Yes, you can go from Zanzibar to the Serengeti on a short safari. You fly to the mainland, usually on an 8:00 am flight, and are on a game drive the same day. Lekobe Adventures offers a 2-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari from US$1,628 per adult and 3-day options from US$1,771, with flights and park fees included.
Last updated: 2 October 2026. Prices checked against the live trip pages on lekobeadventures.com.
The Serengeti is the name most travellers have in mind when they picture an African safari, and many people are surprised to learn they can reach it from a beach hotel on Zanzibar. This guide explains how a Zanzibar to Serengeti safari actually works, what you see on a 2-day versus a 3-day trip, what the price covers, and how to decide which length suits your holiday.
How do you get from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
The Serengeti is on the Tanzanian mainland, so a road trip is not realistic on a short holiday. Every Serengeti trip Lekobe runs from the island uses a scheduled light-aircraft flight for at least one leg. There are two ways to do it.
Option 1: Fly straight into the Serengeti
On most of our fly-in itineraries you are collected from your Zanzibar hotel at about 5:00 am (the exact time depends on where you are staying) and taken to the airport for an 8:00 am flight. On the camping itinerary the flight is scheduled to land at about 11:00 am. Your guide meets you at the airstrip with a 4×4 safari vehicle and the game drive starts straight away, with a picnic lunch in the bush.
Option 2: Fly to Arusha and drive in
The 3-Day Fly & Drive Safari to Ngorongoro & Serengeti flies you to Arusha instead. From there you drive about three hours to the Ngorongoro Highlands and continue down into the Serengeti, game viewing on the way. It costs less than the mid-range full fly-in trips and lets you see how the landscape changes from the highlands to the open plains.
Getting back to the beach
The 2-day and 3-day trips finish with a morning game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, then a road transfer to Arusha Airport (Kilimanjaro Airport on the 2-day trip) for the return flight. You land back in Zanzibar in the evening and are driven to your hotel.
2-day vs 3-day Serengeti safari from Zanzibar
Both lengths visit the same two highlights: the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater. The difference is how much time you get in each one.
| 2-day safari | 3-day safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From US$1,628 per adult | From US$1,771 per adult |
| Nights on safari | 1 | 2 |
| Serengeti game drives | Afternoon of day 1, morning of day 2 | Afternoon of day 1, full morning of day 2 |
| Ngorongoro Crater | Short crater game drive on day 2 | Morning crater game drive on day 3 after a night in the highlands |
| Pace | Very fast, lots of driving on day 2 | More relaxed, early crater descent |
| Best for | Very tight schedules | Most first-time visitors |
The 2-day safari: maximum Serengeti in minimum time
On the 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Serengeti & Ngorongoro you fly to the Serengeti on day 1 for an afternoon game drive and stay overnight at Golden Safari Camps. On day 2 you set out early for a sunrise drive in the southern Serengeti, transfer to Ngorongoro, descend into the crater and then head to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back to Zanzibar. It is a long day, but it gives you a real taste of both places.
The 3-day safari: the one we recommend for most people
The 3-day trips follow the same route with a night in the Ngorongoro Highlands added. That means a full morning in the Serengeti on day 2, a relaxed drive to the crater rim and an early descent into the crater on day 3, when the light is soft. If you can spare the extra day, the trip feels like a safari rather than a rush.
Zanzibar to Serengeti safari prices (2026)
These are the “from” prices per adult on the live trip pages. Your final quote depends on group size, travel dates and the accommodation you choose. Shared costs such as the vehicle and the crater service fee are split between more people in a larger group, so couples and families usually pay less per person than solo travellers.
| Trip | Style | Days | From (per adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar to Serengeti & Ngorongoro | Private, mid-range | 2 | US$1,628 |
| 3-Day Fly-in Private Camping to Serengeti & Ngorongoro | Private, budget camping | 3 | US$1,771 |
| 3-Day Fly & Drive Safari to Ngorongoro & Serengeti | Private, mid-range, fly to Arusha | 3 | US$1,870 |
| 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-in from Zanzibar | Private, mid-range | 3 | US$2,068 |
| 3-Day Mid-Range Fly-in Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro | Private, mid-range tented camps | 3 | US$2,090 |
| 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar | Private, adds Tarangire | 4 | US$2,025 |
| 4-Day Fly-in Migration to Serengeti & Ngorongoro | Private, northern Serengeti | 4 | US$2,420 |
For a side-by-side look at every safari that leaves Zanzibar, including the cheaper southern parks, see our safari from Zanzibar cost guide.
What the price includes
- Park fees for non-residents
- All flights during the tour and return airport transfers
- Accommodation, as listed in the itinerary
- Meals as specified day by day
- A professional driver-guide and game drives in a 4×4 vehicle
- All taxes and VAT
What is not included
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Extra nights before or after the safari
- Drinks (except where an itinerary says otherwise)
- Tips: our guideline is US$10 per person per day
- Travel insurance, visa fees and personal items
- Any government increase in taxes or park fees
Which Serengeti trip from Zanzibar should you choose?
