12-Day Tanzania and Zanzibar Budget Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Arusha and welcome to Tanzania

Karibu to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your cozy budget hotel in Arusha. Take time to relax, enjoy a stroll around town, or take in views of Mount Meru. It’s your time to settle in before the wild adventure begins.

Distance & Drive Time:

Kilimanjaro Airport ➝ Arusha: ~50 km | 1–1.5 hours

Accommodation: Pazuri Inn, Arusha.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Pazuri Inn

• Mid-range hotel located in Arusha (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Materuni waterfalls, cultural tour, Coffee tour &Kikuletwa Hotspring

After breakfast, drive to Materuni village for a scenic hike to a stunning 80-meter waterfall. You’ll also experience an authentic Chagga coffee-making process—grinding, roasting, and tasting your own brew. In the afternoon, head to Kikuletwa Hot Springs, a hidden oasis surrounded by fig trees. Swim, relax, and return to Arusha by evening.

Distance & Drive Time:

Arusha ➝ Materuni: ~40 km | 1.5 hours

Materuni ➝ Kikuletwa: ~30 km | 1 hour

Kikuletwa ➝ Arusha: ~45 km | 1.5 hours

Accommodation: Pazuri Inn, Arusha.

Main Destination:

Materuni Waterfalls (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Pazuri Inn

• Mid-range hotel located in Arusha (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Arusha to Tarangire National Park(The Land of Giants)

Depart early for Tarangire, home to Tanzania’s largest elephant population and iconic baobab trees. Embark on a full-day game drive in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, and more. Birdwatchers will be thrilled by over 500 species here. In the late afternoon, head to your Budget hotel at Mto wa Mbu for dinner and rest.

Distance & Drive Time:

Arusha ➝ Tarangire: ~120 km | 2.5–3 hours

Tarangire ➝ Mto wa Mbu: ~60 km | 1 hour

Accommodation: Fig Tree Lodge & Camp.

Main Destination:

Tarangire National Park

Best Time To Visit July to November (Animals come to the Tarangire River)

High Season June to October (The park is full of visitors)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Tarangire NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Fig Tree Lodge & Camp

• Budget hotel located in Mto wa Mbu (Town)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Manyara National Park (Home for Tree Climbing Lions)

Lake Manyara is a compact but biodiverse park, famous for tree-climbing lions, lush forests, and flamingo-lined shores. Look out for elephants, hippos, monkeys, and colorful birds as you explore this varied terrain. Return to Fig Tree Lodge & Camp by late afternoon and enjoy a peaceful night under the stars.

Distance & Drive Time:

Mto wa Mbu ➝ Lake Manyara Gate: ~10 km | 15 minutes (each way)

Accommodation: Public Campsite, Mto wa Mbutree camp and lodge.

Main Destination:

Lake Manyara National Park

Best Time To Visit June to October (Easier to spot animals)

High Season July to March (The northern section gets crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoCommon

Show more

LionOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Accommodation:

Fig Tree Lodge & Camp

• Budget hotel located just outside Lake Manyara NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Mto wa mbu to Ngorongoro Crater (Black Rhino's Home)

Today you’ll descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive inside the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. Look out for the endangered black rhino, prides of lions, massive buffalo, and vibrant flamingos by the lake. After a picnic lunch, ascend to the rim and camp with crater views.

Distance & Drive Time:

Mto wa Mbu ➝ Ngorongoro Gate: ~60 km | 1.5 hours

Descent into crater and crater tour: ~20 km | Full day

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Simba Public Campsite.

Main Destination:

Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Black RhinoCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

HyenaAbundant

Show more

ElephantCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Ngorongoro Highlands to Serengeti National park

Drive across the highlands into the endless plains of Serengeti. Stop at Naabi Hill for panoramic views and to enter the park. Enjoy game drives en route to your campsite in Central Serengeti. This is big cat country—keep your eyes peeled for lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

Distance & Drive Time:

Ngorongoro ➝ Serengeti Naabi Gate: ~140 km | 4–5 hours

Naabi Hill ➝ Central Serengeti Camp: ~40 km | 1 hour

Accommodation: Public Campsite, Serengeti National Park.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)

High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

CheetahCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraAbundant

WildebeestAbundant

Show more

GiraffeCommon

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Black RhinoVery Rare

Wild DogVery Rare

White RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Serengeti national park (Great Wildebeest Migration's home)

Spend the entire day exploring the heart of Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Migration, or observe lions lounging in kopjes and cheetahs scanning the horizon. Enjoy a bush lunch and continue tracking wildlife before returning to camp at sunset.

Distance & Drive Time:

Game drives within Serengeti: 50–100 km depending on sightings

Accommodation: Public Campsite, Serengeti National Park.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Serengeti National Park and Flight to Zanzibar

Enjoy an early morning game drive—perfect for spotting predators on the move. After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scenic flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel in the historical heart of Stone Town. The coast marks the perfect transition from safari to seaside.

Distance & Drive Time:

Serengeti Camp ➝ Airstrip: ~15–30 km | 30–45 mins

Zanzibar Airport ➝ Hotel: ~8 km | 15–20 mins

Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel & Apartments, Stone Town.

Main Destination:

Serengeti National Park

Accommodation:

Tembo House Hotel & Apartments

• Mid-range hotel located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)

+25 Photos

+24 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Self Exploration in Zanzibar

Enjoy three flexible days to explore the island your way. Visit Stone Town's historical sites, take a guided spice tour, or relax on the white sands of Kendwa and Nungwi. Optional activities include snorkeling, a dhow sunset cruise, visiting Jozani Forest, or island hopping. Evenings are yours to enjoy at local beachside restaurants.

Distance & Drive Time:

Local excursions vary: 1–2 hours for beach drives; short walks in Stone Town

Accommodation (All Nights): Tembo House Hotel & Apartments, Stone Town.

Main Destination:

Zanzibar Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Accommodation:

Tembo House Hotel & Apartments

• Mid-range hotel located on Zanzibar (Tanzania Beaches)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Zanzibar Airport

After breakfast and one last stroll through Stone Town, you’ll be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your international departure. Leave with lasting memories of Tanzania’s wild north and serene coastal beauty.

Distance & Drive Time:

Hotel ➝ Zanzibar Airport: ~8 km | 15–20 mins.

Main Destination:

Zanzibar Airport (Zanzibar)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.