Few places compress so much wonder into a week as Tanzania: snow-capped Kilimanjaro on the horizon, Serengeti’s endless plains, and Zanzibar’s spice-perfumed alleys where Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European threads are woven into daily life. This 7-day itinerary distills the country’s best: a focused safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, then a restorative finish on Zanzibar’s coast.

Tanzania’s modern story stretches from coastal sultanates and caravan trade routes to independence under Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Today, it’s a wildlife powerhouse—home to the Great Migration—and a cultural crossroads where you can learn to brew coffee with Chagga farmers one day and sip ginger tea on a Stone Town rooftop the next.

Practical notes: US dollars are widely accepted alongside Tanzanian shillings; cards are common in lodges and upscale venues. Dress modestly in Stone Town (it’s a Muslim-majority island), and plan malaria precautions for safari areas. Check current visa and health advisories before you go, and remember that sunrise starts early on safari—worth every minute.

Arusha

Set at the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha is the classic springboard to Tanzania’s northern circuit: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara. Bustling markets, craft studios, and cafés make it more than a mere staging post before the wild.

• Why base here: Best gateways to parks, professional safari outfitters, and quick domestic connections.
• Top picks nearby: Arusha National Park (colobus monkeys), Cultural Heritage Centre (Tanzanite and art), and coffee estates.

Where to stay (Arusha): Browse stays via Hotels.com – Arusha or VRBO – Arusha.

Getting in: Fly into JRO (Kilimanjaro) or ARK (Arusha). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. JRO–Arusha transfers take ~1 hour by taxi or hotel shuttle.

Food & coffee: Start at Africafe (espresso, pastries), brunch at The Blue Heron (wood-fired pizzas, leafy garden), or dinner at George’s Tavern (Greek-Med comfort plates). For a sundowner, the Mount Meru Hotel terrace has sweeping lawn views.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land at JRO/ARK and settle into your lodge. Stretch your legs at the Cultural Heritage Centre to admire Makonde carvings and Tanzanite displays.

Evening: Grab a cappuccino at Africafe, then dine at The Blue Heron—try a thin-crust peri-peri chicken pizza or handmade gnocchi in the lantern-lit garden. If you prefer heartier fare, George’s Tavern serves grilled octopus, moussaka, and house wine in a convivial courtyard.

Days 2–4: 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

Join a compact, high-reward safari covering the wildlife all-stars. Expect dawn game drives for big cats, hippo pools by midday, and a crater-floor finale with rhino chances. Transport, guide, park fees, and meals are typically included—pack layers and a soft duffel.

Book this: 3 Days Safari Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater

• Typical route: Arusha to Serengeti via Ngorongoro rim (full-day drive with scenic stops), full-day Serengeti game drives, then Ngorongoro Crater descent before returning to Arusha.
• Seasonal tip: The Great Migration shifts—Dec–Mar in southern Serengeti (calving), Jun–Jul west corridor, Aug–Oct north (river crossings). Your guide will target the best areas.

Serengeti stays (choose your style):

• Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti — elevated waterhole views, spa, and Boma Grill for live music and grilled meats.
• Serengeti Wildebeest Camp — classic tented camp atmosphere with campfires and stargazing.
• Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge — stylish tents, sweeping central-Serengeti views, and a small pool for midday heat.

Meals on safari: Expect early coffee and rusks, picnic or bush breakfasts, packed lunches under acacias, and lodge dinners—try nyama choma (grilled meats) and stews seasoned with cloves and cardamom.

Zanzibar

The “Spice Island” fuses Omani sultans’ legacies with Swahili dhow culture and coral-stone architecture. Stone Town’s carved doors and rooftop calls to prayer give way to palm-fringed beaches, dive sites, and seaweed farms along the coast.

• Stone Town highlights: House of Wonders frontage, Old Fort, Forodhani night market, and hidden courtyards with cardamom-laced coffee.
• Beaches: Nungwi/Kendwa for sunsets and swimming at any tide; Paje/Jambiani for kitesurfing and tidal flats; Michamvi for The Rock Restaurant.

