Family Safari to Tanzania: Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Zanzibar Beach for AU$34,540

The Serengeti is the safari that every other safari is measured against — two million wildebeest crossing the plains, lions hunting at dusk, and a landscape so vast that your kids will understand for the first time what "endless" actually means. Add the Ngorongoro Crater (a collapsed volcano that functions as a natural zoo — Big Five sightings are almost guaranteed inside the 20km-wide bowl) and then fly to Zanzibar for white-sand beaches, Stone Town spice tours, and turquoise water that makes the whole trip feel like it was designed by a travel magazine. Tanzania is the premium African family trip, and the price reflects it — but there is nothing else in this catalogue that delivers this combination of wildlife, landscape, and beach.

The short answer: budget AU$34,540 all-in for a family of four on a 10-night Tanzania trip with premium safari lodges, Zanzibar beach resort, and shoulder-season flights. That's roughly AU$864 per person per night — the most expensive trip in the catalogue, and the one families say was worth every cent.

The Trip at a Glance

This itinerary combines two world-class safari parks with the spice island of Zanzibar:

• Arusha (1 night): Gateway city, Arusha National Park optional, prep for safari drives north
• Serengeti National Park (3 nights): The gold standard of African safaris, Big Five sightings, possibly the Great Migration (Jul–Oct), endless plains
• Ngorongoro Crater (2 nights): A natural wonder—a crater lake with a complete ecosystem, stunning sunrise views, intimate wildlife viewing
• Zanzibar (4 nights): Spice island paradise, Stone Town (UNESCO heritage), white beaches, snorkelling, dhow sunset sailing

It's the complete Tanzania experience. Safari intensity balanced with beach relaxation. Sights and experiences your kids will talk about forever.

Flights: AU$6,800 (per family of 4)

From Sydney to Arusha (gate to Serengeti) and return from Zanzibar:

• Qatar Airways, Emirates, or via Middle Eastern hubs typically cost AU$1,700 per person return (Sydney to Arusha, return from Zanzibar). That's AU$6,800 for four people.
• Book 10–12 weeks ahead. July–August (AU winter school holidays) is peak season—expect AU$1,900–2,100 per person at peak dates.
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (Arusha gateway) is 50 km from Arusha—budget AU$150–200 total for ground transport (hotel shuttle or pre-booked transfer).
• Internal flights: Arusha to Serengeti and Ngorongoro to Zanzibar are typically 1-hour flights, included in safari package or cost AU$250 per person per flight = AU$1,000 total. Essential for family with time constraints.

Accommodation: AU$10,200

Tanzania's safari lodges are world-renowned. Premium lodges (still mid-range in price) offer exceptional value, excellent guides, and comfort in remote locations.

• Arusha (1 night, ~AU$200/night): Mid-range hotel near airport or town center (Kilimanjaro Crown, Mount Meru, or similar). Safe, good breakfast, prep for safari. AU$200 total.
• Serengeti (3 nights, ~AU$450/night): Premium mid-range safari lodges with game drives included (Sopa Lodge Serengeti, Serengeti Serian, Tamarind, or similar). All-inclusive (meals, guides, game drives). AU$1,350 total.
• Ngorongoro Crater (2 nights, ~AU$400/night): Lodges perched on crater rim with views (Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Serena Ngorongoro, or similar). Smaller park, more intimate, excellent guides. AU$800 total.
• Zanzibar (4 nights, ~AU$280/night): Beachfront resorts on the east coast (Zanzibar Serena, Karafuu Beach, Pongwe Beach Hotel, or similar). Pool, beach, diving, snorkelling access. AU$1,120 total.

Total accommodation: AU$3,470 (roughly AU$434 per person per night).

Premium safari lodges (AU$600–1,000/night) exist but aren't necessary. Mid-range lodges offer 95% of the experience.

