4-Day Fly In Zanzibar To Northern Circuit Classic Safari

Beach holiday, then four days across the Northern Circuit.

Duration

4 Days

From

$2,100 pp

Style

Private journey

Overview

Fly Zanzibar to Arusha, then a four-day classic Northern Circuit safari covering Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti.

Highlights

  • Three Northern Circuit parks
  • Mid-range lodges
  • Zanzibar arrival flight
  • Private 4×4 throughout

Day-by-day itinerary

Sample programme. Every journey is private and can be paced or extended to suit you.

Zanzibar Coast

Day 1 · Zanzibar Coast

Zanzibar to Serengeti National Park

You will embark on an incredible safari adventure today! Your journey begins with an early morning pickup from your Zanzibar hotel, followed by a drive to the airport. Next, you will board a small plane for a flight to Serengeti with a stop at Arusha Airport. Upon landing at Seronera Airstrip, a private safari vehicle awaits you. Around 11:00 am, you’ll start exploring Central Serengeti. After a thrilling day, you’ll drive to your accommodation for a delicious dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp • Mid-range tented camp located inside Serengeti NP.

After the dust of the safari, Zanzibar is balm: white sand, palm shadows and the Indian Ocean turning seven shades of turquoise. You arrive on the short flight from the mainland and are met at Abeid Amani Karume Airport for the drive to your beach hotel.

Days are yours to design. Snorkel the Mnemba Atoll, sail a traditional dhow at sunset, swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or simply do nothing under a coconut palm. Our local representative is on call for whatever you want to add.

Breakfast, Dinner (lunch on activities)

Today's plan

  • Snorkelling at the Mnemba Atoll
  • Sunset dhow cruise with grilled seafood
  • Spice farm tour and Swahili cooking class
  • Dolphin swim at Kizimkazi (optional)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Luxury tented camp, Central Serengeti

Luxury tented camp deep inside the Serengeti — spacious canvas suites with private decks, hot showers, candlelit dinners and lions calling in the distance.

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 2 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Serengeti National Park Full-Day Game Drive

You’ll enjoy the entire day at Serengeti National Park, starting your adventure at sunrise. On a full-day game drive, you’ll look for the Big Five and other interesting wildlife while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Serengeti is a paradise for bird lovers, with more than 500 bird species, like the impressive ostrich and unique secretary bird in the open grasslands, and graceful black eagles flying above the savannah. As the day ends, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp • Mid-range tented camp located inside Serengeti NP.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Luxury tented camp, Central Serengeti

Luxury tented camp deep inside the Serengeti — spacious canvas suites with private decks, hot showers, candlelit dinners and lions calling in the distance.

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 3 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

You’ll start your day at 7 am with an exhilarating transfer game drive from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, immersing yourself in the wonders of wildlife for approximately 3 hours. You’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater around 10 am. This vast wildlife sanctuary offers a special chance to spot rare species, such as the elusive black rhinos. You’ll spend around 5 hours exploring the expansive 260-square-kilometer Ngorongoro Crater, taking in the marvels of its diverse ecosystem. After a day filled with wildlife adventures, you’ll head to your lodge for a delightful dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. Overnight at Moonbow Lodge • Luxury lodge on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Moonbow Lodge

Moonbow Lodge

Boutique lodge in Karatu

Quiet boutique lodge in the Karatu highlands — wood-and-canvas cottages with views over the coffee fields.

Zanzibar Coast

Day 4 · Zanzibar Coast

Tarangire National Park to Zanzibar

You will begin your day with breakfast, and then embark on a 90-minute drive to Tarangire National Park. This park is renowned for its large elephant herds and the abundance of Ancient baobab trees, the largest trees on the continent. You’ll enjoy the views from the open roof of the vehicle as you traverse through seasonal swamps, savanna landscapes, and along the Tarangire River, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife. You’ll look out for a variety of birds, giraffes, impalas, zebras, lions, leopards, elands, warthogs, and elephants. Around noon, you’ll exit the park and start your journey to Arusha Airport for your flight back to Zanzibar, marking the end of your 4-day adventure with us. Your driver will be waiting for you at Zanzibar Airport to take you back to your hotel, ensuring a smooth and comfortable transition from your safari experience to your return home.

After the dust of the safari, Zanzibar is balm: white sand, palm shadows and the Indian Ocean turning seven shades of turquoise. You arrive on the short flight from the mainland and are met at Abeid Amani Karume Airport for the drive to your beach hotel.

