Tanzania is the tourist capital of East Africa with there being so many attractions in the one place. It is here you can climb Kilimanjaro or visit Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, and the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar is the perfect place to wind down after a few days on the road. Tanzania also features on multiple overland tour itineraries and these trips will usually include most of the above-mentioned attractions.
Capital City – Dodoma (Arusha is the ‘safari capital’)
Currency: Tanzania Shilling
Language: English, Swahili, Tribal languages
Major Attractions: Kilimanjaro, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar
Quick Overview: Safaris and Overland Tours in Tanzania
Most overland tours in Tanzania will include a trip into Serengeti National Park. There is also an option to visit Ngorongoro Crater along the way and I consider both to be must-see attractions. Itineraries will usually begin in Nairobi (Kenya) which will make it easier for you to get to the starting point of a tour because flights to Nairobi are more frequent and affordable. This does not mean your tour will include attractions in Kenya (although this is also an option) but rather you will start the tour in Nairobi, Kenya and drive across the border to Tanzania on the first day.
But which overland tour or wildlife safari in Tanzania do I recommend you consider?
I have provided options below to include:
– Serengeti Safari only starting and ending in Arusha, Tanzania
– Serengeti Safari only starting in Nairobi, Kenya and ending in Arusha, Tanzania
– Serengeti Safari plus Zanzibar starting in Arusha and ending in Zanzibar
– Serengeti Safari plus Zanzibar starting in Nairobi, Kenya and ending in Zanzibar, Tanzania
My Picks for the Best Overland Tour & Safari in Tanzania
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Wildlife Camping Safari
Duration: 6 Days
Start: Arusha / Finish: Arusha
Experience the thrill of wildlife on the open savannah and take in the breathtaking beauty of the Great Rift Valley. With a certified safari guide leading the way, you’ll explore the Serengeti, searching for incredible wildlife in their natural environment. Full-service camping brings you closer to the animals and offers an affordable way to immerse yourself in local cultures, even if you’re short on time. Our small safari vehicles cut down on drive times, giving you more opportunities to capture that perfect shot of one of the elusive “big five.”
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OR Rather than make your own way to Arusha, perhaps you would like to join your group in Nairobi? There is an option for this too…
Serengeti & Ngorongoro Wildlife Camping Safari
Duration: 7 Days
Start: Nairobi / Finish: Arusha
This is the same tour as the one above except you will join your tour leader in Nairobi, Kenya. I recommend this option for anyone that does not want to make their own way to Arusha, TZ.
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Serengeti Wildlife Camping Safari INCL Zanzibar
Serengeti Wildlife Camping Safari & Zanzibar
Duration: 12 Days
Start: Arusha / Finish: Zanzibar)
There’s no better way to experience Tanzania than by sleeping where the wildlife roam, and on this 12-day tour, you’ll get to do just that. Your safari through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro includes an overnight camp right on the edge of a crater where lions, buffalo, and zebras love to wander. Afterward, you’ll fly over to Zanzibar, where historic towns and stunning beaches are ready to welcome you. You’ll head home with a collection of postcard-worthy photos, unforgettable memories, and maybe even a few grains of sand in your pocket.
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Serengeti Wildlife Safari & Zanzibar
Duration: 10 Days
Start: Nairobi / Finish: Zanzibar
Have you been dreaming of the savannahs of East Africa but don’t have much time? This trip is just what you need. In 10 action-packed days, you’ll experience the wonders of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, the stunning Lake Manyara, and camp under the vast midnight skies of the Masai Mara. With our all-terrain vehicles, we minimize travel time so you can spend every moment connecting with the locals and tracking the “big five.” A whirlwind adventure in Africa? It’s totally doable and this adventure ends with a flight to the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar!
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But seriously, if you can afford the extra time and cost….
My Favorite Overland Tour in Africa
Serengeti to Cape Town Overland Tour
Duration: 40 Days
Start: Nairobi / Finish: Cape Town
This amazing journey was actually my very first overland tour in Africa. You kick things off with thrilling game safaris in Serengeti National Park, followed by a fun escape to the beaches of Zanzibar. In Malawi, you’ll get a taste of local life, and South Luangwa National Park offers even more wildlife encounters. Victoria Falls is packed with things to see and do, and the Okavango Delta is one of the wildest experiences Africa has to offer. The desert landscapes of Namibia are a standout for many travelers, offering a stark contrast to everything that came before. You’ll then journey through scenic winelands before reaching Cape Town, wrapping up what truly is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
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One last thing….
Travel insurance is mandatory for all overland truck tours but not all policies will cover this type of adventure. I recommend you read my article about the best travel insurance for Africa or perhaps just get a quick quote from World Nomads below….it takes just a few seconds!
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