Tanzanian National Parks & Zanzibar Safari

This Budget Tanzania and Zanzibar Safari starts in Nairobi, Kenya and ends in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Departing from Nairobi we head south across the Tanzanian Border to Arusha, Gateway to several top Game Parks in Tanzania. You have the option of taking a 3 day Wildlife Safari to the wildlife kingdoms of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa's "Big 5" and numerous other wild animals.

We then head Southwards to Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian Coast. We take a ferry across to the Island of Zanzibar where you will have 2 full days to explore this facinating tropical Island with its rich Arabic-African culture and white sand beaches.

The fantastic wildlife and beaches African Camping Safari ends on arrival back in Dar es Salaam.

DAY 1: Nairobi to Arusha – Tanzania (L / D)

This Tanzanian National Parks & Zanzibar Safari departs from Nairobi and travels south, crossing into Tanzania at the Namanga border post.

We stay at a lovely campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha for the night. Tomorrow we will be embarking on our memorable Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater Trip.

DAYS 2 - 4: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti Trip – Tanzania (B / L/ D)

Arusha town is located at the foot of Mount Meru and serves as the gateway for excursions to Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara Park and the Serengeti Park. These game viewing excursions are run in locally operated 4WD safari vehicles that have been adapted for our African safari drives.

Explore the thriving town of Arusha in the morning if you like, while we stock up on supplies for our Tanzanian wildlife excursion. You can browse the vibrant craft markets, go shopping or perhaps catch up on the news back home at one of the small internet cafes. 

Heading back to our base camp, Meserani Snake Park, those that are participating in the optional Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park Trip can prepare for their departure this afternoon.

For those choosing not to visit the Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater various alternative activities are available. You can explore the nearby town of Arusha and visit the Masai Cultural Museum, Meserani reptile park, or the surrounding villages and craft markets over the next two days of this Tanzanian Parks & Zanzibar Safari.

Our Optional Ngorongoro & Serengeti Trip takes us to Karatu via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) located next to Lake Manyara National Park. We journey up the Great Rift Valley Escarpment to Karatu, a higher lying village offering spectacular views over the surrounding hills.

Karatu has many well-established wheat farms adding to its picturesque scenery. We stay at pleasant campsite in Karatu overnight, departing early the following morning for the Ngorongoro Crater. Driving to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area we head deeper into the bush of the Ngorongoro Crater teeming with wildlife. This crater is a World Heritage Site boasting some of the best game viewing in Africa. Ngorongoro Crater game viewing opportunities include seeing the shy Black Rhino.

We explore the Crater on a game drive before moving on down the crater rim and passing the 'Cradle of Mankind' en route to the Serengeti National Park. We cross the open African plains on the game drive through the southern and central areas of the Serengeti Park. Then we camp in the heart of the untamed bushveld surrounded by the sounds of Africa's wildlife at night.

In the morning we take a thrilling game drive in Serengeti Park, admiring the surrounding landscape as we search for game in the area. With some luck we get to sight the famous 'Big Five' of Africa (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard) on our Serengeti game drive.

After the morning game drive, we retrace our steps crossing the vast plains and lush Ngorongoro Crater rim.

Back in Tanzania's Arusha we spend the evening recounting our thrilling tales of the wildlife encounters on the plains of Serengeti & Ngorongoro.

DAY 5: Arusha to Pangani – Tanzania (B / L / D)

Our Tanzanian & Zanzibar Safari travels into Arusha this morning to stock up on supplies and explore the local markets a bit, before driving south towards Dar es Salaam, on the coast of Tanzania.

We travel through Moshi, a town at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain.  Moshi serves as the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and we may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this magnificent mountain’s snowy summit from the town. The views of towering Kilimanjaro from Moshi offer fantastic photo opportunities! 

Passing through vast sisal plantations flanked by the Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges we continue south on our safari adventure. Our lovely overnight campsite tucked between the mountains, lies halfway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.

DAY 6: Pangani to Dar es Salaam – Tanzania (B / L / D)

Travelling through lush countryside landscapes with palm trees, we make our way to the next safari destination, Dar es Salaam.

The pace of our drive to the warm Indian Ocean slows as we enter the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, taking in the interesting sights and sounds of Dar’s vibrant outer suburbs as we go. Keep an eye out for the brightly coloured shop-fronts decorated with humorous ‘catch phrases’.

Arriving in Dar es Salaam on the east coast of Africa we head to our pleasant seaside campsite and have time to prepare for our trip to Zanzibar Island the following morning.

DAY 7: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Archipelago (B)

On day seven of this African Camping Safari we travel to Zanzibar on our optional island excursion. From Dar es Salaam we take a ferry across to the "Spice Island" where we spend three nights.

Zanzibar has a colourful past, as one of the major departure points for most of the explorations into new territories of East Africa, in times gone by. New passengers may join us on our Zanzibar Trip, as some travel companions might opt to end their tour of Africa back in Dar es Salaam.

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, off Tanzania.

For those not taking the optional trip to the island of Zanzibar, the next three days are spent relaxing at the beach campsite in Dar es Salaam. There are various optional excursions available from the safari camp including diving, snorkelling and fishing trips along the coast of Tanzania. The driver and cook remain behind in Dar es Salaam during the Zanzibar Excursion.

DAYS 8 & 9: Zanzibar Island – Tanzania

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

Explore one of the spice plantations, an interesting experience on Zanzibar, which is famous for its exotic 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 on Zanzibar Island 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 10: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam – Tanzania (D)

Departing from the tropical Zanzibar Island our exciting beach trip comes to a close. We return to the shores of Tanzania feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.

This fantastic Tanzanian National Parks & Zanzibar Safari comes to an end back in Dar es Salaam town.

Please Note:

This Budget African Safari begins in Nairobi, Kenya and travels south through Tanzania and Zanzibar, ending in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Budget Camping Safari departs from Nairobi in Kenya early on Sunday mornings. Should you wish to explore Nairobi, an earlier arrival is recommended. Accommodation can be 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 safari trip.