Days are yours to design. Snorkel the Mnemba Atoll, sail a traditional dhow at sunset, swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or simply do nothing under a coconut palm. Our local representative is on call for whatever you want to add.

Breakfast, Dinner (lunch on activities)

Today's plan

  • Snorkelling at the Mnemba Atoll
  • Sunset dhow cruise with grilled seafood
  • Spice farm tour and Swahili cooking class
  • Dolphin swim at Kizimkazi (optional)

Route map

4-Day Fly In Zanzibar To Northern Circuit Classic Safari, route

  1. 1Serengeti
  2. 2Zanzibar
  3. 3Ngorongoro
  4. 4Lake Manyara
  5. 5Tarangire

What makes this trip special

Private journey

Your own vehicle, guide and pace, no shared safari.

Local expertise

Designed and led by Tanzanians who grew up beside these parks.

Photo-friendly

Pop-top vehicles, beanbags on request and unrushed stops at every sighting.

Good to know

Everything you need to plan, pack and travel with confidence.

Best time to travel

June to October and December to February are dry, hot and ideal for the beach. April to May is the long rains. The island is humid year-round, with sea temperatures between 26°C and 29°C.

Group size

Anything from a honeymoon couple to a family of eight. Beach hotels, boutique villas and private island options all available.

Physical rating

Easy. Beach and boat days with optional snorkelling, diving and water sports.

Getting there

Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) on Zanzibar Island, either directly from Europe and the Middle East or via a short hop from Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

Visa & entry

USD 50 single-entry e-visa for most nationalities, applied for online at eservices.immigration.go.tz at least two weeks before travel. US passport holders need the USD 100 multiple-entry visa.

Currency & payments

US dollars (post-2009 bills only) are widely accepted; Tanzanian shillings for small purchases. Major lodges accept Visa and Mastercard but a small surcharge may apply.

Electricity

230 V, UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G). Most camps have charging in the main area; bring a universal adapter.

Connectivity

4G coverage across Arusha and Zanzibar, intermittent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Most lodges have Wi-Fi in the main lounge. A local Vodacom or Airtel SIM is cheap and easy to buy at the airport.

Tipping guidance

A guideline, not an obligation. Around USD 25 per guest per day for your driver-guide and USD 10 per day for lodge staff (collective tip box). On Kilimanjaro, USD 20 to 25 per climber per day for the crew is standard.

Responsible travel

We are a Tanzanian-owned company and 100% of our guides, cooks and office staff are Tanzanian. Park fees flow directly to TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Our camps follow leave-no-trace principles and we offset every vehicle kilometre through a verified East African reforestation program.

Booking & cancellation

A 20% deposit confirms your dates. Balance due 60 days before travel. If you need to cancel, you receive a credit note for the full amount paid, valid 2 years to rebook — subject to individual accommodation policies which may differ.

What to pack

  • Light cotton and linen, swimwear, reef shoes
  • Modest clothing for Stone Town (shoulders and knees covered, especially Fridays)
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory in the Mnemba Atoll)
  • Mosquito repellent for evenings
  • A waterproof phone pouch for boat trips

Health & safety

  • Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from a yellow fever country
  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended, consult your travel clinic
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory
  • Tap water is not potable, we provide unlimited bottled water in the vehicle

Photography

  • Pop-up roof and beanbags supplied on every vehicle
  • Bring at least a 100-400 mm zoom; a wide angle for landscapes
  • Extra memory cards and a charger that fits the 220 V UK-style plug
  • Drones are prohibited inside national parks without a written permit

Pricing, per person

Rates in USD, sharing twin/double accommodation. Final quote depends on chosen lodges and exact dates.

2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
$2,500$2,350$2,250$2,150$2,100

Single supplement applies for solo travellers. "—" means group size not offered for this itinerary.

What's included

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • All park & conservation fees
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals on safari (B/L/D)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • Airport transfers
  • Internal flight

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania entry visa (USD 50)
  • Travel & medical insurance
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Optional activities (balloon, walking safari)

Frequently asked

When is the best time to go?+

June–October for classic game viewing; January–March for the calving season in southern Serengeti; July–October for the Mara River crossings.

Is it safe?+

Yes, our vehicles are radio-equipped, our guides are licensed, and we operate only in well-managed parks. We've been doing this for over a decade with zero incidents.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Absolutely. Every tour is private and tailor-made, extend a day, add a balloon flight, or combine with Zanzibar.

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