The short answer
- Ideal length
- 10 to 12 days
- Order
- Safari first, then Zanzibar
- Flight
- About 1.5 hrs from Arusha, 2 hrs from the Serengeti
- Best months
- June to October, late December to February
A safari followed by a few days on Zanzibar is Tanzania's classic trip. Early starts and bumpy roads on safari make the beach feel earned, and the flight is short: Zanzibar is about an hour and a half from Arusha and around two hours from the Serengeti's airstrips.
Zanzibar has its own international airport, so you can fly home from the beach without going back to the mainland.
A 10 day bush and beach route
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport, transfer to Arusha | Arusha |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park | Tarangire or Karatu |
| 3 | Ngorongoro Crater | Karatu |
| 4 to 5 | Serengeti | Serengeti |
| 6 | Fly to Zanzibar, afternoon in Stone Town | Stone Town |
| 7 to 9 | Beach | Nungwi, Kendwa or the east coast |
| 10 | Fly home from Zanzibar |
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A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Which Zanzibar beach?
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Nungwi and Kendwa (north) | Swimming at any tide, sunsets, lively bars | Busiest area |
| Paje and Jambiani (south east) | Kitesurfing, laid back guesthouses | The sea goes far out at low tide |
| Matemwe and Kiwengwa (north east) | Quiet resorts, diving at Mnemba | Tidal; some resorts are isolated |
| Michamvi (east) | Sunset views on the west facing side of the peninsula | Small and quiet |
See our Zanzibar guide for Stone Town and day trips.
When to go
The best months for both are June to October, when the parks are dry and Zanzibar is sunny and breezy, and late December to February, which pairs calving season in the southern Serengeti with hot, calm beach weather. April and May are the wettest months on both, and some beach hotels close.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengetiplus the Great Migration | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Zanzibarbeaches | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
Costs and paperwork
- Flights: Scheduled light aircraft from the Serengeti or Arusha to Zanzibar cost about US$250 to 450 per person.
- Compulsory insurance: Since 1 October 2026 every visitor to Tanzania, mainland or Zanzibar, must buy the government's inbound travel insurance, US$44, for the first place they land. One policy covers the whole trip for up to 92 days, and your own travel insurance doesn't replace it. See our visa and entry guide.
- No extra visa: Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so your Tanzania visa covers it.
- Hotels: Beach hotels range from about US$60 a night for a guesthouse to US$500 or more at luxury resorts.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for a safari and Zanzibar?
Ten to twelve days: five to seven on safari and three to five on Zanzibar.
Should I do the safari or the beach first?
Safari first. You'll be up before dawn on safari, so the beach makes a relaxing finish, and Zanzibar has international flights home.
How do you get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
By scheduled light aircraft, about two hours, often with a stop. You can also drive back to Arusha and fly from there, about an hour and a half.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Your Tanzania visa and the compulsory US$44 inbound insurance you buy on arrival in Tanzania cover Zanzibar too.
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026