Flights From Zanzibar to Serengeti (Seronera, Kogatende, Ndutu, Kirawira, Grumeti, Lobo & More)
- tzsafaritours
- 3 days ago
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Your complete guide to flights from Zanzibar to Serengeti, great migration seasons, airstrips, schedules, tours and return flights to Zanzibar
Flying from Zanzibar to the Serengeti is the fastest and most convenient way to combine a tropical beach holiday with one of the greatest wildlife destinations on earth. In just 2 hours, you can leave Zanzibar’s white-sand shores and land in one of the Serengeti’s legendary airstrips — whether you’re heading to Seronera (central), Kogatende (north), Ndutu (south), Kirawira or Grumeti (west), or the quieter Lobo, Kusini, Mwiba and other strips.
This guide provides everything you need to know: airlines, schedules, migration seasons, luggage rules, prices, and return flights from Serengeti back to Zanzibar.
Why Fly From Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
A fly-in safari saves you 2 days of road travel, giving you more time to enjoy game drives, luxury camps, and the Great Migration. It’s ideal for:
Honeymooners
Families avoiding long car journeys
Travellers on limited time
Photographers
Guests staying in remote Serengeti regions (north, west, south)
Wheelchair travellers
Flights depart directly from Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) and land on the one of the airstrip in the Serengeti National Park — no long transfers needed.
All Serengeti Airstrips You Can Fly Into From Zanzibar.
The Serengeti has multiple regional airstrips. Your destination depends on your lodge location and the season (especially during the Great Migration).
Below is a full list:
CENTRAL SERENGETI (Year-Round Wildlife)
Seronera Airstrip (SEU).
The busiest and most accessible airstrip
Surrounded by permanent resident wildlife
Ideal for first-time safari travellers
Most camps & lodges nearby
Great predator density year-round
Recommended for travel: All year
NORTHERN SERENGETI (Wildebeest River Crossings)
Kogatende Airstrip (KOG / HKOG)
Best location for July–October migration river crossings
Used for North Serengeti luxury camps
Close to Mara River
One of Tanzania’s most scenic flight approaches
Lobo Airstrip (LOB)
Serves eastern and northern lodges
Less busy than Kogatende
Great for June, early July & November migration
Recommended for travel: July–October (peak migration) & June–November (shoulder season).
WESTERN SERENGETI (Grumeti River Region)
Kirawira Airstrip (KIRA / HKIR)
Serves luxury lodges in the Western Corridor
Close to Grumeti River
Great for migration herds moving west in May–June
Grumeti Airstrip (GTZ / HGT)
Perfect for private reserves and Singita Grumeti
Exclusive, quiet region of Serengeti
Great for June migration
Recommended for travel: May–July.
SOUTHERN SERENGETI (Calving Season)
Ndutu Airstrip (NDU / HDTU)
(Technically in Ngorongoro Conservation Area but operated as part of Serengeti fly-in network)
December–March wildebeest calving season
High predator concentration
Famous for cheetah sightings
Kusini Airstrip (KUS)
Remote, quiet southern plains
Ideal from Dec–March
Great for wildebeest herds shifting south
Recommended for travel: December–March (calving)
GREATER SERENGETI PRIVATE RESERVES
Mwiba Airstrip
Luxury private reserve south of Serengeti
Excellent for exclusive safaris
Maswa / Sasakwa / Sasakwa Hill (Singita)
Private access
Exclusive, high-end safari experience
Wildebeest Migration Seasons By Region
The Great Migration moves clockwise through the Serengeti each year. Choosing the correct airstrip is essential.
January – March (Calving Season)
📍 Southern Serengeti & Ndutu
8,000+ calves born daily
Excellent predator actionBest airstrips: Ndutu, Kusini
April – May (Long Rains)
📍 Moving north & west toward GrumetiBest airstrips: Kirawira, Grumeti
June – July
📍 Western Corridor → Northern Serengeti
Rutting season
Herds move toward Mara RiverBest airstrips: Kirawira, Grumeti, Lobo
July – October (River Crossing Season)
📍 Northern Serengeti & Mara River
Iconic river crossings
Best period of the year for migrationBest airstrips: Kogatende, Lobo
November – Early December
📍 Return southBest airstrips: Lobo, Seronera.
Airlines Flying From Zanzibar to Serengeti
Reliable domestic airlines servicing this route include:
Precision Air (less frequent)
Aircraft types:
Cessna Grand Caravan (10–13 seats)
Twin Otter (15–20 seats)
Light bush aircraft perfect for short airstrips
All flights use soft luggage only restrictions.
Flight Times — Zanzibar to Serengeti (All Airstrips)
Morning Departures
7:30–9:00 → Arrive in Serengeti 10:00–11:30✔ Best for same-day game drives✔ Most reliable connections
Midday Departures
11:00–14:00 → Arrive 13:00–16:00✔ Common during peak season✔ Great for relaxed morning hotel checkout
Afternoon Departures
Available only during high season.
Flight Duration (Approx):
Zanzibar → Seronera: 1h 45m – 2h 15m
Zanzibar → Kogatende: 2h – 2h 45m
Zanzibar → Ndutu: 2h – 2h 20m
Zanzibar → Kirawira/Grumeti: 2h – 2h 30m
Zanzibar → Lobo: 2h – 2h 40m
Flights may stop briefly in Arusha or other northern airstrips.
Serengeti to Zanzibar Flights (Return Routes)
Many travellers end their safari with a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar. Fortunately, all major Serengeti airstrips offer direct flights back to Zanzibar.
