Zanzibar to Nairobi





Open-roof safaris, seaside strolls and Africa’s ‘Spice Island’
Admire the sweeping landscapes of Tanzania – full of incredible wildlife and fascinating cultures – on this 12-day adventure. From the pristine beaches of Zanzibar across the lush slopes of the Usambara Mountains and through the savannas of Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, discover a land where elephants roam, lions hunt and communities embrace the land. This is the heart of Africa – a land for the true explorer. When will you go in search of the Big Five?
4.8
24 reviewsStart: Zanzibar, Africa
End: Nairobi, Kenya
- Duration
- 12 days
- Group size
- 1 to 22
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Overland, Wildlife
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Wander around Stone Town’s bustling bazaars and fragrant spice markets and opt to embark on a guided tour of the spice plantations.
- Explore the Serengeti – a wildlife arena like no other – and look for lions, leopards, elephants and giraffes in this iconic park with your local crew.
- Relax on the northern beaches of Zanzibar, enjoying the pristine white sand and sparkling blue sea, and spend some time exploring historic Stone Town.
- Take a mind-blowing safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in an open-roof 4WD vehicle for a chance to see endangered black rhinoceros.
- Embark on a hike through the Usambara Mountains to the Irente viewpoint, then stop at a farm on the way back for a picnic lunch.
Itinerary
Welcome to Zanzibar! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm where you'll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Aside from this important meeting, there are no planned activities for the day, and you are free to explore on your own. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history – everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like centuries ago. The old part of Zanzibar's main city is known as Stone Town, and the best way to see this is on foot, exploring the markets, shops, mosques, palaces and courtyards. When the sun is setting, why not grab a drink from a bar overlooking the seafront? A seafood curry at a local restaurant is also a great choice. You'll spend the night in Stone Town at a basic inn.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
- Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Please note the Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have more passengers than the maximum group size of 22, as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, consider booking in to an optional guided tour of the island's spice plantations, learning all about the history of this town's spice trade. You will have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanilla and ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head to the Northern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the Indian Ocean at its best.
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
If you choose not to book in on the optional Zanzibar spice tour this morning, you will be transported directly to the island's Northern Beaches.
Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you can spend your day – perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunch of grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. It's totally up to you!
- Bungalow (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
- Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
To book optional activities, please contact Zanzibar Watersports, located at Kendwa Rocks Beach Resort. Zanzibar Watersports is the only provider we have risk assessed and recommend using. However, please keep in mind that we have not risk-assessed all their activities, and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended.
Zanzibar Watersports
Phone or WhatsApp: +255 622 474 444
Travel to Stone Town this morning, Zanzibar’s Old Town. Meet your new leader and travel group at an 11 am welcome meeting at the hotel. After, catch the ferry to Dar es Salaam. Then, board your overland vehicle (and meet your driver and cook) and take the short drive to your camp at Bagamoyo, a lovely spot by the beach.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Dinner
As this is a combination trip, your trip leader and group members will likely change today.
Your beach camp tonight has Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and cold showers. Accommodation upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Travel into the remote Usambara Mountains (approximately 7 hours). This unspoilt area of Tanzania attracts very few tourists, making it the perfect place to soak in your surroundings. The forests stretch across the mountains and are ideal for easy hikes and guided walks. You base is the old German colony of Lushoto, where you’ll stay on the grounds of one of the earliest hotels in Africa.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
The campsite has flush toilets and showers, but limited Wi-Fi. Upgrades are possible (subject to availability).
Today, explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains and experience this area’s gentle hospitality on a visit to some of its small communities. From your base, hike to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at Irente farm and enjoy a locally prepared lunch.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Irente - Lushoto hike
- Irente - Local lunch
Today, journey from the scenic Usambara Mountains to Arusha. While there are no planned activities, enjoy the drive through Tanzania's picturesque landscapes as you make your way to the bustling gateway to the northern safari circuit. Upon arrival at your campsite on the outskirts of town, unwind and settle in for a restful evening and prepare for the adventures ahead.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
This campsite has flush toilets and showers. It also has a bar – the perfect place to unwind with a drink after a long day in the truck.
