8 Day Family Safari and Zanzibar Beach
Four days of family-friendly safari in Tarangire and Ngorongoro, followed by four nights of sand, sea and swimming at a Zanzibar beach resort.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Route
- Arusha – Tarangire – Lake Manyara – Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha – Zanzibar
- Start / end
- Starts in Arusha (pick-up from your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport) and ends at Zanzibar Airport
- Best time
- June to October and late December to February usually offer the best mix of dry safari weather and sunny Zanzibar beach days.
- Trip style
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with your own driver-guide and mid-range family lodges, followed by a mid-range family beach resort on Zanzibar.
Tour overview
Give the whole family the best of Tanzania in just over a week. The trip begins with a private safari through Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, with short drives, pool lodges and a guide who knows how to keep young explorers excited about every elephant, lion and hippo.
Then it is time to slow down. A short flight takes you to Zanzibar, where four nights at a family-friendly beach resort mean warm turquoise water, rock pools, kids' activities and plenty of downtime for parents. Optional extras such as a Stone Town walk, a spice farm visit or a snorkeling trip are easy to add.
This itinerary suits families with children of all ages, first-time visitors to Africa and anyone who wants a balanced holiday of adventure and relaxation without long days on the road.
Highlights
- Private family safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Elephant herds and baobabs in Tarangire National Park
- Lions, rhino and hippos on the Ngorongoro Crater floor
- Lodges with swimming pools and family rooms
- Four nights at a family beach resort on Zanzibar
- Optional Stone Town, spice farm and snorkeling excursions
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Your guide picks you up from your Arusha hotel in the morning for the drive of about 2 to 2.5 hours to Tarangire National Park. Once inside, the roof pops up and the adventure begins. Look out for elephant families crossing the road, giraffes browsing acacia trees and zebra and wildebeest gathered near the Tarangire River. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a viewpoint, continue exploring in the afternoon and arrive at your lodge with time for a swim before dinner.
Day 2Tarangire to Lake Manyara and Karatu
After breakfast, drive about an hour and a half to Lake Manyara National Park. A short game drive takes you through shady forest where troops of baboons and blue monkeys play, then out to the lakeshore to look for elephants, hippos, giraffes and flocks of water birds. The park is also known for lions that sometimes rest in the trees. In the afternoon climb the Rift Valley escarpment to Karatu, about 45 minutes away, and settle into your farm lodge with its pool and gardens.
Day 3Ngorongoro Crater game drive
Leave early with a packed breakfast to enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend about 600 meters into the crater. The crater floor holds an amazing concentration of animals: lions, hyenas, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, elephants and, if you are lucky, a black rhino. Children love the hippo pool picnic stop and spotting flamingos on the soda lake. After a game drive of several hours, within the six-hour crater limit, climb back up to the rim and return to Karatu for a relaxed afternoon.
Day 4Karatu to Arusha and fly to Zanzibar
Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge, then drive back to Arusha, about 2.5 to 3 hours, with stops for souvenirs and lunch along the way. Your guide takes you to Arusha Airport for your domestic flight to Zanzibar, which takes about 1.5 hours. On arrival you are met and driven to your beach resort. Check in, kick off your shoes and enjoy your first sunset on the Indian Ocean coast. Dinner is at the resort.
Day 5Zanzibar beach day
Wake up to the sound of the ocean and spend the day at your own pace. The resort has swimming pools, a beach for paddling and sandcastles, and a kids' club so parents can enjoy a quiet hour with a book. Explore the rock pools at low tide to find crabs, sea stars and small fish. In the late afternoon, when the heat eases, take a walk along the shore and watch the local fishermen bring their dhows home.
Day 6Zanzibar at leisure or Stone Town
Today is free for relaxing or exploring. A popular option is a half-day walking tour of historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where narrow lanes lead past carved wooden doors, the old fort, the busy Darajani market and the waterfront. Families often combine this with a spice farm tour, where children can smell and taste cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and nutmeg straight from the plant. Optional excursions can be booked with us in advance or at the resort.
Day 7Zanzibar at leisure or snorkeling trip
Spend your last full day in Zanzibar however you like. Older children may enjoy an optional boat trip to snorkel over a nearby reef, a visit to Prison Island to meet the giant tortoises, or a sunset dhow cruise. Others may prefer simply to swim, play beach games and enjoy a final long lunch by the pool. In the evening share your favorite moments of the trip over dinner as the sun sets over the ocean.
Day 8Departure from Zanzibar
Enjoy a final breakfast and a last swim, depending on your flight time. Most resorts allow you to keep your room until late morning, and late check-out can be requested in advance. At the agreed time your driver collects you from the resort for the transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, usually around 30 to 45 minutes, for your flight home or onward journey. This is the end of your family safari and beach holiday.
What is included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and driver-guide for the safari
- All park entrance and conservation fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater service fee
- 3 nights' safari lodge accommodation as listed or similar
- 4 nights at a family beach resort on Zanzibar on a half-board basis
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
- Drinking water during the safari
- Arrival pick-up in Arusha and all Zanzibar airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and hotel staff
- Drinks at lodges and the resort
- Lunches on Zanzibar beach days
- Optional Zanzibar excursions such as Stone Town, spice farm or snorkeling
- Zanzibar infrastructure tax and mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance, payable as applicable
Good to know
- The flight to Zanzibar has a luggage limit, typically around 15 to 20 kg per person, so soft bags are recommended.
- Zanzibar is a mainly Muslim island; cover shoulders and knees when visiting Stone Town and villages.
- Family rooms and connecting rooms are limited during school holidays, so early booking is advised.
- Reef shoes are useful for walking on the rocky shore and in the rock pools.
Frequently asked questions
Is this trip suitable for young children?
Yes. Daily drives on safari are kept short, every lodge has a pool and the beach resort has a kids' club. Because the safari is private, your guide can adjust timings around naps and meals.
Can we choose a different beach resort?
Of course. Zanzibar has resorts for every style, from calm east-coast lagoons to the sandy north at Nungwi and Kendwa. Tell us what your family enjoys and we will suggest the best fit.
Can we add the Serengeti?
Yes. Adding two nights in the central Serengeti is a popular upgrade, and you can fly from the Serengeti directly to Zanzibar. We can tailor the safari portion to match your family's interests.
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