2 Day Safari from Zanzibar
A 2 day safari from Zanzibar is the most popular way to see mainland Tanzania on a beach holiday. You fly out early, spend a day in Tarangire National Park, sleep near the Ngorongoro Crater, visit the crater on day two and fly back to Zanzibar in the evening.
A 2 day safari from Zanzibar is the most popular way to see mainland Tanzania on a beach holiday. You fly out early, spend a day in Tarangire National Park, sleep near the Ngorongoro Crater, visit the crater on day two and fly back to Zanzibar in the evening.
Our 2 day safaris from Zanzibar start from USD 500 per person, including the flights.
Itinerary: 2 days from Zanzibar
Day 1: Zanzibar to Arusha and Tarangire
A morning flight takes you to Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport, where your guide meets you. You drive about two hours to Tarangire National Park and spend the afternoon looking for elephants, giraffes, lions and baobab landscapes. After the game drive, you drive to your lodge near the crater.
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater and fly back
After an early breakfast you descend 600 metres into the crater for a morning game drive. You may see lions, hyenas, buffalo, hippos, flamingos and the rare black rhino. After lunch you drive back to the airstrip and fly to Zanzibar in the evening.
Alternative: 2 days in Mikumi
If you want a shorter flight, a two-day safari in Mikumi National Park combines a full day of game drives with a night in the park. It is a lower-key trip, and the animals are easy to see on the open plains.
Good to know
The days are long because of the flights and the drives. Wear comfortable clothes, take a light jacket for the crater, and keep your luggage to a small soft bag. We keep your main luggage safe at the hotel in Zanzibar. If the weather affects the flights, we will rebook you and tell you the options.
Is it worth the early start?
The days are long, but most guests say the wildlife is worth it. You leave the beach before dawn, fly for about an hour and a half and are in the park before lunch. By the evening of day two you are back at your hotel with photographs of elephants, giraffes and lions. It is the easiest way to add a safari to a beach holiday.
What to wear and bring
Wear a light long-sleeved shirt and trousers in neutral colours, and bring a jacket or a fleece for the crater rim. Pack sun protection, insect repellent, a camera with spare batteries and a small daypack. Leave your large suitcase at your hotel in Zanzibar.
Alternatives to a 2 day safari
If two days feels too short, add a night. A 3 day safari from Zanzibar includes the Serengeti. If you only have one day, a fly-in day trip to Mikumi is the easiest option.
2 day safari packages from Zanzibar
- 1 Day Fly In & Fly Out Mikumi National Park Safari from Zanzibar (1 Day, from USD 500 per person) An affordable joining safari: fly from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park, enjoy a full day game drive and fly back the same evening.
- 2 Day Fly In, Fly Out Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park Safari (2 Days / 1 Night, from USD 1,220 per person) A private 2 day fly-in, fly-out Mikumi safari from Zanzibar with an overnight stay at Double G Safari Camp.
- 2 Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater Safari from Zanzibar (2 Days / 1 Night, from USD 1,350 per person) A private 2 day safari from Zanzibar: fly to Arusha, explore Tarangire, then descend into Ngorongoro Crater before an evening flight back.
- 3 Day Great Migration River Crossing Safari Zanzibar Fly In & Fly Out (3 Days / 2 Nights, from USD 2,600 per person) Experience the Great Migration in Northern Serengeti on a thrilling 3 Day fly in, fly out safari directly from Zanzibar, USD 2,600 per person.
- 3 Day Zanzibar to Serengeti Fly In & Fly Out Calving Migration Safari (3 Days / 2 Nights, from USD 2,550 per person) Fly directly from Zanzibar to Serengeti for a fast-paced 3 Day calving season safari in Ndutu, returning by air to Zanzibar, USD 2,550 per person.
Frequently asked questions
Are the flights included in the price?
Yes. The flights between Zanzibar and the mainland, park fees, transfers and meals as listed are included in our fly-in packages.
Is it too rushed?
It is a full trip, but it is well organised. If you can spare three days, you get more time in the park.
Can I do this safari in the rainy season?
Yes. The parks are green and quiet, and showers usually fall in the afternoon.
What time is the flight from Zanzibar?
Usually early in the morning, between six and eight. We tell you the exact time when we book.