3-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar

Safari Overview

This 3-day fly-in safari is designed for travelers seeking a short but spectacular safari escape from Zanzibar. Fly directly to the Serengeti, explore Africa’s most iconic wildlife destination, and return to the beach—all in just three days. Perfect for those who want to experience the thrill of a Tanzanian safari without committing to a long overland journey.

The Serengeti is widely regarded as the best wildlife reserve in Africa due to its density of predators and prey . As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it covers 14,763 square kilometers of grassland plains, savanna, riverine forest, and woodlands . The park is most famous for its annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras , though the resident wildlife—including Africa’s largest lion population—ensures exceptional game viewing year-round.

Safari Highlights

• Fly-In Convenience – Skip long road transfers with a direct flight from Zanzibar to the Serengeti

• Full-Day Game Drive – Immerse yourself in the Serengeti’s endless plains and abundant wildlife

• Big Five Encounters – Spot lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos

• Great Migration Viewing – Witness the world’s largest mammal migration (seasonal)

• Expert Guides – Professional safari guides with intimate knowledge of the park

• Seamless Return – Fly back to Zanzibar after a full safari experience

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Zanzibar – Arusha – Serengeti National Park

From the Beach to the Bush

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your scheduled flight to Arusha. The flight offers stunning aerial views of the Indian Ocean coastline before crossing over the mainland.

Upon arrival at Arusha Airport, you will be met by your Serengeti Wildlife Safaris representative. Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania, located at an elevation of 1,400 metres in the foothills of Mount Meru . From here, your journey continues with a scenic flight to the Serengeti.

The flight to the Serengeti takes approximately 1 hour, offering breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro Highlands, and the vast Serengeti plains stretching to the horizon. You will land at one of the Serengeti’s airstrips, where your safari guide will be waiting.

Afternoon Game Drive

Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive as you travel to your camp. This is your first introduction to the Serengeti’s incredible wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for:

• Lions – the Serengeti holds the largest population of lions in Africa, with more than 3,000 living in this ecosystem

• Cheetahs – often seen hunting on the open plains

• Elephants and giraffes – common throughout the park

• Herds of wildebeest and zebras – especially if visiting during migration season

• Hyenas and jackals – ever-present scavengers

Arrive at your camp in time to settle in before dinner, with the sounds of the African wilderness as your evening soundtrack.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 2: Full-Day Serengeti Experience

Rise early for breakfast, then depart for a full day of game driving across the Serengeti’s iconic landscapes. The Serengeti is divided into three main regions, each offering unique wildlife experiences :

The Serengeti Plains – The endless, almost treeless grasslands of the south are the most emblematic scenery of the park. This is where the wildebeest breed, remaining on the plains from December to May . The granite kopjes (rock formations) scattered across the plains serve as excellent observation posts for predators and a refuge for hyrax and pythons .

The Western Corridor – The swampy savannah along the Grumeti River is home to enormous Nile crocodiles, colobus monkeys, and martial eagles. The migration passes through from May to July .

The Northern Serengeti – Dominated by open woodlands and hills, this region is the best place to find elephants, giraffes, and dik-dik. The migratory wildebeest and zebras occur here from July to August and again in November .

Wildlife Viewing

The Serengeti is renowned for its healthy population of resident wildlife :

• Lions – with over 3,000 individuals, the largest lion population in Africa

• African Leopards – reclusive predators commonly seen in the Seronera region, with a population of around 1,000

• African Elephants – herds recovering from poaching lows, largely located in the northern regions

• Black Rhinoceros – found mainly around the kopjes in the centre of the park

• African Buffalo – still abundant and present in healthy numbers

The park also supports cheetahs, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, topi, eland, waterbuck, hyenas, baboons, impalas, African wild dogs, and giraffes . Over 500 bird species call the Serengeti home, including ostriches, secretary birds, Kori bustards, crowned cranes, and martial eagles .

Optional Activities (at additional cost)

• Hot Air Balloon Safari – Float above the plains at sunrise for breathtaking views of the Serengeti awakening below. The experience is followed by a champagne bush breakfast .

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the savannah. Continue game viewing through the afternoon, with your guide positioning you for the best wildlife encounters. Return to your camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drinking water included

Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Return to Zanzibar

Wake early for a final morning game drive as the sun rises over the Serengeti. This is the best time to catch predators returning from their night hunts and wildlife gathering at water sources. Capture your last photographs of the endless plains and abundant wildlife.

Return to your camp for breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for your return flight to Zanzibar. The flight takes you back over the Rift Valley and across the mainland, offering a final aerial perspective of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes. Upon arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, you will be transferred to your beach resort or directly to the airport for your onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast | Drinking water included

End of Safari

Inclusions

• Domestic flights (Zanzibar – Arusha – Zanzibar)

• Domestic flight (Arusha – Serengeti – Arusha)

• All park entry fees and conservation fees

• All game drives as described in the itinerary

• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for optimal game viewing

• Professional English-speaking driver-guide

• All meals as indicated (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

• Bottled drinking water during game drives

• Accommodation as described in the itinerary

Exclusions

• International flights

• Tanzania visa fees

• Travel and medical insurance

• Tips and gratuities for driver-guide and lodge staff (suggested $10–$15 per person per day)

• Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.)

• Optional activities (hot air balloon safari)

• Alcoholic and soft drinks

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