Making a budget-friendly itinerary for Tanzania has become my obsession. Whenever I see a travel agency offer for a certain destination, I ask myself how much cheaper I could make it. But it is not only about making it more affordable. I also want to make it more diverse, active, and tailored to our needs.
Of all of the continents, Africa for me is the one where I would like to visit every country and every corner. But, of course, there are the time and budget constraints. Although there are many offers for certain African countries and places with travel agencies, they are usually way too expensive for what they offer and rarely include more than one city/location in Africa.
For example, I dream of lounging on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, exploring the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, and catching the Big Five on a thrilling Serengeti safari. I have seen multiple offers for Zanzibar. But, they are all around 1500 euros for one person, including only plane tickets, transport from/to the airport, and 8 nights with breakfast included. So that would be 3000 euros for the two of us. Visa, transport to the departure location, or any excursion would have to be paid additionally. If we decide to visit another location and stay overnight, we would pay for accommodation and breakfast for the same night in two different cities.
For us, staying in one place for the whole trip seems like a waste of time. So, I am trying to create a budget-friendly itinerary and include at least a few places I am most eager to see.
Documentation & Health Requirements
Before we dive into the itinerary, there are certain things to consider when traveling to Tanzania. The passport has to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Tanzania and the first inevitable expense is a visa to enter Tanzania. The cost of a visa is approximately 100 EUR for two people. The visa application process is straightforward, and you can apply online or upon arrival if you are a US citizen. In our case, we need to apply online.
Also, certain vaccinations are recommended or even required to enter Tanzania. According to Passport Health, recommended vaccinations for Tanzania are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, and tetanus. The vaccination for yellow fever is required if traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Another must-have is travel insurance, and I can’t stress this enough. Traveling without it risks your expenses skyrocketing due to a minor incident. I know it’s something many people forget—I did once myself. Since then, the first thing I do after buying tickets is set a reminder on my phone for 5 days before the trip to buy insurance online. For this trip, it would cost 25 euros per person for travel insurance, including luggage, accident, and liability insurance with Wiener Insurance Group.
Planning a Budget-Friendly Itinerary
After those first steps, I begin budget planning by researching the best transportation options. For distant destinations, flights often consume the largest portion of the budget. Now, the cheapest option is from Belgrade to Zanzibar and back, which costs around 800 euros per person. Driving from Tuzla to Belgrade and back, including parking is 100 euros.
My idea is to see what I can do with 3000 euros and how much more it would cost to include everything we want to do for those 13 days in Tanzania. A budget-friendly itinerary in these situations doesn’t mean limiting ourselves to a certain amount. Instead, I am trying to include as much as possible for as little money as possible, without compromising our safety and comfort levels.
The initial plan is to fly from Belgrade to Zanzibar, stay there for two nights then fly to Moshi, a town at the bottom of Kilimanjaro. Stay there for two nights, then go to Serengeti safari for three nights. We would finish the trip by flying back to Zanzibar for another 5 nights.
Pre-travel expenses we would have even if we went with the agency:
- visas – 100 eur
- travel insurance – 50 eur
- transfer to Belgrade – 100 eur
The plane tickets are 1600 euros for two with Fly Dubai. Then there are the plane tickets from Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro. In addition, we need accommodation in Zanzibar for 7 nights total, two nights in Moshi, and 3 nights (4 days) for the Serengeti Safari. And finally, the money we need for local transportation, food, drinks, attractions and souvenirs.
Detailed Budget-Friendly Itinerary
Day 1: Departure Day
Day 2: Arrival in Zanzibar
Accommodation Cost: 100 EUR for 2 people (including breakfast)
The plan for the first two days is to relax and not engage in too many activities. But that doesn’t mean we will just lay on the beach and do nothing. Zanzibar is too beautiful to waste time. Its architecture reflects the island’s diverse influences, from Arab and Persian to Indian and European.
We will try to find accommodation near Stone Town, to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest and tallest building in Stone Town, House of Wonders, offers a glimpse into Zanzibar’s cultural heritage. Adjacent to it is The Old Fort. Built in the 17th century, this fort is now home to cultural events and a small marketplace. After that, we will also visit Forodhani Gardens, a lively night market where local delicacies like Zanzibar pizza and freshly grilled seafood cost around 5-10 EUR.
Day 4: Fly from Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro (return flight – 170 eur per person with Air Tanzania)
Accommodation Cost: 100 EUR for 2 people (including breakfast)
For the next two nights, we would stay in Moshi. A small tranquil place, nestled at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, offers stunning views, especially at sunrise and sunset. One item that has been on my bucket list for a while, is to wake up in the morning to a view of Kilimanjaro through the window. Naturally, that experience has to be included in this budget-friendly itinerary.
