Big Five Safari: Thrilling 8-Day Tanzania Big Five and Beach Safari

Best For

Couples, Family, Honeymooners, Solo, Wildlife Enthusiasts

Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most famous safari destinations, offering unparalleled wildlife viewing and stunning landscapes. With the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti and iconic Big Five sightings across multiple parks, this journey promises unforgettable moments for first-time and seasoned travellers alike.

The Serengeti National Park – Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration as over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles thunder across the plains. This is also one of the best places to spot elusive leopards.
Ngorongoro Crater – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of Africa’s densest wildlife populations, including buffalo, black rhinos, and large prides of lions.
Tarangire National Park – Famous for its vast elephant herds and ancient baobab trees.
Lake Manyara National Park – Known for its unique tree-climbing lions and diverse birdlife.

The wildebeest migration is a year-round cycle, but timing is key:

December – March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti, with predators in action.
June – July: Dramatic river crossings begin as herds move north.
August – October: Herds gather in northern Serengeti near the Mara River

Our 8-day itinerary is designed to place you at the right spots at the right time for maximum sightings. We believe a safari should be both adventurous and comfortable. Stay in handpicked lodges and tented camps offering luxury in the wild, exceptional service, and personalised itineraries to match your travel style. After days of thrilling game drives, unwind in Zanzibar, where relaxation meets cultural discovery. Your dream safari awaits. Experience the wonders of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Zanzibar—from the wildebeest migration to the Big Five, followed by the ultimate beach retreat.

Tour Highlights

The Great Migration

Dramatic river crossings and endless herds on the move.

The Big Five

Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo

Cultural connections

Meet local communities and experience Tanzania’s rich traditions

Authentic cuisine

Savor local dishes that capture the flavors of Zanzibar

Unique activities

Hot air balloon safaris, guided bush walks, and sundowner experiences

Breathtaking scenery

From savannahs to volcanic craters

A Zanzibar escape

End your adventure with white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and Swahili culture

Tour Map

Day	Destination & Accommodation
Start Point	Arusha Tanzania
Day 1	Arusha National Park
Day 2	Tarangire National Park
Day 3	Lake Manyara National Park
Day 4	Serengeti National Park
Day 5	Ngorongoro Crater
Day 6-7	Zanzibar Island
Day 8	End Of Safari
End Point	Zanzibar Zanzibar

Itinerary

Experience an unforgettable 8-Day Tanzania Big Five and Beach Safari. Get up close with Africa’s magnificent wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, and leopards, as you explore Tanzania’s famous National Parks. Enjoy stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems along the way.

After your wildlife adventures, relax on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, where azure waters offer the perfect retreat. Discover the unparalleled Big Five sightings in Serengeti, the unique tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara, and the impressive elephant herds in Tarangire. Conclude your journey unwinding by the warm Indian Ocean in Zanzibar.

Gallery

Wildlife at the floor of Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, Tanzania

Day by Day

Day	Main Destination	Main Activities	Meal Plan
Start Destination	Arusha Tanzania
Day 1	Arusha National Park	Game Drive Safari – Explore the diverse wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, elephants, and the rare colobus monkeys. Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre for Tanzanian art and souvenirs Explore the Arusha National Natural History Museum and learn history of Tanzania Visit the Meserani snake park for a closer look at reptiles Discover diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests with playful black-and-white colobus monkeys to open savannahs at Arusha National Park	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2	Tarangire National Park	Discover a unique landscape with towering ancient baobab trees and 9 different vegetation zones. Encounter huge herds of elephants and giraffes.	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3	Lake Manyara National Park	Game Drive Safari – Spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, and the famous tree-climbing lions. Canopy Walkway – A suspended treetop walkway offering a unique perspective of the forest and birdlife. Cultural Tours – Visit nearby Mto wa Mbu village to experience local traditions, markets, and cuisine.	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4	Serengeti National Park	Wildlife encounters spotting leopards, lions and cheetahs. Front row seat to the various river crossings of wildebeests and zebras on the annual migration.	Breakfast
Day 5	Ngorongoro Crater	Discover a UNESCO World Heritage site, providing a natural wall and a haven for wildlife Huge concentration of wildlife, including rhinos, zebra, wildebeest and over 200 bird species	Breakfast
Day 6-7	Zanzibar Island	Visit the Spice plantation Unique Swahili Cultural experience, immersive nightlife, savour sumptuous Swahili dishes. Relax at some of the best and beautiful beaches in Africa.	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8	End Of Safari.	As your incredible safari journey comes to an end, you’ll leave with memories and camera reels packed with breathtaking wildlife moments.	Breakfast
End Destination	Zanzibar Zanzibar

Accommodation Options

Silver	Gold	Platinum

Our vehicles

Our custom 4x4 safari cruisers are built for adventure and comfort — pop-up roofs for the perfect view, spacious seating for every guest, and guaranteed window seats so you never miss a moment of the action. Whether you're crossing savannahs or climbing escarpments, you’ll ride in style, safety, and comfort

Toyota Safari Land Cruiser

Our safari Land Cruisers are rugged, reliable, and custom-built to handle all terrains across Kenya and Tanzania. Each vehicle is a 4x4, equipped with:

Pop-up roof for unobstructed wildlife viewing and photography
Spacious interior with comfortable, reclining seats
Guaranteed window seat for every guest
On-board cooler box for chilled drinks during game drives
Power sockets for charging phones and camera gear
Two-way radio for real-time updates from the field
Professional driver-guide trained in safety, wildlife, and hospitality

Inc./ Excl

Inclusions

All airport transfers, game parks, national parks, and conservancy fees
Transport in a comfortable 4*4 Safari Land Cruiser
Accommodation and all meals on a Full-Board basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
A highly credentialed Driver-Guide accompanying you throughout your journey
Drinking Water while on safari
Emergency AMREF (Flying Doctors) Evacuation Fees
Back-up Safari Land Cruiser on standby in case of breakdowns
Extensive Game Drives
Maasai Cultural Visit
The platinum package includes Ballon Safari
Price includes all applicable taxes

Excludes

International Flights and Taxes
Passports and Visa Applications and Processing
Travel Insurance
Tips: The tipping guideline of $10 per person per day for the guide and crew
Personal Laundry
Alcoholic Drinks
Balloon Safaris are excluded from the Silver and Gold Packages
Any other extras not detailed in the itinerary.

Ultra Luxury Accommodations

Day	Accommodation	Additional Price
Day 1	Arusha Serena – Bed & Breakfast	$292.00 Per person / per night
Day 2	Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner	$1,189.00 Per person / per night
Day 3	Lake Manyara Kilimamoja – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner	$660.00 Per person / per night
Day 4	Serengeti River Camp – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner	$744.00 Per person / per night
Day 5	The Manor at Ngorongoro – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner	$1,240.00 Per person / per night
Days 6-7	The Mora Zanzibar – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner	$534.00 Per person / per night

Day	Destination	Optinal Activites
Day 1	Arusha	Picnicking at Scenic Spots – Relax at designated picnic sites with breathtaking views of Mount Meru and the Momella Lakes. Bird Watching – Over 400 species of birds including flamingos, turacos, hornbills, and pelicans. Walking Safaris – Guided walks at the foothills of Mount Meru, offering close-up encounters with animals and nature. Canoeing at Momella Lakes – A unique experience to spot flamingos, hippos, and water birds while paddling.
Day 2	Tarangire	Guided Walking Safaris Sundowner Experiences
Day 3	Lake Manyara	Canoeing – Paddle on Lake Manyara to see hippos and water birds up close. Forest Hiking – Short hikes through groundwater forests and waterfalls. Community Visits – Engage with Maasai and other local communities to learn about their culture. Cultural Food Experience – Taste traditional Tanzanian dishes in a local homestead or cultural center.
Day 4	Serengeti	Hot Air Balloon Safari Night Guided Game Drive Sundowners in the Bush Guided Nature Walks
Day 5	Ngorongoro	Highland Hiking Visit the Olduvai Gorge. Scenic Sundowners
Day 6 and 7	Zanzibar	Bird Watching Tours – Spot endemic and migratory birds around the island. Dhow Sunset Cruise – Sail along the coast in a traditional wooden boat. Cultural Dance & Music Shows – Enjoy traditional Taarab or Ngoma performances. Art & Craft Shopping – Explore small local galleries and markets for handmade souvenirs.
Day	Destination	Optinal Activites