Combining a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach stay is a genuinely practical trip, not just a marketing pairing. Boutique Hotel Matlai, on Zanzibar's quiet east coast at Michamvi Pingwe, works well as the beach half of it: close enough to the mainland safari circuit to reach in an afternoon, and different enough in pace to make a real break either side of the game drives.
Most visitors fly into Zanzibar first, spend a few days on the coast, then fly on to northern Tanzania for the safari — or do it the other way around. Either order works; what matters more is building in enough beach time on both ends to actually decompress.
Getting Between Zanzibar and the Safari Region
Charter flights connect Zanzibar to Arusha or Kilimanjaro — about 45 minutes on a jet, though the smaller safari propeller planes commonly used on this route take longer. Most safari lodges and specialist safari agents can arrange these charters as part of your safari booking; Matlai does not sell or arrange safari packages itself, so this is worth organising through your safari operator rather than the hotel.
Best Time of Year for a Beach-and-Safari Trip
June to October and January to February are the two dry-season windows for both good wildlife viewing and calm seas — June to October is peak season on both sides of the trip, including the Serengeti's wildebeest migration months (roughly July to September). The long rains (April–May) and short rains (November–December) make safari roads harder going and can rough up the ocean, though they also bring lower prices. Matlai is normally open through the high season, but usually closes for part of May each year — worth checking your dates with us directly if you're travelling then.
Which Safari Region Is Closest
Tanzania's Northern Circuit — Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park — is the most accessible from Zanzibar, roughly an hour to ninety minutes by charter flight, and is where most first-time visitors combining safari and beach end up going. The Southern Circuit (Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha) is real and worth knowing about, but the longer flights make it a less common pairing with a short beach stay.
A common shape for a 9-10 day trip is 4-5 days on safari (one or two lodges) and 5-6 days on the coast — enough for a proper safari without the game drives becoming a blur, and enough beach time either side to actually rest.
What to Pack for Both
Neutral tones (tan, khaki, olive) for game drives, lightweight cotton or linen for the beach. A wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen and sunglasses cover both. Add closed-toe shoes and something warm for cold early-morning drives; add reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for the coral areas here. A sarong doubles as a cover-up on both legs of the trip, and most safari lodges and Matlai's villas both offer laundry, so you don't need to pack for the whole trip twice over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do a safari and a beach holiday from Zanzibar in one trip?
Yes — this is a well-established combination, with charter flights linking Zanzibar to the northern safari circuit in under an hour on a jet. Most people split a trip roughly evenly between the two, safari first or beach first depending on preference.
How much does a Tanzania safari from Zanzibar cost?
It varies widely by lodge category, season, and operator, and changes from year to year — enough that we'd rather not quote a figure that's likely to be wrong by the time you read this. A safari specialist or the lodges themselves can give you a current quote; Matlai doesn't sell or price safari packages, only the beach half of the trip.
What wildlife will you see on a Northern Circuit safari?
The Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and — less commonly — rhino), plus large herds of zebra, wildebeest and gazelle, hyena, and a wide range of birdlife. The Serengeti's wildebeest migration (roughly July-September) is the best-known sighting; Ngorongoro Crater concentrates wildlife densely enough that a single day inside it often covers most of the Big Five; Tarangire is known for its elephant herds and baobab trees.
Is it safe to travel to Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania?
Both are considered safe for tourists taking normal precautions — secure valuables, use registered guides and drivers, and check your government's current travel advisory before booking, as you would for any trip.
Safari first or beach first?
Both orders work well. Many people prefer safari first and beach second, so the last days of the trip are spent winding down rather than packing for an early game drive. Either way, leaving two or three beach days before your international flight home helps avoid arriving exhausted.
If you're building a trip like this around a stay at Matlai, email us with your dates and we can tell you what a comfortable beach-side schedule looks like alongside your safari — the safari arrangements themselves are best handled by your safari operator.