaxation
Enjoy a full day of relaxation on Zanzibar’s beaches, where you can bask in the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or indulge in water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, or a spice tour of the island. Zanzibar is famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs. You can also visit the Jozani Forest to see the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkeys or take a traditional dhow sailing trip.
Highlights:
- Full day of relaxation on Zanzibar’s beaches.
- Optional activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, spice tours, and cultural exploration.
- Sunset dhow cruise along the coast of Zanzibar. 8 Days Tanzania Short Safari and Beach Holidays.
Day 8: Departure from Zanzibar
On your final day, enjoy your last moments on Zanzibar’s idyllic beaches before being transferred to the airport for your return flight home. Depending on your flight time, you may have time for a final stroll on the beach or last-minute shopping in Stone Town.
Highlights:
- Enjoy the last morning in Zanzibar.
- Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your departure flight.
Conclusion
The 8-day Tanzania safari and beach holiday is a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. From the wildlife-filled plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater to the tranquil beaches of Zanzibar, this journey offers the best of Tanzania’s natural beauty and rich culture. Whether you’re looking for thrilling safaris or a peaceful beach escape, this itinerary has it all.
Book your Tanzania safari and beach holiday today to experience the adventure of a lifetime! 8 Days Tanzania Short Safari and Beach Holidays.
Rates include:
- Customized Private Safari jeep 4×4 Toyota land cruiser with full-length photographic open roof and all clients are guaranteed window seats.
- All services of a trained and experienced English speaking driver guide.
- All parks entry fees.
- Game drives as per the Itinerary.
- All meals and accommodations during safari. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
- Enough drinking water per day.
- Ngorongoro crater entry fee.
- Transfers to and from the Airport.
- Government taxes.
Rates exclude:
- International flights from home and back
- Optional Maasai Village visit ($50 per vehicle)
- Optional Serengeti Balloon safari $600pp
- All tipping or gratuities (Highly recommended)
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, beverages, etc.
Our Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 61 reviews Posted on Nat PVerified Highly recommend! Castor was very kind and accomodating to our last minute change in itinerary. Due to airline issues, we had to push our start date by 2 weeks and Castor rearranged our itinerary and experienced no issues. He also customized the tours based on our requests.The car is comfortable and standard other safari cars we saw on our tour. The car was equipped with a fridge and well stocked with water, coke, fanta and juice. Castor also methodically arranged our meals to accommodate our allergies, two of the chefs made a dish specifically for us. He goes the extra mile to make us feel comfortable and at ease. We saw many animals during our safari days and Castor kindly points them out to us. He can also spot animals that are very far and well hidden, I don't know how he spots them while driving at the same time. In our other tours in Zanzibar the guides kept pushing for us to buy additional tours/packages despite us saying no and we felt that had to keep our guards up and it took away from the Zanzibar experience a little. Castor did not do that at all and we felt at least during our whole tour.Posted on palexmailVerified Exceeded expectations and made the trip unforgettable Castor’s service during the 7-day safari through the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro was outstanding. The vehicle was comfortable, always clean, and stocked with fresh water. The itinerary was very well organized, with an excellent selection of lodges and camps. Castor showed deep knowledge of wildlife, explaining each sighting clearly and enthusiastically. He impressed us with his ability to spot animals from great distances and his constant attention to our well-being. His dedication and professionalism made the entire experience truly unforgettable.Posted on Qing1028Verified 6-day, 5-night Tanzania+Kenya safari with Castor We booked a 6-day, 5-night hotel safari with Castor from Nature Excursion Safaris, and overall, our experience was mostly very positive.What impressed us most about Castor and his service were:1. Castor is very nice, honest, and reliable. All arrangements were made via online chat, and everything promised was exactly delivered — no bluffing or excuses. What we agreed on was what we actually got.2. The vehicle provided was in excellent condition. It had a distinctive green exterior and was well-maintained inside