21 Days Bush to Beach Safari Tanzania

Durations

21 days / 20 nights

Group Size

Up to the seats of your vehicle

Price

$ 5,200.00

21-Day Tanzania Self-Drive Safari: From Savannah to Sea

This 21-day Tanzania self-drive safari leads you across famous parks in the north, quieter wild areas in the north-east and the Indian Ocean coast. Explore at your own pace in a fully equipped 4×4. Combine wildlife encounters, diverse landscapes, cultural immersion, and even time at the beach. It’s the perfect adventure for independent travelers.

Fully-equipped 4×4 Land Cruiser with rooftop tent

Offline GPS routes & printed roadbook

24/7 phone support

Pre-booked park permits & campsites

Itinerary

Day 1Arusha

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to your lodge in Arusha. Briefing and handover of your 4×4 vehicle. Time to rest before your adventure begins.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Arusha Planet Lodge

Day 2Tarangire National Park

Drive to Tarangire, known for its baobabs and elephants. Enjoy your first afternoon game drive.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Baobab Tented Camp

Day 3Tarangire National Park

Spend the day exploring the park’s diverse habitats and wildlife. Great sightings of big cats, birdlife, and huge elephant herds.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Baobab Tented Camp

Day 4Visit to Mto wa Mbu village

A short scenic drive of about 1–1.5 hours to Mto wa Mbu, a cultural hotspot. Optional biking tour or local lunch.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Karatu Tented Lodge

Day 5Lake Manyara

Visit the nearby Lake Manyara for a full-day game drive. Spot hippos, monkeys, flamingos, and possibly tree-climbing lions.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Karatu Tented Lodge

Day 6 Driving to Ngorongoro

Ascend into the misty Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy sweeping views and stay in a lodge or campsite near the crater rim.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Lions Paw Lodge

Day 7Ngorongoro Crater game drive

Descend into the crater for a game drive of up to about six hours. It is one of Africa’s best wildlife experiences. Look out for rhinos, lions, zebras, and hyenas.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Lions Paw Lodge

Day 8 Safari Central Serengeti

Drive through the conservation area and enter the legendary Serengeti. Game drive en route to your central camp.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mawe Tented Camp

Day 9Safari Central Serengeti

Full day exploring the plains of Seronera. Look for lions, cheetahs, elephants, and possibly the Great Migration.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mawe Tented Camp

Day 10 Safari Central Serengeti

Another chance to explore deeper into Serengeti. Tailor your route based on wildlife activity and season.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mawe Tented Camp

Day 11 Transit to Lake Natron

Plan for a long day of about 7–9 hours on remote tracks. Exit via Klein’s Gate, drive through Maasai land and head to the remote and dramatic Lake Natron. Enjoy views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Giraffe Eco Lodge

Day 12 Explore Lake Natron

Visit flamingo breeding sites, take a guided waterfall hike, and learn about Maasai life. Unique, off-grid landscapes.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Giraffe Eco Lodge

Day 13 Explore Lake Natron

Take a slower day at the lake. In the morning, visit the Engare Sero footprints with a local guide. These ancient human footprints lie near the lake’s southern shore. Later, relax at camp and enjoy the views of Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Giraffe Eco Lodge

Day 14 Drive back to Arusha

Return to Arusha via remote highlands and Maasai villages. The drive takes about 5–6 hours on rough tracks. Then rest and prepare for the drive east toward the coast.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Arusha Planet Lodge

Day 15 Mkomazi National Park

Drive east to Mkomazi, a dry savannah national park with great views of Kilimanjaro. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Tona Lodge

Day 16 Mkomazi National Park

Enjoy self-drive exploration of this quiet park. A visit to the rhino sanctuary is possible by prior arrangement only.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Tona Lodge

Day 17 Usambara Mountains

Climb into the lush Usambara highlands. Arrive in Lushoto and enjoy forest air and views over the valley.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Muller’s Lodge

Day 18 Usambara Mountains

Hike to Irente Viewpoint or visit villages and farms. A refreshing contrast to the savannah landscape.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Muller’s Lodge

Day 19Pangani Beach

Descend to the Indian Ocean and reach the quiet beaches of Pangani.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Beach lodge

Day 20Saadani National Park

Drive south along the coast and enter Saadani. Unique setting where wildlife meets the ocean. Afternoon game drive.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Safari Lodge

Day 21 Dar es Salaam

Final drive to Dar es Salaam via Bagamoyo. Return the vehicle and prepare for your travel.

Faqs

Can I customize the itinerary or shorten it?

Of course. This itinerary is fully flexible, so just let us know your interests or time constraints.

Do you assist with park bookings and permits?

Yes. All park entries, crater permits, and campsite/lodge bookings are handled in advance.

What are the road conditions like?

The route combines tarmac and gravel, with some rough, remote sections and long driving days. The Land Cruiser is suitable for all terrain, including Saadani’s rougher roads.

Is Dar es Salaam a safe place to end the safari?

Yes. We recommend planning your drop-off during the day. We’ll coordinate a secure meeting point and can assist with transfers to the ferry, airport, or hotel

Can I continue to Zanzibar after the safari?

Absolutely. We can arrange transfers to the ferry or Julius Nyerere International Airport for your onward flight to Zanzibar.

Stories from Our Africa RoadTrip Adventure

two week self drive trip to Tanzania and Kenya with Safari Masters

Nausherwan Ahmed

We were a group of four individuals and completed a fantastic two week self drive trip to Tanzania and Kenya with Safari Masters in early March 2023. Everything from the vehicle to the accomodation and support throughout our trip was top

Self-drive safari Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Mara River

Felix Drinkall

We had such a great experience with Safari Masters. We self-drove through the Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro, Serengeti, and up to the Mara River to see the Great Migration. The car was powerful, very reliable and well-stocked. We also had great support from Felix who helped us work out where we should stay on our journey

4x4 with a rooftop tent and pop-up roof from Safari Masters

Tidjane Mangane

Unforgettable self-drive safari thanks to Safari Masters! My wife and I rented a 4×4 with a rooftop tent and pop-up roof from Safari Masters in Arusha for a 5-day self-drive through Ngorongoro and the Serengeti — and it was the adventure of a lifetime.

Ready to take the wheel?

Vehicles are limited in peak season. Reserve your 4×4 and start planning your route.