Great Migration Family Safari & Zanzibar Beach Retreat
The Overview
Why it stands out
Journey Highlights
- Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Parks & Destinations: Northern & Central Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater · Tarangire · Zanzibar
- Flights: Arusha to the Northern Serengeti; Arusha to Zanzibar
- Accommodation: Luxury river front camps, five star lodges and a beach resort
- Safari Style: Fly in safari and beach, private throughout
- Ideal For: Families combining safari with a beach holiday
- Travel Pace: Active safari, then a complete stop on the coast
- Best Time to Travel: July to October
- Wildlife Highlights: Mara River crossings, big cats, black rhino, elephant herds, coral reef
The Route
Day by Day
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Kilimanjaro International Airport → Arusha
Road
Transfer
Morning: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet your private guide. Afternoon: Transfer to Arusha and check in. The afternoon is free to rest after the flight. Evening: Dinner at the lodge and an early night before flying north.
Where you'll stay
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Arusha → Northern Serengeti
Flight
Scheduled flight
-
Northern Serengeti airstrip → Karibu Mara River Camp
Road
Game drive to camp
Morning: Breakfast, then the scheduled flight to the northern Serengeti, landing close to the Mara. Afternoon: Your guide meets you at the airstrip and the safari begins there: the drive to camp is your first game drive. Evening: By late afternoon you are on the river, where the herds mass on the banks.
Where you'll stay
Morning: Out early to work the crossing points while the herds gather and hesitate on the banks. Afternoon: Lunch travels with you. A crossing can take minutes or hours, and waiting is part of it. Evening: Return to camp with the light behind you.
Where you'll stay
-
Northern Serengeti → Central Serengeti
Road
Game drive south across the park
Morning: An optional balloon flight over the northern plains before breakfast in the grass. Afternoon: Turn south and cross the length of the park, game viewing the whole way as woodland gives way to open grass and kopjes. Evening: Arrive at the lodge in time for the light to soften. Optional Sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti from USD 599 per person.
Where you'll stay
Morning: First light among the kopjes, where lion rest up through the day. Afternoon: Leopard in the sausage trees along the river lines, cheetah out on the open grass. Evening: Sundowners, then dinner under the stars.
Where you'll stay
-
Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater
Road
Game drive then climb into highlands
Morning: A final morning game drive on the plains. Afternoon: Climb east into the Ngorongoro highlands, with the landscape changing as you go. Evening: Arrive at the rim with the afternoon free and the caldera below you.
Where you'll stay
-
Ngorongoro Crater → Tarangire National Park
Road
Descent into crater, then drive to Tarangire
Morning: An early descent to be among the first vehicles on the crater floor. Afternoon: A private bush lunch within the crater, then the climb out and the drive south to Tarangire, viewing game en route. Evening: Check in among the baobabs. An optional night drive runs from the concession. Optional Night game drive in the Tarangire concession USD 150 per person.
Where you'll stay
-
Tarangire National Park → Arusha
Road
Drive back to Arusha
Morning: A morning game drive in Tarangire, the best hours for its elephant herds. Afternoon: Drive back towards Arusha, with time to stop for carvings and Tinga Tinga along the way. Evening: Check in at Gran Meliá Arusha, and a proper dinner after a week in the field.
Where you'll stay
-
Gran Meliá Arusha → Arusha Airport
Road
Transfer to airport
-
Arusha → Zanzibar
Flight
Scheduled flight
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Zanzibar Airport → Meliá Zanzibar
Road
Transfer to resort
Morning: Breakfast, then the transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight from Arusha to Zanzibar. Afternoon: Met on arrival and transferred to the resort on the coast. Check in, and the rest of the day is yours. Evening: Dinner by the sea.
Where you'll stay
-
At leisure
Leisure day at the resort
Morning: Nothing is scheduled. The reef holds the water flat and clear, and the morning is yours. Afternoon: Swim, read, or take a treatment at the spa. Evening: Sundowners, then dinner at the resort. No scheduled activities. Excursions can be arranged locally on request.
Where you'll stay
-
At leisure
Leisure day at the resort
Morning: Breakfast late if you like. The tide goes far out in the morning and the flats are worth a walk. Afternoon: Lunch by the water, then the afternoon in the shade. Evening: Dinner overlooking the ocean. No scheduled activities. Excursions can be arranged locally on request.
Where you'll stay
-
Meliá Zanzibar → Zanzibar International Airport
Road
Transfer to airport
Morning: Breakfast at the resort, and a last hour by the sea if the flight allows. Afternoon: Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport. Evening: Onward international departure.
Investment
Included
- All scheduled internal flights as listed in the itinerary
- All ground transportation and airport transfers
- Park, conservation area and crater fees
- Meals as listed each day
- A private, English speaking driver guide throughout the safari
- A private four wheel drive safari vehicle with fridge, bottled water, charging points and binoculars
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- All government taxes
Excluded
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Travel insurance
- Visa and passport fees
- Any increase in park fees where applicable
- Optional experiences as listed
- Personal items such as cameras
- Premium and alcoholic beverages where not included
- Gratuities for your driver guide and lodge staff
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Great Migration Family Safari & Zanzibar Beach Retreat
12 Days / 11 Nights