Zanzibar & Tanzanian Game Parks Safari

This Zanzibar & Tanzanian Game Parks Safari travels from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar and through Tanzania to Nairobi in Kenya.

Explore the tropical island of Zanzibar enjoying some of the most beautiful beaches in Africa, as well as superb diving and snorkelling. Zanzibar, the ‘Spice Island', offers a rich cultural and historical experience, along with its dazzling white beaches with azure waters.

In Northern Tanzania we see the red-robed Masai people who walk and feed off the plains with their cattle, as they have done for centuries. We head to the best National Game Parks of Tanzania - Serengeti Park and the Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing delights. 

The Serengeti National Park's plains and Savannahs are a sight to behold, dotted with game and home to the Wildebeest Migration and the Ngorongoro Crater has been declared a World Heritage Site as it is one of the most important refuges for wildlife in Africa.

This Budget Camping Safari to Zanzibar & Tanzania offers an ideal mix of wild East African Bush and Beach!

DAY 1: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island – Tanzania

This Zanzibar & Tanzanian Game Parks Safari kicks off in the seaside town of Dar es Salaam on the coast of Tanzania.

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

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.

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 travellers 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 Island Excursion.

DAYS 2 & 3: 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 4: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam – Tanzania (Dinner)

Departing from Zanzibar Island in the afternoon our relaxing beach trip comes to a close. We return to the shores of Tanzania by the early evening and spend the night at our safari camp in Dar es Salaam town.

DAY 5: Dar es Salaam to Arusha – Tanzania (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

From Dar es Salaam we travel through African bush and expansive sisal plantations on our way to the pleasant town of Arusha.

We pass The Pare and Usambara Mountain ranges before driving through Moshi town.  Moshi is a great place from which to catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day - a fantastic photo opportunity! The town of Moshi forms the base for climbing expeditions up Mount Kilimanjaro's slopes to its snowy summit. The night is spent camping in scenic Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha.

Next we have the option of taking an excursion to the legendary Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

DAYS 6 - 8: Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti Trip (Breakfast / Lunch/ Dinner)

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 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 travellers 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 Gorilla, Beaches & Wildlife African Safari.

The Optional Ngorongoro & Serengeti Trip goes 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, which is 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 elusive 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 the African wilderness 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 5' (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard) of Africa 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 9: Arusha to Nairobi – Kenya (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Driving north early this morning we head to the Tanzania-Kenyan border via the small border town of Namanga. Crossing into Kenya we journey to our next overnight campsite located on the outskirts of the Capital City of Nairobi.

The Safari Camp in Nairobi is ideally situated next to the Nairobi National Park, and is close to the giraffe sanctuary and elephant orphanage. The camp is also close to the famous Carnivore Restaurant.

DAY 10: Nairobi – Kenya (Breakfast)

This budget Zanzibar & Tanzanian Game Parks Safari ends after breakfast in Nairobi today.

The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy some of the many things to do in the bustling city of Nairobi.

Visit The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to see the orphaned baby Elephants at feeding time, head to the Giraffe Centre in Langata for game viewing, then Nairobi National Park offers some great day trips or if you haven’t quite got all those souvenirs you wanted, take a “Matatu” to the local curio markets near the campsite. This evening you might like to try the fair on offer at the famous Carnivores restaurant.

Please Note:

This Budget African Safari starts in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania travelling to Zanzibar Island and north through Tanzania, before ending Nairobi, Kenya.

The budget camping safari departs from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania early on Thursday mornings. Should you wish to explore Dar Es Salaam, 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.