A Tanzania safari and Zanzibar make one of the best two-part trips in the world: a week of game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, then a few days on white-sand beaches by the Indian Ocean. The two fit together easily because short flights link the safari airstrips and Arusha with Zanzibar in a few hours, so you do not lose a day travelling between bush and beach.
This guide covers the best order, how many days to give each part, how to get from the safari to Zanzibar, when to go, where to stay on the island, costs, and the practical details people often miss, including Zanzibar’s mandatory travel insurance.
Safari and Zanzibar at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Best order | Safari first, beach second, so you finish rested |
| Ideal length | 10 to 14 nights: 6 to 8 on safari, 4 to 5 on Zanzibar |
| How to get there | Fly from Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara or the Serengeti airstrips to Zanzibar |
| Flight time | About 1 to 2 hours direct from Arusha or Kilimanjaro; longer with stops from the parks |
| Best months | June to October and late December to February |
| Months to think twice | April and May, the long rains, when some beach hotels close |
| Visa | Your Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar |
| Insurance | Zanzibar has its own mandatory travel insurance; the mainland introduced its own from 1 October 2026; one policy, bought for your first point of entry, is the current guidance |
Safari first or beach first?
Almost every guide and returning traveller recommends safari first. Safaris mean early starts, long drives and dust; ending with a few lazy days by the sea means you fly home rested rather than exhausted. A beach start can make sense if you arrive very jet-lagged, but you then finish with long days in a vehicle before a long-haul flight.
A sample 12-night itinerary
| Days | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Arrive at Kilimanjaro, rest |
| 2 | Tarangire, then Karatu | Elephants and baobabs |
| 3 | Ngorongoro Crater, back to Karatu | Big game in one morning |
| 4 | Karatu to the Serengeti | Via Olduvai Gorge |
| 5 to 7 | Serengeti | Big cats; position depends on the migration |
| 8 | Fly Serengeti to Zanzibar | Usually via Arusha or with stops |
| 9 to 12 | Zanzibar | Beach, Stone Town, snorkelling, spice farm |
| 13 | Fly home from Zanzibar | Many international airlines serve Zanzibar directly or via Gulf and East African hubs |
Shorter on time? Do three nights on safari in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater from Karatu, then fly from Arusha or the Lake Manyara airstrip to Zanzibar. See our 3-day safari itinerary.
Getting from the safari to Zanzibar
- From the Serengeti: scheduled light aircraft fly from Serengeti airstrips to Zanzibar, usually with a stop in Arusha or at other airstrips. Total journey time is often 3 to 5 hours.
- From Arusha or Kilimanjaro: direct domestic flights of about 1 to 2 hours.
- From the Lake Manyara airstrip: handy if you finish your safari in Karatu or at the crater; flights usually connect through Arusha.
- Luggage: light aircraft usually allow about 15 kg per person in soft bags. Read our guide to flying from Lake Manyara.
Leave a buffer: if your international flight home leaves from Zanzibar, do not plan to arrive on the island the same day.
When to go
| Months | Safari | Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Calving season in Ndutu and the southern Serengeti; green and warm | Hot, sunny, calm seas; excellent |
| March | Calving continues; rains begin | Hot and humid; showers start |
| April to May | Long rains; quiet, low prices, some muddy tracks | Wettest months; some hotels close |
| June to October | Dry season; classic game viewing; migration in the north from about July | Dry, sunny and breezy; peak season |
| November to mid-December | Short rains; green and quieter | Short showers; good value |
| Late December | Busy festive season | Busy and pricier |
Where to stay on Zanzibar
- Stone Town: the historic heart of Zanzibar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow lanes, carved doors, markets and rooftop sunsets. One or two nights is ideal.
- North coast (Nungwi and Kendwa): beaches where the tide changes less, so you can swim most of the day; lively in Nungwi, calmer in Kendwa.
- East coast (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe, Michamvi): long white beaches and turquoise lagoons, with big tidal changes; popular for kitesurfing in Paje and quieter resorts elsewhere.
- Private islands: such as Mnemba, for a high-end finish.
A practical tip from travellers: on the east coast the sea can go out a long way at low tide, so check tide tables if swimming matters to you, or choose a hotel with a good pool.
Things to do on Zanzibar
- A guided walk through Stone Town, including the old slave market memorial and the House of Wonders area.
- A spice farm tour, where you see cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla growing.
- Snorkelling or diving around Mnemba Atoll.
- A sunset dhow cruise.
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, home of the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
- Seafood at the Forodhani Gardens night market. See our guide to Tanzanian food.
Zanzibar entry, insurance and rules
- Visa: your Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar. See our Tanzania visa guide.
- Zanzibar travel insurance: since 1 October 2024, visitors to Zanzibar must buy a mandatory insurance policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.
- Mainland insurance: from 1 October 2026, foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania must also hold a US$44 government policy. NIC and tour-operator associations say a combined trip needs one policy, bought for your first point of entry; confirm with your operator. Read our Tanzania mandatory travel insurance guide.
- Dress: Zanzibar is mainly Muslim. Cover shoulders and knees in Stone Town and villages; swimwear is fine at the beach and hotel.
- Ramadan: if your dates fall during Ramadan, many local restaurants close during the day; tourist areas still operate.
- Plastic bags: banned, as on the mainland.
What does safari and Zanzibar cost?
Costs depend on lodges, season and how you fly. As a guide, a mid-range safari typically costs about US$350 to US$600 per person per day including park fees, and comfortable Zanzibar beach hotels cost much less per night than safari lodges because there are no park fees. Add the light-aircraft flight from the Serengeti or Arusha to Zanzibar, which varies by route and season. Read our full guide to Tanzania safari costs.
Where the Ngorongoro Crater fits
Most safari and beach trips include the Ngorongoro Crater, either on the way into the Serengeti or on the way out. Two nights in Karatu gives you a relaxed crater day and time to rest. Our lodge, The Retreat at Ngorongoro, is in the Tloma area of Karatu, 20 to 30 minutes from the crater gate and 30 to 45 minutes from the Lake Manyara airstrip. See our villas, or read our honeymoon safari guide if you are celebrating.
Questions about safari and Zanzibar
How many days do I need for a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar?
About 10 to 14 nights: six to eight on safari and four to five on Zanzibar is a comfortable balance.
How do I get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
By scheduled light aircraft, usually connecting through Arusha or other airstrips. The journey often takes three to five hours.
When is the best time for safari and Zanzibar?
June to October, or late December to February, when both the parks and the beaches are at their best.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
No. Your Tanzania visa covers Zanzibar, but Zanzibar has its own mandatory travel insurance.
Should I do the safari or the beach first?
Safari first, so you finish rested on the beach before flying home.
Planning bush and beach? Check availability for your crater nights in Karatu.
