22-Day North Tanzania Safari, Chimpanzee Trek, Zanzibar & Mafia Beach Holiday | Ngotea Distinctive Safaris

22 Day North Tanzania, Chimpanzee Trek, Zanzibar
& Mafia Beach Holiday

  • 🌿 Arusha National Park – Game drive through forests, lakes, and Mount Meru’s foothills.
  • 🏔 Kilimanjaro Day Hike (Shira Plateau) – Hike above the clouds for close-up views of Africa’s highest peak.
  • 🐘 Tarangire, Ndutu & Ngorongoro – Explore world-famous ecosystems brimming with wildlife and dramatic landscapes.
  • 🦓 Southern Serengeti & Central Serengeti – Experience the Great Migration (seasonal) and classic big cat country.
  • 🧑🏾‍🌾 Mto wa Mbu Cultural Visit – Engage with local communities and Tanzanian culture.
  • 🕌 Zanzibar’s Stone Town – Discover the history, spice markets, and Swahili-Arabic charm of this UNESCO-listed port.
  • 🏝 Matemwe Beach – Unwind on Zanzibar’s quiet northern beaches with Indian Ocean breezes and palm-lined shores.
  • 🐬 Mafia Island – Enjoy unmatched tranquility, snorkeling, and marine life far from the tourist trail.
  • 🐒 Gombe National Park – Trek with wild chimpanzees in the park made famous by Dr. Jane Goodall.
  • 🌊 Lake Tanganyika & Kigoma – Explore the shores of Africa’s deepest lake and enjoy a truly off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Overview

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime 22-day adventure through the wild heart and coastal beauty of Tanzania. This journey begins in the lush highlands of Arusha, where you'll explore Arusha National Park and hike on the slopes of Africa's tallest mountain—Mount Kilimanjaro. Venture deep into the Northern Safari Circuit with immersive game drives across Ndutu, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, timing your visit to witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration in Southern Serengeti.

The journey continues with a unique cultural visit to Mto wa Mbu and then transitions into a tropical escape across Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town, the quiet sands of Matemwe, and the secluded island paradise of Mafia. To crown the experience, you'll fly west to the remote wilderness of Gombe National Park, where you’ll track wild chimpanzees in the footsteps of Jane Goodall, then relax by Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma before returning via Dar es Salaam.

This comprehensive itinerary blends thrilling safaris, deep cultural immersion, mountain trekking, pristine beaches, and rare primate encounters—offering a rich and unforgettable portrait of Tanzania’s diversity.

Itinerary

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your personal safari guide and transferred to Olerai Lodge, nestled in a quiet suburb of Arusha. This charming lodge offers a peaceful environment with personalized service—an ideal place to unwind after your journey.

Depending on your arrival time, optional activities such as a guided walk through local coffee farms or a visit to a nearby cultural center can be arranged.

Overnight: Olerai Lodge, Arusha
Drive time: Approx.. 2 hours from Kilimanjaro airport

Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Arusha and journey to Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem famed for its towering baobab trees, rolling savannah, and vast herds of elephants. The park is also home to lions, leopards, giraffes, and over 550 species of birds.

Enjoy a full-day game drive, including a packed lunch at a scenic picnic site overlooking the Tarangire River. In the late afternoon, continue to Karatu, a charming town on the edge of the Ngorongoro highlands, where you’ll check in at Marera Valley Lodge.

Highlights: Elephant herds, baobabs, scenic river views
Drive time: Approx. 3–4 hours from Arusha to Tarangire, 1.5 hours to Karatu

Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart early this morning for a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most stunning natural wonders. With its enclosed ecosystem, the crater offers a high concentration of wildlife, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, hyenas, buffalo, and abundant birdlife.

Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool before exiting the crater and continuing southward to the Ndutu area, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and bordering Serengeti National Park.

Arrive at the historic Ndutu Safari Lodge, known for its rustic charm and proximity to seasonal wildlife migration paths.

Highlights: Big Five sightings, crater floor landscapes, high-density game viewing
Drive time: Approx. 1 hour to Ngorongoro gate, 3–4 hours to Ndutu

Accommodation: Ndutu Safari Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is dedicated to exploring the Ndutu region, a prime location during the Great Migration’s calving season (typically December to March). Vast herds of wildebeest and zebras dot the plains, with newborns attracting predators such as cheetahs, lions, and hyenas.

Unlike the Serengeti National Park, off-road driving is permitted here, allowing you to follow the action closely. Your expert guide will tailor the day to maximize sightings based on recent wildlife movements.

Highlights: Predator-prey dynamics, wildebeest calving, off-road tracking

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a scenic drive back toward Arusha. En route, visit an authentic Maasai boma where you’ll engage with community members, learn about their age-old traditions, and witness traditional dances, crafts, and homesteads.

This enriching cultural exchange offers a deeper appreciation of Tanzania’s human heritage. Later in the afternoon, arrive back at Olerai Lodge for a restful evening.

Highlights: Authentic cultural engagement, traditional Maasai life
Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours with stops

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may choose to unwind at the lodge, take a dip in the pool, or explore optional activities in and around Arusha:

  • Visit to Shanga Foundation – an inspiring workshop employing people with disabilities to create arts and crafts
  • Arusha Coffee Tour – walk through a working plantation and learn about bean-to-cup production
  • Arusha City Tour – visit markets, museums, or local eateries

Optional experiences: Cultural, culinary, and artisan excursions

Accommodation: Olerai Lodge – Double Room
Meals: Breakfast

Spend these two days either relaxing at your lodge or opt for day trips such as:

  • Arusha National Park – great for walking safaris and canoeing on Momella Lakes
  • Lake Duluti – enjoy peaceful canoeing or forest hikes
  • Meserani Snake Park – a fun and educational experience for families

This flexible portion allows you to wind down or explore more, depending on your interests.

Day 8 :
Departure

Meals: Breakfast

After a final breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your outbound flight. As your unforgettable journey comes to an end, we hope you leave with cherished memories and a deeper connection to Tanzania’s people, wildlife, and landscapes.

Drive time: Approx. 2 hour to Kilimanjaro International Airport

Map

From $0
/ Adult
From $0
/ Child
  • Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking guide
  • All park fees and government taxes
  • Accommodation in lodges and tented camps as listed
  • All meals as specified
  • Bottled water during game drives
  • All mentioned Activities
  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Drinks and beverages not listed
  • All Optional Activities
22-Day North Tanzania Safari, Chimpanzee Trek, Zanzibar & Mafia Beach Holiday

✨ Optional Extension: Zanzibar Beach Holiday Available

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