Where to stay (Zanzibar): In Stone Town, character stays abound like Zanzibar Coffee House. On the coast, consider DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar - Nungwi (north) or the secluded The Residence Zanzibar (southwest). Browse more via Hotels.com – Zanzibar City or VRBO – Zanzibar City.

Getting there from Arusha: Fly ARK/JRO → ZNZ (~1–1.5 hours; ~$80–$150 most dates). Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Airport to Stone Town is ~15–20 minutes by taxi.

Day 5: Fly to Zanzibar + Stone Town Essentials

Morning: Transfer from your safari lodge back to Arusha and fly to Zanzibar. Drop bags at Zanzibar Coffee House; their cinnamon cappuccino and rooftop views are a gentle re-entry from the bush.

Afternoon: Dive into a guided maze-walk: Stone Town Private Walking Tour for secret alleys, sultans’ palaces, and slave trade history.

Evening: Snack your way through Forodhani Gardens night market—try Zanzibar pizza (savory crêpe), urojo (tangy soup), and fresh sugarcane juice. Reserve a rooftop table at Emerson on Hurumzi’s Tea House for a Swahili tasting menu with taarab melodies as the sun slides into the Indian Ocean.

Day 6: Forest, Caves, Beaches & The Rock

Spend a full day tracing Zanzibar’s wild and watery side: red colobus monkeys in Jozani, a swim in Kuza Cave’s sapphire pool, barefoot hours on Paje’s powder sand, and a photogenic meal perched over the sea at The Rock.

Book this: Jozani Forest ,Kuza Cave,Paje beach&the Rock Private Tour

Evening stay: Transfer north to DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar - Nungwi for swimmable tides, dive shops, and fiery sunsets. Prefer tranquility? Opt for The Residence Zanzibar on a private palm-lined stretch with bikes and kayaks.

Food tips en route: In Paje, Mr. Kahawa is beloved for smoothie bowls and fresh-caught tuna poke. At The Rock, the seafood platter and octopus curry are worth the fame—tide tables determine whether you wade or boat in.

Day 7: Nungwi Seas + Mnemba Snorkel, Fly Out

Morning: Snorkel the reefs around Mnemba Atoll—expect clouds of anthias, parrotfish, and maybe dolphins. Book a spot such as Mnemba Island Tour; Monkey Tour; Salaam Cave; The Rock Restaurant for a full active day (choose the Mnemba-focused option if available).

Afternoon: Lounge back at Nungwi’s sweeping beach or book a dhow cruise for late-day sailing. If you prefer a relaxed shore lunch, Fisherman’s Grill serves grilled lobster, octopus skewers, and tropical salads steps from the sand.

Evening: Sunset gelato at Mama Mia, then transfer to ZNZ for your afternoon/evening departure. For onward flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have time pre-flight, Taarab Restaurant in Stone Town pairs rooftop views with coconut curries and tamarind-sauced prawns.

Optional Add-Ons If You Extend

• Cultural cooking in Zanzibar: Mamas of Zanzibar - A Unique Cultural & Culinary Experience for spice farm visits and a hands-on meal with local hosts.

  

• Arusha day out: Combine waterfalls, a coffee ceremony, and hot springs with Materuni Waterfall, Chemka Hot Spring and Traditional Coffee Tour.

  

Getting Around Summary: Arusha to Serengeti overland on the 3-day tour (long but scenic), or ask to add a Serengeti–Arusha/Zanzibar light-aircraft hop (~1–2 hours; $250–$400). Mainland–Zanzibar flights are frequent; taxis and hotel transfers are straightforward on-island.

In one week you’ll watch sunrise burn across the Serengeti, descend into Ngorongoro’s wildlife bowl, then trade khaki for cotton as the Indian Ocean laps at your ankles. Tanzania’s rhythm—early drives, slow tides, spice-scented evenings—lingers long after you return home.