Tanzania and Zanzibar in 10 days
A day-by-day route from the baobabs of Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, then Stone Town and the beaches of Zanzibar, with an activity sheet and its sources for every stage.
Ten days in two parts: the northern parks, from Tarangire to the Serengeti, then Zanzibar island, from Stone Town to Nungwi. Every stage links to an activity sheet, where each fact cites its source.
Travel times and distances come from Wikivoyage and Wikipedia. No prices are given: we found no official park fee schedule online. Where no source gives a duration, this notebook gives none.
Day 1 · Tarangire
From Arusha, a paved road south reaches Tarangire in under two hours. The park is famous for its elephants and baobabs; in the June to November dry season, herds gather along the river.
Day 2 · Lake Manyara
Lake Manyara National Park is a 70 km drive from Tarangire. It is known for lions that rest in acacia trees, and its groundwater forest greets visitors at the entrance.
Day 3 · The Ngorongoro Crater
Karatu, 10 km from the gates, is the cheapest base to arrange the day. The caldera, 610 m deep, has a 260 km² floor. In the mornings, mist often reduces visibility on the rim roads.
Days 4 and 5 · The Serengeti
From the Ngorongoro Crater to Naabi Hill Gate, the Serengeti entrance, is about 80 km. The park covers 14,763 km²; the migrating herds move south for the October–November short rains, then west and north after the long rains of April to June.
Small aircraft link Seronera airstrip, at the heart of the park, with Arusha.
Day 6 · On to Zanzibar
Stone Town is reached by boat from Dar es Salaam or Pemba. Our sources give no direct link from the northern parks: ask your operator.
Days 7 and 8 · Stone Town
Zanzibar’s old town, a World Heritage Site since 2000, is a maze of alleys with carved wooden doors. Every evening, Forodhani Gardens host a grilled seafood market. In town, arms and legs are covered.
Days 9 and 10 · Nungwi and the northern beaches
From Stone Town, the road to Nungwi takes 1.5 to 2 hours. At low tide you can wade far out; at sunset some fifty sailing boats leave for a night of fishing.
Sources · 8
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