Imagine: in one trip, you are surrounded by the wildlife of the Serengeti, strolling along the powder-white beaches of Zanzibar, and immersing yourself in the rich culture of Stone Town. Tanzania and Zanzibar offer a perfect blend of affordable luxury and adventure, combining the best safari experiences with the tropical charm of unique luxury beach resorts. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, this destination has it all for those who love exclusive yet affordable travel.
In this blog, I take you on our unforgettable journey, where we combined the best safari experiences with the tropical charm of Zanzibar.
Zanzibar is easy to reach from the Netherlands thanks to direct flights from Amsterdam. As we traveled in July, we had booked our accommodations in advance in Zanzibar, and for the safari in Tanzania, we worked with a local tour operator.
What made this combination trip special was that we spent the first three nights in Zanzibar, giving us time to acclimate to the weather. We stayed at the brand-new Dream of Zanzibar hotel, located on Uroa beach on the east coast of Zanzibar. This small luxury hotel immediately gave us a relaxed feeling. Everyone was incredibly friendly, and we even learned a few words of Swahili.
Paddleboarding in the Mangroves of Chukwani Bay
Since I'm not much of a sun worshiper and prefer a more active vacation, we had already booked a tour on our second day to go paddleboarding in the mangroves. It was an adventure for me, as it was my first time standing on a paddleboard. Surrounded by the stunning nature of the mangroves in Chukwani Bay, near Stone Town, it was an especially fun experience, made even better because we were completely alone with our guide.
Did you know that Zanzibar has no fewer than 10 different types of mangroves?
On Safari: 5 Days of affordable luxury in Tanzania’s most beautiful national parks departing from Zanzibar
Our journey began with a flight to Arusha, the gateway to an unforgettable luxury safari in Tanzania. Over the next five days, we explored exclusive wildlife experiences in Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants and baobab trees, and the iconic Serengeti National Park, home to the famous Big Five. Staying in luxurious yet affordable lodges like Africa Safari Rift Valley and Ikoma Lodge, we had the perfect mix of comfort and adventure. For those looking to enjoy a high-end safari without breaking the bank, Tanzania offers incredible value and unforgettable encounters with nature.
Day One: Tarangire National Park
After arriving, we immediately set off with our jeep and guide/driver toward Tarangire National Park, also known as the elephant park. We quickly spotted two of the famous "Big Five": elephants and lions. This park, also known for its stunning baobab trees, is a must-add to your safari. We saw many impressive animals such as zebras, giraffes, monkeys, and birds of prey. From our jeep with an open roof, we had a perfect view of the surrounding nature and could easily observe and photograph all these beautiful animals. Our first night on safari was spent at the cozy Africa Safari Rift Valley lodge near Lake Manyara. This brand-new lodge (opened in December 2023) offered a very comfortable safari tent, where we could even shower under the stars.
Days Two to Four: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, we headed to the vast plains of the Serengeti. The roads in Tanzania aren’t always well-maintained, so it took nearly a full day to reach southern Serengeti.
Visit to a Masai Village
Our first stop was a Masai village, where for a small fee, you get a typical performance with dance and music, including the jumping dance. During this dance, Masai boys demonstrate their strength and maturity; the higher you jump, the more power and endurance you have. While it was interesting to see how the Masai live, I did wonder whether this was still an authentic village. The setup felt very touristy, and the women had also set up a small shop in the kraal selling homemade jewelry and souvenirs.
Tip: Read The White Masai by Corinne Hofmann, a book about a Western woman who lived for years with the traditional Masai. It's fun to compare how life there is described and how you experience it during your visit.
Toward the end of the day, we drove through Ngorongoro Crater Park, seeing this majestic crater (which we would visit later) from the viewpoint.
When we reached southern Serengeti, it started to rain, which made driving challenging for our driver as we literally slipped over the roads. We arrived soaking-wet at the lodge, where the staff and Masai came to greet us with umbrellas. This lodge is located in the heart of Serengeti’s nature, and we heard many sounds at night—from lions roaring to monkeys shrieking.
Encounter with Wildlife
After a hearty breakfast, where I especially enjoyed the delicious hibiscus tea, we set off for our first full day in the vast plains of the Serengeti. We immediately felt like we were on the set of The Lion King when we spotted a "Pumba" (warthog) running comically with its little tail in the air among many gazelles, impalas, and ostriches. We also saw many giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and other animals. Then we were suddenly asked to be very quiet because our guide had spotted a leopard. It was a magical moment to see this majestic animal climb down from the tree where it had just hung its prey. What an indescribable experience! We could check off the third of our "Big Five" list that day. A little further on, we saw two young lions lounging in the grass.
The highlight of the day was witnessing a cheetah hunting a small impala. As the fastest land mammal, capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h, the impala had no chance. After the kill, a cheetah cub emerged from the bushes to join in the meal.
We spent the night at Ikoma lodge, in the middle of Serengeti’s grasslands.
