🦁 14-Day Tanzania Itinerary: Safari, Kilimanjaro & Zanzibar
Share this post:
Dreaming of a trip to Tanzania but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. With world-class safaris, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture, Tanzania has quickly become one of the top African destinations for UK travellers.
After 3 weeks volunteering and solo travelling Tanzania, I've learned a lot of things I wish I knew before I left and discovered the best (and not so great) things to do. If I were do it again - here's the ideal 14 day Tanzania & Zanzibar itinerary for a little adventure and little relaxation - solo travel tips and budget-friendly options included.
👉 Turn your safari dreams into a reality with the full Tanzania Travel Guide here!
Tanzania Travel Tips
💵 Bring USD and take out Shillings when you arrive. Most tourist places take USD but double check that your bills are post-2009, otherwise they will not be accepted. For local shops, markets and public transport Shillings are best. Save money on fees: ATMs have high fees (around $4-6 USD) so minimise the number of times you need to withdraw.
📶 E-SIMs are the way to go in Tanzania. Most tour operators, taxis etc. will be reachable via Whatsapp so a good data plan is a must. Airalo has good coverage throughout the country, safari lodges and Zanzibar island at the best rates - get 15% off your Airalo e-SIM with Tribe Feel
✔️ Apply for an e-visa ahead of time to save time when you arrive. Visa on arrival is also possible but the queues are long and slow.
😎 Solo traveller friendly? I travelled Tanzania solo for 3 weeks and felt perfectly safe most of the time. That said, don't let your guard down either. You will likely be approach a lot by people wishing to sell you things or just say hello to the foreigners - its generally harmless (though sometimes annoying).
Days 1–2: Arrive in Kilimanjaro & Moshi
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. Spend your first two days in Moshi, the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Take a guided tour to visit the Materuni Falls. With a 45min hike to the waterfalls and back - this is an easy and rewarding hike. Tours often include transportation from a meetup spot or your accommodation to the start of the hike, local lunch and coffee tasting - I booked an unforgettable trip on GetYourGuide with a local from Materuni Village.
Another half-day trip you can try is the Kikuletwa / Chemka Hot Springs. If you're heading to Arusha for the start of your safari - plan the hot springs the day before so your tour can drop you off at your new accommodation, saving a transfer from Moshi to Arusha.
Days 3–7: Safari Adventure (Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater)
Join a 2 or 3 day safari tour from Arusha. There's a huge range of options for safari tours depending on your budget and the amount of time you have. A general rule - the longer your safari the more likely you are to spot the Big 5. Serengeti National Park is the most popular park but it requires more time since its a longer drive and a bigger park.
As a solo traveller, I did a 2-day 'group joining' safari with Monkey Adventures that was budget friendly and amazing (the tour company puts together smaller groups in one Jeep to save money). There are also private options but this is much more expensive for one or two people.
Days 8–9: Fly or Bus to Dar es Salaam
From Kilimanjaro/Arusha you can take a domestic flight to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s buzzing coastal city. Two nights here lets you explore the local food scene, visit fish markets, and catch the ferry to Zanzibar.
I skipped Dar on my trip as I was had already spent two weeks in the Moshi area volunteering and was ready to get to Zanzibar but its a nice city to stop through if you have time.
💡Budget Tip: If you have time and want to go super budget-friendly, there is also a bus from Arusha or Moshi to Dar it takes at least 9 hours with a lot of stops on the way but its only $8-10 USD!
Days 10 - 11: Stone Town
Take the ferry from Dar or fly directly into Zanziabar island. You'll land in Stone Town and can spend a night or two (I wouldn't recommend any longer) to explore the markets and local spots.
Walk through the streets of Stone Town, visit Forodhani Gardens and local shops. Check out the Night Market for dinner and a beautiful sunset.
One of the most popular trips from Stone Town is Prison island and Nakupenda beach. Nakupenda is a beautiful sandbank worth seeing however, Prison island felt a bit like a tourist trap with giant tortoises that definitely did not feel like a conservation. Personally, I would skip this one.
Days 12-14: Relax in Zanzibar
From Stone Town you can book a taxi or try the ZanziShuttle Bus to the East Coast.
Paje and Jambiani are my top recommendations to relax on pristine beaches. I stayed in Paje as a base since it has a bit more life in the town, with plenty of restaurants.
💡Solo traveller tip: In Zanzibar, there are a LOT of people who will try to sell you tours, souvenirs and just generally talk to you on the street and beach, especially if you are alone. It's generally harmless, just can get a little annoying.
From Zanzibar International Airport fly home. An airport taxi from Paje should cost $30-$40 - make sure you negotiate or ask your hostel/ hotel to help arrange one for you.
How much does it cost to travel Tanzania & Zanzibar 💰
Budget wise, it really depends on you. Solo travel here definitely costs a bit more as the tours are usually cheaper in a group and hostels are limited, but its still doable!
- Safari tours: $450–$1,500 (group vs private)
- Domestic flights: $50–$100 (Arusha/Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar)
- Accommodation: $15 (hostel in mainland) to $50 per night (Zanzibar is generally more expensive)
- Daily food & transport: Food is much cheaper at local restaurants than tourist areas, and cheaper on the mainland compared to Zanzibar.
How to get around Tanzania
Navigating Tanzania is part of the adventure! While Uber is not an option outside of Dar, there are plenty of low cost public transport options to get around.
1. Dala-Dalas
These minibuses are the backbone of Tanzanian public transport, running within, and connecting across cities. They're cheap, but often crowded - great if you want the real local experience. Bring small change and don’t expect strict schedules!
2. Bodabodas (Motorbike Taxis)
Quick and flexible for short trips, especially in busy towns. They're inexpensive but come with safety risks (and the roads in Tanzania are no joke!). I would suggest trying this only for smaller trips but I preferred tuk-tuks as a safer alternative.
3. Bajajis (Tuk-Tuks)
Popular across the country, tuk-tuks are the easiest way to get around. They're perfect for short rides between markets, beaches, and hotels and relatively inexpensive.
To flag down a Bajaji, just wait at the side of the road and as they pass by they will slow down if there is still space or you can wave one down. Let the driver know which direction / intersection/ landmark you’re going to and if they are going this route, jump on board. You will pay once you get to your destination.
Final Tips for Travellers
- Best time to visit Tanzania: June-October (dry season, perfect for safaris).
- What to pack for Tanzania? A mix of light clothing for Zanzibar and neutral colours (not black or dark blue!) for safari gear.
- Where to stay in Zanzibar? What to eat in Tanzania? All your questions answered in the full travel guide, including our Map
Ready to Plan Your Own Trip?
This is just a taste of what Tanzania has to offer. To help you embark on your dream Zanzibar getaway or Tanzania adventure, I put together everything you need to know in my Tanzania Travel Guide & Interactive Itinerary packed with:
✅ Editable 14-day itinerary
✅ My Map of the best eats, stays and things to do
✅ Packing checklist & budgeting tips
✅ Works in Notion + downloadable PDF
Get yours today and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Share this post: