Why This 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater is the Best Choice
"Our meticulously planned, time-efficient 2-day safari from Zanzibar, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater is the premier choice for travelers seeking a maximum-impact wildlife experience without sacrificing a single beach day. This exclusive fly-in itinerary cuts out long driving times, ensuring your 48 hours are spent tracking the Big Five and marveling at the Great Rift Valley's natural wonders."
Efficiency/Time
Maximum game drive times in Tarangire and Ngorongoro in just 2 days
Short Fly-in/Fly-out safari.
Seamless "fly-in/fly-out" convenience and the high-impact Big Five sighting opportunities.
Big Five Highlights
Spot lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos in their natural habitat.
"As seasoned Tanzania safari specialists, we've perfected the logistics to ensure a seamless transition from the turquoise waters of Zanzibar to the golden plains of the Northern Circuit. This itinerary is designed for high-end wildlife viewing and unparalleled convenience."
Why This 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater is the Best Choice
"Our meticulously planned, time-efficient 2-day safari from Zanzibar, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater is the premier choice for travelers seeking a maximum-impact wildlife experience without sacrificing a single beach day. This exclusive fly-in itinerary cuts out long driving times, ensuring your 48 hours are spent tracking the Big Five and marveling at the Great Rift Valley's natural wonders."
Seamless Logistics: Your Expert-Designed 2 Day Safari from Zanzibar Itinerary
This fly-in/fly-out schedule is the secret to packing two legendary parks into one short trip, eliminating the need for days of road travel.
Day 1: From Zanzibar to Tarangire National Park (The Land of Giants)
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Morning Flight: You’ll be picked up early from your Zanzibar hotel for a short, scenic domestic flight to Arusha Airport (ARK or JRO).
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Mid-Morning Transfer: Meet your professional private safari guide and immediately drive to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2-2.5 hours).
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Afternoon Game Drive: Spend the afternoon immersed in Tarangire, focusing on the river, where thousands of animals gather. Look for massive elephant herds, lions, giraffes, and various antelopes.
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Sunset & Stay: Drive to your comfortable mid-range lodge located near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, such as a well-appointed tented camp or mountain lodge in the Karatu area.
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Lodge Spotlight: We select lodges like Hearts And Soul Lodge or Farms Of Dreams Lodge , offering comfort, great food, and prime location for the next day's early start.
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Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Descent & Return to Zanzibar
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The Early Start: An early start ensures you are among the first to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, giving you the best chance to see predators in action.
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Full Morning Crater Game Drive: Descend $600$ meters into the vast caldera. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a natural enclosure for an estimated $25,000$ large animals. Your guide will specifically track the endangered Black Rhino population.
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Picnic Lunch: Enjoy a stunning picnic lunch inside the Crater, taking in the breathtaking views.
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Mid-Afternoon Ascent: Ascend the Crater walls and transfer back to the local airport near Arusha.
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Evening Flight: Catch your late-afternoon/evening flight directly back to Zanzibar (ZNZ).
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Arrival: Transfer back to your beach resort, concluding your incredible 2 day safari from Zanzibar Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater experience.
Pricing Your 2 day Mid-Range lodge, luxury or budget Zanzibar to Safari
The cost of this itinerary is highly competitive, reflecting the efficiency of the flight plan and the quality of the mid-range accommodations selected for comfort and location.
Expected Price and Key Inclusions
A private 2-day fly-in mid-range lodge safari from Zanzibar (for 2 people traveling together) typically ranges between US$1,100 to US$1,161 per person.
A group joining 2-day lodge safari from Zanzibar (for 2 people shared) typically ranges between USD 896 per person.
Included in Your Package:
All Flights.
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Return domestic flights (ZNZ-ARK/JRO-ZNZ) are coordinated for maximum efficiency.
All Park Fees.
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Ngorongoro Crater Fee and Tarangire National Park Entrance Fees are fully covered (major costs).
Accommodation
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1 night in a hand-picked, high-quality mid-range lodge (Full Board).
Transportation.
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Exclusive use of a fully-equipped 4x4 safari vehicle with an open-top for game viewing.
Guiding Service.
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Professional, certified, English-speaking local driver-guide with deep wildlife knowledge.
Meals.
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All meals (Full Board) and bottled drinking water throughout the game drives.
The Best Time to Go for Your 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar.
Choosing the right time to travel ensures you get the maximum value and the best possible wildlife sightings from your short, high-impact trip.
Peak Wildlife (Dry Season) June - October
Excellent. Animals congregate tightly around the Tarangire River (especially massive elephant herds). Shorter, sparser vegetation makes spotting wildlife easier in both parks. High Big Five probability.
Price & Crowds.
High Season. Expect higher lodge and flight rates, and more safari vehicles, particularly in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Green Season (Wet Season) November - May
Good to Very Good. Ngorongoro Crater viewing remains excellent year-round. Tarangire’s animals are more dispersed. Best for Birdwatching (migratory birds are present). Landscapes are lush and beautiful (photographers' favorite).
Low/Shoulder Season.
Lower accommodation rates and far fewer tourists, especially during the long rains (April/May).
Key Decision Factors for Zanzibar Travelers
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For Maximum Wildlife Action: July to October is your best bet, guaranteeing dramatic concentration of animals in Tarangire National Park.
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For the Best Value & Scenery: Travel during the short rains (November-December) or the drier spell of January-February. You get great sightings in the Crater, beautiful green backdrops, and reduced pricing before the main long rains arrive.
