Compare Classic Tanzania: Safari & Beach by Audley Travel

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Dar es Salaam International Airport.

Day 2 : Selous Game Reserve

Arriving at the airport, your safari starts with a light aircraft flight into the heart of the Selous Game Reserve, just 45 minutes from Dar es Salaam. You get some great views of the Rufiji River and tall borassus palms as you fly in over the reserve. After settling into your camp, head out on a guided boat safari, gliding over the water as you watch out for hippo and crocodiles and admire the sunset. Tonight in camp you can enjoy a bush dinner by lamplight, and choose what you'd like to do tomorrow.

Day 3 : Selous Game Reserve

On your first full day of safari in Selous, whether you've chosen to do a bush walk, game drive or boat safari, you'll be in for some close wildlife encounters. You could see lion, elephant, wild dogs, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala and eland, as well as the elusive leopard. Each game activity is led by an expert guide and with a small group of guests from the camp. Building a camaraderie with your fellow safari-goers, you can recall tales from your day's adventure while gathered around the campfire this evening.

Day 4 : Selous Game Reserve

During your stay we recommend taking a guided bush walk, accompanied by a ranger who'll share their knowledge and passion for the reserve's wildlife as well as ensuring your safety. Being on foot gives you a completely different perspective to being in a vehicle, allowing you to appreciate the smaller details, from the wonderful birdlife to paw prints in the dirt. You feel far more immersed in the landscape, and your proximity to the wildlife provides you with many stories to take home with you.

Day 5 : Selous Game Reserve

Enjoy another day of exploring the reserve. The Selous is one of the few places in Tanzania where you might see the incredibly rare wild dogs, otherwise known as the painted wolf. They've become a cult sighting for wildlife lovers, and the guides and trackers of the camp will give you the best possible chance of finding them.

Day 6 : Zanzibar Island

You've a final chance to spot wildlife on the drive to the airstrip this morning, before catching a light aircraft flight to Zanzibar. After the hour-long flight you're met by your driver for a private transfer across the island to the beautiful palm-fringed east coast. The hour-long journey takes you through vibrant villages and past spice plantations on the way. You could spend the rest of today relaxing in your hotel's spa, lazing on the beach or cycling out to explore the local fishing villages of Bwejuu and Paje.

Day 7 : Zanzibar Island

You can spend the day taking in your beautiful beachside surroundings, reading a book under the shade of a palm tree and swimming in the warm Indian Ocean. If you're feeling more active, you can easily arrange diving or snorkeling, try a spot of kite surfing or head out on a pedalo.

Day 8 : Zanzibar Island

Today we suggest visiting one of the small-scale spice farms on the island - you get a really hands-on experience tasting and smelling the spices for which the island is famous, which include cinnamon, tumeric, nutmeg and vanilla. Alternatively, guided spice tours lead you through rural villages and Zanzibar's countryside as your guide picks leaves, fruits and twigs for you to smell or taste before guessing what spices they are. Afterwards, you can relax back on the beach or at your hotel.

Day 9 : Zanzibar Island

Explore another area of Zanzibar today - the enchanting Jozani Forest in the south of the island. Within this tropical forest you can see the rare Kirk's red colobus monkeys, which are endemic to the island and really entertaining to watch leap and play in the trees. Several other monkey species can be found here, as well as a variety of birdlife. There are many walking trails you can follow through the forest, while the nearby Zanzibar Butterfly Centre allows you to walk through a tropical garden filled with hundreds of butterfly species.

Day 10 : Zanzibar Island

You could head into Stone Town for a day trip today. The historic town is located on the west coast, around an hour and a half from your hotel - we can arrange for a private transfer. The hub of the spice trade for centuries, Stone Town has an interesting past and you'll stumble across ornate carved doorways and market stalls as you walk around. We can arrange for a local guide to show you around and tell you about the town's history. There are also dozens of restaurants and food stalls lining the streets, making this the best place on the island to try the local cuisine, which combines Arab, Portuguese, Bantu, Indian and British influences, as well as using the spices grown on the island.

Day 11 : International return flight

Today your private driver transfers you to Zanzibar Airport for your onward flights.

Day 12 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.