5 Day Fly from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro – All-Inclusive Safari Tour
Book your 5-day safari from Zanzibar to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater with Zamunda Tours. This five-day Tanzania safari is crafted for travelers who want to seamlessly transition from Zanzibar island relaxation to an exhilarating wildlife safari in mainland Tanzania. This fly-in safari experience is the perfect blend of convenience, comfort, and captivating wildlife, taking you directly from the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar to the heart of Tanzania's most iconic national parks.
Why Book A 5-day safari in Tanzania starting from Zanzibar Island?
Our 5-day safari itinerary is designed to maximize your time in the African bush and minimize travel fatigue. Instead of a long road journey, you'll start your adventure with a direct flight from Zanzibar to either Arusha or Serengeti, depending on your 5 day safari package. This ensures you get straight to the safari action. This is the ideal option for those with limited time who still want a comprehensive and luxurious exploration of Tanzania's Northern Circuit.
Our 5-days safari from Zanzibar lets you experience Tanzania's legendary wildlife without sacrificing your beach holiday. By leveraging time-saving fly-in options, we offer a range of different 5 days safari tour itineraries that cater to different travel styles and wildlife interests. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your choices.
Fly-in From Zanzibar - 5-Day Tanzania Safari Tours Itineraries.
Tanzania is known as the top safari country in Africa, and there are many options for a 5-day safari and Zanzibar holiday. On a Tanzanian 5-day safari, you can visit the world-famous Northern safari circuit, featuring parks like the Ngorongoro Crater for a Big 5, Serengeti National Park for wildebeest migration, and the elephant's paradise, Tarangire National Park, before relaxing at the Zanzibar Island beaches.
5-day Serengeti fly-in safari from Zanzibar Island.
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This 5-Day Serengeti Safari from Zanzibar offers an incredible opportunity to explore the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Departing/Starting from Zanzibar, this 5-day fly-in safari takes you directly to the Serengeti for a remarkable wildlife game drive.
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Your adventure starts with a scenic flight from Zanzibar to Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti, where you'll experience thrilling wildebeest migration game drives across the vast savannahs. Enjoy wildlife viewing, a sunrise balloon flight in the Serengeti, and the great wildebeest migration game drives.
Safari Itinerary Overview – 5 Days Serengeti Fly-in Safari - From Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam, or Arusha.
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Day 1: Fly from Zanzibar to Serengeti → Game drive in Serengeti National Park
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Day 2–3: Full-day game drives (Following the wildebeest migration) in the Serengeti National Park
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Day 4: Morning Hot Air Balloon Serengeti → Then game drives the rest of the day.
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Day 5: Game drive in the Serengeti→ Fly back to Zanzibar
Day 1: Fly from Zanzibar to Serengeti – Afternoon Game Drive
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Transfer from your Zanzibar hotel to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Included).
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Fly from ZNZ directly to one of the main Serengeti airstrips (e.g., Seronera Airstrip - SEU in Central Serengeti). Flight time is typically 2 to 3 hours, including potential brief stops.
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Upon arrival, meet your professional safari guide and private 4x4 vehicle.
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Enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to your camp.
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Check-in, dinner, and overnight.
Day 2: Full day in Serengeti National Park.
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Sunrise game drive to catch predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs at their most active.
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Return to the lodge for a late breakfast, or take a picnic breakfast to maximize time.
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Afternoon game drive in the Seronera area, known for its permanent water and high density of big cats.
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Optional: Hot Air Balloon Safari at sunrise (requires early wake-up and extra cost of approx. $600+).
Day 3: Following the Migration herds.
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After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive while driving in the region where the Great Migration is expected for that time of year (e.g., North Serengeti for river crossings, South for calving season).
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This is a full day of game driving following the wildebeest migration herds.
Day 4: Full day game drive in Serengeti.
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After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive while driving in the region where the Great Migration is expected for that time of year (e.g., North Serengeti for river crossings, South for calving season).
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This is a full day of game driving following the wildebeest migration herds.
Day 5: Final Safari & Return to Zanzibar:
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Early morning final game drive near the camp.
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Return for a final brunch or take a picnic lunch.
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Transfer to the nearest convenient Serengeti airstrip (e.g., Kogatende, Seronera, or Grumeti).
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Fly directly back to Zanzibar (ZNZ).
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Transfer to your ZNZ hotel or connecting flight.
From Zanzibar to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater in five days.
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This is the most popular of the 5-day safari itineraries in Tanzania, starting from Zanzibar. This option takes you to all the highlights of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit and to three of the best parks. Explore the world-famous Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park with its huge African elephant herds.
Safari Itinerary Overview – 5 Days from Zanzibar
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Day 1: Fly from Zanzibar to Arusha → Game drive in Tarangire National Park
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Day 2–3: Full-day game drives in the Serengeti National Park
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Day 4: Morning safari in Serengeti → Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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Day 5: Game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater → Return to Arusha or fly back to Zanzibar
Day 1: Zanzibar to Arusha – Game Drive in Tarangire National Park
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Morning: Fly from Zanzibar (8:00 am) to Arusha (ARK/9:15 am). You’ll be met by your professional safari guide and immediately transferred to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2-3 hour drive).
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Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch followed by a thrilling afternoon game drive in Tarangire.
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Highlights: Tarangire is famous for its massive herds of African Elephants and the striking Baobab trees. Look out for lions, leopards, and over 550 species of birds.
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Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a lodge or tented camp near Tarangire/Karatu.
Day 2: Transfer to Serengeti.
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Drive towards the Serengeti National Park (approx. 4-6 hour drive, including en-route game viewing). This journey takes you through the stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands.
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Afternoon: Enter the Serengeti—the iconic "endless plains." Begin your first game drive in the vast grasslands of the central Seronera Valley, renowned for its high concentration of big cats.
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Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at a camp/lodge in Central Serengeti.
Day 3: Serengeti National Park, Full-day game drives.
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Sunrise Option: Rise before dawn for an optional, unforgettable Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Serengeti plains (extra cost, highly recommended).
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Full Day Game Drive: Spend the day exploring the Serengeti's diverse ecosystems following the wildebeest migration herds. Your expert guide will track the best wildlife viewing areas, focusing on the movement of the Great Migration (location varies seasonally), predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards, and other plains game.
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Wildlife Focus: Seek out the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo), though seeing the elusive rhino can be challenging.
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Evening: Return to your accommodation in the Serengeti for dinner and a night under the stars.
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater.
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Morning: Enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Serengeti. After breakfast, proceed with game drives till afternoon. After lunch, start a drive back across the plains and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater, then fly back to Zanzibar.
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Early Morning: Descend 600 meters (2,000 feet) into the magnificent, UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater. This natural caldera is a self-contained ecosystem.
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Crater Game Drive: The crater floor offers the highest density of wildlife in Africa, providing the best chance of spotting the Black Rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside a hippo pool.
Related Safari Tours in Tanzania fly-in From Zanzibar
Frequently Asked Questions About 5-Day Tanzania Safaris from Zanzibar
Why is this called a "fly-in" safari?
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It is called a fly-in safari because you travel from Zanzibar (ZNZ) directly to one of the airstrips inside the Serengeti National Park (e.g., Seronera, Kogatende, or Ndutu) via a light aircraft. This eliminates the lengthy 8+ hour drive from Arusha, maximizing your time for game viewing in the park.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
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The total flight time is typically 2 to 3 hours. This includes potential brief stops (known as 'bush hops') at other airstrips along the way to drop off or pick up other passengers.
What is the approximate cost range for this 5 day Serengeti safari from Zanzibar?
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A 5-day Serengeti fly-in safari prices range from $2,200 to over 3,500 USD per person sharing, depending on: Mid-Range Camps: $3,200 - $4,500; Luxury Camps/Lodges: $4,500 - $7,500+.
Will a 5-day safari be enough time?
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Yes. By choosing the fly-in option and focusing on 3 parks, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you have 4 full days and two half-days dedicated to game viewing. This is an ample amount of time to explore different areas and track the Big Five and the Migration (seasonal).
How does a 5-day safari from Zanzibar work?
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You will take a domestic flight from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to the safari gateway city of Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO). From there, you are met by your safari guide and begin your drive into the national parks. For Serengeti safaris from Zanzibar, you will fly directly to an airstrip within the Serengeti to save driving time.
What is a typical 5-Day Itinerary?
While 5-day tours vary, a common itinerary is: Day 1: Fly ZNZ to Arusha, drive to and game drive in Tarangire/Lake Manyara. Day 2: Drive to Serengeti National Park, game drive en route. Day 3: Full day game drive in the Serengeti. Day 4: Morning game drive in Serengeti, drive to Ngorongoro Crater rim. Day 5: Morning descent and game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, drive to Arusha for flight back to ZNZ
Can I see the Great Migration?
It depends on the month. The Great Migration is a year-round phenomenon, but the location of the herds changes seasonally. Your tour operator will plan your accommodation in the Northern, Central, or Southern Serengeti to maximize your chances of witnessing it.
Should I book a Hot Air Balloon Safari?
A Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Serengeti is an unforgettable experience, offering a unique perspective of the plains at sunrise. It is an optional extra (costing around $600-$700 USD) and should be booked well in advance.
What are the flight logistics for a 5-day safari from Zanzibar?
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Flights are primarily operated by small, light aircraft, departing in the morning from Zanzibar (ZNZ) and landing directly on bush airstrips within Nyerere (e.g., Mtemere, Siwandu). The flight is short, typically only 60 to 90 minutes, allowing you to be on a game drive by lunchtime on Day 1.
When is the best time for a 5-day safari from Zanzibar
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The Dry Season (June to October) is the best time.
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The weather is generally sunny, and the roads are easier to navigate.