Aside from that, we would like to visit Moshi Market, a vibrant local market where you can buy souvenirs and experience local culture. And of course, Kikuletwa Hot Springs. Also known as Chemka Hot Springs, this oasis is about an hour’s drive from Moshi. The crystal-clear, warm waters are perfect for a relaxing swim, surrounded by lush vegetation
Day 6 – 9: Serengeti Safari
Cost: up to 1000 EUR for 2 people
This is the difficult part. The cheapest offer I have found is 800 euros for one person. It is all-inclusive, meaning you get a safari car, driver/guide, all the equipment, accommodation in a different camp every night, and meals/water included. Still, it is too much for us. So naturally, I looked for other options.
One is to rent a safari car with a tent, driver/guide, and equipment. Water is provided, but we can bring food and other drinks or purchase them at camps and bases on the route. This would cost around 1000 euros for 2, but we need to add other expenses that would come up.
Another is to book accommodation at Serengeti separately and then book a taxi to drive us there and back to Moshi. Accommodation with all-inclusive can be found for about 550 euros for 2, and we need to book a cab to drive us to Serengeti and back, and that can be pricey since we need a safari jeep and an experienced driver.
I will need to do more research on this one to find something that would not be too challenging but still allow us to get the best experience for an acceptable amount of money. Each of the two options above would cost around 1000 euros for 2, but I’ll keep looking for something that would better fit our budget-friendly itinerary.
Day 9 – Return to Zanzibar
After checking different safari options and flights for Zanzibar, the best option is to take the evening flight from Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar the same day we return from Serengeti.
Day 9 – 14: Stay in Zanzibar
Accommodation Cost: 250 EUR for 2 people
Finally, beach time. After a thrilling few days, it’s time to relax at the beach and immerse ourselves in the local culture and cuisine. This time I’ll look for accommodation on the beach and water-related activities. There are of course too many to choose from, but I have found some to look into a bit more and then narrow down the selection to 3-4 best ones.
- Nungwi Beach: Known for its stunning sunsets, clear waters, and vibrant nightlife, but they also offer water sports like snorkeling and diving. Snorkeling trips cost around 25-30 EUR per person.
- Paje Beach: Ideal for kite surfing and relaxation, with several beachside bars and restaurants offering fresh seafood and cocktails.
- Prison Island: Just a short boat ride from Stone Town, this island was once used as a quarantine station for yellow fever. Today, it’s known for its giant tortoises, some of which are over 100 years old. The island also offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. The boat trip and entry fee typically cost around 30-40 EUR per person.
- Mnemba Atoll Snorkeling: A boat trip to Mnemba Atoll, a marine conservation area known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life with snorkeling equipment costs around 50 EUR per person.
- Dhow Sunset Cruise: A sunset cruise on a traditional dhow boat, complete with drinks and snacks is around 25 EUR per person.
Day 14: Departure from Zanzibar
- Morning Flight to Belgrade: 08:00 – 21:40
Budget-Friendly Itinerary Summary:
- visas: 100 eur
- travel insurance: 50 eur
- transfer to Belgrade & parking: 100 eur
- Tanzania SIM Card: 20 EUR (30 days, 10 GB)
So, pre-trip expenses we would have even if we traveled with an agency amount to: 270 euros
- plane tickets Belgrade – Zanzibar – Belgrade: 1600 eur
- plane tickets Zanzibar – Kilimanjaro – Zanzibar: 340 eur
- accommodation & breakfast Zanzibar (7 nights total): 350 eur
- accommodation & breakfast Moshi (2 nights): 100 eur
- Total Airport Transfer Fees: 150 EUR
- Serengeti Safari (all-inclusive 3 nights): 1000 eur
Tickets, accommodation, transfers, and safari are 3540 euros, which is 540 euros more than the average offer. Including pre-trip expenses, it is all 3810 euros, This is more than the travel agency offers, but with my plan, aside from the beautiful Zanzibar, we also get to explore Moshi, Kilimanjaro, and a safari in Serengeti.
Luckily, food and drinks are not expensive in Tanzania, and the prices fit perfectly in our budget-friendly itinerary. Approximate cost for food and drinks based on the quick Google research:
- Meals in Local Restaurants: 5-10 EUR per meal
- Meals in Mid-Range Restaurants: 15-25 EUR per meal
- Drinks: 2-5 EUR per drink
Travel Tips
Aside from the usual, most blogs and sites I have visited doing this research highlight the following:
- Health Precautions: we should have the necessary vaccinations and carry anti-malarial medication. Our first aid kit should contain insect repellents, antihistamines, etc.
- Packing Essentials: Pack light, breathable clothing and sturdy shoes for safaris
- Local Currency: While major cities accept cards, it’s wise to carry Tanzanian Shillings for smaller towns and markets.
- Cultural Etiquette: Respect local customs and dress modestly, especially when visiting cultural and religious sites.
If you have any tips about Tanzania that you would like to share, let me know in the comments!
For now, I am happy that instead of paying 3000 euros to see Zanzibar, we can save a bit more and experience the best of Tanzania. include more activities and see more places.
For more travel tips and inspiration check some of the following posts:
The Ultimate Checklist Hack: 8 Things to Do Before You Depart
4 Seasons in Vienna: A Complete Guide to Get the Best out of Any Season
Until the next odyssey,
Asya
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!