Zanzibar to Nairobi

12 days4.918 reviews
Overland
Wildlife
From
NZD $3,088

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?

Map of Zanzibar To Nairobi including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of
Trip code: YXOQC
Start
Zanzibar, Africa
End
Nairobi, Kenya
Destinations
Tanzania, Kenya
Meals
11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
Transport
Overland Vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night), Bungalow (2 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (6 nights)
Days
12
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
Overland, Wildlife
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: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Basix
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
This trip generates 20 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

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

Map of Zanzibar To Nairobi including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of

Inclusions and activities

Meals

11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Overland Vehicle, 4WD Safari Vehicle, Ferry, Minibus

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Bungalow (2 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (6 nights)

Included activities
  • 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

Optional activities
  • 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

When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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.
  • 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.

Dates and availability

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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.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 .   18 reviews
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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EDWARD · Traveled February 2025
Review submitted 26 Feb 2025
Vebjørn · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 13 Nov 2024
Stuart · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 26 Oct 2024
Julia · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 27 Oct 2024
Jack · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 13 Oct 2024
Zanzibar to Nairobi
From
NZD $3,088