Safari and Beach: Why Tanzania + Zanzibar Is the Perfect European Holiday
If there’s one trip that combines the thrill of African wildlife with the relaxation of a tropical beach holiday, it’s a Tanzania safari followed by a few days on Zanzibar’s white-sand shores. This classic combination is wildly popular with European travellers for good reason: you get the Serengeti’s legendary wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater’s natural amphitheatre of animals, and Zanzibar’s turquoise Indian Ocean waters — all in a single two-week holiday.
For travellers from the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and across Europe, Tanzania offers a compelling mix of adventure and relaxation that’s hard to match anywhere else on the continent. Here’s how to plan the perfect 14-day itinerary.
The Classic 14-Day Itinerary
Days 1–2: Arrive Arusha
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — the main gateway for northern Tanzania safaris. KLM offers direct flights from Amsterdam, while Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Qatar Airways provide excellent connections from cities across Europe. From the airport, transfer to Arusha (45 minutes), the safari capital of Tanzania. Spend your first night acclimatising at a lodge with views of Mount Meru. If you arrive early enough, visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre or take a coffee plantation tour.
Days 3–4: Tarangire National Park
Begin your safari at Tarangire, often called “the elephant park.” During dry season (June–October), hundreds of elephants congregate along the Tarangire River, creating some of Africa’s most spectacular elephant encounters. The park is also famous for its massive baobab trees — some over 1,000 years old — and excellent predator sightings including lion, leopard, and African wild dog. Tarangire is less crowded than the Serengeti and offers a wonderfully intimate safari experience.
Days 5–6: Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. The crater floor covers 260 square kilometres and supports around 25,000 large animals including the Big Five. It’s one of the few places in Tanzania where you can reliably spot black rhino. The crater’s contained environment means game viewing is exceptional — you’re virtually guaranteed lions, elephants, buffaloes, and flamingo-lined soda lakes. Stay at a crater-rim lodge for sunrise views over this natural wonder.
Days 7–9: Serengeti National Park
The main event. Transfer to the Serengeti — Tanzania’s most famous national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Serengeti’s vast plains support the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth. Depending on the season, you might witness the Great Wildebeest Migration: over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras on their eternal circuit between Tanzania and Kenya.
June–July: The herds gather in the western Serengeti and central Serengeti, preparing for the northward push. August–October: Dramatic river crossings in the northern Serengeti as herds cross the Mara River into Kenya. December–March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti — 8,000 calves born daily, attracting every predator imaginable.
Spend three nights exploring different sections of the park. A hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti at dawn (approximately €500 per person) is one of Africa’s most unforgettable experiences.
Day 10: Fly to Zanzibar
Catch a light aircraft flight from the Serengeti to Zanzibar (approximately 2 hours via Arusha, or direct seasonal flights). The transition from dusty savannah to tropical spice island is dramatic and wonderful. You’ll land in Stone Town or at Zanzibar’s main airport.
Days 11–13: Zanzibar Beach & Culture
Zanzibar offers a completely different pace. Choose between the pristine beaches of the east coast (Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje) or the cultural richness of Stone Town:
Nungwi/Kendwa (north): The best swimming beaches with minimal tidal variation. Perfect for pure relaxation, snorkelling, and sunset dhow cruises. Luxury resorts and boutique hotels line the coast.
Paje/Jambiani (east): Popular with kitesurfers and travellers seeking a more laid-back, bohemian atmosphere. Beautiful beaches but significant tidal changes.
Stone Town: Spend at least half a day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the narrow streets, visit the spice markets, tour the former slave market, and sample Zanzibar’s incredible street food scene at the Forodhani Gardens night market.
Don’t miss a spice tour (cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom), a snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll, or a visit to Jozani Forest to see the endemic red colobus monkeys.
Day 14: Departure
Transfer to Zanzibar airport for your return flight to Europe. Direct connections are available to Amsterdam (KLM seasonal), or connect via Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Doha, or Istanbul.
Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Costs for European Travellers
A 14-day Tanzania + Zanzibar itinerary typically costs:
Mid-range: €4,500–6,500 per person sharing (private vehicle safari, comfortable lodges/tented camps, 4-star Zanzibar beach hotel, all meals on safari, B&B on Zanzibar, internal flights, park fees).
Luxury: €8,000–15,000+ per person (exclusive lodges, premium beach resort, balloon safari, private excursions, all-inclusive drinks packages).
International flights from Europe: €500–1,000 per person depending on routing and season.
Best Time to Visit
June–October: Dry season, peak wildlife viewing, Great Migration. Best weather for both safari and beach. Busiest and most expensive.
December–February: Short dry season. Calving in the Serengeti, hot weather on Zanzibar. Excellent for European Christmas and New Year holidays.
March–May: Long rains. Lower prices, fewer tourists, but some lodges close and roads can be challenging. Zanzibar also receives rain but is still warm.
Book Your Tanzania & Zanzibar Holiday
NatureNest Safaris designs bespoke Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holidays for European travellers. Every itinerary is tailored to your dates, interests, and budget. Whether you want Great Migration drama, Ngorongoro’s Big Five, or simply Zanzibar’s turquoise waters, we’ll craft the perfect two-week escape. Contact us for a free personalised quote.