10 Days Tanzania Safari, Mount Meru Hike and Zanzibar Holiday is one of the best Tanzania safari tour that you can book for an amazing safari experience, mountain climbing experience and a Zanzibar beach holiday for a chance to unwind after a classic Tanzania safari experience in mainland Tanzania!
Summary Itinerary of 10 Days Tanzania Safari, Mount Meru Hike and Zanzibar Holiday
Day 1: Pick up, Transfer to Serengeti National Park, Game Drive
Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Drive
Day 4: Tarangire National Park Game Drive and Drive to Arusha
Day 5: Trekking From Momella Gate To Miriakamba Hut
Day 6: Trekking From Miriakamba Hut To Saddle Hut
Day 7: Trekking From Saddle Hut To Socialist Peak And Descent To Momella Gate
Day 8: Stone Town, Spice Tour, and Prison Island
Day 9: Day at Leisure
Day 10: Departure
Day 1: Pick up, Transfer to Serengeti National Park, Game Drive
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and welcome you for the safari and after short briefing, you will start your transfer to Serengeti National Park.
After having lunch, you will engage in a late afternoon game drive as you search for wildlife species in the savannah plains such as the big five like elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos and also enjoy the beautiful scenery such as the kopjes where lions can be seen as they watch their prey. You will proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Central Serengeti Tanzania Bush Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
You will have an early breakfast at your lodge and your guide will drive you on a morning game viewing experience around the central part of Serengeti national park where you will search for wildlife species like lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, impalas, gazelles, kudu, rhinos among others.
After having your picnic lunch enjoyed in the wilderness, you will engage in an afternoon game drive around Serengeti national park as you look out for wildlife species and later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Optional Activity: Hot air balloon safari @550USD per person
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Drive
Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours
After breakfast at the camp, you will drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. With your packed lunch you will descend the 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater for amazing wildlife viewing opportunities and to enjoy the beautiful scenery, including the big 5 Ngorongoro animals.
You will look out for a variety of wildlife species which include wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants as well as predators such as lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and leopard. After the game drive, you will proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hhando Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Tarangire National Park Game Drive and Drive to Arusha
On this da, you shall have your breakfast at the lodge and with your lunch boxes, drive to Tarangire National Park for an amazing half day wild game viewing experience before the sunrise. Look out for other animals in the park like zebras, giraffes, lions, large herds of elephants which the park is famous for, and so much more.
Enjoy lunch in the wilderness, and another game viewing opportunity as you leave the park driving to Arusha. Check in at your hotel, relax and meet your Mount Meru hiking crew as you look to embark on the adventure the next day. Dinner and an overnight stay at Masai land Safari Lodge.
Day 5: Trekking From Momella Gate To Miriakamba Hut
Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Momella Gate in Arusha National Park. At this time, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). The first day of hiking is similar to a walking safari; you should expect to see giraffes, zebras, antelope, buffalo, and potentially elephants near the trail. Due to the high possibility of spotting wildlife, an armed ranger, hired through the National Park, is required to hike with our team for the duration of the hike. As you continue hiking, you will pass the Ngarenanyuki River and a beautiful waterfall at the base of Mt. Meru. Upon arriving to Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m), your chef will prepare a hot dinner and warm water for you.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:
- Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
- Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
- Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the
morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Momella Gate (1,500 m) — Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Day 6: Trekking From Miriakamba Hut To Saddle Hut
After breakfast, you will start ascending up the steep trail along the ridge of the saddle. You may see various wildlife along the way! The trail has amazing views of Meru Crater and the Ash Cone. When you arrive at camp, you have the option of hiking Little Meru (3,820 m) with your guide to further acclimate. You will be served an early dinner, so you can receive ample rest before your midnight summit attempt.
Change in Elevation: Miriakamba Hut (2,500 m) — Saddle Hut (3,550 m) Hiking distance: 5 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Day 7: Trekking From Saddle Hut To Socialist Peak And Descent To Momella Gate
Summiting has an early start at around 00:00. There is a 1-hour steep climb to Rhino Point (3,800 m), then the path continues along a ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m). The summit of Socialist Peak (4,562 m) is an hour further on a steep path with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. Depending on your speed, you can enjoy sunrise at Cobra Point or the summit. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds, and the Rift Valley. The route back to Rhino Point in the morning light along a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. Brunch and a brief rest is taken at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Momella Gate. After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will be transferred to Moshi or Arusha town.
Change in Elevation: Saddle Hut (3,550 m) — Socialist Peak (4,562 m) — Momella Gate (1,500 m) Hiking distance: 16 km
Hiking time: 12–14 hours
You shall then transfer to the airport for a flight to Zanzibar (Own Booking). Upon your arrival in Zanzibar, you shall be picked up and transfered to your hotel of stay. Check in, relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort for Mid-range
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Stone Town, Spice Tour, and Prison Island
Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, which you shall enjoy at leisure. Thereafter, you shall be picked up by your guide, and taken on a Stone Town tour to through some of the historical hallways, and landmarks. Thereafter, you shall have a spice tour where you shall get an opportunity to smell and taste, or even purchase if you will, some of the famous Zanzibar spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, among so many others. Take a boat to visit Prison Island, and see some of the world’s oldest tortoises. Return to the hotel thereafter, relax as you wait for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Day at Leisure
Today, you shall get to relax at the hotel, and get accustomed to your surroundings. Enjoy strolls at the beach, or even a dip in the pool or ocean waters.
Accommodation: As above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, you shall be picked up from your hotel for a transfer to Zanzibar Airport from where you shall catch your flight back to home, bringing your 10 Days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Holiday to an end.
End of 10 Days Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Holiday
Price Includes
- 4×4 safari land cruiser with pop up roof
- Accommodation per itinerary
- Mount Meru hiking fees
- Meals as per itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner.
- Services of an English speaking guide
- National park entrance fees as per itinerary.
- Mineral Water while on safari.
- Crater fees and concession fees
- Zanzibar activities mentioned.
- Government taxes
Price Excludes
- All flights
- Visas and related costs
- Personal expenses like Alcoholic drinks, beverages, tips, laundry, telephone calls and other items of a personal nature
- Optional excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary
- Anything else not included in the itinerary
