Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Safari + Beach: Self-Launched

Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi). Pre-book a shared airport shuttle or matatu to the city centre (~£5), then connect via a hired shared taxi or shuttle to Lake Nakuru (~2.5 hrs, ~£12 per person). Alternatively, arrange a budget safari company transfer as part of a 7-day Kenya-Tanzania shared safari package booked in advance from Nairobi — this is the most cost-effective approach. Check into a budget tented camp or guesthouse near the park gate. Head straight out for an afternoon game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park — book as part of your safari package or directly at the gate. Stop at the Great Rift Valley Escarpment viewpoint en route for stunning panoramic views at no cost.

🚌Shared airport shuttle Nairobi city (~£5), then safari vehicle transfer to Lake Nakuru (~£12 as part of group safari package)

🛏Accommodation near Lake Nakuru, e.g. Campsite or budget tented camp (~£18-25pp/night)

• →Afternoon game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park (park fee ~£40pp, vehicle/guide included in safari package)
• →Stop at Great Rift Valley Escarpment viewpoint (free)
• →Wildlife spotting: flamingos, pelicans, white rhinos, and waterbuck

Rise early for a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park — the golden hour light is spectacular and rhino sightings are common at dawn. After breakfast at camp, transfer south towards Amboseli (~4-5 hrs). The route passes through Nairobi's outskirts and the Athi Plains. Arrive at Amboseli in the afternoon. Check into a budget tented camp or basic lodge near the park. If travelling independently rather than via a pre-booked safari package, shared overland vehicles can be arranged through Nairobi-based operators like Kiboko Budget Safaris or Basecamp Explorer for considerably less than private tours.

🚌Safari vehicle transfer Nakuru → Amboseli (~5 hrs, included in shared safari package)

🛏Budget tented camp near Amboseli gate, e.g. Kibo Safari Camp budget option (~£20-30pp/night)

• →Early morning game drive at Lake Nakuru National Park
• →Scenic transfer south to Amboseli via Nairobi corridor
• →Afternoon arrival and sunset game drive at Amboseli (~£55pp park fee)

Spend a full day exploring Amboseli — one of Africa's most iconic parks with Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Two game drives (morning and afternoon) are typical, covering the swamp areas where large elephant herds congregate. Book your game drives as part of the shared safari package. Optionally, arrange a visit to a Maasai village through your camp or a local guide (~£15-20pp) — this is a meaningful cultural addition and the money goes directly to the community. Packed lunch is common on full safari days.

🚌Safari vehicle within the park (included in package)

🛏Budget tented camp Amboseli (~£20-30pp/night)

• →Early morning game drive with Mount Kilimanjaro views
• →Full day game drive: wildebeest, giraffes, elephants, baboons
• →Optional: Maasai village visit (~£15-20pp, book through camp)

An early start for the Tanzania border crossing at Namanga. This overland crossing is straightforward — ensure you have your Tanzanian e-visa sorted in advance at immigration.go.tz (~£40). After crossing, pass through Arusha (a great stop for lunch and to pick up any supplies — try the Arusha market or a local restaurant for a cheap meal). Continue to Lake Manyara National Park for an afternoon game drive. The park is famous for tree-climbing lions and enormous flocks of flamingos. Check in to a budget campsite or lodge on the crater rim.

🚌Safari vehicle transfer Amboseli → Namanga border → Arusha → Lake Manyara (~6-7 hrs)

🛏Budget lodge or campsite near Lake Manyara, e.g. Panorama Campsite (~£18-25pp/night)

• →Namanga border crossing Kenya-Tanzania (have Tanzanian e-visa ready, ~£40)
• →Stop in Arusha for lunch (~£5-8)
• →Afternoon game drive at Lake Manyara National Park (~£45pp park fee)

Morning game drive at Lake Manyara before departing for the Serengeti. The drive takes you up through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (a scenic highland route) and into the vast Serengeti plains — one of the most awe-inspiring drives in Africa. Packed lunch is standard on this transit day. Arrive in Serengeti's central Seronera region in the afternoon and head straight out for a game drive. The Seronera Valley is the most wildlife-dense area year-round. Budget campsites inside the park are significantly cheaper than lodges and give an incredible bush experience.

