3-day Tanzania safari from Zanzibar: Serengeti & Ngorongoro
2025-07-06
The perfect 3-day safari tour from Zanzibar! Fly direct to the Serengeti, explore the Ngorongoro Crater, and see the Big 5. A seamless, all-inclusive wildlife adventure.
Escape the beach for an unforgettable wildlife adventure! This 3-day Tanzania safari from Zanzibar is perfectly designed for those who want to experience the legendary wonders of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater without losing precious holiday time. By flying directly from Zanzibar to the heart of the action, we turn a long overland journey into a quick, scenic flight, giving you maximum time to witness the Big Five and Africa's most breathtaking landscapes.
- Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Departure Point: Zanzibar (ZNZ)
- Destinations: Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater
- Focus: Big Five, Incredible Landscapes, Time-Efficiency
- Travel Style: Private, Fly-in Safari
See Pricing & Book Your Adventure →
Why Choose This 3-Day Safari Tour from Zanzibar?
This isn't just a trip; it's the smartest way to add a world-class safari to your Zanzibar holiday. We've perfected this itinerary to deliver an incredible experience in a short time frame.
- Fly Directly to the Action: We skip the long, bumpy roads. Your adventure begins with a direct flight from Zanzibar to a Serengeti airstrip. You'll be on a game drive just minutes after you land.
- Two Iconic Parks, Zero Compromise: Experience the endless plains of the Serengeti AND the unique "Garden of Eden" that is the Ngorongoro Crater. This 3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro from Zanzibar tour focuses on the absolute best of Tanzania's Northern Circuit.
- Truly All-Inclusive & Hassle-Free: Your return flights from Zanzibar, park fees, private 4x4 vehicle, expert guide, accommodation, and meals are all included. We handle all the logistics so you can simply enjoy the magic.
- Your Own Private Guide & Vehicle: Enjoy the flexibility and personal attention of having your own expert local guide and safari vehicle. Stop for as long as you want at a sighting and ask all the questions you have.
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Zanzibar to Serengeti National Park
Your adventure begins with an early morning transfer from your Zanzibar hotel to the airport for your flight to the Serengeti. Enjoy breathtaking aerial views as you fly over the Tanzanian mainland. Upon landing at the Seronera Airstrip, your private safari guide will be waiting to welcome you. The adventure starts immediately with a game drive en route to your safari lodge. The Serengeti is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife year-round, so keep your camera ready from the very first minute!
- Activities: Hotel transfer in Zanzibar, flight to Serengeti, afternoon game drive
- Wildlife Focus: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, introduction to the Serengeti ecosystem
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge or similar mid-range/comfort lodge.
Day 2: Serengeti Game Drive & Journey to Ngorongoro
After an early breakfast, embark on a final morning game drive through the Serengeti's vast plains. Today's journey is a "game drive transfer" – meaning you'll be viewing wildlife as you make your way southeast towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Witness the dramatic shift in landscape as you ascend into the highlands. You will arrive at your lodge, perched dramatically on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, in the late afternoon, just in time to watch the sunset over this natural wonder.
- Activities: Morning game drive in Serengeti, game drive transfer to Ngorongoro
- Wildlife Focus: Resident Serengeti wildlife, stunning landscape views from the crater rim
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar lodge on the crater rim.
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater Tour & Flight Back to Zanzibar
Today is a highlight of your 3-day Tanzania safari tour from Zanzibar! After an early breakfast, you will descend 600 meters to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a self-contained ecosystem teeming with wildlife. It offers the best chance in Tanzania to see the complete Big Five in Tanzania, including the rare black rhino. After an extensive game drive and a picnic lunch in the crater, you will ascend back to the rim and drive to the nearby Manyara Airstrip for your flight back to Zanzibar, where a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
- Activities: Crater floor game drive, picnic lunch, flight to Zanzibar, hotel transfer
- Wildlife Focus: Black rhino, large elephant bulls, lion prides, hippos, flamingos
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Pricing Information
Starting from $2,150 USD per person (based on two people sharing).
The final safari from Zanzibar cost is influenced by:
- The season of travel (peak season is slightly higher).
- Your choice of accommodation level (we can upgrade to luxury).
- The number of people in your private group.
Get a Precise Quote for Your Travel Dates
What's Included?
- Return flights: Zanzibar - Serengeti / Manyara - Zanzibar.
- All accommodation as specified (2 nights).
- All meals as listed in the itinerary.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for optimal viewing.
- Services of a professional, English-speaking safari guide.
- All park entrance fees for Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater.
- Crater service fee.
- All airport/airstrip transfers in Zanzibar and on the mainland.
- Bottled water in the vehicle.
What's Excluded?
- International flights.
- Tanzanian visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Gratuities for your guide and lodge staff.
- Beverages and items of a personal nature.
Best Time for This Safari
The Ngorongoro Crater offers fantastic wildlife viewing year-round. The Serengeti is also excellent all year, though the location of the Great Migration varies.
- June - October (Dry Season): Excellent weather, and wildlife is easier to spot as it gathers around water sources.
- December - March (Calving Season): A great time to visit the Southern Serengeti (where you fly into) to see the wildebeest calving season.
Essential Information
Luggage Allowance: Please note that the small aircraft used for the Zanzibar to Serengeti flight have a strict luggage limit of 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, packed in soft-sided bags or duffels. Excess luggage can be stored at your Zanzibar hotel.
What to Pack: Light layers, neutral-colored clothing, a warm jacket for the cool crater rim, sunscreen, a hat, and your camera.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is 3 days really enough to see the Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
Yes! Thanks to the fly-in model, this tour is specifically designed to maximize your time. You'll spend approximately two half-days and one full day on game drives, focusing on two of the most wildlife-dense areas on earth. It's an intense, high-impact safari that delivers an incredible experience.
2. How long is the flight from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
The flight typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, sometimes with a brief stop en route. It's a scenic flight in a small, reliable bush plane, which is an experience in itself.
3. What kind of bag should I bring for the safari?
A soft-sided duffel bag or backpack is essential. Hard-shell suitcases cannot be accommodated on the small internal flights. Most hotels in Zanzibar are happy to store your larger luggage for the few days you are on safari.
Book Your Unforgettable Safari Break!
Ready to trade the turquoise waters for the golden plains? This 3-day safari tour from Zanzibar is the ultimate wildlife experience, made easy. Contact our safari experts today to plan your adventure.