15 Day Budget East Africa & Zanzibar Tour

A fantastic 15 Day Budget East Africa & Zanzibar Tour game viewing in Kenya and Tanzania's best wildlife parks as well as exploring tropical Zanzibar Island.

Highlights on the affordable East African Camping Safari include:

• Lake Nakuru flamingos, rhinos & game
• Lake Naivasha and Great Rift Valley
• Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve
• Serengeti National Park in Tanzania
• Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive
• Zanzibar Island Beach & Cultural Trip 

This excellently priced Budget East Africa & Zanzibar Safari Trip offers an ideal mix of tropical beaches, roaming wildlife & rich cultures!

DAY 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park - Kenya (L / D)

This 15 Day Budget East Africa & Zanzibar Tour departs from bustling Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, driving towards our first safari destination, Lake Nakuru National Park. 

Lake Nakuru Park is famous for its huge flocks of flamingoes. Thousands of lesser and greater flamingos can be seen in the shallow waters of this soda lake. 

The size of the flamingo flocks varies depending on the water levels, with low water levels attracting vast numbers. This large gathering of flamingoes creates a sea of pink, in one of natures' truly spectacular sights! 

The  Lake Nakuru Park was established as a sanctuary to protect the endangered black and white rhino, frequently sighted in this unique Kenyan wilderness area.

We spend the afternoon game viewing in search of pre-historic looking rhinos, the shy leopard, and plenty of buffalo, giraffe and various antelope species, as well as the occasional hippo.

Tonight we camp wild within the national park (no ablution facilities). 

DAY 2: Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha - Kenya (B / L / D)

On day 2 we rise and shine early in the morning packing up the safari camp and grabbing a quick breakfast; before venturing out into the African bush on our morning game drive in Lake Nakuru Park.

The early hours of the day are generally the best time to spot predators returning from a wild night out hunting for prey as well as other game waking up to a new day. With a little luck, we may even sight one of the resident leopards!

After our exciting game drive, we travel south-east to Lake Naivasha, home to an abundance of bird life, the most magnificent being the African Fish Eagle with its regal cry. 

At 1880m, Kenya's Lake Naivasha is highest Great Rift Valley lake. 

We spend the afternoon enjoying optional outings such as having High Tea at Elsamere (home to Joy & George Adamson famous for Born Free), a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride at Hell’s Gate National Park. 

Tonight we stay at a lovely campsite on the edge of Lake Naivasha. 

DAY 3: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara - Kenya (B / L / D)

Wake up for a hearty breakfast before traveling to the Masai Mara National Reserve in southwest Kenya. 

We enter Masai country, where the traditionally pastorialist Masai people are often seen tending their cattle along the side of the road.

En route to Masai Mara we pass through the town of Narok, keeping an eye out for some of Africa's wildlife as we go.

Much of the road between Nairobi and the Masai Mara Reserve is in a poor state, so get ready for a rough ride!

We arrive at our safari campsite in the evening. The Camp looks out over the Meguarra hills and a meandering stream below - forming a natural border with the unfenced Masai Mara National Reserve.

Wildlife roams freely between Masai Mara and the surrounding wilderness areas as they choose – even wondering through our own camp! The local ‘Askari’ keeps a watchful eye for any roaming predators to ensure our safety at the Mara camp.

DAY 4: Masai Mara - Kenya (B / L / D)

Setting off shortly after sunrise on our morning game drive into Masai Mara Game Reserve we get to see Kenya's top game park at its best!

The Masai Mara is well known as one of East Africa’s best National Reserves, home to a wide variety of wild animals and birds. Masai Mara, like Tanzania's Serengeti, is most famous for the Annual Migration, taking place between July and October.

The well-known Wildebeest Migration consists of impressive herds of over one million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle stampeding over the open plains from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Msai Mara in Kenya.

The flood of herbivores in search of fresh grazing in turn attract Africa’s predators, often seen at kill during the migration period. We embark on a rewarding game drive in part of the Masai Mara Park searching for Africa's  Big Five - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard; along with the numerous other species of wild animals, reptiles and birds inhabiting this East African game park.

After our Mara game drive, we have the option of visiting a nearby Masai Manyatta – a traditional hamlet where the Masai continue to live in their traditional way. This evening we sit around the camp fire, witnessing a magnificent African sunset over the wild plains of Africa.

DAY 5: Kisii / Kericho Area – Kenya(B / L / D)

On day five we have breakfast and depart from the spectacular Masai Mara Reserve travelling to Kisii/Kericho via scenic tea plantations.

Due to the equatorial climate of the Gusii Highlands in Kenya, cash crops like tea and coffee thrive in these towns.  We stock up on supplies in the towns before crossing into neighbouring Tanzania the following day.

DAY 6: Musoma – Tanzania (B / L / D)

We leave game-rich Kenya behind and drive south into Tanzania, also known for its abundant wildlife.

After crossing the border our journey heads through the interesting granite landscapes surrounding Africa’s biggest lake – Lake Victoria. Tonight's camp is set on the banks of Lake Victoria in the Tanzanian fishing town of Musoma.

DAY 7:  Serengeti National Park - Tanzania (B / L / D)

We make a quick pit stop for supplies to see us through the next few days out in the untamed bush, before making our way to the Serengeti National Park.

We drive into Serengeti Park entering through the less travelled western corridor. Upon entering the game park, after lunch, we enjoy a game drive en-route to our safari campsite in the middle of the Serengeti Reserve. 

The Serengeti Park is famous for its enormous concentration of wild animals, especially the big cats of Africa. Like Masai Mara, Serengeti is also known for the spectacular annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles.

