Zanzibar to Serengeti — Flights and Fly-In Safaris

The flight takes about 3 hours from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Seronera in Central Serengeti. It makes one stop to refuel, at Arusha (JRO) or Manyara. You stay on the plane for the 25 to 30 minute stop. Flights to Kogatende in the north take about 3 hours 30 minutes. Most flights leave Zanzibar between 08:00 and 09:00 and land at Seronera around 11:00. Coastal Aviation and Auric Air both fly this route in Cessna Caravan planes. Each person can bring 15 kg in a soft bag. We book your transfer from the beach hotel so you reach the airport 90 minutes before take-off.

Yes, in the sense that you board once and stay on the same plane. There is no non-stop flight. Every Zanzibar to Serengeti flight makes one refuelling stop of 25 to 30 minutes, at Arusha or Manyara.

A one-way flight costs $400 to $650 per person to Seronera. To Kogatende it costs $450 to $700 in the July to October crossing season. A return costs about $1,100 per person ($1,300 on the 7-day route).

Central Serengeti is about 640 km (400 miles) from Zanzibar in a straight line. That is a 3-hour flight.

The flight takes about 3 hours from Seronera and 3 hours 30 minutes from Kogatende, with one refuelling stop. Flights leave around 12:00 and land in Zanzibar around 14:45.

Our listed fly-in packages from Zanzibar start at $1,385 per person. The 2-day budget package is $1,430. The 3-day packages are $1,385 for budget, $1,463 to $2,002 for mid-range and $2,030 to $2,046 for luxury. The 4-day luxury package is $2,090. The 6-day package, which starts in Arusha and flies out to Zanzibar, is $2,950. These are the "from" prices per person on each package page, which also lists what is included. Not included: international flights to Zanzibar, the Tanzania visa, tips, drinks other than bottled water, and extras like a balloon safari ($599 per person). For 5 and 7-day trips, ask us for a quote.

There are four. Seronera in Central Serengeti works all year and is close to resident lion prides. Kogatende in the north is the one for Mara River crossings from July to October. Lobo in the east is quieter and works best from late October to November. Ndutu in the south runs from December to March for the calving herds. We choose the airstrip for your travel month and what you want to see.

There are two best windows. July to October is the time for Mara River crossings in the north. It is also the busiest and most expensive time. January to February is the time for calving in the south. It is good value and full of predator action. April to June and November cost 15 to 25 percent less. April and May bring heavier rain but fewer vehicles. Lions, leopards and cheetahs live in Central Serengeti all year, so any month gives a real safari.

Yes, if you pick the right month. From December to March the herds are in the south at Ndutu for calving. In April and May they move north through Central Serengeti. In June they cross the Grumeti River in the west. From July to October they are in the north for the Mara River crossings. In November they head back south. The herds move week by week, but the monthly zones are reliable enough to plan around. We fly you to the airstrip closest to the herds.

Our shortest package is 2 days, and most are 3 days. Three days gives you a fly-in day, one full game-drive day and a fly-out morning. Five days adds a Ngorongoro Crater day trip and a second Serengeti zone. Seven days gives you the full Northern Circuit, including Tarangire or Manyara, Ngorongoro and two zones in Serengeti. Ask us for a quote for 5 and 7-day trips.

A standard quote includes return flights from Zanzibar with Coastal Aviation or Auric Air, all park fees, a named driver-guide, shared 4x4 Land Cruiser game drives (private if you ask), full-board stays at a mid-range or luxury camp, bottled water on game drives, and transfers between your beach hotel and the Zanzibar airport. Park fees are $82.60 per person per day in Serengeti, plus $70.80 for Ngorongoro if it is on your route. Not included: international flights to Zanzibar, the Tanzania visa ($50 to $100), tips for your driver-guide ($25 to $35 per day) and camp staff ($10 to $15 per day), travel insurance, drinks other than water, and extras like a balloon safari ($599 per person).

Driving from Arusha is usually $400 to $600 per person cheaper. It makes sense for trips of 5 days or more. The drive from Arusha to Serengeti takes 6 to 7 hours through the Ngorongoro highlands. The return flight from Zanzibar costs $800 to $1,300 per person. If your trip already includes a Zanzibar beach stay, flying from Zanzibar is the sensible choice. Going back to Arusha first would cost you 2 to 3 days. For a 3-day trip, flying wins, because driving would use up the whole trip.

Two main airlines fly it. Coastal Aviation has the biggest network, with daily flights to Seronera, Kogatende (July to October), Lobo and Ndutu (December to March). It is our first choice for reliable times. Auric Air flies to Seronera and Kogatende at similar times and prices. Regional Air also flies the route on some days, but its times change more often. Both main airlines use Cessna Caravan planes with a 15 kg soft-bag limit per person, hand luggage included. We hold trade rates that are usually 10 to 15 percent below public fares. We check for flight changes every day in high season.

Yes. It is the most common 5-day fly-in. On day 1 you fly to Seronera, land at 11:00 and drive in Central Serengeti that afternoon. Days 2 and 3 are Serengeti game-drive days. Ngorongoro Crater is a day trip: a 2-hour drive to the rim, then a 7 am descent and about 5 hours on the crater floor, where you can see black rhinos. You are back at your Serengeti camp by 16:00. On the last day you have a morning drive, then fly to Zanzibar. It does not need an extra flight.