Tanzania 10-Day Itinerary: Safari & Zanzibar Paradise (Complete Guide)

Here’s the perfect itinerary combining the best of Tanzania: Safari + Zanzibar.

I always try to plan my trips so the most fatiguing stretch of the journey comes first, then I have a few days to unwind. This is exactly what we did in Tanzania—start with the safari adventure and relax on the stunning beaches of Zanzibar for the final days.

Day 0 — Arriving in Tanzania

This time we didn’t go for the cheapest deal—we wanted to make the most of our time. We flew to Kilimanjaro International Airport with a layover in Istanbul. This was incredibly convenient because we stayed overnight and joined a complimentary tour provided by Turkish Airlines. Read more about our Istanbul layover experience and how to maximize your time in this amazing city.

A 7-hour flight separates Istanbul from Kilimanjaro Airport. This airport is conveniently located between Moshi and Arusha, the two main cities from which you can book excursions to Kilimanjaro and excellent bases where most safari providers can pick you up.

From the airport, you can easily rent a taxi or arrange a private transfer to your first accommodation. In our case, we arranged this with our accommodation because we were arriving very early in the morning and didn’t want the hassle of bargaining or drivers getting lost. We just wanted to reach our place and get some proper sleep.

Everything went super smoothly, and we managed to get a few hours of rest before our first adventure: Materuni Waterfalls.

💰 Budget Tip: Check out our complete Tanzania budget guide for detailed costs on transfers, tours, and accommodation.

Day 1 — Materuni Waterfalls + Coffee Plantation + Chemka Hot Springs

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On Day 1, we booked this excursion, which we absolutely recommend.

One full day is sufficient time to do all three activities, and it didn’t feel rushed at all. Our guide made sure we had enough time at each stop.

Materuni Waterfalls Hike

The hike to the waterfalls isn’t long and is actually quite pleasant. The landscape around Kilimanjaro is much more tropical than other parts of Tanzania—you can see the banana plantations that the Chaga tribes are famous for.

You can buy delicious fruit or handmade souvenirs along the way, which is another great way to support the local community.

The waterfalls are breathtaking, and we couldn’t resist taking a “refreshing” dip. It was freezing cold, but you have to try at least once!

Coffee Plantation Tour

After the waterfall and an interesting chat with our guide, we headed back to the car and drove to a nearby coffee plantation. This experience was definitely much better than the coffee tastings we did in Bali because we almost had the whole plantation and staff to ourselves.

They were willing to explain every step of the coffee picking and grinding process, which involves traditional singing and dancing while pounding the coffee beans. This was such a cool experience—it makes you feel like you’re part of the community, at least for a few minutes.

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We absolutely loved their vibe, and you don’t feel any pressure to buy anything unless you want to. You get to try the coffee you were grinding, accompanied by a delicious lunch with views of the plantations.

We got to try banana soup, which surprisingly had a pretty bland taste. I’d never guess it was made from banana, but it was definitely tasty and worth trying.

Chemka (Kikuletwa) Hot Springs

The cherry on top of such a fantastic day was unwinding at the Chemka (also called Kikuletwa) hot springs. They’re a bit far away, which gave us sufficient time for digesting lunch and enjoying the lovely scenery from the window.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want to chill, I recommend you don’t visit during the weekend because it will be packed with both tourists and locals.

There’s also a swing you can use for free to jump into the water and a bunch of tires available if you’re not a confident swimmer. The natural pools are actually pretty hot (but not excessively so), and there’s plenty of shade under the palm trees, making it perfect even on a hot day.

We also booked a transfer with them for convenience to Arusha, which is about 2 hours away by car from the hot springs.

Alternative: Kilimanjaro Excursions

If you have more time, I recommend either doing a 1-day excursion to Kilimanjaro base camp or trekking up Kilimanjaro in 6 days. We didn’t do the 1-day excursion because we wanted to see Materuni and didn’t have much time. Plus, we’re saving the full Kilimanjaro trek for next time when we’re more mentally and physically prepared—it can be quite demanding, so plan ahead!

Days 2-5 — Tanzania Safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire)

Our safari adventure was the main purpose of this trip. We were particularly excited about seeing lions and giraffes, but we wanted to see everything, so we figured 4 days would be enough.

Safari Expectations: The Big Five

I think it always depends on how much luck you have. It’s certain that you’ll see plenty of different animals and that the scenery is captivating, but it’s better not to have super high expectations of seeing all of the Big Five.

We didn’t get to see leopards during any of our four days, and we only saw rhinos once from afar. We did see lots of everything else, though. For reference, we were there in October 2024 (dry season).

