5.0 01 / PREPARATION
Before the journey
Planning and practical preparation before departure.
Personal trip planning
Route planning shaped around your dates, priorities and travel style.
Packing list
A practical packing guide for the selected itinerary.
East African Safari & Beach Bliss
Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Tanzania beckons with a symphony of natural wonders and cultural riches. This safari and beach experience moves from wildlife country and living cultural traditions to the white sands of Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean.
This 16-day adventure includes Tarangire's elephant country, cultural encounters with the Hadzabe and Datoga communities, the Ngorongoro highlands and crater, and several days in the Serengeti.
A sunrise hot-air balloon safari offers a different perspective on the Serengeti before the journey continues to Zanzibar for four full days at leisure by the coast.
The itinerary can operate year-round. Wildlife movements and weather vary by season, so final routing, activities and availability should be confirmed for the chosen dates.
Itinerary forPrivate safari and beach journey
Travel DatesJanuary–December; seasonal wildlife patterns apply
GuestsQuoted per person sharing; private arrangements available
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Arusha
Meet your driver at Kilimanjaro International Airport and settle into your Arusha-area accommodation.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay on a half-board basis. Arusha sits at the base of Mount Meru and serves as the gateway to northern Tanzania's safari circuit and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 2Fly to Tarangire National Park
Fly from Arusha to Kuro Airstrip, then begin your first Tarangire game drive.
After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for the scheduled flight to Kuro Airstrip in Tarangire National Park. Meet your guide, drive to the lodge for check-in and a safari briefing, then enjoy lunch and an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is known for elephant families, baobab landscapes, seasonal swamps and the Tarangire River.
Day 2 | Accommodation
Luxury1 / 2
Day 3Tarangire Walking Safari and Silale Swamp
Walk with a guide and ranger before exploring Tarangire and the Silale Swamp by vehicle.
Start with an early morning walking safari accompanied by your guide and an armed ranger. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then continue by vehicle through Tarangire. Drive along the Silale Swamp for birdlife and the chance to see elephants, buffalo and predators drawn to this important water source before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 3 | AccommodationLuxury1 / 2
Day 4Lake Eyasi's Communities
Travel to Lake Eyasi for a respectful cultural visit with Hadzabe and Datoga hosts.
Leave Tarangire for Lake Eyasi, a seasonal soda lake south of the crater highlands. With local hosts and guides, learn about Hadzabe hunting and gathering traditions and visit Datoga artisans known for metalwork. Continue to the Lake Eyasi area for dinner and overnight.
Day 5Karatu Village and Gibb’s Farm
Continue through Karatu for cultural exploration and a relaxed afternoon at Gibb’s Farm.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before leaving Lake Eyasi and driving to Karatu village for further cultural exploration. Continue to Gibb’s Farm, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon at leisure among the farm and gardens.
Day 6Maasai Village Walk
Walk through the Ngorongoro highlands to a Maasai village with local guidance.
Drive from Karatu to your tented lodge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for lunch and a short rest. Later, walk through the highlands with your guide, an authorised ranger and a Maasai host. Learn about local flora, fauna and community traditions before returning to the lodge, with the option to stop for sundowners on the way.
Day 7Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
Explore the crater floor, then choose leisure at camp or an optional guided crater-rim walk.
After breakfast, descend with a packed lunch for game viewing on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. UNESCO recognises Ngorongoro as the world’s largest unbroken caldera, with a remarkable concentration of wildlife including black rhino, lion, hyena, zebra and elephant. After leaving the crater, return to the lodge or take an optional guided educational walk along the crater rim.
Day 8Drive to Serengeti National Park
Travel west from Ngorongoro into the vast plains of the Serengeti.
After breakfast, leave Ngorongoro and drive to Serengeti National Park. The plains support the Great Migration as well as resident lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, giraffe and antelope. Arrive at the tented lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 9Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Spend a full day exploring Serengeti wildlife and landscapes with your guide.