On a budget
The 3-Day Fly-in Private Camping to Serengeti & Ngorongoro is the lowest-priced 3-day option. You fly into the Serengeti, sleep in tents at campsites including Ngorongoro Simba Campsite, and a private chef cooks your meals. Camping equipment and a sleeping bag are included. The trip page lists a minimum age of 18.
Mid-range comfort
The 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-in from Zanzibar uses Moyo Tented Camp in the Serengeti and Ang’ata Ngorongoro Camp. The 3-Day Mid-Range Fly-in Safari to Serengeti & Ngorongoro upgrades to Tukaone Hembe Camp, a tented camp inside central Serengeti, and is not offered to solo travellers. The fly-and-drive version is the best value of the mid-range trips.
More time and the Great Migration
If you have four days, the 4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro from Zanzibar adds Tarangire National Park. The 4-Day Fly-in Migration to Serengeti & Ngorongoro flies to Kogatende Airstrip in the northern Serengeti, near the Mara River, before moving to central Serengeti and the crater. Check our best time to visit Tanzania guide for when the herds are usually in each area.
Serengeti and Ngorongoro: key facts before you go
According to the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) Serengeti page, Serengeti National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, covers more than 15,000 square kilometres and is open all year, with gates closing at 6 pm. The park lists an entry fee of US$70 for international adults.
The Ngorongoro Crater sits inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority tariffs page lists a conservation fee of US$70.80 per day for non-East African visitors aged 16 and over, plus a crater service fee of US$295 per vehicle per trip. On Lekobe trips these fees are already included in your price, and the authorities can change them without notice.
When to go
The Serengeti offers good wildlife viewing year round. Our 3-day fly-in trip page lists January to February and June to October as the strongest periods, with different parts of the park best at different times. For a month-by-month view, read our best time to visit Tanzania guide.
What to pack
Safari flights use small aircraft with tight luggage allowances, so pack light in a soft bag and leave the rest at your Zanzibar hotel. We confirm the exact allowance with your booking. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, a warm layer for early drives and the cool crater rim, and neutral-coloured clothing. Our safari packing guide has a full checklist.
Is a Zanzibar to Serengeti safari worth it?
For most travellers who want to see the Serengeti and are already in Zanzibar, yes. You avoid long road journeys, you see two of Africa’s best-known wildlife areas in two or three days, and you are back on the beach the same evening. The trade-offs are cost, since flights make it pricier than a southern park safari, and very early starts.
If your budget or time is tighter, a one day safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi or Nyerere is a shorter alternative. If the Serengeti is the dream, a 3-day trip is usually the sweet spot.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Serengeti from Zanzibar?
Yes. You fly from Zanzibar to the mainland, usually on an 8:00 am flight, and start a game drive the same day. Lekobe Adventures runs private Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris from Zanzibar lasting 2, 3 or 4 days, starting from US$1,628 per adult, with flights, park fees and accommodation included.
How much is a safari from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
On our live trip pages, prices start at US$1,628 per adult for 2 days, US$1,771 to US$2,090 for 3 days, and US$2,025 to US$2,420 for 4 days. Prices include flights, park fees and accommodation. Your final quote depends on group size, dates and the lodges or camps you choose.
Is 2 days enough for the Serengeti?
Two days gives you one night in the Serengeti, a sunrise game drive and a short visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. It works if your time is very limited, but day two is long. A 3-day trip adds a night near the crater and a full morning in the Serengeti, so most travellers prefer it.
Can you do the Serengeti from Zanzibar in one day?
We do not offer a one-day Serengeti trip from Zanzibar. Flights leave early and the park is large, so a same-day return would leave very little time for game drives. For a day trip, choose Mikumi or Nyerere instead, or book at least two days for the Serengeti.
Are flights included in a Serengeti safari from Zanzibar?
Yes. All of our Serengeti trips from Zanzibar include the flights during the tour plus return transfers between your hotel and the airport. International flights to Tanzania, drinks, tips and travel insurance are not included. Our tipping guideline is US$10 per person per day.
Do I need to book in advance?
Booking ahead is wise, because the small aircraft have limited seats and camps fill up in the busy June to October season. Our trips can start any day, so send your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and a final price.
Plan your Zanzibar to Serengeti safari
Tell us your travel dates, where you are staying in Zanzibar and how many people are travelling, and we will send a clear quote with flight times and camp options.
- WhatsApp: +255 676 68 1293
- Email: info@lekobeadventures.com
- Or use the enquiry form on any trip page, for example the 3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Fly-in from Zanzibar
