Tanzania 14-Day Itinerary 2026
Two weeks in Tanzania allows you to go deeper into every experience — adding the elephant paradise of Tarangire, the ancient Hadzabe bushman culture at Lake Eyasi, the Kilimanjaro foothills, and four full days on Zanzibar's spice-scented shores to the classic northern circuit safari. With extra time in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you will have the best possible chance of witnessing the full drama of African wildlife, including rare sightings that one-day visits miss.
Route Overview
| Day | Location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Cultural Heritage Centre, coffee tour, Arusha NP |
| 2 | Tarangire | Giant baobabs, elephant herds, tree-climbing pythons |
| 3 | Lake Eyasi | Hadzabe bushman hunt, Datoga blacksmiths |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater | Crater floor game drive, black rhinos, flamingos |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Highlands | Empakaai Crater hike, Maasai boma, rest |
| 6 | Serengeti | Drive in, Seronera Valley, kopje lions |
| 7 | Serengeti | Full day, balloon option, hippo pool, cheetah territory |
| 8 | Serengeti | Migration area (seasonal), final drives, rest PM |
| 9 | Lake Manyara | Tree-climbing lions, flamingos, groundwater forest |
| 10 | Kilimanjaro foothills | Marangu waterfall, Chagga village, coffee farm |
| 11 | Zanzibar | Fly to Zanzibar, Stone Town, spice tour |
| 12 | Zanzibar | Prison Island turtles, dhow cruise, Forodhani |
| 13 | Zanzibar | Nungwi Beach, Mnemba snorkelling, rest day |
| 14 | Zanzibar | Jozani Forest red colobus, Paje kite beach, departure |
Day 1 – Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Transfer to Arusha (1 hour, $40-60). Visit the Cultural Heritage Centre for Tanzanian art and gemstones (free entry). Take a coffee plantation tour at Arusha Coffee Lodge ($30). If time allows, visit Arusha National Park ($53.10) for giraffes, buffalo, colobus monkeys and Mount Meru views. Dinner at Blue Heron or Fifi's.
Stay: Budget: $25 | Mid: $100 | Luxury: $400 (Arusha Coffee Lodge)
Day 2 – Tarangire National Park
Drive south to Tarangire National Park (2.5 hours, $53.10 entry). Tarangire is famous for its enormous baobab trees and the highest elephant density of any Tanzanian park — during the dry season, thousands of elephants congregate along the Tarangire River. The park also has tree-climbing pythons, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, and over 550 bird species. Full-day game drive along the river before heading to your camp.
Stay: Budget: Tarangire campsite ($30) | Mid: Tarangire Sopa ($200) | Luxury: Chem Chem ($1,000)
Day 3 – Lake Eyasi & Hadzabe
Drive west to Lake Eyasi (3 hours). This is a truly unique experience — join the Hadzabe bushmen on a dawn hunt. The Hadzabe are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities in Africa, with a click language and survival skills unchanged for 10,000 years. You will track game with bows and arrows, gather berries and honey, and learn about their extraordinary lifestyle. Afterwards, visit the Datoga blacksmiths, a pastoralist tribe who forge arrowheads and jewellery from scrap metal. Arrange through your safari guide ($40-60 community fees).
Stay: Lake Eyasi Tented Camp (from $80) or drive to Karatu (1.5 hours)
Days 4-5 – Ngorongoro
Day 4: Crater Floor
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive on the crater floor. The world's largest intact caldera contains approximately 25,000 large animals including black rhinos, massive lion prides, elephants, flamingos at Lake Magadi, and hippos at Ngoitokitok Springs. The crater floor game drive is one of Africa's great wildlife experiences — you will likely see the Big Five in a single day.
Day 5: Highlands & Culture
Morning hike to Empakaai Crater (2 hours from the main crater, $23.60 extra), a smaller and more remote crater with a deep soda lake and flamingos, surrounded by forest. The views from the rim on a clear day include Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and the Serengeti. Afternoon visit a Maasai boma on the crater rim to learn about pastoralist life at 2,300 metres altitude. Rest afternoon to recharge.
