2 Weeks in Tanzania - 5 Safari Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Tanzania: Safari Adventures & Indian Ocean Islands

This Tanzania highlights itinerary combines thrilling safari drives in famous national parks like the Serengeti and Tarangire, cultural exchanges with local tribes in Mto Wa Mbu, and relaxing stays on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar and Pemba Island. With highlights like viewing exotic wildlife, touring historic Zanzibar, and swimming in the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, adventurous travelers will enjoy a mix of natural beauty, wildlife, and culture. 

Begin in Arusha, known for its views of Mount Meru and coffee culture. From here, you'll travel to Tarangire National Park, an exotic wildlife haven home to abundant bird species and large herds of elephants. Next, visit Mto Wa Mbu village for a cultural exchange with the local tribes, followed by a visit to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, known for the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest volcanic caldera that's home to Maasai tribespeople and abundant wildlife. After a full-day game drive in Ngorongoro, discover Serengeti National Park, famed for its "endless plains" and the annual Great Migration of wildebeests, zebras, and Thomson's gazelles.

After your wildlife adventures, fly to the island of Zanzibar, a tropical paradise with worldclass beaches and history embodied in the UNESCO-listed Stone Town. Discover historical landmarks like the Arab Fort, a defensive fortification built in the 17th century, and spend a couple of days exploring Zanzibar's beaches and markets before continuing to Pemba Island, the most beautiful island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, for your final two nights. You'll spend time diving, snorkeling, relaxing on its pristine beaches, or exploring the Mkame Ndume palace ruins before returning to Arusha to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Epic Tanzania Safari Highlights: Best of the National Parks

Wildlife and nature enthusiasts will enjoy this alternate safari highlights trip across Tanzania's national parks. You'll go on safari adventures in Mikumi, Nyerere, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire National Parks, with the chance to spot the Big Five, ride in a hot-air balloon basket over the Serengeti, take a riverboat tour in Nyerere, and a visit to the archaeological site of Ngorongoro. This trip also offers cultural exchanges and visits to a Maasai village and the Shanga Foundation community project.

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's port city, spend time at Coco Beach sampling street food and enjoying live music. From here, head inland to discover the wildlife of Mikumi National Park. Then, go on a water safari along the Rufiji River at Nyerere National Park, where you'll watch for hippos and waterbirds. Fly to Serengeti National Park on Day 7 for a hot-air balloon ride above the plains where you can spot predators like cheetahs and lions. Continue to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with grasslands and forests, and the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera and haven for exotic wildlife like rhinos.

Afterward explore Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site, and set off on a full-day safari in Ngorongoro. Then, see the Maasai people's pastoral way of life before moving on to Tarangire National Park for game drives and to witness some of its 500 avian species and 3,000 roaming elephants. Transfer to Arusha, a city in coffee country, and visit the Shanga Foundation, a community project that empowers people with disabilities by offering employment through creating handcrafted items. After one last game drive in Arusha National Park to see rare species like blue monkeys, you'll return to Dar es Salaam. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Wild Wonders of Southern Tanzania: Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari Adventures

Adventure in southern Tanzania on this off-the-beaten-path safari adventure. Travelers wanting to visit lesser-known destinations will experience the rhythm of East African life in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital, and Iringa in the southern highlands. As you venture deeper into the African bush, you'll discover hidden gems on a waterfall hike in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and archaeological sites like Isimila. Additional highlights include spotting the Big Five on game drives in Mikumi and Nyerere national parks and marveling at hippos and crocs as you safari the mighty Ruaha River.

In the bustling city of Dar es Salaam, visit landmarks such as Coco Beach and the Mwenge market. From there, head inland to the Morogoro region, where you'll visit the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Here, you'll hike to Sanje waterfall to see the park's myriad bird species and exotic primates, like red colobus monkeys. Continue in Iringa as you learn about the city's German/British colonial history and visit the Isimila Stone Age Site. On Day 5, move to the Ruaha National Park and the Mikumi National Park, where you'll see tree-climbing lions and search savannas and miombo forests for more Big Five animals.

The second half of your safari takes you to the sprawling Nyerere National Park. Here, you'll see crocs and hippos on a full-day boat safari along the Rufiji River and enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks. The following days will be packed with dawn and afternoon game drives, giving you ample opportunity to spot elusive species like the striped hyena and sable antelope. On the final day of your safari, you'll take a hot-air balloon ride over Nyerere National Park, providing a bird's-eye view of the African savanna. After a Champagne breakfast, you'll return to Dar es Salaam for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Kenya & Tanzania Safari Adventure

This wildlife and culture-focused safari adventure brings you close to Big Five animals in Kenya and Tanzania. You'll go on game drives in the iconic Masai Mara and Serengeti and boat tours of Lake Victoria, visit with local tribespeople, and explore the vast Ngorongoro volcano caldera. Additional highlights include observing pink flamingoes at Lake Manyara and visiting conservation centers around Nairobi.

Begin in Nairobi, the metropolis at the edge of Nairobi National Park. Here, you can get acquainted with the food scene and try ugali (a dense maize porridge). Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre to meet and learn about the rescued animals before heading to the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa's most famous safari destinations. Go on exciting game drives, where you'll spot lions, leopards, and cheetahs. From there, continue to Speke Gulf on Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Spend your time fishing, bird watching, and learning about the local Sukuma tribe.

Then, head to the nearby Serengeti National Park, home to the world's largest concentration of plains game, including the famous Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and black rhinos. Embark on multiple game drives and safari adventures, witnessing the site of the Great Migration. Then, you'll head to the celebrated Ngorongoro Crater for three nights. After spending time at Lake Manyara, known for its vast populations of flamingoes and a large elephant population, enjoy views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Meru volcano in Arusha. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Uganda & Tanzania Wildlife Safari

This wildlife safari through Uganda and Tanzania explores Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Serengeti National Park, perfect for travelers wanting to see wild mountain gorillas in addition to the Big Five. With highlights like soaring over the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon and discovering the Ngorongoro Crater and a mix of luxury lodges and eco-friendly tented accommodations, this itinerary is perfect for those seeking a balance of comfort and adventure. 

Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, known for its beautiful Lake Victoria, for one night before you'll fly to Kihihi and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas. Spend the next few days with an experienced guide to help you track these creatures. Continue north to Uganda's premier savanna park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you'll enjoy game drives and spot wild animals like a giant forest hog—Africa's most enormous pig—or an elusive leopard, if you're lucky. En route, stop at Ishasha village to take a cooking class while learning about the local Bakiga tribe.

Next, fly to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Here, you'll witness wildlife from the perspective of a hot-air balloon basket, followed by game drives around the sprawling plains and Seronera River region. Then, head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of the few places in East Africa where endangered black rhinos aren't threatened. After a couple of days of game drives in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll transfer to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its large population of bush elephants. After an exciting game drive in Tarangire on the day of departure, you'll transfer to Arusha for your onward flight. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Tanzania Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Tanzania? Check out these other 14-day Tanzania itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.