14 Days Tanzania Grand Safari | Ultimate Northern, Southern Circuit & Zanzibar

 Tour Overview 

The 14 Days Tanzania Grand Safari covers more ecological ground, more wildlife diversity, and more of Tanzania’s natural heritage than any other itinerary we offer. If you have ever wondered what it feels like to truly know a country through its wilderness, this comes as close as possible.

First, the journey sweeps through the Northern Circuit in full , Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Then it crosses into Southern Tanzania to visit two of Africa’s most remote national parks. Nyerere stretches across an area larger than Switzerland. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River and guided bush walks bring you closer to the ecosystem than any vehicle can. Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest park, delivers massive lion prides, wild dogs, and a landscape of ancient riverbeds and giant baobabs that feels completely unlike the north.

Tanzania’s northern and southern parks differ from each other as much as any two places on the same continent can. Experiencing both in a single journey gives you a perspective that very few travellers ever gain.

Fourteen days. The whole of Tanzania. Ending, as every great adventure should, on the beaches of Zanzibar. Every moment earns its place.

Route: Arusha → Northern Circuit → Nyerere → Ruaha → Zanzibar
Best For: The most dedicated wildlife travellers and those seeking the definitive Tanzania experience
Meals Included: All meals included throughout
Accommodation: Mix of luxury lodges, tented camps, and beach resort

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Kori Safaris representative and transferred to your carefully selected lodge in Arusha. Set against the backdrop of Mount Meru, Arusha is Tanzania’s safari capital and the ideal starting point for your adventure. Take time to relax after your journey, enjoy the lodge’s tranquil gardens, and soak in your first impressions of East Africa. In the evening, meet your safari guide for a detailed briefing over dinner as you prepare for the remarkable journey ahead.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, begin your safari adventure with a drive to Tarangire National Park, a landscape famous for its towering baobab trees and some of the largest elephant herds in East Africa. The park offers an authentic wilderness experience where wildlife roams freely across vast savannahs and river valleys. Throughout the day, enjoy game drives in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and a variety of birdlife. The Tarangire River acts as a magnet for animals, creating exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities and making this the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s incredible safari experience.

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park

Today’s safari takes you to the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but incredibly diverse ecosystem nestled beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The park is known for its lush groundwater forests, open grasslands, acacia woodlands, and the shimmering soda lake that attracts thousands of flamingos during certain seasons. Keep an eye out for Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, forest elephants, hippos, and an impressive variety of bird species. The combination of dramatic scenery and rich biodiversity makes this one of Tanzania’s most picturesque parks.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park

This morning, travel through the stunning Ngorongoro Highlands towards the legendary Serengeti National Park. As the landscape opens into endless plains, you’ll begin to understand why the Serengeti is considered one of the greatest wildlife destinations on Earth. Along the way, enjoy wildlife sightings before arriving in the heart of the park for an afternoon game drive. Large herds of grazing animals, elegant giraffes, prowling predators, and spectacular sunsets create an unforgettable first introduction to the Serengeti wilderness.

Day 5: Full Day Serengeti Safari

Spend a full day exploring the vast ecosystems of the Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may encounter sections of the Great Wildebeest Migration as thousands of animals move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. Your guide will track wildlife throughout the day, focusing on predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas that follow the migrating herds. Every game drive reveals new landscapes and encounters, making each hour in the Serengeti unique. For those seeking an extraordinary experience, an optional sunrise hot-air balloon safari offers breathtaking aerial views of the plains.

Day 6: Northern Serengeti and Mara River

Today, journey north into one of the Serengeti’s most remote and spectacular regions. The Northern Serengeti is renowned for the dramatic Mara River crossings that occur during the migration season, when thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave crocodile-filled waters in one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Beyond the migration, this region offers exceptional game viewing, rolling hills, riverine forests, and a true sense of untouched wilderness. With fewer visitors and expansive landscapes, the Northern Serengeti delivers an exclusive safari experience that feels wonderfully wild and remote.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater

After a final morning in the Serengeti, travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Often described as Africa’s Eden, the crater is home to an astonishing concentration of wildlife within its ancient volcanic walls. During your game drive, search for black rhinos, elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas, and flamingos that gather around the alkaline lakes. The diversity of habitats within the crater creates some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities anywhere in Africa, making this one of the highlights of the entire journey.