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The Only Months to Avoid (If Possible): April and May are the peak of the long rainy season. While game viewing in the Crater is still reliable, roads can be muddier, and Tarangire will be at its quietest.
Other Safaris You May Like
3 Day Tanzania safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Manyara
From Zanzibar: Private • Fly-in • Fly-out • Luxury • Lodge
You Visit: Zanzibar, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Manyara, Zanzibar (End)
4 Day fly-in Big Five safari from Zanzibar
From Zanzibar: Private • Fly-in • Fly-out • Luxury • Lodge
You Visit: Zanzibar, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Zanzibar
Frequently Asked Questions About 2-Day Fly-in Safaris from Zanzibar
Which parks are typically visited on a 2-day trip from Zanzibar?
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For a 2-day safari in Tanzania from Zanzibar, you'll start with a day of travel and return the following day, giving you just one night in your chosen park. To make the most of your brief visit, flying directly to an airstrip within or very close to the park is best.
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Given the limited time, selecting a top-notch destination is crucial.
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If you’re heading south, Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) is an excellent choice, with Mikumi National Park as a great alternative.
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If you’re drawn to the north, Serengeti National Park is a standout option, though it involves a longer flight. Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater are also fantastic choices for an unforgettable safari experience.
Is the south or north of Tanzania better for a 2-day Tanzania safari from Zanzibar?
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You’re sure to have an amazing safari experience, whether you choose a park in southern or northern Tanzania, as long as you pick your destination wisely!
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When planning your trip, make sure to ask your safari tour operator if you can fly directly to the park from Zanzibar or if you’ll need to connect through places like Arusha or Dar es Salaam. With just 2 days for your safari, connecting flights can eat up precious time. Direct flights are usually more available to southern Tanzanian parks, but your operator can help you find the best options.
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Most parks offer similar wildlife encounters, with chances to see big cats, elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Nyerere National Park is special for its boat safaris on the beautiful Rufiji River. Just keep in mind that time on the river will cut into your game drive time, where you’ll generally see a wider range of animals.
Are 2 days enough for a trip from Zanzibar?
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In short, a 2-day safari might not be perfect, but it’s better than missing out entirely. On a 2-day safari from Zanzibar, you'll fly to the park on the first day and head back the next. The great thing about a 2-day safari compared to a 1-day one is that you get to stay overnight at the park. This lets you go on game drives during early mornings, late afternoons, and evenings. The catch is that you won’t have a full day to explore.
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By the end of your two days, you might find yourself wishing for more time, but that’s often the case with any safari. If you have to choose between a 2-day safari from Zanzibar and no safari at all, I'd always choose the 2-day option.
Are all 2-day safaris from Zanzibar fly-in safaris?
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Since Zanzibar is an island and doesn't offer the classic safari experience, you'll need to fly to the Tanzanian mainland for your adventure. With only 2 days for your safari, flying is the most practical way to make the most of your time.
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Flying has its ups and downs. It can be costly, making a two-day safari from Zanzibar less budget-friendly. But if you can afford it, the stunning aerial views as you approach the park are worth the splurge. It transforms your transfer into a memorable scenic flight.
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On a fly-in safari, you’ll typically land at an airstrip inside or very close to the park (or just outside the gate in the case of Nyerere). These airstrips are usually conveniently located near your accommodation, and once you’re in the park, you'll be driven around in a safari 4WD vehicle to maximize your experience.
How much does a 2-day trip from Zanzibar cost?
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There are almost as many 2-day fly-in safari packages from Zanzibar as there are tour operators, so you’ll find a wide range of prices. Given the necessity of pricey air transfers each day, expect to pay at least US$500 per person per day. Costs can rise, especially during peak season or if you choose high-end accommodations.
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To avoid any surprises, always check with your tour operator about what’s included in the quoted price. Typically, the price should cover air transfers, park entry fees, accommodation, meals, a guide, a vehicle, and a driver. Since you'll be responsible for these costs regardless, make sure you get a clear breakdown of what’s included and what isn’t.
Do I fly directly from Zanzibar to the safari park?
Yes. All our 2-day safaris include round-trip flights from Zanzibar.
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For Northern safaris, you'll fly to Arusha or directly into Serengeti (depending on the package).
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For Southern safaris, you’ll fly into Nyerere National Park (Selous).
Can I choose between Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
Yes. For the Northern safari, we offer custom options:
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2 days in Serengeti
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1 day Serengeti + 1 day Ngorongoro Crater
Let us know your preference when booking.
Can I extend the safari to more than 2 days?
Absolutely! We can help you customize a 3-day safari from Zanzibar, 4, or a 5-day safari starting from Zanzibar if you want to explore more parks or have a more relaxed schedule.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar to the safari parks?
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Northern Circuit (Arusha): The flight from Zanzibar to Arusha is typically a short one, lasting about 1 to 1.5 hours. From Arusha, it's a drive of 1-2 hours to the parks.
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Fly direct to Seronera airstrip for a Serengeti safari from Zanzibar.
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Southern Circuit (Nyerere/Mikumi): These are often direct flights, taking around 1 hour to 1 hour and 45 minutes from Zanzibar to the park's airstrip.
What is the accommodation like on a 2-day safari?
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Accommodation for a 2-day safari can range from basic safari camps to mid-range lodges and luxurious tented camps. The type of accommodation depends on your budget and the tour package you choose. Most tours include accommodation near or inside the park.
What is the accommodation like on a 2-day safari?
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Accommodation for a 2-day safari can range from basic safari camps to mid-range lodges and luxurious tented camps. The type of accommodation depends on your budget and the tour package you choose. Most tours include accommodation near or inside the park.