Endlessly Observing My Favorite Animal: The Hippo
Though not part of the "Big Five," the hippo has always been my favorite animal, with its cute, rotating ears and massive body on four small legs. Today, we visited the hippo pool, where I could watch these amazing creatures to my heart's content. Since it was a sunny, warm day, they mostly stayed underwater, occasionally surfacing to wiggle their ears or catch a breath. With binoculars, we also spotted two large crocodiles, which wisely kept their distance from the hippos.
During our drive through Serengeti, we got lucky again and saw buffalo (number four of the "Big Five"). A large herd was migrating toward the river, giving us a chance to take some beautiful photos of these powerful animals.
We spent the night at the same lodge in southern Serengeti, where we had stayed earlier. This time, we were treated to a stunning sunset, which we observed from the balcony of our tent.
Day Five: The World’s Largest Intact Caldera: Ngorongoro Crater
The next morning, we set off early in the jeeps toward Ngorongoro National Park. After driving along the Serengeti’s edge, where we passed several Masai villages, we reached the steep road leading to the bottom of the Ngorongoro Crater. We immediately spotted many waterbirds along the shore, including pink flamingos, pelicans, and cranes. The crater is home to an abundance of wildlife, and there’s a chance to see the "Big Five" all in one day. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to see a rhino today—only about 16 remain in this area. However, we did see a large herd of wildebeest, giving us an impression of the great migration that occurs annually here.
A little further, we came across three lions, one of which was literally lying on the road.
They were recovering from a buffalo hunt; the buffalo lay nearby, guarded by two other lions, and that was necessary, as many hyenas were already lurking.
In the afternoon, it was time to leave this beautiful area. Only a limited number of jeeps are allowed in the park at once.
We made one last stop at the viewpoint before exiting the park and heading to our final lodge in Karatu. In the green hills of this area, home to several coffee plantations and with a pleasant, cool climate, we took time to relax after our five-day safari through one of the world’s most beautiful regions.
Time to Relax in Zanzibar
After a refreshing night’s sleep, we set off for Zanzibar again to enjoy more of the beautiful beaches, sea, and culture.
Once again, we stayed at Dream of Zanzibar, where we were warmly welcomed. We enjoyed a delicious evening buffet (which always includes Swahili dishes) and immediately felt at home again.
Zanzibar: affordable luxury and exotic beaches
Zanzibar is a paradise for affordable luxury travelers. We stayed at the beautiful Dream of Zanzibar, a luxury beach resort that combines top-tier service with reasonable rates. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or an exclusive beach experience, Zanzibar offers something for every traveler. From paddleboarding through mangroves to lounging on white-sand beaches, the island’s unique charm makes it one of the best luxury beach destinations for travelers on a budget.
Do you prefer a more active vacation? Zanzibar offers plenty of water activities. Personally, I’m a big fan of snorkeling. The areas around Zanzibar, Mnemba Island, Chumbe Island, and Menai Bay are ideal for observing marine life. For divers, this is a true hotspot.
Stone Town: A Walk Through Zanzibar’s History
For culture lovers, a visit to Stone Town is a must. Visit the museum dedicated to the slave trade that once flourished here. The Arab, Indian, European, and African influences are clearly visible. Thanks to our local contact, we received a lot of information about which parts of the city were worth visiting. We found a particularly beautiful coffee house with a fantastic rooftop view over the city: Zanzibar Coffee House Café. The Secret Garden Emerson Spice restaurant in Stone Town is also highly recommended. We also visited the colorful market and the old fort. We ended the day with a sunset cruise on a traditional wooden dhow boat. Wonderfully romantic!
Beautiful White Beaches: Our Top 3
For a perfect beach day, there are many options on Zanzibar. Here are our top 3 favorite beaches:
Nungwi Beach
The sea here is a stunning turquoise blue. This beach in northern Zanzibar, with its powder-white sand, is highly recommended. Due to its beauty, it has grown from a fishing village into a fairly busy place with many resorts, but also nice shops and restaurants.
Jambiani Beach
If you prefer a quieter beach, this beach in southeastern Zanzibar is the perfect spot for you! The beach is wide and white, with far fewer resorts, and you’ll often encounter locals trying to convince you to take a cruise on a traditional dhow boat.
Chumbe Island
On this beautiful private nature reserve, you can choose to spend a day or even book an overnight stay. It’s best to book in advance as there are only seven eco-lodges on the island. Surrounding the island are beautiful white beaches, and for snorkelers, there’s an intact coral reef, offering an extraordinary snorkeling experience.
Our journey through Tanzania and Zanzibar not only provided us with breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable encounters with the local people, but also a deep appreciation for the diversity of this part of Africa.
Ready to discover the best of Tanzania and Zanzibar? Whether you're chasing the thrill of a luxury safari or relaxing on affordable, exotic beaches, this destination offers it all. Book your affordable luxury escape today and experience the magic of Africa’s unique travel experiences firsthand!
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Zanzibar always seems so romantic, even before you get aboard the sunset cruise! I happy to hear it is an affordable luxury location - my sort of place. I dream of returning to Africa for a safari, thank you for all the tips!
wow so interesting!
great information for a fabulous trip!