with amenities such as tissues, a trash bin, and charging ports. During the entire 5 days in Tanzania, the car had no mechanical issues.3. We chose a mid-to-upper range hotel safari package. Compared to other agencies offering similar itineraries and accommodations, Castor’s price was more affordable — about $2400 USD per person, which made the trip very good value.However, on the last day in Kenya, Castor handed us over to a local Kenya guide, and unfortunately, that part of the safari was very disappointing. The vehicle was old and lacked basic comforts such as water, a fridge, binoculars, or even a trash bin — it felt more like an empty taxi than a proper safari vehicle.More seriously, about 40 minutes after leaving the border on the C103 road, the Kenya guide’s car broke down, and we were stranded on the road for over an hour. During this time, the driver left without explanation to find help and disappeared, leaving the four of us alone with three Maasai strangers without prior notice. This made us feel quite anxious and unsafe.While we highly recommend Castor and Nature Excursion Safaris for the Tanzania portion of the trip, potential travelers should be aware of the Kenya side’s arrangements and communicate clearly with Castor regarding who will be guiding and the quality of vehicles provided.Posted on Angeles GVerified Great safari with guide in Spanish We have had a great experience on our three-day safari of the Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Oldubay. Guide Joseph a charming person and speaking perfect Spanish. A great driver and a great guide. Our experience with this company has been fantastic.Posted on buqing yVerified Migration culving safari Very wonderful journey, thanks to the castor care and company throughout the journey, really very reliable driver guide, more professional and reliable than the other drivers we met, attentive and reliable, took us to the African charm and beauty that many people did not appreciate! Give him a big compliment. If I get the chance to come next time, I'll find him!!Posted onVerified 精彩绝伦!我与非洲旅行社的梦幻之旅 这次的坦桑尼亚之旅简直无与伦比!旅行社的安排细致入微,行程高度定制化,去了每一个我们想去的地方!全程的酒店都超级棒,舒适又有特色,餐食也非常美味,每一顿都满足了我们的味蕾,带的泡面完全没用上!不得不提的是导游Castor,他就像我们的挚友,热情似火,经验丰富。在他的带领下,为我们讲解很多关于生态、人文、动物的知识,整个旅途充满乐趣与惊喜。我强烈推荐这家旅行社,它真的能为你打造一次终身难忘的旅行体验!Posted on tracygrVerified Amazing safari adventure Castor organised a bespoke trip from Nairobi to Arusha visiting the Masai Mara ,Serengeti,Ngorongoro crater and a cultural village tour. His communication in planning was excellent and he planned a fantastic trip for us. The safari surpassed all of our expectations , we stayed in great hotels,lodges and a tented camp all excellent. He is an excellent guide driving us safely on dreadful roads and searching out animals to give us amazing close encounters of tons of animals including all big 5 throughout the trip. He has great knowledge of the animals and birds if the Serengeti and very interesting. I highly recommend a trip with Castor ours was amazing just sad it's finished!Posted on Miguel VVerified Can’t recommend enough! Nature Excursions Safaris comes highly recommended. Upon discovering this safari company, we were impressed by its outstanding reviews. Our experience exceeded expectations; we felt incredibly safe and enjoyed an exceptional adventure, with the team going above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction and spotting all the animals. Our guide, Mr. Bahati, was outstanding—an expert in flora, fauna, and animal behaviors. For those seeking a reliable company run by friendly and professional locals, I wholeheartedly recommend booking your safari with them. I eagerly anticipate returning for further exploration. Many thanks for an unforgettable experience and best wishes for the future.Posted on Виктор ИVerified The impressions are the most pleasant. Comfortable conditions in transport and in lodges. Good food. Stunning panoramic views. A very interesting and enjoyable trip!Castor is a special friendly and knowledgeable guide with a good sense of humor.We liked everything very much; we saw the magnificent nature and wonderful animals of Africa in almost all national parks. In just a few days we were able to visit a huge number of interesting places.Posted on OnAir38215131446Verified Serengeti and ngorogoro crater The most amazing experience ever. Would highly recommend, accomation and food was fantastic and a real experience.. Our guide Emmanuel was fantastic he led us to the location of all the big 5 animals and many more. We saw animals we never thought we would see. He was so friendly and knowledgeable on all the animals. Castor was brilliant also he organised everything for us and everything went so smooth. He was very responsive and any time I text him or emailed he would get back straight away. I would wholeheartedly say it was the most amazing three days ever. I would highly recommend going with nature excursions 👌