Airstrips with flights to Zanzibar:
Seronera → Zanzibar (daily)
Kogatende → Zanzibar (seasonal: July–Oct)
Ndutu → Zanzibar (seasonal: Dec–March)
Grumeti/Kirawira → Zanzibar (May–July)
Lobo → Zanzibar (June–November)
Return flight duration:
2h – 2h 45m depending on stops.
Return flights usually depart morning to mid-day, ensuring smooth connections to Zanzibar hotels or international flights.
Flight Prices (Zanzibar ↔ Serengeti)
One-way fares:
Low season: $230–$290
Shoulder: $260–$350
Peak: $320–$450
Round-trip fares:
$490–$750 depending on season and airstrip.
Prices vary by:
Migration season demand
Airstrip distance
Booking time
Availability
Luggage Rules (Important!)
Bush planes have strict limits:
15 kg total per person
Soft bags ONLY
No hard suitcases
Camera bags count toward total weight
Extra luggage may require buying an extra seat.
What to Expect on the Flight
Open seating
Friendly pilots
Great aerial views
Scenic landing on dirt airstrips
Small cabins
One or two short stops possible
Beautiful sights include:
Zanzibar coastline
Mount Kilimanjaro (on clear days)
The Rift Valley
Lake Manyara or Tarangire
Endless Serengeti plains
Popular Zanzibar–Serengeti Safari Itineraries
Find the most popular Serengeti Fly-in safaris from Zanzibar.
3-Day Fly-In Safari (Seronera)
Ideal for quick safari-first timers.
Best for Kogatende/Mara River crossings.
5-Day Western Corridor + Seronera
Perfect June–July migration trip.
6–7 Day Calving Season Safari
Perfect for Ndutu (Dec–March).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there direct flights from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
Yes. Several airlines operate direct flights from Zanzibar to Serengeti airstrips such as Seronera, Kogatende, Ndutu, Grumeti, Kirawira, and Lobo. In some seasons, flights may include a short stop in Arusha or other northern airstrips depending on routing and weather.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
Flight duration ranges from 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on the specific airstrip. Central Serengeti (Seronera) is the shortest route, while northern and western airstrips take slightly longer.
How much is a flight from Zanzibar to Serengeti?
Prices generally range from $250 to $450 one way, depending on:
Travel season (peak months cost more)
Airstrip (north is usually more expensive)
Airline and availability
How early you book
Booking in advance and avoiding July–October peak season can help reduce costs.
Which Serengeti airstrip should I fly into?
The best airstrip depends on your safari location and travel month:
Seronera (Central Serengeti): Great year-round
Kogatende / Lobo (North): July–October river crossing season
Ndutu (South): December–March calving season
Grumeti / Kirawira (West): May–July migration movement
If unsure, ask your safari operator to confirm the closest airstrip to your lodge.
What airlines operate flights from Zanzibar to Serengeti?
The main domestic carriers are:
Coastal Aviation
Auric Air
Regional Air
Flightlink
These airlines use safe, modern bush planes suitable for smaller airstrips.
Is it possible to fly from the Serengeti back to Zanzibar?
Yes. One-way and return flights are available from all major Serengeti airstrips. Morning departures are most common, arriving in Zanzibar before lunch—perfect for travellers planning to end their safari with a beach stay.
What is the luggage allowance on these flights?
Most airlines allow 15 kg per person, including hand luggage. Only soft-sided bags are permitted due to limited cargo space. Hard suitcases are not allowed on bush planes.
Do Zanzibar–Serengeti flights operate year-round?
Yes, flights operate throughout the year.However, frequency increases during peak safari seasons:
June–October (Dry season & migration)
December–March (Calving season)
Northern (Kogatende) and southern (Ndutu) routes are seasonal and follow the wildebeest migration.
Can I connect directly from an international flight to Serengeti?
Yes, but only if your international flight arrives early enough. To avoid delays or missed connections, many travellers choose to overnight in Zanzibar and fly to Serengeti the following morning.
How early should I book my flight?
Book at least 4–8 weeks in advance, especially for travel during July–October or December–March. Seats on northern and southern migration routes sell out quickly.
Are bush plane flights safe?
Yes. Tanzanian domestic airlines follow strict safety protocols, and pilots are highly experienced in short-runway operations. Flights may feel different from large commercial planes due to size and altitude but are very safe.
What can I expect during the flight?
Open seating
Low flying altitude with incredible views
Small, comfortable cabin
Possible quick stop in Arusha
Scenic landing directly inside the national park
The experience feels like a “mini-safari from the sky.”
What’s the best time of year to fly to Serengeti?
It depends on what you want to see:
July–October: Great Migration river crossings (Kogatende/Lobo)
December–March: Calving season (Ndutu/South)
April–June: Western Corridor movement (Grumeti/Kirawira)
Year-round: Central Serengeti (Seronera)
Can families or young children take these flights?
Absolutely. Families with children frequently use this route, and bush airlines accommodate young travellers safely and comfortably.
Do I need park permits before flying into Serengeti?
Your safari operator usually arranges all park entry fees. You will not be asked for permits at the airstrip, but you must have a confirmed lodge and guide waiting for you.
What happens when I land at the airstrip?
Your safari guide will meet you directly at the aircraft. After a short welcome briefing, you’ll begin your first game drive or transfer to your lodge. There are no taxis or public transport inside the park, so pre-arranged pickup is essential.
Can I fly to different airstrips depending on the migration?
Yes. Many travellers fly into one airstrip and out from another, depending on where the wildebeest herds are located. This is common for migration-focused itineraries.
Ready to Plan Your Zanzibar–Serengeti Journey?
If you want the best flight options, migration advice, or help choosing the right airstrip, feel free to explore more travel guides on our website or contact us for expert assistance.We’re here to help you plan the perfect beach-and-safari adventure.
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