The Best Tanzania Safari and Beach Packages Reviewed
Tanzania has garnered a reputation for its outstanding wildlife reserves and safari experiences, as well as providing a setting for the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. But the country also boasts a magnificent stretch of Indian Ocean coastline that’s dotted with beautiful beaches and the exotic island of Zanzibar while the honeymooning paradise of the Seychelles is just a short flight away.
Despite Tanzania’s large size, frequent flights (both chartered and scheduled) connect its wildlife reserves and beach destinations, enabling travellers to enjoy the best of both worlds when they visit. In this article, we’ll share some of our top Tanzania safari and beach holiday options so you can plan an unforgettable bush and beach getaway. After a few thrilling days tracking wildlife along the country’s Northern or Southern Circuits, you can kick back on the powdery white sands with a cocktail in hand and recount your adventures.
Located a short ferry ride from Dar es Salaam, the exotic island of Zanzibar is one of the most popular destinations for a bush and beach escape. It’s home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed streets of Stone Town that’s infused with Swahili and Islamic influences, as well as a legendary night market where you can feast on the freshest seafood around. Spend your days seeing how spices and tropical fruits are grown in one of the many plantations that dot the island or venture below the water’s surface to snorkel and scuba dive on the surrounding reefs. As the sun sets, embark on a traditional dhow cruise with a drink in hand to watch the day’s last rays illuminate the ocean.
Nungwi Beach in the north of Zanzibar is home to some of the island’s most upmarket resorts, as well as plenty of waterfront bars and restaurants where you can watch all the action. If you prefer somewhere quieter, you can head to Kendwa Beach in the island’s southwest while enjoying a front row seat during Zanzibar’s majestic sunsets.
Zanzibar is connected by direct daily flights to the Serengeti for those wanting to combine a few days on safari with some island time. There are also regular flight connections from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which serves as the gateway to the Northern Circuit. If you want to explore the Southern Circuit, you can jump aboard the ferry to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam at the end of your safari or opt for one of the short 20-minute flights that cross the strip of ocean separating the two.
If you want a taste of Zanzibar without the crowds, consider staying on the neighbouring island of Pemba. Its interior is dominated by rolling hills and home to several clove plantations while the surrounding waters support colourful coral reefs that are teeming with marine life. Several luxury beach resorts hug the coast where you can do as much or as little as you like. You can board a flight from Arusha to Pemba at the end of your Northern Circuit safari or connect from Dar es Salaam after exploring the Southern Circuit.
Travellers craving exclusivity should end their bush and beach escape on the private island of Mnemba, which is just a short boat ride from Zanzibar. It’s home to the barefoot paradise of &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge where you can spend your days indulging in massages, enjoying gourmet dining experiences and taking yoga classes. The island is also ringed by idyllic beaches and protected coral reefs that can be explored while snorkelling or scuba diving.
If you’re after more Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday inspiration, check out our packages here. Alternatively, share with us your dream safari and beach destinations and we’ll make it happen with a customised itinerary!
Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage of exotic Zanzibar during this nine-day itinerary.
Exotic Zanzibar Immersion
7 nights + 8 Days Safari
$7,000.0 *Price From
Experience two of Tanzania’s most spectacular regions during the one vacation on this eight-day safari and beach package.
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Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach Rejuvenation
7 nights + 8 Days Safari
$6,700.0 *Price From
Scattered off the coast of East Africa, the Seychelles is comprised of 115 islands surrounded by the sparkling Indian Ocean. Its turquoise waters and uniquely sculpted granite boulders have been depicted on countless honeymoon brochures, helping to establish the archipelago’s reputation as a romantic paradise. Boutique resorts offering privacy and exclusivity dot the islands, providing the perfect setting for a post-safari getaway. Spend your days snorkelling on the healthy coral reefs or exploring the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park while keeping your eyes peeled for giant Aldabra tortoises.
Flight connections from Kilimanjaro International Airport travel through Nairobi en route to the Seychelles or you can connect from Dar es Salaam. A Tanzania safari and Seychelles honeymoon might require a little extra time in transit but the experience of staying in this quintessential paradise is more than worth it.
If you want to add the Seychelles to your Tanzania safari, check out our bush and beach packages here. Our safari experts can also craft a customised Tanzania safari and Seychelles honeymoon package including your choice of wildlife parks and reserves.
Spend a week wildlife spotting in northern Tanzania followed by a few days relaxing in idyllic Seychelles during this unforgettable ten-day adventure.
From the Serengeti to the Seychelles
10 Days + 9 Nights
$9,500.0 *Price From
Just off the coast of Dar es Salaam (but not as well known as Zanzibar) is Mafia Island, which is a mecca for divers and snorkellers. It’s situated within a marine park that protects a dizzying array of hard and soft corals, as well as tropical fish and a variety of invertebrates. There are several beach resorts clustered along the coast where you can relax at the end of your safari, including those at Utende Beach and Ras Kisimani. Mafia Island can easily be combined with a safari along the Southern Circuit or is just a short flight and ferry ride from the Northern Circuit through Dar es Salaam.
Further south lies Fanjove Island, a private escape within the Songo Songo Archipelago. With just six rustic bandas boasting oceanfront views, you can’t get more exclusive than this (although you do have to share the island with the resident coconut crabs and migrating seabirds!) Forget air-conditioning and TVs, however, with Fanjove Island created as an eco-friendly resort that’s powered by solar. It can be accessed via a short flight from Dar es Salaam after touring the parks and reserves of either the Southern or Northern Circuits.
If you prefer to stay on Tanzania’s mainland and combine your beach and bush safari into one, head to Saadani National Park. It lies around 300 kilometres’ drive north of Dar es Salaamand is the only wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania that lies adjacent to the Indian Ocean. After early morning game drives to spot its big-game species (think lions, buffaloes and vervet monkeys), you can spend the middle of the day relaxing on the picture-perfect sands before heading out on safari again at dusk.
After exploring Saadani National Park, why not continue north to Sange Beach, which has been dubbed “Tanzania’s best-kept secret”. With swaying palm trees overlooking its golden sands, it’s an easy destination to settle into “beach mode”. If you’re feeling active, you can snorkel directly off the beach and spot birds in the fringing mangrove forests or head out by boat to spot dolphins frolicking offshore.
The small Swahili town of Pangani is another option for your Tanzania safari and beach holiday, with several resorts overlooking its photogenic sands. Well off-the-beaten-track, they offer a quiet retreat with impressive scuba diving and birdwatching right on your doorstep. Pangani Beach is not far from the Usambara Mountains for those seeking a little more adventure, with this biodiversity hotspot home to several endemic flora and fauna species.
Travellers who are short on time and want to spend their beach escape relaxing (rather than commuting to an offshore island or remote stretch of sand) can head to Ras Kutani Beach, which lies just 25 kilometres from Dar es Salaam. It features an attractive lodge overlooking safe waters where you can swim and snorkel to your heart’s content. When you’re not out fishing, kayaking or watching sea turtles nest, you can kick back in one of the many hammocks that are strung throughout the property.
Want to craft a unique Tanzania safari and beach package? Get in touch with one of Vencha Travel’s safari experts today and start planning your dream East African adventure.
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