Zanzibar, Tanzania / Malawi / Zambia / Zimbabwe / South Africa

This self-launched version of Acacia Adventure Holidays' classic 22-day overland journey takes you from Zanzibar's spice-scented alleyways and white-sand beaches, through rural Tanzania and Malawi's lake shores, on to the thundering Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe's ancient Matobo Hills, and finally into the big-five wilderness of South Africa's Kruger National Park — ending in Pretoria. Instead of a guided overland truck, you'll string this route together using local buses, shared minibuses (dala-dalas), and budget shuttles, staying in well-rated hostels and budget guesthouses along the way. All major activities — game drives, national park entries, Victoria Falls — are bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct with local operators. Costs are approximate estimates per person based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,409

Experience Tanzania's legendary Great Migration and Big Five game drives without the premium operator markup. This self-launched version covers the same iconic Northern Circuit — Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater — by booking a local independent safari operator or joining a shared group safari, rather than paying for a private fully-guided package. Note that safari game drives in Tanzania's national parks require a registered Tanzanian safari vehicle and guide by law, so rather than doing this entirely alone, the smart move is to book each leg directly with vetted local operators, cutting out the international middleman. All costs below are approximate estimates per person and assume joining shared-vehicle safaris where possible.

Travel Crew

~£775

Skip the group tour premium and experience Tanzania's iconic Northern Circuit on your own terms. This self-launched safari covers Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara — home to elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, flamingos and the Big Five. In Tanzania, a fully independent safari isn't really practical without a licensed vehicle and guide (park rules require it), but you can book directly with smaller local operators or combine a shared-group budget safari rather than going through a Western aggregator — saving significantly on markup. Costs below reflect joining a budget shared safari jeep booked directly in Arusha, staying at public campsites within the parks, and self-catering where possible. All estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£260

Experience the very best of East Africa independently — from gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimp tracking in Kibale, to game drives across the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater — at a fraction of the cost of a guided group tour. This self-guided route follows the same iconic destinations as Intrepid's group tour, replacing their overland truck and group markup with local shared transport, budget guesthouses and lodges, and self-booked permits. The big-ticket costs (gorilla and chimp permits) are non-negotiable and identical for all travellers, but by cutting out the operator margin you can save significantly. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£2,255

Same iconic East African route — Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar — done independently at a fraction of Intrepid's price. You'll sleep in budget campsites and guesthouses, book safari game drives directly with local operators, cross the Kenya-Tanzania border by shared transport, and fly to Zanzibar on a budget carrier. Expect rougher edges and more freedom — this is proper backpacker East Africa. Note: all costs are approximate estimates per person based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,095

Experience the very best of East Africa independently — from gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimp tracking in Kibale, to game drives across the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater — at a fraction of the cost of a guided group tour. This self-launched route follows the same iconic destinations as Intrepid's group tour, replacing their overland truck and group markup with local shared transport, budget guesthouses and lodges, and self-booked permits. The big-ticket costs (gorilla and chimp permits) are non-negotiable and identical for all travellers, but by cutting out the operator margin you can save significantly. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£2,255

Experience the very best of East Africa independently — from the sweeping plains of the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti to the ancient volcanic bowl of the Ngorongoro Crater. This self-launched route mirrors Intrepid's popular 18–35s overland trip, swapping the group truck for public shuttles, shared safari jeeps, and budget campsites. You'll still sleep under the stars in the Serengeti, encounter the Big Five, visit a Maasai village and wake up to hippos on Lake Victoria — just without the operator premium. All costs are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£900

Same iconic East African route — Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar — done independently at a fraction of Intrepid's price. You'll sleep in budget campsites and guesthouses, book safari game drives directly with local operators, cross the Kenya-Tanzania border by shared transport, and fly to Zanzibar on a budget carrier. Expect rougher edges and more freedom — this is proper backpacker East Africa. Note: all costs are approximate estimates per person based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,095

Summit Africa's highest peak via the spectacular Machame Route, then unwind on Zanzibar's turquoise shores — all done independently. This self-launched itinerary follows the exact same 12-day journey as the Much Better Adventures group tour: 7 days trekking Kilimanjaro (with mandatory licensed guides, porters, and park permits booked directly through a registered Kilimanjaro operator), followed by 4 nights of beach relaxation and exploration in Zanzibar. By booking your trek operator directly, arranging your own flights between Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, and choosing your own accommodation, you can save significantly on operator margins while enjoying the same iconic adventure. Note: all costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,950

Conquer Africa's highest peak via the quieter, more remote Rongai Route — self-launched. This itinerary mirrors the Much Better Adventures commercial tour but cuts costs by booking your Kilimanjaro climb package directly with a licensed local operator in Moshi, skipping the group tour premium. Note: Kilimanjaro is a regulated national park — all trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide, and park fees and permits are mandatory. The main saving here is bypassing the UK-based operator markup by booking your climb package directly with a KINAPA-registered local company in Moshi. Costs below are realistic per-person estimates for a solo traveller booking independently.

Travel Crew

~£1,350

Skip the group tour premium and launch your own East African safari adventure — same iconic parks, same jaw-dropping wildlife, a fraction of the price. This self-launched 13-day route takes you from Nairobi through Lake Nakuru, the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and across the border into Tanzania for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park, finishing in Arusha. You'll book shared safari game drives directly with local operators, stay in budget lodges and tented camps, and travel between destinations by shared shuttle — all while experiencing East Africa's Big Five in their full glory. Costs are estimated per person and are approximate.

Travel Crew

~£1,135

Conquer Africa's highest peak on the spectacular Lemosho Route — the most scenic and least crowded path up Kilimanjaro. This self-launched version replicates the full G Adventures itinerary at a fraction of the cost by booking independently through a licensed Tanzanian operator, cutting out the group tour premium. You'll still get the essential crew of mountain guides, porters, and cooks (required by Kilimanjaro National Park regulations), plus full-service alpine camping through all seven high-altitude nights. Start and finish in Moshi, passing through magnificent rainforest, open moorland, the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, and the Great Barranco Wall before the summit push from Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak. All cost estimates are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,650