Safari and beach holidays in Tanzania

The beauty of a Tanzania safari and beach holiday is how effortlessly these two experiences can be combined. Spend your days following the Great Migration, then swop game drives for turquoise waters and powder-soft sand, with seamless connections making the transition easy. A safari itinerary of between 10 and 14 days is recommended, which allows for at least 4 to 6 nights on safari, followed by the same amount of time by the sea.

Whether travelling as a couple for your honeymoon or getting away on a multi-generational family adventure, Wilderness can help arrange a holiday combining both safari and beach, with end-to-end routing, accommodation at properties aligned to your needs and interests, and all activities, transfers and logistics taken care of. All you need to worry about is your sundowner order or where you left the sunscreen (although we've probably got that covered too).

Tanzania offers some of the best beach and safari holidays due to the simple routing. In Tanzania go from the plains of the Serengeti, with its vast antelope herds, to the coast were dhows drift past at sunset. Zanzibar is the quintessential Tanzania beach destination. Known as spice island, it combines the culture and unique architecture of Stone Town, with a chance to spot Columbus monkeys in the interior forests while the coastline offers up sought-after snorkelling and diving sites, with whale sharks making their own migration in these waters.

A number of private islands can also be found off the coast in Tanzania, offering a more exclusive beach experience, while the pristine beaches of the Seychelles and some of the world’s best private island retreats are also just a short flight away. 

What is the best time of year for a beach and safari holiday in Tanzania?

The best time for a beach and safari holiday in Tanzania depends on the experience you're looking for. July to October is renowned for the Great Migration when vast herds of wildebeest and zebra attempt to cross the Mara River from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara, with crocodiles and lions lying in wait. This time also aligns beautifully with an Indian Ocean beach holiday as days are generally warm and sunny and free of rain, although certain destinations can be relatively windy.

January to March is also a great time to visit the Serengeti with the herds now entering calving season. Thousands of wildebeest can be born in a single day during these months with predators following in their wake. While warm in the Indian Ocean during these months, seasonal rains often provide welcome relief from the heat. The shoulder months (roughly April to June and September to November) tend to offer up calm seas, comfortable temperatures, and lighter crowds, however there isn't really a bad time to book your safari and beach package.

How do you get from safari to the beach in Tanzania?

Scheduled light aircraft flights connect the Serengeti with Arusha or Dar es Salaam, where you can easily continue to the coast or onward to island destinations in the Indian Ocean. Rather than returning home straight after your safari, you'll transition to a luxury beach escape in just a few hours. Simply get in touch with a Travel Designer to start planning a tour that works for you.