Explore the Serengeti’s open plains and varied habitats on morning and afternoon game drives. Wildlife movements depend on rainfall and season, while resident species include impala, buffalo, crocodile, hippo, lion, leopard and cheetah. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 10Serengeti Hot-Air Balloon Safari
Rise before dawn for a balloon flight and bush breakfast, followed by more Serengeti game viewing.
Depart before dawn for the balloon launch site and a safety briefing. Float over the Serengeti for approximately one hour, depending on conditions, then celebrate the landing with a traditional toast and bush breakfast. Rejoin your guide for a full day of game viewing in the national park.
Day 11Fly to Zanzibar
Fly from Seronera to Zanzibar and transfer privately to the beach resort.
After breakfast, transfer to Seronera Airstrip for the scheduled flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at Zanzibar Airport, a member of the team will meet you for the private transfer to your beach resort, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 12Zanzibar Beach Bliss — Day 1
Unwind at Paje Beach or choose an optional island activity.
Enjoy a full day at leisure by the beach. Optional island activities can be arranged according to your interests and weather conditions.
Day 13Zanzibar Beach Bliss — Day 2
A second unhurried day beside the Indian Ocean.
Continue your Zanzibar stay with time for the beach, the resort and optional activities. Your local planner can help arrange excursions separately if desired.
Day 14Zanzibar Beach Bliss — Day 3
Relax at the resort or explore more of Zanzibar at your own pace.
Enjoy another day at leisure on Zanzibar. Choose quiet time at the resort or request an optional cultural, coastal or water-based experience.
Day 15Zanzibar Beach Bliss — Day 4
Make the most of your final full day on Paje Beach.
Spend the final full day of the journey at leisure, enjoying the white-sand coast and resort facilities before departure day.
Day 16Departure from Zanzibar
Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your onward flight.
After breakfast, check out of your room. You may use the shared hotel facilities until the agreed departure time, when your driver will transfer you to Zanzibar Airport for your onward flight.
YOUR JOURNEY, TAKEN CARE OF
What is included in this safari and beach journey
The final quote confirms the exact services for your dates and chosen rooming.
02 / TRANSPORT
Transfers and transport
Road, airport and route transport included in the package.
Airport transfers
Arrival and departure transfers between the airport and the agreed hotel.
Private 4×4 safari vehicle
A private safari vehicle for the confirmed route and game drives.
Domestic flight
The domestic flight specifically listed in the confirmed itinerary.
Zanzibar transfers
Road transfers in Zanzibar as listed in the itinerary.
03 / ACCOMMODATION
Places to stay
Overnight stays included in the confirmed package.
Safari lodges and camps
Safari accommodation selected for the confirmed package.
Zanzibar hotel accommodation
Hotel or resort nights in Zanzibar as listed in the itinerary.
04 / GUIDING AND STAFF
Your professional team
Local professionals supporting the journey.
Professional safari guide
A professional driver-guide throughout the confirmed safari route.
05 / MEALS AND WATER
Meals and refreshments
Food and drinking water supplied as part of the package.
Full-board meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as listed for each itinerary day.
Breakfast
Breakfast on the days specifically listed in the itinerary.
Drinking water
Drinking water supplied during the activities listed in the itinerary.
06 / FEES AND ACTIVITIES
Entry fees and experiences
Confirmed fees and guided activities included in the price.
Park and conservation fees
Applicable entry and conservation fees for the confirmed route.
Safari game drives
Game drives listed in the confirmed day-by-day itinerary.
Ngorongoro Crater service fee
The crater service fee when a crater game drive is included.
Guided walking safari
A guided walking safari with the required local guide or ranger.
Community and cultural visit
The respectful community or cultural experience listed in the itinerary.
Hot-air balloon safari
A sunrise hot-air balloon flight and the associated experience listed in the itinerary.
07 / SAFETY AND SUPPORT
Support throughout
Practical care and local coordination during the journey.