Day 8: Flight to Nyerere National Park

Today you leave Northern Tanzania behind and fly south to the vast wilderness of Nyerere National Park, formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve. Covering an enormous area of untouched bush, Nyerere offers a completely different safari atmosphere from the northern parks. The landscapes are raw, wild, and wonderfully uncrowded, allowing for a deeper connection with nature. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and enjoy your first glimpse of one of Africa’s most authentic wilderness destinations.

Day 9: Nyerere Boat Safari and Walking Safari

Today showcases two of the unique safari activities that make Southern Tanzania so special. Begin with a boat safari along the Rufiji River, where hippos wallow in the shallows, crocodiles bask on riverbanks, and elephants frequently visit the water’s edge. The river attracts an abundance of wildlife and birdlife, providing exceptional photographic opportunities. Later, join an experienced ranger for a guided walking safari, offering a fascinating insight into the smaller details of the ecosystem, from animal tracks and medicinal plants to the hidden wonders of the African bush.

Day 10: Full Day Nyerere Game Drives

Spend the day exploring the immense landscapes of Nyerere National Park. The park is famous for its healthy populations of elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, crocodiles, and the endangered African wild dog. With relatively few vehicles in the park, game viewing feels intimate and exclusive. As you travel through woodlands, floodplains, and river systems, you’ll experience a side of Tanzania that remains largely untouched by mass tourism and rich in wildlife encounters.

Day 11: Flight to Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, board a scenic flight to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park and one of Africa’s most underrated safari destinations. The landscape here is rugged and dramatic, characterized by ancient baobab trees, rocky escarpments, dry riverbeds, and vast wilderness areas. Upon arrival, enjoy your first game drive while discovering a park known for its extraordinary predator populations and authentic safari atmosphere.

Day 12: Full Day Ruaha Wildlife Experience

Today is dedicated to exploring the remarkable ecosystems of Ruaha National Park. The park is famous for supporting some of Africa’s largest lion prides, along with significant populations of elephants, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and endangered wild dogs. The Great Ruaha River serves as the lifeblood of the park and attracts a constant flow of wildlife throughout the year. The combination of dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife, and very few visitors makes Ruaha one of the continent’s true safari gems.

Day 13: Flight to Zanzibar

After breakfast, fly from the rugged wilderness of Ruaha to the idyllic island of Zanzibar. Upon arrival, transfer to your luxury beach resort overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Spend the afternoon relaxing on pristine white-sand beaches, enjoying the warm tropical climate, and reflecting on the incredible safari experiences of the past two weeks. The contrast between the African bush and Zanzibar’s coastal beauty creates the perfect finale to your Tanzanian adventure.

Day 14: Zanzibar and Departure

Enjoy a leisurely final morning in paradise. Take a walk along the beach, swim in the warm Indian Ocean, or simply relax while listening to the gentle rhythm of the waves. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to explore the historic streets of Stone Town or enjoy the facilities at your resort before your transfer to the airport. As your journey comes to an end, you leave with unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s extraordinary wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and warm hospitality,a safari experience that will stay with you long after you return home.

What’s Included & Excluded

What’s Included
✓ All park and conservation fees
✓ Professional English-speaking safari guide
✓ 4×4 safari land cruiser / game drive vehicle
✓ Accommodation as specified per itinerary
✓ All meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
✓ Safari bottled drinking water
✓ Flying doctors emergency evacuation insurance
✓ Airport/hotel transfers

What’s Excluded
✗ International and domestic flights
✗ Visa fees (Tanzania visa ~USD 50)
✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
✗ Tips & gratuities for guides and camp staff
✗ Personal items, laundry, and souvenirs
✗ Alcoholic and soft drinks
✗ Optional activities (balloon safari, guided walks)
✗ Items of personal nature

Related Posts