Cost depends on lodge level, season, length and the number of internal flights. As a general guide, mid-range travel runs about $550–$990 per person per day, luxury about $990–$2,500, and ultra-luxury from about $2,500 per person per day. Beach nights on Zanzibar are often priced differently from safari nights, and peak months cost more than the green season. Tell us your dates and style, and we will price a private itinerary around your budget rather than pushing a fixed package. Currency and exchange-rate movements can shift final totals slightly between enquiry and booking.

Plan at least eight days to enjoy both properly, such as five nights on safari and three on Zanzibar. Ten to twelve days feels more relaxed, allowing a fuller Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater circuit followed by four or five restful beach nights. Short trips work if you fly between locations, because road travel eats into time. We usually suggest finishing on the coast, so the safari excitement settles into rest, and you fly home refreshed instead of tired from early game drives. Longer stays also reduce the proportion of travel time compared with time spent enjoying each place.

June to October is the classic window, with dry weather in the parks, excellent wildlife viewing and sunny, breezy beaches. December to March is warm and suits calving season around Ndutu, though Zanzibar is hotter and more humid. The long rains from March to May bring lush scenery, quieter lodges and lower rates, but some beach resorts close and showers are frequent. November has short rains that are usually brief. Timing varies from year to year, so we check current conditions before confirming dates. Ask us about marine conditions for your dates.

Nungwi and Kendwa on the north coast have powder-white sand and swimmable water at most tides, ideal for sunset dhow cruises. Matemwe, in the north-east, feels secluded and offers snorkelling trips toward Mnemba Atoll. Paje and Jambiani on the east side are breezy and popular with kite surfers, though tides move far out. Stone Town is best as a one or two night cultural stop. Tell us whether you prefer privacy, activity or nightlife, and we will match the right shoreline. Each area has a different character, so a short call about your tastes helps enormously.

For four to six days, the northern circuit is the most efficient choice: Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, Ngorongoro Crater for dense wildlife in a single day, and the central or northern Serengeti for lion, cheetah and vast plains. Lake Manyara can be added when time allows. Light aircraft links the Serengeti airstrips with Arusha or Dar es Salaam, saving a long drive and connecting smoothly to Zanzibar flights. This pattern gives variety without rushing through every park. Combining two parks with a flight keeps the schedule gentle and the wildlife varied.

Most guests fly. A scheduled light aircraft leaves a Serengeti airstrip such as Seronera or Kogatende for Arusha or Dar es Salaam, where you change to a short flight to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume airport. Door to door, the journey usually takes most of a day, depending on schedules. Baggage on bush flights is limited to soft bags, so pack accordingly. Our team arranges every ticket, meets you at each airport and sends a driver to your beach resort. Weather occasionally delays small aircraft, so we leave sensible buffers around your international departure.

Yes, it is one of the most popular honeymoon formats in East Africa because it balances adventure and romance. Imagine a private bush breakfast on the plains, a sunrise balloon flight, then a beachfront villa with a candlelit dinner on the sand. You can request a secluded tented camp, a plunge-pool suite or a private dhow sunset. Tell us about your anniversary or wedding date when you enquire, and we will plan surprises that suit your taste and pace. Private dinners, couples' spa sessions and room decoration can all be added on request.

Pack soft duffel bags because bush planes have strict baggage limits. For safari, bring neutral-coloured layers, a warm fleece for cool mornings, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, closed walking shoes and binoculars. For Zanzibar, add swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, light cotton clothing and modest cover-ups for Stone Town. A power adapter, camera with spare batteries and a small daypack are useful throughout. Laundry is available at most lodges, so you can travel lighter than you think. Mosquito repellent and any personal medication should travel in your carry-on bag as well.

Tanzania is a well-established safari destination, and travellers on private itineraries with professional driver-guides generally move between lodges, parks and resorts without difficulty. Use normal city precautions in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town, keep valuables in the lodge safe, and follow your guide's instructions near wildlife. Check your government's current travel advice before you fly, and take out comprehensive travel insurance. For vaccinations and malaria precautions, consult your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure. Our drivers and camp teams are experienced, and we remain on call throughout your journey.

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Tanzania, which can often be obtained online before travel or on arrival, depending on your passport. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the same visa covers both, although you may pass through a brief immigration check when flying in from the mainland. Your passport should be valid for at least six months and have blank pages. Rules change, so confirm requirements with the official immigration service, and we will happily remind you of timelines. Always carry a printed copy of your confirmation and your onward flight details.

On safari, you can add a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti, a guided walking safari in a suitable area, a Maasai village visit, or a picnic lunch on the plains. On Zanzibar, popular extras include a spice farm tour, Stone Town heritage walk, sunset dhow cruise, snorkelling near Mnemba, dolphin watching, a spa treatment and a seafood dinner on the beach. Optional activities are priced separately, so tell us your interests and we will fit them in. Each activity depends on weather, season and park regulations, so we confirm availability during planning.

Yes. Many lodges welcome children, and a private vehicle lets you set the pace, take breaks and keep game drives short for younger travellers. Some camps set minimum ages for certain activities, so we choose properties that suit your children's ages. Beach resorts on Zanzibar often have gentle swimming areas, kids' activities and family rooms or interconnecting villas. Tell us the ages of your children and your preferred length, and we will shape a safe, comfortable programme with enough rest between adventures. Babysitting and early dinners can usually be arranged at beach resorts when advance notice is given.

Tipping is customary and appreciated, though never compulsory. Typical practice is to tip your driver-guide daily, with smaller amounts for camp staff, who often pool tips, and for resort staff on Zanzibar. Carry small US dollar notes or Tanzanian shillings in clean, recent bills. We provide a simple tipping guide with your itinerary, so you know what is customary in each location and can plan cash in advance. Reward good service in a way that feels comfortable to you. Tipping amounts vary by service level, party size and length of stay, so treat guidance as flexible.

Yes, many travellers climb first, then relax. A Kilimanjaro trek takes between six and nine days on routes such as Machame, Lemosho or Marangu, topped by Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, and licensed guides are mandatory. After descending, you can recover with a short safari in Tarangire or Ngorongoro, then fly to Zanzibar to rest. Consult your doctor about altitude before booking. We will plan the order and spacing so your legs and schedule both recover. Allow a rest day before long flights home, because summit effort followed by bush travel is tiring.

Common exclusions are international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, vaccinations, tips, personal purchases such as souvenirs, and optional activities like balloon flights or spa treatments. Premium drinks and some specialty dining may also be charged separately, depending on the property. Every itinerary comes with a clear list of what is covered and what is not, so there are no surprises at checkout. If you want something added, such as a private dinner on the beach, we can quote it in advance. We also explain how to claim anything optional, so you stay in control of spending.

Start by sending us your preferred dates, number of travellers, interests and comfort level through our enquiry form. We will propose a draft itinerary with lodges, flights and costs, then refine it with you until it feels right. Once you confirm, a deposit secures your accommodation and the remaining balance is due before travel, according to the terms we send in writing. Our team stays reachable throughout your trip, and a local representative meets you on arrival. Early planning matters because the best lodges and beach villas fill many months ahead in peak season.