9 Days Private Budget Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Escape

After breakfast, depart for Selous Game Reserve, now known as Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest protected areas. Enjoy scenic views of rural Tanzania en route. Upon arrival, check in at your budget safari lodge or camp and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive, spotting elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and diverse birdlife. Dinner and overnight inside or near the park surrounded by nature.

This day offers a unique safari experience. In the morning, enjoy a guided walking safari with an armed ranger, learning about animal tracks, plants, and the ecosystem up close. Later, experience a boat safari along the Rufiji River, watching hippos, crocodiles, and birds from the water. This combination provides a deeper connection to nature beyond game drives. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight under the African sky.

After breakfast, drive to Mikumi National Park, famous for its open plains and easy wildlife viewing. Arrive in time for lunch at your budget lodge, then head out for an afternoon game drive. Mikumi is home to lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and large herds of buffalo. The Mkata floodplain offers classic safari scenery similar to the Serengeti. Dinner and overnight at a budget lodge near the park.

After breakfast, depart Mikumi and connect for your journey to Serengeti National Park (by flight or long scenic transfer depending on plan). Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before an afternoon game drive across the endless plains. Serengeti is world-famous for its abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Expect to see big cats, large herbivore herds, and incredible sunsets. Dinner and overnight at a budget tented camp inside the Serengeti.

Enjoy a full day of game drives in Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch. Explore different areas of the park in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and the Great Migration (seasonal). Your private guide will tailor the day based on wildlife movements and your interests. This immersive safari day allows plenty of time for photography and wildlife observation. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Serengeti toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive inside this natural wonder, home to the Big Five including the rare black rhino. The crater’s compact ecosystem offers incredible wildlife density and scenery. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the crater floor before ascending to the highlands. Dinner and overnight at a budget lodge near Ngorongoro or Karatu.

After breakfast, drive to Arusha and transfer to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your budget beach hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on white sandy beaches, swimming in turquoise waters, or enjoying the island’s laid-back atmosphere. Dinner and overnight at a budget hotel near the beach, marking the perfect transition from safari to relaxation.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and free time at the beach. Depending on your flight schedule, relax, swim, or explore nearby areas. Later, transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your unforgettable private budget safari and beach holiday, filled with wildlife encounters, diverse landscapes, and beautiful memories of Tanzania and Zanzibar.