Local trip coordination
Day-to-day coordination by the Betheli Expeditions team.
Government taxes
Applicable government taxes included in the confirmed package price.
Plan your East African Safari & Beach Bliss
Share your preferred dates, travel style and priorities. Our local team will shape the route, pace and details around your journey.
Start planning
What our customers say
Real stories from travelers who climbed, explored, and relaxed with Betheli Expeditions.
Tanzania Safari
5.0“Tanzania is a beautiful and amazing country!”
Every minute of the safari was fantastic and impressive, we left satisfied and are already planning to return. It was professionally organized, congratulations! Sam, our guide, demonstrated exceptional professional expertise, and it was a pleasure to listen to him during the daily tours.
Marangu Route
5.0“Unforgettable Adventure with Betheli Expeditions”
Our guides were incredible — they were experienced, knowledgeable, and made sure we were well taken care of every step of the way. The hike itself is beautiful, with lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and spectacular views of the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro
5.0“Beautiful experience on Mount Kilimanjaro”
Unique and indescribable experience as beautiful as , we spent 5 days trekking on Mount Kilimanjaro and our guides and all of them were unique and really good in accompanying us in this adventure! Rating 10, thank you!!!
Machame Route
5.0“Kilimanjaro trekking Machame Route 7 days”
Wonderful trekking and fantastic team. We met serious, kind and specialized people. They attended us on the trek making us feel at home. All of us reached the top of the mountain!!! I highly recommend Betheli expedition
Mount Meru
5.0“Great trip with wonderful guides, chefs and porters!”
Our trip up Mt. Meru with Richard, Paul, Kennedy and all the guides and porters was excellent. Betheli Expedition staff catered to our every need and request with no complaints and always with a smile on their faces. We were a group of 12 women on our yearly trek together and we truly enjoyed ourselves!
Mount Meru
5.0“A great trip to the top of Mount Meru”
Betheli organised a fantastic trek up to the top of Mount Meru at short notice. We were supported on the trip by a fantastic team - led by our guide Richard - who provided tasty food, carried everything we could possibly need, kept us going up the tricky climb, and even taught us some Swahili along the way!
Kilimanjaro
5.0“Amazing trip with amazing people”
Very well organized, professional, helpful, dedicated team, ready to fulfill each request at any time with experienced and devoted guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful answers for the first conversation and the planning that follows.
Is airfare included in the package price?
International flights are generally excluded unless clearly stated. Domestic flights may be included depending on your itinerary. Your written quote will specify which flights and transfers are covered.
How difficult is Kilimanjaro?
Kilimanjaro is a challenging high-altitude trek. Standard trekking routes do not require technical mountaineering skills, but long walking days, cold temperatures and summit night demand preparation and determination. Regular hiking and fitness training help, but even very fit climbers can develop altitude sickness. A gradual ascent and enough acclimatisation time are essential.
Will I see the Big Five or the Great Migration?
Tanzania offers excellent opportunities to see the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino—particularly when combining the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem throughout the year, following rainfall and fresh grazing. We plan around seasonal movements, but exact locations and river crossings remain unpredictable.
Which coast should I choose?
Choose Zanzibar’s north coast—Nungwi or Kendwa—for golden sunsets, lively beach stays and swimming generally less affected by tides. For village experiences and a changing tidal shoreline, consider Matemwe in the northeast or Paje and Jambiani in the southeast. Mafia and Pemba offer quieter escapes close to nature. We will help you find the coast that fits your preferred pace and experience.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many visitors need a visa, while others are exempt or require approval before travelling. Check the official Tanzania Immigration website before booking. Your passport should have at least six months’ validity and one unused visa page.
Can I combine Kilimanjaro, safari and Zanzibar?
Absolutely. Experience the challenge of Kilimanjaro, the wonder of a wildlife safari and the tranquillity of Zanzibar in one personalised itinerary. We arrange the connections, accommodation and activities, with time to rest and appreciate every part of your journey.