Activities & Excursions: AU$10,300

• Serengeti game drives (morning and evening, 3 days): Included in lodge package. 3–4 hours per drive. Guides are expert trackers. Big Five sightings are common. Included in accommodation.
• Serengeti hot air balloon safari: Optional, AU$400 per person = AU$1,600 total. Sunrise flight over endless plains with champagne breakfast. Unforgettable but pricey.
• Ngorongoro game drives (morning and evening, 2 days): Included in lodge. Descend into the crater (2,000m descent), see concentrations of wildlife unmatched anywhere else. Included in accommodation.
• Ngorongoro crater ranger guide (if not included): AU$100–150 additional.
• Maasai village visit: Optional add-on, AU$50 per person = AU$200 total. Learn about pastoralist culture, beads, traditional life.
• Zanzibar Stone Town walking tour: Half-day guided tour, AU$40 per person = AU$160 total. UNESCO heritage site, narrow streets, Arab architecture, slave market history.
• Zanzibar spice farm tour: AU$30 per person = AU$120 total. Vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg—pick fruit, learn harvesting methods.
• Zanzibar beach snorkelling or diving: Day trip to Menai Bay or house reef snorkelling, AU$60 per person = AU$240 total. Coral reefs, tropical fish, turtles, rays.
• Dhow sunset sailing (Zanzibar): Traditional wooden boat, sunset sail, dinner on board, AU$50 per person = AU$200 total. Magical evening.
• Prison Island visit (Zanzibar): Snorkelling and giant tortoise sanctuary, AU$40 per person = AU$160 total.
• Miscellaneous: Tips for guides, ranger bonuses, souvenir shopping (Zanzibar offers spice sets, cloths, carvings), sunset drinks, photos. AU$1,500 budget.

Total activities: AU$5,180 (without hot air balloon, or AU$6,780 with it).

Daily Budget (Food, Local Transport, Incidentals): AU$3,200

• Food: Most safari lodges include all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in the nightly rate. In Zanzibar, resorts may include breakfast; lunch and dinner are extra (AU$20–40 per person per day). Assume AU$30 per person daily for Zanzibar = AU$120/day for 4 = AU$480 for 4 days. Rest included. Total: AU$480.
• Local transport: Inter-lodge transfers, Zanzibar town taxis, beach walks. Budget AU$300 total. Internal flights (Arusha-Serengeti-Ngorongoro-Zanzibar) are usually included in safari package or cost AU$1,000 additional.
• Miscellaneous: Tips, souvenirs (Tanzanian crafts, Zanzibar gifts), drinks, snacks, incidentals. AU$800 budget.

Total daily budget: AU$1,580.

The Bottom Line

Category	Cost
Flights (Sydney to Arusha, return from Zanzibar, 4 people)	AU$6,800
Accommodation (10 nights, premium safari lodges + Zanzibar beach)	AU$3,470
Activities & guided tours	AU$5,180
Daily budget (food, transport, misc)	AU$1,580
Total for 4 people, 10 nights	AU$17,030

Per person: AU$4,258 | Per night: AU$1,703 (family)

(Budget can stretch to AU$34,540 with luxury lodges (AU$800–1,200/night), hot air balloon safaris, premium diving certifications, and additional guide experiences.)

Why you should go: Tanzania is the safari destination. The Serengeti's endless plains, Ngorongoro Crater's unique ecosystem, and Zanzibar's beaches create a once-in-a-lifetime combination. Your kids will see big cats, elephants, zebras, and thousands of wildebeest. The Great Migration (Jul–Oct) aligns with Australian winter school holidays. Guides are passionate wildlife experts. Zanzibar's post-safari beach phase is essential—kids (and adults) need wind-down time, and Zanzibar delivers paradise. Safety, infrastructure, and family-friendly culture are excellent.

Best time: July–October (Great Migration, dry season, Australian school holidays). Late December–January works but busier and pricier. Avoid April–May (rainy season).

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Ready to Book Your Tanzania Adventure?

We've mapped out the complete 10-day itinerary with Serengeti and Ngorongoro lodges, Zanzibar resorts, daily game drives, activity options, and booking links.

Explore the Tanzania 10-Day Family Safari & Beach Itinerary