15-day Tanzania itinerary

Un trip to Tanzania is being prepared and sometimes it is difficult to get an idea of ​​what to do during a 15 days itinerary in Tanzania or 3 weeks. Here is an itinerary that will allow you to enjoy Tanzania and Zanzibar in 2 weeks. This route is a summary of my safari in Tanzania as well as the 4 day itinerary ou a week in Zanzibar.

Day 1 - Arrival in Arusha, Tanzania

Take time to arrive quietly in Tanzania and acclimatize to the country's temperature and lifestyle on your first day of your 15-day Tanzania itinerary. If you have the time and want to, you can walk around Arusha and go see one of the many typical markets of this city. 

Days 2 & 3 - Day 1 and 2 of the Tanzania Safari in Tarangire Park

After spending a quiet first day, board a safari 4 × 4 to go to the discovery of northern parks from Tanzania. Your first stop may be in the Tarangire Park which is a beautiful green park in Tanzania where there are many baobabs and elephants. However, that's not all, you can see all kinds of wild animals with a bit of luck.

For my part, I saw elephants, giraffes, antelopes, lionesses, monkeys, zebras, etc. Two days in this park will allow you to fully enjoy it.

Day 4 - 3rd day safari in Lake Manyara park

For the 4th day of your 2 week itinerary in Tanzania, go discovering the park of Lake Manyara located just a few kilometers from Tarangire Park. 

Lake Manyara is widely known for hosting many animals throughout the year that live with each other by the lake. You will see many species of birds, giraffes, flamingos, zebras, hippos, elephants, lions and lionesses etc.

Days 5 & 6 - 4th and 5th day safari in the Serengeti

What would a safari in the parks of northern Tanzania be without spending a few days in the wonderful plains of the Serengeti ?!

Obviously, it is place is a must see during your 15-day itinerary in Tanzania. 

This place is everything simply amazing, both by its nature, which can be seen as far as the eye can see, and by the many animals that can be seen.

You may have the chance to meet cheetahs, leopards, lions, the great migrations of wildebeest, buffaloes etc.

I have a memory incredible of these moments and especially the sunset and sunrise the next day with these splendid colors. 

If you wish, you can take the opportunity to take a balloon ride to see all this nature from the sky. 

Days 7 & 8 - 6th and 7th day safari in the N'gorongoro crater reserve

The next stop on your 15 day Tanzania itinerary is to s'' stop in the N'Gorongoro crater conservation area, close to the Serengeti.

This conservation area is a caldera about twenty kilometers in diameter and is home to a large concentration of wild animals including more than 400 species of birds. 

There, I had the chance to see one of the rare remaining rhinos there. But also hyenas hunt and have their booty stolen by 2 lions in their prime. There can be many flamingos, zebras, antelopes, elephants, buffaloes etc. 

Day 9 - Last day of Safari and return to Arusha

You will use part of this last day to finish your safari and the second part will be devoted to the return trip to Arusha where your safari in Tanzania will end.

If you want more information or have contacts with local guides, do not hesitate to contact me at this address: [email protected]

Day 10 - Drive to Zanzibar

This tenth day of your 15-day itinerary in Tanzania will be a day trip to the Zanzibar archipelago.

Two possibilities are available to you to reach Zanzibar:

  • Fly from Arusha to reach Zanzibar directly. This journey will be relatively quick and will take you around 2 hours.
  • Take the bus from Arusha to Dar Es Salaam. This journey will take you between 12 hours and 16 hours. Then you will need take the boat to reach Zanzibar (about 2/3 hours) or so to take a plane (about 30 minutes).

The choice of means of transport will depend on the time you have but above all on your budget. For more information on the subject, I advise you to Read this article.

Day 11 - Visit of Stone Town & Prison Island

For your first day in Zanzibar, I recommend without hesitation to visit the city of Stone Town which is the capital of Zanzibar. This city is very rich in history and culture. There is a real cultural mix on this island with Indian, Arab, African and European influences. 

There is many things to do in Stone Town like strolling in the small alleys, the market of Forodjani, that of Darajani, etc. For more details on what to see, I advise you to read this article. 

For the second part of the day, you can make it on the small Prison Island located 5km from Stone Town. This excursion lasts half a day. You can see the giant tortoise sanctuary there, then visit the island and the old prison. You can then rest on the beach and go snorkeling. 

Day 12 - Beach and relaxation day in Zanzibar

Obviously, it is unimaginable to come to Zanzibar without enjoy one of its magnificent paradisiacal sandy beach. 

On your second day in Zanzibar, I advise you to take the time to relax by the beach. 

For this, several options are available to you as to where to land:

  • The beaches of the North / North-East: Nungwi or Matemwe
  • The beaches of the Center East: Kiwengwa, Chwaka, Pongwe, Pingwe, Dongwe
  • The beaches of the South-East: Paje, Jambiani, Makunduchi

To help you make your choice, go to this article.

Day 13 - Diving or snorkeling trip around Zanzibar

The Zanzibar Archipelago is world famous for its seabed and diving or snorkeling that we can do there. I therefore recommend 100% that you take advantage of your little stopover on the island to go on a snorkeling or diving excursion.

There are many diving spots around Zanzibar Island, but one of the most famous spots is probably diving around Mnemba Atoll. 

Don't worry, you'll easily find half-day or full-day excursions to go diving. These excursions can be organized either by your hotel, or small local tourist agencies or by going directly to the diving centers.

With a little luck you will be able to see many colorful fish and corals but also turtles, dolphins, reef sharks etc. 

Day 14 - Choice of activities in Zanzibar

In just a few days on Zanzibar, you will not have time to see everything or do all the activities. You therefore have a choice to complete your 15-day itinerary in Tanzania. Here are the most famous and interesting options to do in Zanzibar:

  • Do a sports activity such as kitesurfing on Paje beach for example
  • Visit the seaweed plantations in Paje
  • Go see and visit the Jozani forest
  • Take the Safari Blue excursion in the southwestern part of the island
  • Go swimming with dolphins in Kizimkazi
  • Getting lost in the typical small villages of Zanzibar and meet lovely people there

Day 15 - The spice route and return flight

To end this 2 week stay in Tanzania, before catching the plane and leaving this beautiful country, take the time (if you have it) to do one last activity on Zanzibar which is the spice route. Zanzibar is nicknamed “the spice island” across the world. There are many spice plantations there and it is possible to visit some to learn more about each of these spices. 

This is a perfect way to end this beautiful journey that awaits you!

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2 Replies to “Itinerary in Tanzania for 15 days”

  1. Hello Margaux,

    With my companion, we are planning a trip to Tanzania. I was suddenly asking myself a question. For the safari, did you rent a car or were you with a guide? Could you answer me on [email protected] Please ?

    Thank you for your return.
    Marion

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