The sheer abundance of plains game in this Tanzanian wildlife area is truly awe-inspiring.

Tonight we camp in the wild Tanzanian bush (no ablutions) surrounded by the sounds of Africa's bushveld, pierced only by the calls of the nocturnal wildlife.

In the morning, we drive into the Serengeti Park on another game drive exploring the rugged landscape in search of the plentiful wildlife. With a bit ofluck, we may see some of the iconic ‘Big 5’ of Africa!

DAY 8:  Ngorongoro Crater - Tanzania (B / L / D)

We rise early to pack up our bush camp and continue our thrilling game drive through the Serengeti National Park.

Heading into the southern section of this vast Tanzanian game park we witness the endless rolling plains Serengeti is famous for. We drive from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area at lunch time and begin ascending the steep Crater's edge.

Tonight we camp (basic ablutions) on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater where temperatures are lower than in the warmer plains of Tanzania below - bring your winter woollies as the nights can get very chilly. 

DAY 9:  Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha - Tanzania (B / L / D)

Today we dip into the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world.

From the rim of the Crater we enjoy fantastic panoramic views over this vast natural wonder! The Ngorongoro Crater walls are around 600 m high and the crater floor spans 20 km in width. 

As we drive into the Crater and explore the plains of its floor, the sheer size of this natural phenomenon becomes all the more striking. Not only is the scale of this crater an impressive sight to behold, but the huge number of wild animals found here, is also breathtaking!

The great abundance of wild African animals found within the crater makes for superb game viewing as you drive along the crater floor. Almost every species of African animal is represented in Ngorongoro, where you get the chance to see an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion and plain’s game. 

After a morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater we continue to our next Tanzanian campsite outside Arusha town, where we spend the evening recollecting our exhilarating wildlife experiences in East Africa.

DAY 10:  Arusha to Pangani (B / L / D)

In the morning we transfer to a different safari truck and drive to the town of Arusha, where we stock up on supplies. Next we will be traveling further south towards Dar es Salaam, on the coast of Tanzania

The road to Dar es Salaam takes us through the town of Moshi on the lower slopes of magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, start and end in Moshi, with the town offering great views of its famous peaks.

While in Moshi we will hopefully get to admire and photograph this towering mountain’s snow sprinkled summit! 

From Moshi we make our way to our next lovely overnight campsite. The drive to our safari camp takes us through vast sisal plantations surrounded by the Usambara and Pare Mountains. The camp is nestled between the scenic mountains, halfway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

DAY 11:  Pangani to Dar es Salaam - Tanzania (B / L / D)

On day 11 we hit the road again continuing through lush green landscapes dotted with palm tree, as we make our way to Dar es Salaam on the warm East Coast of Africa.  

Today’s drive takes a little longer due to the heavier traffic slowing our progress into the city, but the lively sights and sounds of Dar’s vibrant outer suburbs make for an interesting journey. Keep your eyes open for the brightly coloured shop-fronts sporting humorous ‘catch phrases’.

Arriving in Dar es Salaam we head to our pleasant seaside campsite on the shores of the Indian Ocean and prepare for our trip to Zanzibar Island. 

DAY 12:  Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar - Tanzania (B)

This morning we travel to Zanzibar Island on our optional excursion. From Dar es Salaam we take a ferry across to the "Spice Island" where we spend three nights.

Zanzibar has a colourful past once serving as one of the major departure points for most of the explorations into new territories of East Africa. New passengers may join us on our exciting Zanzibar Trip.

Please Note:

The Zanzibar accommodation and meals costs are for your own account, as experience has shown that visitors prefer exploring the island unguided.

Zanzibar hosts a wide selection of restaurants offering a variety of tasty meals. The Trip Leader joins you and can help with arranging accommodation in Zanzibar.

For those not opting to visit the island of Zanzibar, the next 3 days are spent at leisure at the beach campsite in Dar es Salaam. There are various optional excursions available from the safari camp including diving, snorkelling and fishing trips. The driver and cook stay behind in Dar es Salaam during the Zanzibar island excursion.

DAYS 13 & 14:  Zanzibar Island – Tanzania 

Zanzibar Island has a great range of activities to offer visitors, from quiet sightseeing to exciting water activities.

Explore a spice plantation, an interesting experience on Zanzibar, which is famous for its spices. The quaint streets of the old Stone Town of Zanzibar reveal traces of their Arabic history, from Medina-style shops to the impressive palaces that once belonged to powerful Sultans.

Other interesting activities include a day trip to the pristine beaches of Prison Island, to see its giant tortoises. A full day of scuba diving in Nungwe is well worth it, as is the experience of fishing in a traditional saiing dhow. 

There are a variety of restaurants offering a fantastic array of fresh seafood straight from the ocean, with crayfish being a popular speciality. You can mingle with the locals at the seafront market of Forodhani Gardens, where inexpensive yet delicious seafood is available.

DAY 15:  Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam - Tanzania (NM)

Departing from Zanzibar Island in the afternoon our relaxing beach trip comes to a close.

Our 15 Day Budget East Africa & Zanzibar Tour arrives back at camp in the late afternoon, or early evening. 

In Tanzania's Dar es Salaam we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced the East African trip of a lifetime!

Please Note:

This Budget East Africa & Zanzibar Tour begins in Nairobi, Kenya and travels through Kenya and Tanzania before ending in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This East African Camping Safari departs from Nairobi early on Tuesday morning.  Should you wish to explore Nairobi, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation booked through African Budget Safaris.

This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change.

Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

Looking for other tours to Tanzania? View all Tanzania Budget Safaris