After breakfast this morning, head to Karatu, the gateway to the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you'll hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves and the Endoro waterfalls along the way. Rich with calcium, the Elephant Caves got their name as elephants would come here and break off pieces of rock, eating the dust to receive important minerals. Today's trek, accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger, is the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk. After, head to Karatu village for a tour of the local coffee farm. Here, you'll see the innovative farming practices from the locals and learn about the farming activities that sustain the coffee, bean, maize, banana, soya and pea crops. Tonight, enjoy a traditional dinner with a local Tanzanian family in their home, who will cook you a few different dishes to try. Learn about the local culture with educational stories from a locally trained guide. What a night!
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek
- Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner
- Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour
Get up early, put your camping and personal gear into a six-person jeep and head out for an excursion into the Serengeti via the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending between 3 and 4 hours exploring this perfectly intact volcanic crater. Watch for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. Next, move on to the open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – the home of thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Your campsite is within the Serengeti itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
The camp is basic with limited running water and no upgrades or wi-fi available.
You will notice some Masai villages in the region of the Ngorongoro Crater offering a cultural experience. Intrepid recommends avoiding these villages, as they can impact negatively on the Masai culture and travellers' perceptions of it by selling an artificial experience.
Our camp within the Serengeti National Park does not have a fence to separate the camp from the animals. This is quite the experience as animals such as buffalo and hyenas often come close to camp after sundown. On arrival at the camp your leader will give a detailed safety briefing on what is required to ensure the safety of the group.
Wake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then go back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option today of a balloon ride over the park (in place of a portion of the morning game drive). If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. After landing, you'll be treated to a five-star bush breakfast, then be returned to your camp.
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a place. Please speak to an Intrepid representative before your tour begins to secure a place. If you would rather wait and get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. If you participate in this activity you will miss the morning half of the included game drive.
Rise with the sun and enjoy another game drive as you leave the Serengeti in your dust. Jump back into your overland vehicle and head for Mto wa Mbu.
After setting up camp, we'll take a guided stroll through the farming areas, local homes and farmlands, getting to know the local community and their way of life. Later, we'll enjoy a scrumptious locally prepared dinner in town.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
Your campsite has flush toilets, showers and optional upgrades (subject to availability).
Set off early and cross the Kenyan border then continue to Nairobi. You'll be dropped at the finishing point hotel in Nairobi where your trip ends. If you'd like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Nairobi - Nairobi by Night Urban Adventure - USD76
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
It's important not to book any flights departing Nairobi earlier than 8 pm (or 1 pm if you're departing in Arusha).
Inclusions and activities
11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
Overland Vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus
Hotel (1 night), Bungalow (2 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (6 nights)
- Irente - Lushoto hike
- Irente - Local lunch
- Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek
- Karatu - Home-Cooked Dinner
- Karatu - Coffee Farm Tour
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Morning 4WD Safari
- Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner
- Stone Town Tour - Dharajani Market, Joseph's Cathederal, Palace Museum, Forodhani Food Market - USD20
- Zanzibar - Prison Island Tour - USD25
- Zanzibar - Spice tour - USD25
- Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD50
- Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD35
- Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD800
- Nairobi - Nairobi by Night Urban Adventure - USD76
This trip generates 16 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- No two journeys in Africa are identical. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days. Be prepared for travel times to be longer or shorter than advised. Weather and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the detours, shortcuts, and unforgettable moments along the way.
- This is a participatory overland camping trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your tent, helping out with camp chores, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of iconic African wildlife. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page at intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland.
- Camping in the Serengeti National Park with no barriers between you and the animals is amazing, but it's important to heed the safety advice of your leader. You'll be briefed on arrival.
- The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider. All activities are subject to availability.
- Some passengers on this trip will have been travelling together prior to the start of your trip. To see what you're missing out on check out our Vic Falls to Kenya trip – search trip code YXOWC on the Intrepid website for more information and to book.
Accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied.
The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants.
There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the night's accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability).
Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms.
Campsites do have facilities, but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all.
At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip.
Mizingani Seafront Hotel
Mizingani Rd, Stone Town
Stone Town
Zanzibar
TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF
Phone: +255 242235396
Description
Mizingani Seafront Hotel in Zanzibar is a charming, historic property located along the seafront in Stone Town, providing a blend of traditional Zanzibari and Arabic architecture. Originally built as a palace, the hotel features ornately carved wooden doors, intricate latticework, and colorful interiors, evoking the rich cultural heritage of the region. The rooms are designed with Swahili-style décor, offering modern comforts like air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms, while some rooms boast balconies with ocean views.
Guests can enjoy the rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, a swimming pool, and easy access to Stone Town's UNESCO World Heritage sites, markets, and historic attractions, making it an ideal choice for experiencing the island's cultural and historical ambiance.
Instructions
Mizingani Seafront Hotel is just a short 15 minute drive from the main airport in Zanzibar. Taxis and transfer shuttles are readily available outside the terminal.
Alternatively ferries depart Dar Es Salaam for Stone Town four times daily and take approx. 2hrs. The cost is around USD$35 one way. From the Stone Town ferry terminal, the Spice Palace Hotel is an easy 15 minute walk or short taxi ride away.
Private airport transfers are available for pre-booking through Intrepid. Depending on the trip you have booked, they may or may not be complimentary. Contact your agent for details. Be sure to advise of your flight details at time of booking. If you have pre-arranged a transfer, please look for your name on the transfer barrier when exiting the customs area. A representative will be there to collect you. If you cannot find your driver after waiting a considerable amount of time, Intrepid's East Africa office in Kenya can be reached on their 24 hour number +254 733 523 813.
Alternate joining point
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
29 Sep 2026 (YXOQC260929), 13 Oct 2026 (YXOQC261013), 27 Oct 2026 (YXOQC261027), 10 Nov 2026 (YXOQC261110), 24 Nov 2026 (YXOQC261124), 08 Dec 2026 (YXOQC261208), 22 Dec 2026 (YXOQC261222), 12 Jan 2027 (YXOQC270112), 02 Feb 2027 (YXOQC270202)
Shangani Hotel
Kenyatta Road, Stone Town
Shangani
Zanzibar
P.o Box 4222
TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF
Phone: +255 774 514 242
Fax: +255 24 2236363
Description
The Shangani Hotel is a clean and simple hotel centrally located in Shangani, Stone Town, a short walk from Zanzibar Harbour. All rooms come equipped with private bathrooms and air conditioning. The Hotel also has a roof top restaurant with views of the ocean.
Instructions
Shangani Hotel is just a short 10 minute drive from the main airport in Zanzibar. Taxis and transfer shuttles are readily available outside the terminal.
Alternatively ferries depart Dar Es Salaam for Stone Town four times daily and take approx. 2hrs. The cost is around USD$35 one way. From the Stone Town ferry terminal, the Shangani Hotel is an easy 15 minute walk or short taxi ride away.
Private airport transfers are available for pre-booking through Intrepid. Depending on the trip you have booked, they may or may not be complimentary. Contact your agent for details. Be sure to advise of your flight details at time of booking. If you have pre-arranged a transfer, please look for your name on the transfer barrier when exiting the customs area. A representative will be there to collect you. If you cannot find your driver after waiting a considerable amount of time, Intrepid's East Africa office in Kenya can be reached on their 24 hour number +254 733 523 813.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 2pm on Day 1 in Stone Town. This trip ends on Day 12, and you are free to leave at any time.
3. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this trip. Please see the itinerary above for further details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited, and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
4. This trip is a combination of two of our most popular itineraries. As such, the makeup of your group and your leader may change on Day 4.
5. The Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have a few more passengers than the maximum group size of 22, as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
6. This trip finishes upon arrival at our finish point hotel in Nairobi on Day 12. Please do not book any flights until after 8 pm this evening.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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