11 Days Self-Launched Safari & Zanzibar Beach: Arusha to Zanzibar
11 days · Tanzania
Shiri Adventures charges £2,800
No-markup version: ~£1,070 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the very best of Tanzania independently — from iconic game drives across Tarangire, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, to sun-soaked days on the white sands of Zanzibar. This self-launched version replaces the fully guided private tour with a small-group budget safari operator for the northern circuit (the most cost-effective way to access the parks), and independent guesthouse/budget hotel stays in Zanzibar. All park activities are bookable directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Costs are estimates and will vary by season and group size.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Arusha
Arusha
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Pre-book an airport shuttle or shared taxi into Arusha town (~£8–12). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel in the centre. Spend the afternoon exploring Arusha's lively markets, the Cultural Heritage Centre, and the Clock Tower. A good evening to sort any last-minute kit and connect with other travellers heading on safari.
🚌Airport shared shuttle or dalla-dalla to Arusha town (~£8–12)
🛏Arusha Backpackers Hotel or Kilimanjaro Hostel (~£12–16/night)
- →Explore Arusha Clock Tower and local markets
- →Visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre (free entry)
- →Brief yourself on park rules and pack safari essentials
Tarangire National Park Game Drive
Tarangire National Park
Join a shared/small-group budget safari departing Arusha early morning (~6am). This is by far the most affordable way to access Tanzania's northern safari circuit — budget operators run shared 4WD Land Cruisers with English-speaking guides. Drive south to Tarangire National Park (~2.5 hrs), famous for its enormous elephant herds, baobab trees and diverse birdlife. Full-day game drive included. Overnight in a budget tented camp just outside the park gates.
🚌Shared safari 4WD from Arusha (~included in safari package)
🛏Boundary Hill Lodge or Tarangire River Camp budget tented camp (~£20–30/night, half-board)
- →Full-day guided game drive in Tarangire National Park
- →Spot elephant herds, lions, leopards and over 500 bird species
- →Sundowner at the camp with other travellers
Into the Serengeti — Central Plains Game Drive
Serengeti National Park
Early morning departure from Tarangire, driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area en route to the Central Serengeti (~5–6 hrs total). The journey itself offers spectacular scenery and occasional wildlife sightings. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the iconic open plains. Look out for the Big Five and, seasonally, the Great Migration. Camp or stay in a budget tented lodge inside or just outside the park.
🚌Shared safari 4WD (included in safari package)
🛏Kati Kati Tented Camp or Serengeti Wildcamp budget option (~£25–35/night)
- →Scenic drive through Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands
- →Afternoon guided game drive in Central Serengeti
- →Spot lions, cheetahs, wildebeest and zebra on the open plains
Full Day in the Serengeti — Sundowner Experience
Serengeti National Park
A full day to explore the Central Serengeti at leisure with your guide. Morning and afternoon game drives maximise wildlife sightings — early mornings are best for predator activity. As the sun drops, find a great viewpoint for a classic bush sundowner. Many budget camps provide simple sundowner setups (bring your own drinks from Arusha to save money). An unforgettable Serengeti sunset over the acacia-dotted plains.
🚌Safari 4WD in-park (included in safari package)
🛏Kati Kati Tented Camp or Serengeti Wildcamp budget option (~£25–35/night)
- →Morning guided game drive (prime predator-sighting hours)
- →Afternoon guided game drive across Central Serengeti plains
- →Sunset sundowner experience at a scenic viewpoint
Ngorongoro Crater — Game Drive & Highland Walk
Ngorongoro Crater
Drive from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (~3 hrs). Descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera for a full-day game drive on the crater floor — one of the densest wildlife areas on earth. Look for black rhino, flamingos, hippos and the Big Five in a single day. After the game drive, a short guided walking safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands (above the crater rim) offers a completely different perspective. Note: Ngorongoro has a mandatory crater descent fee (~£60–80pp) on top of the conservation area fee.
🚌Safari 4WD (included in safari package)
🛏Simba A & B Campsite (NCA public campsite, ~£15–20pp/night) or Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge budget rooms
- →Full-day guided game drive on Ngorongoro Crater floor
- →Spot black rhino, hippos, flamingos and the Big Five
- →Guided walking safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands above the rim
Lake Manyara National Park — Tree-Climbing Lions
Lake Manyara National Park
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park (~1.5 hrs from Ngorongoro). A compact but diverse park squeezed between an escarpment and the soda lake — famous for its tree-climbing lions, enormous pelican and flamingo flocks, and dense forests. Full-day game drive. This is the final game drive of the northern circuit. In the afternoon, return to Arusha and check back into your guesthouse. Celebrate with a meal out — Arusha has excellent local and international restaurants.
