13-days Track the Great Migration Tanzania

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your Gardenia African Safaris driver-guide warmly welcomes you. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your lodge in Arusha, surrounded by lush gardens and views of Mount Meru. Take this day to rest and recover from your journey. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short town tour or relax with a drink on the veranda. Dinner is served at your lodge, offering a taste of Tanzanian hospitality and local cuisine. Your guide will provide a short briefing about your upcoming safari adventure. This evening sets the tone for an exciting journey ahead, filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Get a good night's sleep to prepare for your adventure across Tanzania’s iconic national parks, starting tomorrow.

Accommodation: lush gardens  

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its majestic baobab trees and vast herds of elephants. The park is a wildlife photographer’s dream, home to lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and over 500 bird species. Enjoy a thrilling game drive through diverse landscapes of river valleys, savannahs, and swamps. Stop for a picnic lunch overlooking the Tarangire River, where animals gather to drink. In the afternoon, continue your game drive in search of big cats and migratory herds. Arrive at Ngorongoro Farm House by evening, where dinner awaits and the peaceful ambiance of the Ngorongoro Highlands offers a relaxing retreat. This day offers a perfect start to your safari—captivating scenery, dramatic wildlife, and the comfort of a beautiful lodge to unwind after your first full day in the wild.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House  

Meals: Full Board

Leave Karatu after breakfast and drive toward the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. En route, pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with scenic stops at lookout points along the crater rim. Descend onto the endless plains of the Serengeti, where the landscape opens into a vast savannah alive with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for cheetahs, lions, elephants, and the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebras. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the bush before continuing your game drive en route to your luxury tented camp. Arrive at Cherero Camp in time for sunset and a delicious dinner under the stars. Surrounded by the sounds of nature, fall asleep in comfort to the calls of distant hyenas and roaring lions. This is the Serengeti—untamed, iconic, and unforgettable.

Accommodation: Cherero Camp

 Meals: Full Board

Today is dedicated to exploring the vast Serengeti plains. Begin with an early morning game drive to witness predators in action during the cool dawn hours. Depending on the season, follow the path of the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebras cross rivers and grasslands in search of fresh grazing. Visit iconic areas like the Seronera Valley, known for big cat sightings and abundant wildlife. Stop for a picnic lunch in the shade before continuing your afternoon game drive. With luck, spot elephants bathing, giraffes browsing acacia trees, or hippos wallowing in pools. Return to Cherero Camp in the evening for dinner and stories around the campfire. The Serengeti reveals something new each day—today, you’ve experienced the wild heart of Africa at its raw and beautiful best.

Accommodation: Cherero Camp

 Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, enjoy a final Serengeti game drive as you slowly exit the park and journey toward Ngorongoro. Travel through Maasai lands and highland scenery, with a chance to visit a traditional Maasai boma (optional) to learn about their culture and way of life. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the road, with scenic stops for photos and wildlife viewing. Reach at Kudu lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater by late afternoon, set among lush hills with spectacular views. Relax with a hot shower, fresh dinner, and a quiet evening by the fire. This transition day combines the vastness of the Serengeti with the cultural richness of the Ngorongoro Highlands, preparing you for tomorrow’s breathtaking descent into the crater one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife areas.

Accommodation: Kudu  Lodge

Meals: Full Board

Rise early for a full-day game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Descend 600 meters into the ancient caldera, where around 30,000 animals reside year-round. Spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, flamingos, and more in this self-contained paradise. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the Hippo Pool, where wildlife often approaches the water. Your guide will share fascinating details about the crater’s ecology and animal behavior. In the afternoon, ascend back to the crater rim and return to Kudu lodge. Relax after a thrilling day with dinner and a warm drink under the stars. The crater is a true highlight of any Tanzanian safari—compact, visually stunning, and teeming with life.