Stay: Budget: Simba Campsite ($30) | Mid: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge ($200) | Luxury: andBeyond Crater Lodge ($1,500)
Days 6-8 – Serengeti (3 Days)
Day 6: Enter the Serengeti
Drive from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti (3-4 hours) through the highlands and down into the endless plains. Begin game driving through the Seronera Valley — the area with Africa's highest year-round predator density. The rocky kopjes are favourite resting spots for lions and leopards.
Day 7: Full Safari Day
Optional dawn hot-air balloon safari ($600) with champagne bush breakfast. Full-day game drives covering different sectors. Visit the Retima Hippo Pool and the Moru Kopjes where ancient Maasai rock paintings can be seen. The Serengeti has over 3,000 lions — encounters are almost guaranteed.
Day 8: Migration Zone
Based on the season, your guide will take you to where the Great Migration is concentrated. December-March: southern plains calving. April-May: western corridor. June-October: northern Serengeti and river crossings. Morning drive, then rest afternoon at camp to recharge before the next phase of the trip.
Stay: Budget: Heritage Camp ($150 FB) | Mid: Serena Lodge ($350) | Luxury: Four Seasons ($1,800)
Days 9-10 – Lake Manyara & Kilimanjaro
Day 9: Lake Manyara
Drive from Serengeti to Lake Manyara National Park (5-6 hours). Explore the groundwater forest with massive mahogany and fig trees, search for tree-climbing lions, spot flamingos along the lakeshore, and enjoy the 400+ bird species. Stay on the Rift Valley escarpment with spectacular views.
Day 10: Kilimanjaro Foothills
Drive east to the Kilimanjaro foothills (4 hours to Moshi/Marangu). Visit Marangu Waterfall and the surrounding Chagga village with its underground tunnels used during tribal wars. Take a coffee farm tour ($20-30) to see how Tanzania's famous arabica coffee is grown, processed and roasted at altitude. Views of Kilimanjaro (weather permitting) from your hotel.
Stay: Moshi/Marangu — Budget: $20 | Mid: $80 (Keys Hotel) | Luxury: $300 (Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort)
Days 11-14 – Zanzibar
Day 11: Stone Town
Fly from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar (1.5 hours, from $150). Explore Stone Town UNESCO old quarter — the labyrinthine alleys, carved doors, Sultan's Palace, Anglican Cathedral (former slave market), and House of Wonders. Take a spice tour ($30-40) through clove, nutmeg and cinnamon plantations. Evening at Forodhani Gardens night market for street food.
Day 12: Stone Town & Culture
Boat trip to Prison Island ($35 including boat) to see Aldabra giant tortoises, some over 100 years old. Afternoon dhow sunset cruise ($25-40) from Stone Town. Explore the rooftop bars — Africa House, Emerson on Hurumzi, 6 Degrees. This is your cultural day in Zanzibar.
Day 13: North Coast Beaches
Transfer to Nungwi Beach (1 hour north). Snorkelling trip to Mnemba Atoll ($40-60) — pristine coral with dolphins, turtles and tropical fish. Visit Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation (TSh 5,000). Afternoon relaxing on the beach. This is your rest day — read, swim, sleep.
Day 14: East Coast & Departure
Morning visit to Jozani Forest ($10) to see the endemic red colobus monkeys (only found in Zanzibar). Drive to Paje on the east coast, famous for kitesurfing and pristine beach. Lunch at The Rock restaurant (iconic restaurant on a rock in the ocean). Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for departure.
Stay: Budget: $20 (Stone Town) / $30 (beach) | Mid: $120 / $150 | Luxury: $500+ (Park Hyatt / Zuri)
Budget Summary (14 Days)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (14 nights) | $500 | $2,800 | $12,000 |
| Safari vehicle + guide (8 days) | $1,200 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Park/crater fees | $650 | $650 | $650 |
| Flights (Kili-Zanzibar) | $150 | $200 | $350 |
| Food & drinks | $300 | $600 | $1,500 |
| Activities & extras | $150 | $400 | $1,200 |
| Total per person | $2,950 | $6,650 | $19,700 |
Prices in USD based on 2026 rates. Park fees for non-residents.
Trip Snapshot
- Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
- Parks: 5 + Zanzibar
- Budget from: $2,950
- Best months: Jun-Oct, Jan-Feb
- Big Five: All 5 possible