This affordable Zanzibar to Serengeti Tanzania Safari travels from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar Island and through Tanzania to Nairobi in Kenya.
Explore the unspoiled tropical beaches of Zanzibar Island, as well as optional activities such as superb diving and snorkelling. Do a Spice Tour and explore the narrow historic alleyways of Stone Town.
We pass through rural Tanzania and stay in vibrant Arusha. From here we head to the best National Parks of Tanzania - Serengeti Park and the Ngorongoro Crater for game-viewing delights. The legendary plains of Serengeti National Park are a sight to behold, dotted with game and home to the epic 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 Overland Camping Tour combines a Zanzibar Holiday & Tanzania Safari offering the ideal mix of wild East African bush and beach time!
This Zanzibar to Serengeti Tanzania Safari kicks off in Dar es Salaam where you meet up with your overland tour group. Then we catch the local ferry from Dar es Salaam to Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar Island.
Arriving on the main island of Zanzibar we head to our overnight hotel in Stone Town. This historic town, with its maze of narrow alleyways and beautifully carved wooden doorways, was once a major port on the old slave and spice trade routes.
On the morning of Day 2, immerse yourself in the rich history and unique architecture of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a walking tour through its narrow maze-like streets. Notable stops include the historical Old Fort and House of Wonders, and we will pass by the birthplace of one of Zanzibar’s most famous locals, singer Freddy Mercury.
Then it is time to head to our Zanzibar holiday destination. En route from Stone Town to our east coast beach resort we stop to visit a local spice plantation. We take a guided walking tour of the plantation and local village nearby to learn about how the spice trade continues to be important for Zanzibar’s residents. Watch the farm workers clamber up their trees in search of specific spice crops. There will be a chance to buy some fresh spices from the farm.
We then continue to the beach The next 2 days are free for you to enjoy the tropical beaches and explore this piece of paradise. Laze on the sandy shores, swim in the warm tropical ocean waters and try out the incredible activities on offer. There are various watersports and ocean activities available, from snorkelling and fishing to scuba diving and traditional dhow sailing trips. Be sure to speak to your guides about all the activities to do. You will spend 2 nights in shared en-suite bedrooms of the beach resort.
This morning on our Zanzibar & Tanzania Safari there is time for a final bit of exploring before we leave the beach paradise of Zanzibar Islands, catching the ferry back to Dar es Salaam on the mainland of Tanzania where our safari truck awaits.
Then our Zanzibar to Serengeti Tanzania Safari travels to the historic coastal town of Bagamoyo, which was once a major port in the slave and spice trade route along the East Coast of Africa. Now it is known more for the traditional wooden dhow boats which are made here. Arriving in the vibrant town we make our way to our next overnight stay, a campsite along the beach.
The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to swim in the warm Indian Ocean, stroll on the beach and enjoy the sea views at sunset.
Today our Overland Camping Tour follows a scenic route up the coast of Tanzania and then inland to Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit and also for climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro close by. The world-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area are the best-known destinations on the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit.
We overnight at a campsite in the vibrant town of Arusha, which is located at the base of Mount Meru, Africa's fifth-highest peak. This growing town is set in an elevated area of Tanzania with a cool climate and lush green hills. We will need to prepare for the 3-night Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti Safari trip that lies ahead. We will pack a smaller overnight bag for this trip as we will be travelling in smaller 4x4 game-viewing safari vehicles.
Leaving Arusha in the smaller vehicles today, we drive to Karatu, in the Ngorongoro Highlands area of Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. This busy small town lies between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater serving as a perfect base for exploring the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit. En route, we make a stop at Mto wa Mbu village and stroll around this rural agricultural town’s vibrant local market.
Rise and shine early on Day 7 of our Zanzibar Holiday & Tanzania Safari for an action-packed day of 4x4 game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater. You are collected from the safari lodge in Karatu and set off for Ngorongoro where most of the morning is spent exploring.
The Ngorongoro Crater is an extinct volcanic caldera which forms a giant natural amphitheatre that hosts one of the densest animal populations in Africa, meaning that there is superb wildlife viewing to be had. Animals roam freely in the crater, from large grazing herds of zebra, wildebeest, and many species of antelope. Not far behind are the predators who feed on them.
Later, our Africa Overland Tour moves on to Serengeti National Park close by. Entering the legendary Serengeti, we enjoy an extensive game drive as we head to our overnight camp, located in the Seronera region lying at the heart of the park. We settle into our comfortable tented safari camp that has stunning views over the wild plains. This will be home for the next 2 nights. Sit back and enjoy a serene sunset over Serengeti while you sip on a cold drink while looking out for animals from the comfort of your safari tent.
You have the option to take a Hot Air Balloon flight over the sweeping Serengeti Plains for the ultimate view. However, be warned, that this needs to be booked in advance and it is weather dependent.
Day 8 of our Overland Africa Safari is devoted to exploring Serengeti National Park and in particular the Seronera region of central Serengeti, famous for its outstanding big cat sightings due to the large numbers of big cats that thrive there.
On day 9 of our Zanzibar & Tanzania Safari, we return to our campsite in Arusha travelling through the scenic Great Rift Valley. This evening we relax back at camp in Arusha and recount the incredible Tanzania wildlife adventures we have just experienced.
Today we travel northeast from Arusha, headed to the Kenya border. If the conditions are clear, we can see mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Once border formalities are complete, we continue overland through rural Kenya and head north to the capital, Nairobi where this incredible Zanzibar to Serengeti Tanzania Safari comes to an end.
You can do this affordable East Africa Overland Tour in the reverse order - Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Holiday (South), if you prefer to start in Nairobi and end in Dar es Salaam.
We recommend arriving the day before your camping safari and only booking flights for the day after the Zanzibar & Tanzania Safari ends. We can help arrange accommodation before and after your overland tour on request.
Please note that the Wildebeest Great Migration of Kenya’s Masai Mara & Tanzania’s Serengeti is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, it must be understood that seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.
The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.
Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, check out our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
Please note this tour or a portion of this tour may coincide with a family departure, in which case, children from 6 years old may be included in the tour. Please contact African Budget Safaris to confirm.
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