Accommodation: Kudu  Lodge

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for your short domestic flight to Zanzibar. On arrival, you’ll be met by your Gardenia representative and transferred to Zanzibar Palace Hotel. The turquoise Indian Ocean, white sands, and swaying palms welcome you to a different kind of paradise. Settle into your beachfront bungalow, enjoy a swim in the pool or sea, and unwind with a tropical drink. Dinner is served with ocean views, as the sunset paints the sky. This change in scenery from savannah to seaside marks the beginning of your Zanzibar holiday, designed for deep relaxation, optional adventure, and cultural discovery. Whether you want to rest or explore, Zanzibar’s charm and beauty are yours to enjoy for the next five days.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its narrow alleyways, carved doors, and vibrant history. Visit the old slave market, the House of Wonders, and bustling bazaars. Learn about Zanzibar’s cultural blend of Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European influences. Later, head to the countryside for a spice tour. Smell and taste cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla while walking through fragrant spice plantations. Enjoy a traditional Swahili lunch in the garden before returning to Zanzibar Palace Hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure—sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying a massage. As evening arrives, dine on the beach under the stars. This day offers a perfect mix of cultural immersion, local flavor, and island relaxation.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Meals: Full Board

Start your day with an oceanfront breakfast and let the hours unfold at your own pace. Today is dedicated to pure beach leisure. Whether you want to read a book in a hammock, swim in warm waters, or stroll barefoot along the sand, this day is yours to enjoy. Optional activities include snorkeling, diving, or a sunset sailing trip on a traditional dhow boat. You can also book a spa treatment or explore the surrounding fishing villages. Zanzibar’s gentle rhythm invites you to slow down and savor the moment. Enjoy lunch with fresh seafood and tropical fruits, then relax with a cocktail as the sun sets. This tranquil beach day offers a restful counterpoint to your thrilling safari days.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Meals: Full Board

Today is perfect for optional exploration. Choose from a range of island activities tailored to your interests. Take a boat trip to Mnemba Atoll for world-class snorkeling or dolphin spotting. Visit Jozani Forest to see endangered red colobus monkeys in their natural habitat. Explore the village of Nungwi, known for dhow-building and lively coastal culture. Alternatively, stay at the resort and simply unwind by the beach or pool. Enjoy local cuisine at Zanzibar Palace Hotel. Whether you want excitement or rest, your Gardenia team can assist with arrangements. As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, toast to your island adventure with a chilled drink in hand.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Meals: Full Board

Today offers yet another full day to embrace Zanzibar’s beauty at your own pace. Begin with a swim in the warm ocean or join a yoga session by the shore. For the curious, arrange a cooking class to learn traditional Swahili dishes. Or take a cycling tour through coconut groves and spice plantations. If relaxation is your goal, this is the perfect day to enjoy the resort’s pool, sip fresh juice, and take a mid-day nap in your private veranda. Zanzibar rewards those who slow down—and today invites you to simply “be.” Watch the sunset from a beach lounge and reflect on the journey you’ve had so far: from the thundering hooves of the Serengeti to the peaceful rhythm of island life.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Meals: Full Board

Begin your second full day in Zanzibar with a leisurely breakfast by the sea. This day is all about relaxation let the pace slow as you soak in the tropical serenity. Choose to stretch out under swaying palms, read a book in a beach hammock, or take a refreshing swim in the warm Indian Ocean. Want something more active? Optional excursions can be arranged, including snorkeling, diving, or a visit to the lush Jozani Forest to see red colobus monkeys. Enjoy a rejuvenating massage or spa treatment at Hotel. Indulge in fresh seafood for lunch, sip coconut water straight from the shell, or join a late afternoon sunset dhow cruise. As evening falls, dine by candlelight on the sand. This beach day is the perfect pause—time to reflect, recharge, and savor your surroundings in this island paradise.

Accommodation: Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Meals: Full Board

Wake up to your final morning in paradise. After breakfast, enjoy a last gentle walk along the beach, a quick dip in the pool, or simply relax as the ocean breeze kisses your skin. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to shop for souvenirs—perhaps fragrant spices, handmade crafts, or beautiful fabrics. Your Gardenia African Safaris driver will arrive for your airport transfer with plenty of time to ensure a smooth departure from Zanzibar. As you fly home, carry vivid memories of Africa: her roaring lions, thundering herds, warm smiles, and tranquil turquoise shores. This 13-day journey has taken you from the heart of the Great Migration to the soul-soothing coastline of Zanzibar, combining discovery, connection, and relaxation. It’s more than a holiday—it’s a life-changing experience you’ll treasure forever.