🚌Safari vehicle Lake Manyara → Serengeti via Ngorongoro highlands (~4-5 hrs)

🛏Public campsite inside Serengeti NP (e.g. Seronera Campsite, ~£20-30pp/night including park camping fee)

• →Early morning game drive at Lake Manyara
• →Scenic transfer through Ngorongoro highlands to Serengeti
• →Afternoon game drive in Seronera Valley

A full day in one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations. Two long game drives covering the Seronera area and the Moru Koppies (rocky outcrops that shelter leopards and lions). If visiting between July and October, the wildebeest migration river crossings at the Mara River are unmissable — ask your driver-guide to head north. Book a sunrise balloon safari as a splurge if your budget allows (~£350-400pp via GetYourGuide or Serengeti Balloon Safaris directly — this is a once-in-a-lifetime extra). Otherwise, the standard game drives are spectacular and fully self-bookable as part of your safari package.

🚌Safari vehicle within Serengeti (included in package)

🛏Public campsite Serengeti (~£20-30pp/night)

• →Full day game drives in Seronera and Moru Koppies areas
• →Wildebeest migration viewing (seasonal, July-Oct)
• →Optional: sunrise hot air balloon safari (~£350-400pp via Serengeti Balloon Safaris)

Drive from Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, descending into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera for a full crater tour. The crater is teeming with wildlife — the Big Five are commonly seen in a single day, including black rhino which are rare on regular game drives. Park and crater descent fees (~£70pp) are on top of standard accommodation. Packed lunch in the crater is standard. Climb back to the rim in the evening and check in to a budget crater-rim guesthouse or campsite with incredible views. Note: a crater entry fee vehicle charge (~£200 per vehicle) is split among passengers in a shared safari, making it far cheaper per person than a private tour.

🚌Safari vehicle Serengeti → Ngorongoro rim → crater descent and ascent (~2-3 hrs drive)

🛏Budget guesthouse or campsite on Ngorongoro Crater rim, e.g. Simba Campsite (~£20-28pp/night)

• →Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• →Full descent and crater game drive (Big Five possible including black rhino)
• →Packed lunch on the crater floor

Transfer from Ngorongoro to Arusha (~3 hrs by safari vehicle). From Arusha, take a domestic flight to Zanzibar — book independently via Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, or Precision Air, which all serve this route (~£80-120pp one way, book online in advance for best prices). Arrive in Zanzibar and transfer north to Nungwi or Kendwa beach by dalla-dalla (local minibus, ~£2-3) or shared taxi (~£8-12). Check in to a budget beach guesthouse or hostel. Dinner at a beachfront local restaurant.

🚌Safari vehicle to Arusha, then domestic flight to Zanzibar (~£80-120pp), local transport to beach (~£3-10pp)

🛏Budget beach guesthouse in Nungwi or Kendwa, e.g. Amaan Bungalows or similar (~£18-30pp/night)

• →Transfer Ngorongoro → Arusha by safari vehicle (~3 hrs)
• →Domestic flight Arusha → Zanzibar (book via Auric Air or Precision Air, ~£80-120pp)
• →Transfer to Nungwi beach by dalla-dalla or shared taxi (~£3-10pp)

A well-earned rest day on Zanzibar's stunning white-sand beaches. Spend the morning relaxing on Nungwi beach — one of the island's best swimming beaches as it doesn't dry out at low tide. In the afternoon, walk or take a bajaj (auto-rickshaw, ~£1-2) to Nungwi village and explore the traditional fishing community and the Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond (small entrance fee ~£3). Optionally, book a sunset dhow cruise (~£15-20pp via GetYourGuide or local operators on the beach) or snorkelling trip to the nearby coral reefs (~£20-30pp). Street food and local restaurants along the beach are excellent and very affordable.

🚌Bajaj/auto-rickshaw local transport (~£1-3)

🛏Budget beach guesthouse Nungwi (~£18-30pp/night)

• →Beach relaxation at Nungwi beach (free)
• →Visit Nungwi village and Mnarani Turtle Conservation Pond (~£3pp)
• →Optional: sunset dhow cruise (~£15-20pp, book locally or via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: snorkelling trip to coral reefs (~£20-30pp)

Final morning in Zanzibar — if time allows before your flight, visit Stone Town by local bus or dala-dala (~£1-2). Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily explored independently on foot — don't miss the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the spice market. Head to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) by taxi (~£10-15). Zanzibar is well-connected with direct flights to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and increasingly to European hubs, so onward travel is flexible. Alternatively, catch a high-speed ferry to Dar es Salaam (~£25-35pp, 2 hrs) if connecting from there.

🚌Local dala-dala to Stone Town (~£1-2), taxi to airport (~£10-15)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Optional morning visit to Stone Town UNESCO World Heritage Site (free to explore)
• →Spice market and Old Fort visit (~£2-5pp entry)
• →Transfer to Zanzibar airport or ferry terminal