🚌Safari 4WD to Lake Manyara, then shared taxi or shuttle back to Arusha (~included in safari)
🛏Arusha Backpackers Hotel or Kilimanjaro Hostel (~£12–16/night)
- →Full-day guided game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
- →Spot tree-climbing lions, hippos, flamingos and baboons
- →Return to Arusha and celebratory dinner at a local restaurant
Arusha to Zanzibar — Island Arrival
Zanzibar (Stone Town)
Fly from Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha (ARK) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) — budget scheduled flights with Auric Air, Coastal Aviation or Precision Air cost approximately £60–100 one-way if booked in advance. Alternatively, fly to Dar es Salaam then take the Azam Marine fast ferry to Zanzibar (~2 hrs, ~£25). Arrive in Stone Town and check into a budget guesthouse in the old town. Spend the evening wandering the labyrinthine streets, sampling street food at Forodhani Night Market.
🚌Budget flight Arusha/JRO to ZNZ (~£60–100) or flight to Dar + Azam Marine ferry (~£70–90 total)
🛏Funguni Palace Hotel, Karibu Inn or similar Stone Town guesthouse (~£18–28/night)
- →Morning flight from Kilimanjaro/Arusha to Zanzibar (or Dar + ferry)
- →Check into Stone Town guesthouse
- →Evening street food at Forodhani Night Market (try Zanzibari pizza and sugarcane juice)
Stone Town City Tour & Changuu (Prison) Island
Zanzibar — Stone Town & Changuu Island
Spend the morning on a self-guided or guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Stone Town — explore the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, the bustling Darajani Market and the poignant Slave Market memorial. Book a half-day boat trip to Changuu (Prison) Island via a local boat operator at the waterfront (~£15–20pp including snorkelling) — home to giant Aldabra tortoises and a colourful house reef. Return for sunset drinks on a Stone Town rooftop bar.
🚌Walking in Stone Town; local boat to Changuu Island (included in activity price)
🛏Funguni Palace Hotel, Karibu Inn or similar Stone Town guesthouse (~£18–28/night)
- →Self-guided or guided walking tour of Stone Town (House of Wonders, Old Fort, Slave Market)
- →Half-day boat trip to Changuu Island with giant tortoise visit and snorkelling (~£15–20pp, bookable at the waterfront)
- →Sunset from a Stone Town rooftop bar
Jozani Forest & Transfer to Nungwi Beach
Zanzibar — Jozani Forest & Nungwi
In the morning, take a shared dala-dala or pre-booked minibus south to Jozani Chakwa Bay National Park (~45 mins, ~£2–3 by public transport). Join a self-booked guided forest walk (~£5pp entrance) to spot the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkey — endemic to the island. After lunch, head north to Nungwi village, Zanzibar's most popular beach destination, known for its powder-white sand and turquoise water (~£3–5 by shared transport). Check into a beach guesthouse and enjoy your first sunset on the beach.
🚌Shared dala-dala or minibus to Jozani (~£2–3) and onward to Nungwi (~£3–5)
🛏Nungwi Dreams or Amaan Bungalows budget beach guesthouse (~£20–30/night)
- →Guided walk in Jozani Forest — spot endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys (~£5 entry, bookable on-site or via GetYourGuide)
- →Transfer north to Nungwi Beach
- →First swim and sunset at Nungwi Beach
Nungwi Beach Day — Optional Turtle Conservation
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar
A full free day at Nungwi. Spend the morning snorkelling the local reef (mask hire ~£3), kayaking, or simply relaxing on one of Tanzania's most beautiful beaches. In the afternoon, visit the Mnarani Natural Aquarium — a tidal rock pool where a local community project rehabilitates endangered sea turtles (~£3–5 entry, walk-in). It's a small but genuinely worthwhile conservation project. Round off your final evening in Tanzania with a seafood dinner at a beachfront restaurant — Nungwi has excellent fresh catch at very reasonable prices.
🚌Walking/bicycle hire in Nungwi (~£3/day)
🛏Nungwi Dreams or Amaan Bungalows budget beach guesthouse (~£20–30/night)
- →Morning snorkelling at Nungwi reef (gear hire ~£3)
- →Visit Mnarani Natural Aquarium turtle conservation project (~£3–5, walk-in)
- →Beachside seafood dinner at a local Nungwi restaurant
Departure from Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Final morning — enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your guesthouse. Depending on your flight time, squeeze in a last swim or pick up souvenirs (spices, batik fabric and Tingatinga art are Zanzibar specialities) before heading to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ). Pre-book a private taxi or shared shuttle from Nungwi to the airport (~£10–20, 45–60 mins). Safe travels!
🚌Shared shuttle or private taxi from Nungwi to Zanzibar Airport (~£10–20)
- →Final breakfast and last swim at Nungwi Beach
- →Souvenir shopping — spices, batik fabrics and local crafts
- →Transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for departure
Self-launched vs. Shiri Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Shiri Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,070 | £2,800 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,730 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Shiri Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,070
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 11 Days Self-Launched Safari & Zanzibar Beach: Arusha to Zanzibar cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,070 per person for 11 days in Tanzania. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Shiri Adventures?+
Yes — Shiri Adventures charges around £2,800 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,070 — a saving of roughly £1,730 (62%) per person.
How long is the Tanzania trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Tanzania.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a wildlife, adventure, culture trip through Tanzania, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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