Serengeti National Park

Even though the Serengeti has earned worldwide fame, the distances are pretty long, and sometimes it’s hard to spot animals on such a vast expanse of land.

If we ever come back, we’ll try to visit during the Great Migration—when the Serengeti (Tanzania) and Maasai Mara (Kenya) are connected by the massive herds. This happens in August and is one of the busiest seasons, so plan ahead!

Ngorongoro Crater (Our Favorite!)

We found Ngorongoro to be the most diverse and exciting of the three national parks we visited. This is because the animals inside the crater don’t really migrate, so pretty much year-round you can find a wide variety and good quantity of species here.

In contrast, in more open parks like Tarangire or Serengeti, you might have more or less luck depending on the season.

Tarangire National Park

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National Park Logistics

There’s an entrance fee for every single park, but this was already included in our safari provider’s price. They handled all payments and check-in times.

Most safari providers follow a similar approach where they pay for a 24-hour authorization and plan game drives accordingly. This means schedules are pretty flexible and not very rigid—they depend on what time you checked in the day before.

All national parks are clearly indicated, so it’s really obvious when you’re leaving one and entering the next. You can even stop at each gate for a quick photo by the signs.

There are also dedicated stop areas to use the restroom and tables to enjoy your picnic lunch while watching the savannah. These areas are safe, and animals don’t really approach humans. We absolutely loved having lunch in these places because you feel so connected with nature.

Accommodation: Campsites vs. Lodges

Dinner is always served wherever you’re staying. We decided to go for the cheapest option: two nights at camps and one night at a lodge. We couldn’t have made a better decision!

Why We Loved the Campsites:

You meet so many interesting people who share stories about the animals they’ve seen. The sunsets and sunrises from the campsites are to die for, and you might have casual wildlife encounters, like we did:

• An elephant was only 100m from our campsite
• A giraffe was eating from a tree right next to my tent
• A herd of 10 zebras was grazing near the toilets

You don’t need to worry about your tent setup—your safari provider prepares everything, including sleeping bags.

There’s usually another person besides the driver who handles all the cooking, and they’ll let you know when dinner is served. Every campsite has a kitchen, dining room, and toilets.

Don’t expect luxury, but the ones we stayed in had outlets to charge phones, lockers, and one even had hot water and lighting at night.

💡 Pro Tip: I recommend you don’t drink much water (or beer) before bed. You might need to leave your tent in the middle of the night, and it can be pretty dark. Some animals like zebras or hyenas do get close to humans. I experienced this firsthand, but these animals tend to run away as soon as they see humans.

It was an amazing experience, and I’d definitely recommend staying in campsites over luxurious options unless it’s your honeymoon and you don’t mind spending extra.

On our last night, we slept in a lodge, which felt great after two nights on a thin mat. But it can’t compare to the experience of being literally in the middle of the savannah. We appreciated the comfort and hot shower, though, so we wouldn’t change a thing.

Optional: Hot Air Balloon Safari

You can also book a hot air balloon ride, but this is an experience we’ve saved for next time. We were kind of jealous seeing these balloons floating above us from our camp, but unfortunately, it was a bit out of budget this time.

Our Safari Provider Recommendation

We booked everything through Mountain Warriors and we’re really happy with the tour they provided. Everything from getting a quote to paying for the tour was smooth and practical, plus the prices were very competitive.

There are many providers out there. We found Mountain Warriors through SafariBookings.com, which compares all options. I recommend checking it out and filtering based on which parks you want to see and how many days.

For us, 4 days was more than enough—we kind of regretted not doing 3 instead.

Budget vs. Premium Safari:

Some people fly into one of the seven Serengeti airstrips and do private tours. We found the group tour very nice because we chatted throughout the day with our fellow explorers and discussed what we were seeing.

In my opinion, paying more for a premium safari doesn’t necessarily pay off, but that’s just my personal opinion. You need to find a safari that matches your needs:

• Budget option: If you don’t mind long drives, a bit of dust, and picking up other passengers
• Premium option: If you want full flexibility, optimized time, and fly directly to Serengeti

On our last day, we drove back along dusty roads crossing interesting scenery and Maasai villages. We didn’t stop, but some tour providers offer village visits as part of the package—definitely something we’ll do next time.

We were dropped off right where we started: Arusha Backpackers Hostel.

🏨 Where to Stay: Check out our complete Tanzania accommodation guide for the best hotels, hostels, and campsites.

Days 6-10 — Zanzibar: Beaches, Snorkeling & Stone Town

Getting to Zanzibar

The next day, we headed to Zanzibar directly from Arusha. The airport is just a few minutes from the city in good traffic and serves daily flights to Zanzibar, making it the most convenient and cheapest way to get there from Arusha.

