- Tour code
TZAADV01
- Start
Kilimanjaro
- End
Zanzibar
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Mountain, savanna, crater and island, all in ten days. The trip opens beneath Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, with a 3.5-hour hike on the Shira Route, climbing to around 3,500 meters over open moorland.
After a night in Arusha, a short flight takes you into the Serengeti. Two nights at a tented camp mean game drives in the early morning and late afternoon, when the animals are most active, looking for lions, elephants, giraffes and the rest of the plains' residents. At dawn there's the option of a balloon flight over the grasslands.
On the way to the Ngorongoro Crater you'll stop at a Maasai village, then picnic on the crater floor, walk forest trails to waterfalls and the Elephant Caves and cook a traditional meal with a family in Karatu. A visit to a social enterprise supporting artisans with disabilities rounds off your time on the mainland.
The last stretch is on Zanzibar: open days for Stone Town, the beach or the pool, and a farewell sunset cruise with your group. Your Soca Islands Host is with you throughout, and groups are kept small, from 6 to 16 travelers.
Why This Journey
Plenty of safaris start and end in a game vehicle. This one gives you the full shape of northern Tanzania: a first taste of Kilimanjaro on foot, the open plains of the Serengeti, the wildlife-filled bowl of Ngorongoro, and then three nights by the Indian Ocean to let it all sink in.
The flights into the Serengeti and on to Zanzibar cut out long road days, so more of your time goes to game drives, village visits and meals with local families. It suits travelers who want a first safari with real variety, and who like the idea of finishing with sand between their toes.
Where You'll Stay
Moshi (1 night): Weru Weru River Lodge, in gardens beneath Kilimanjaro. Arusha (1 night): Gran Meliá Arusha, on a coffee plantation outside town. Serengeti (2 nights): Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, a tented lodge in the central Serengeti. Karatu (2 nights): Ngorongoro Farm House, on a coffee farm near the Ngorongoro gate. Zanzibar (3 nights): Zuri Zanzibar, on the northwest coast near Kendwa. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Rooms are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and out of Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar; arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Look for the Big Five on game drives across the Serengeti
Hike the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro on a day trek
Toast the sunset from a dhow off the coast of Zanzibar
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Optional hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti (extra cost)
- Optional Stone Town tour and other optional excursions on Zanzibar
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
After landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a private transfer brings you to your hotel near Moshi, with the mountain rising behind it when the clouds allow.
Take a swim or a rest after the flight, then meet the group and your Soca Islands Host for welcome drinks and dinner.
After breakfast, lace up for a 3.5-hour hike on Kilimanjaro's Shira Route, gaining height to around 3,500 meters over rough, open ground. Keep an eye on the trees on the lower slopes for black-and-white colobus monkeys.
A picnic lunch marks the finish, and then you continue to Arusha, the gateway town for Tanzania's northern parks.
A short flight lands you in Serengeti National Park, among the richest wildlife areas on the planet. You'll spot animals on the drive to your tented camp, where lunch is waiting.
In the afternoon, set out on your first game drive across the plains, returning for dinner under a sky full of stars.
At dawn, there's the option of a hot-air balloon flight over the plains (extra cost), drifting low over the grasslands as the sun comes up.
The rest of the day is split between morning and afternoon game drives, tracking lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and whatever else the Serengeti sends your way. The middle of the day is time to rest at camp while the animals do the same.
Leave the Serengeti with a stop at a traditional Maasai village to learn about daily life, family structure and customs from the people who live there.
Next is the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano whose floor holds one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Picnic on the crater floor, head out on an afternoon game drive, and finish with dinner at your lodge.
A guided nature walk in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area follows forest trails to waterfalls and the Elephant Caves, hollowed out over years by elephants digging for salt.
In the afternoon, you'll join a family in Karatu to cook traditional dishes together and share the meal, then return to the lodge for a quiet evening.
Stop at a local social enterprise that supports artisans with disabilities and see their work up close, then have lunch in Arusha.
A flight takes you to Zanzibar. After check-in, stretch your legs with a walk along the beach under the palms.
The day is yours. Stay on the beach, or take an optional guided tour of Stone Town, the historic heart of the island's spice-trade past, with its carved wooden doors, markets and narrow lanes.
In the evening, Nungwi Beach and its beach bars are an option if you want some nightlife.
Another free day to swim, laze by the pool or book an optional excursion.
Late in the day, the group heads out on a sunset cruise, followed by a farewell dinner together.
After breakfast, your departure transfer takes you to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) for your flight home; help is on hand if you need it.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Weru Weru River Lodge
A lodge set in gardens beside the Weru Weru River on the outskirts of Moshi, with views of Kilimanjaro on clear days. It is an easy road transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport, a convenient first stop after arrival.
It has an outdoor pool, a restaurant and bar and garden cottages, which suits a relaxed welcome evening before the hike.
Gran Meliá Arusha
A hotel set within a coffee plantation on the edge of Arusha, with views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Kilimanjaro. It is a comfortable stop between the mountain and the safari circuit, with easy road access for groups.
Facilities include an outdoor pool, a spa and several restaurants and bars.
Hotel websiteKubu Kubu Tented Lodge
A tented lodge on a hillside in the central Serengeti, looking out over the Seronera area, which holds wildlife year-round and is a good base for morning and afternoon game drives.
Spacious tents with private bathrooms, an infinity pool facing the plains and a restaurant make it a comfortable camp for two nights in the park.
Ngorongoro Farm House
A lodge on a working coffee farm near Karatu, a few minutes from the Lodoare gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which makes early starts for the crater straightforward.
Rooms are in thatched cottages spread through the gardens, and the farm grows much of the produce served in its restaurant. There is an outdoor pool with views of the surrounding hills.
Zuri Zanzibar
A beach resort on the northwest coast of Zanzibar near Kendwa, about 50 km from Stone Town and the international airport. Its 56 bungalows, suites and villas are spread through a large tropical garden a short walk from the beach, and Nungwi's beach bars are a short drive away.
There are three restaurants, four bars, a swimming pool, a spice garden and wellness options including yoga, which suits the open days at the end of the trip.
Hotel websiteRooms
You'll stay at Trip Hotel.
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- +$1,751 per person
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
Room prices are per person for the Jun 20, 2027 departure and can differ on other dates. You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and out of Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar) International Airport (ZNZ).
Proposed accommodation is Weru Weru River Lodge near Moshi (1 night), Gran Meliá Arusha (1 night), Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge in the Serengeti (2 nights), Ngorongoro Farm House in Karatu (2 nights) and Zuri Zanzibar (3 nights), or similar, subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. An arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and a departure transfer to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, as described in the itinerary. Other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Tanzania: Kili to Crater trip?
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Flexible payment plan
Pay the balance in equal monthly payments. Everything is due 60 days before departure, so trips departing sooner are paid in full at booking.
