From €3,830 pp | 20 days | 1750 km
Where else can you combine world-class safaris with visiting tribal villages, hiking in lush mountains and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean? Our Bush-to-Beach Tanzania safari is the ultimate and best one-way road trip, and righteously our most popular one!
Scroll below to see our day-to-day itinerary with realistic driving times, route directions, and travel tips for Tanzania. The trip includes airport pick up & drop off, car rental, park permits, and hand-picked accommodation.
Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing a Land Cruiser Troopy and travelling in low season. You can choose your accommodation preferences below.
Low season: March – May | Peak season: July – September
* A combo tour is not available during the low season due to the risk of heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooded campsites.
Planning to visit Tanzania during peak season? Book your tour several months in advance!
Prefer a private guided tour? Travel with a driver-guide! This is an option you can select in the online booking form.
All park entrances fees (approx. €940 pp)
Hotels (Full Board and Bed & Breakfast)
Car rental with unlimited mileage. Fuel own expense
Car insurance
Airport transfer
Travel Notes with directions and stops along the way
Electrical fridge
24/7 roadside assistance
Tanzania driving manual and Roadmap
Driver – Guide
Book your self-drive tour with stays in campsites, semi-luxury or luxury lodges – or adjust it to your liking.
My partner and I rented a Land Cruiser with a fridge and a rooftop tent. Although the car was old, its spaciousness and comfort quickly made it feel like our home. We also decided to hire a guide/driver, and honestly, it was the best choice! George knew the routes, wildlife, and flora perfectly. It was amazing to have so much knowledge at our fingertips—we even managed to see the Big Five!
Nice and straightforward people. Mecki picked us up and explained the car to us. Quick and friendly communication with Renske and Ferdi. You shouldn’t expect European standards here, as some things in the car might not work. However, the vehicles are perfect for African roads. Thanks again!
We had an amazing trip through Tanzania, traveling from Arusha via the national parks to the coast. We encountered a few rough roads, but it handled them perfectly. Having the freedom of a car was fantastic! This was our second time using Roadtrip Africa, and we have nothing but praise!
We recommend 20 days to follow this one-way Tanzania itinerary.
Is time not on your side? Depending on your flight times, you can reduce this tour to a minimum of 16 days. At Roadtrip Africa, we believe that less is more. We, therefore, recommend skipping highlights rather than squeezing in every location. Make sure to spend at least two nights in each location to undertake non-car-based activities, enjoy your hotel (some lodges are a destination in their own right), and factor in time for the unexpected.
Road conditions
Road conditions are good on the Bush to Beach route. You can expect a lot of speed bumps though, and the occasional pothole. Do note that the coastal road is in a poor state and extra caution is required.
For this route, a Land Cruiser is required. Do you have a limited budget or don’t like driving a manual car? When you skip the Serengeti, you can also follow the itinerary in our RAV4.
When driving our one-way Bush to Beach roadtrip, there are various ways to compose your beach days and end your trip.
We recommend taking a road trip along the coast instead of flying from Arusha to Zanzibar. Why? Even though Zanzibar is beautiful, it has become a very touristy and resort-like destination. The Tanzania coastline, on the other hand, is still untouched – which is a rarity nowadays. Prices are very low, it’s authentic and quiet with a handful of lovely, small-scale lodges and campsites.
After completing your safari, we recommend 2 – 3 nights in Tanga, 2 – 3 nights in Ushongo Bay, 1 night in Bagamoyo and finishing off in Dar es Salaam, where you hand over your car back to us.
Do you wish to extend your Bush to Beach road trip with a stay at Zanzibar? You can easily catch the passenger ferry or a domestic flight from Dar to Zanzibar. We are happy to share our Zanzibar Hotel Guide with our favourite places to stay.
Our Tanzania Bush to Beach tour can be booked in three options:
Semi-luxury: When opting for luxury, we seek out barefoot luxury resorts that offer a high level of intimacy, top-notch service, and attention to detail. Not every stop in this itinerary allows for a stay in a luxury lodge, so also mid-range hotels are included.
Mid-range: This is your best option for comfortable, self-contained (‘en suite’) accommodations set in beautiful locations which do not cost a fortune.
Combo – Campsites & Lodges: Experience the best of both worlds: travel with camp gear and alternate camping in the bush and at the beach(!), and combine it with stays in lovely comfort lodges.
We handpick outstanding small-scale and eco-conscious lodges. To view some of your accommodations, click the orange arrow and scroll through the pictures.
Exploring Tanzania at your own pace is an unforgettable experience. Still, planning a self-drive trip here can feel like a lot. We’ve seen firsthand that our travellers enjoy Tanzania most when the practical details are arranged in advance by us, leaving more space to enjoy the journey itself. That balance of freedom and preparation is what our Tanzania self-drive tours are all about.
On this page, you’ll find practical information to support your planning. We’ve brought together 13 key topics with tips and frequently asked questions about self-driving and independent travel in Tanzania. They’re here to help you hit the road well prepared.