We flew with AirTanzania. The flight took barely an hour, and we really enjoyed views of Mt. Kilimanjaro from the plane. We booked a $30 USD transfer to Nungwi, and our driver was already waiting at the airport to avoid negotiation hassles. The ride was smooth, and we reached our first accommodation in approximately 1 hour.

Day 6 — Arrival & Relaxing in Nungwi

Nungwi is the perfect place to stay because the beaches and tides on this side of the island are ideal. I do recommend you research which side of the island to stay on beforehand, though. For more info, check our Zanzibar accommodation guide.

We spent the first day chilling in Nungwi. We enjoyed the pool at our amazing boutique hotel and the nearby beach. We watched the sun go down right there—it was one of the most stunning sunsets we’ve ever seen.

What We Love About Nungwi:

The best thing is that you can never get bored—there’s always something to do:

• Beach bars with private pools
• Amazing restaurants
• Beach clubs
• Dance and fire shows
• And of course, beach boys who will chase you around!

🍽️ Where to Eat: For recommendations on restaurants and nightlife in Nungwi, check out our Zanzibar food guide.

Day 7 — Mnemba Atoll Snorkeling & Dolphin Watching

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The next day, we booked an excursion to Mnemba Atoll. This is some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen in my life—living proof that Zanzibar will never cease to surprise me.

There were lots of beach vendors offering fruit, coconuts, and photos with monkeys (right in the sea!). We didn’t go for any of this but still enjoyed swimming in these pristine crystal-clear waters.

Snorkeling Experience:

We saw a bunch of starfish and many different fish, including a tiny clownfish that seemed lost. We could say we found Nemo!

Ethical Dolphin Watching:

As part of this activity, dolphin watching was also included. We decided to go with this tour provider because we read really positive reviews and wanted to make sure we weren’t harassing the dolphins.

It was really sad to see all the other boats chasing the dolphins around and people diving straight from boats even with engines running. Fortunately, our guide was really considerate of the environment and the dolphins—we always stayed behind all these boats.

The dolphins were naturally approaching us while running away from the harassers. Definitely recommend this activity with an ethical provider!

We ended our day with delicious seafood under a restaurant hut nearby, then headed back to our hotel.

Day 8 — Jozani Forest (Red Colobus Monkeys)

The next day, we booked a transfer from our hotel to Stone Town and asked for a quick stop on the way to visit Jozani Forest.

You can also book this as a separate excursion, but I think it’s much more convenient to do it on your way to another destination. Even though it’s not necessarily on the way, transfers are very inexpensive, and it pays off since you’ll only stay for a few hours.

We went for the 1.5-hour guided tour:

• 30 minutes of explanation about the forest
• 30 minutes exploring the mangroves
• 30 minutes seeing the red colobus monkeys (which you can only find in Zanzibar!)

Definitely recommend this excursion because it’s very different from anything else you’ll see in Zanzibar. It’s a unique place with a unique ecosystem.

Days 9-10 — Stone Town

Our last stop was Stone Town. You definitely need to explore this charming town if you want to see some beautiful architecture. Zanzibar isn’t only beautiful beaches—it’s an island rich in history.

We loved walking its streets and peeking through the beautiful doors that the city is famous for. I suggest you just get lost in its narrow streets and see how lively it is during the day.

Must-See in Stone Town:

• The Old Fort
• Forodhani Gardens (watch the youth jump off the port!)
• Traditional carved wooden doors
• Spice markets
• Rooftop restaurants

🏨 Where to Stay: Check out our Stone Town accommodation recommendations.

🍽️ Where to Eat: For the best restaurants and bars in Stone Town, see our dining guide.

Optional: Spice Farm Tour

A lot of people also do the Spice Farm Tour since Zanzibar is called the “Spice Island.” This is a very enriching experience if you want to see what spices look like before they’re harvested, and you can smell and taste them.

We didn’t have time for this, but it’s definitely on our list for next time!

Final Thoughts

This 10-day Tanzania itinerary gave us the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. Starting with the incredible safari experience and ending with the beaches of Zanzibar was exactly the right approach.

Would We Change Anything?

• Maybe do 3 days of safari instead of 4 (we felt slightly safari’d out by day 4)
• Add the hot air balloon ride over Serengeti
• Visit a Maasai village
• Do the spice farm tour in Zanzibar

But overall, this itinerary was perfect for a first-time visit to Tanzania!

💰 Total Budget: For a complete breakdown of costs, check our Tanzania budget guide.

Have questions about planning your Tanzania trip? Drop a comment below, and I’ll help you out! 🦁🌴