2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari from Zanzibar
From $1495/Person
INSTANT CONFIMATION
2-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari from Zanzibar — Elephants, Baobabs & the Great Crater
See two of northern Tanzania’s finest parks in one short fly-in break from the beach. This two-day safari lifts off from Zanzibar in the morning and lands in Arusha in about an hour and a quarter, putting you on game drives the same day. Day one belongs to Tarangire National Park — a land of giant baobabs and some of the largest elephant herds in Africa — before a night in the cool highlands near the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day two is the grand finale: a descent onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic amphitheatre and UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. Lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo, and the endangered black rhino share this single walled basin, giving you a genuine chance at all of the Big Five before you fly back to the island that evening — two iconic landscapes, no long overland journey.
Duration
2 Days / 1 Night
Tour Type
Fly-In Safari
Departs From
Zanzibar
Accommodation
Mid-Range
Meals
Full Board
Pickup
Hotel & Airport
Overview
The 2-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Safari from Zanzibar is the smart choice for travellers who want maximum wildlife in minimum time. A short morning flight carries you from the island to Arusha — around an hour and a quarter, with views of the Indian Ocean and Mount Meru — where your guide and 4×4 are waiting. Because these parks sit close to Arusha, you’re on your first game drive by the middle of the day, without the longer transfers the Serengeti requires.
Day one explores Tarangire National Park, famous for its towering baobab trees and its river that draws wildlife from across the region. In the dry season especially, this is one of the best places in Tanzania to witness huge elephant herds, alongside lion, giraffe, zebra, and an exceptional variety of birds. As the day winds down you climb into the cool highlands and settle into your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater for the night.
Day two delivers the headline act. After an early breakfast you descend some 600 metres onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, where a few hours of game driving can turn up lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo, flamingos on the soda lake, and the endangered black rhino — a realistic shot at all of the Big Five in one basin. Everything is arranged end to end: return flights, hotel transfers on the island, all park and crater fees, a professional guide, full-board accommodation, and every game drive, before you fly home to the coast that evening.
Guiding travelers across Zanzibar with a passion for sharing the island’s beauty, culture, and hidden gems. Rama and his local team are committed to delivering authentic experiences, friendly service, and unforgettable adventures across Zanzibar.
Highlights
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the "Eighth Wonder of the World"
Tarangire Elephants
Among Africa's largest elephant herds
Ancient Baobabs
Tarangire's iconic giant trees
Chance of All Big Five
Rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo & leopard
Black Rhino
The crater's best chance to see them in the wild
Two Iconic Parks
Tarangire & Ngorongoro in one short trip
Overnight in the Highlands
A night near the crater rim
Fly-In Convenience
~1h15 to Arusha — parks the same morning
Itinerary
Day 1 — Fly to Arusha & Tarangire National Park
6:00 AM — Hotel Pickup in Zanzibar Your Rama Zanzibar driver collects you from your hotel or guesthouse anywhere on the island and transfers you to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Stone Town, ready for the morning safari flight.
8:00 AM — Scenic Flight to Arusha Board a light aircraft for the crossing to the mainland — around an hour and a quarter, with fine views of the Indian Ocean and, on a clear day, Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro rising ahead. You land in Arusha mid-morning.
9:30 AM — Meet Your Guide & Drive to Tarangire Your guide and 4×4 meet you at the airport for a short briefing, then it’s a scenic drive of roughly two hours to the gates of Tarangire National Park.
Afternoon — Game Drive in Tarangire Explore Tarangire’s baobab-studded landscape and the wildlife-rich river, with a picnic lunch out in the park. This is elephant country — expect large herds, along with lion, giraffe, zebra, and superb birdlife.
Evening — Drive to the Lodge & Overnight As the day ends you climb into the cool highlands to your lodge near the Ngorongoro Crater. Settle in for dinner and a restful night before the crater awaits. Overnight in the highlands.
Day 2 — Ngorongoro Crater & Return Flight
6:00 AM — Early Breakfast & Descend into the Crater After an early start you drop some 600 metres down the crater wall onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, carrying a packed lunch for the day.
Morning — Game Drive on the Crater Floor Spend the heart of the day exploring this wildlife-packed basin, with a real chance of the Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo, and the endangered black rhino — plus flamingos on the soda lake, hippos, and dense plains game.
Midday — Picnic Lunch in the Crater Pause for lunch amid the extraordinary scenery of the crater floor, surrounded by the sights and sounds of one of Africa’s greatest wildlife arenas.
Afternoon — Ascend the Rim & Drive to Arusha Climb back up the crater wall and transfer to Arusha, watching for wildlife as the highlands give way to farmland and town.
Evening — Return Flight to Zanzibar & Hotel Transfer Board your flight from Arusha back to the island, landing in Zanzibar in the evening where your driver is waiting to transfer you to your hotel — your two-day beach-to-bush adventure complete.
Price
Includes
- Return flights between Zanzibar and Arusha
- 1 night accommodation in a highlands lodge near the crater (full board)
- 4X4 Safari Vehicles, all Tarangire park fees & Ngorongoro crater fees
- A professional driver/guide
- Picnic lunches, Medical Kit and Thermos with hot Tea/Coffee
- All ground transportations
- All game drives & activities
- All Taxes/VAT
Best Time to Visit Tarangire & Ngorongoro
The Ngorongoro Crater rewards visitors in every season thanks to its enclosed, water-rich floor, while Tarangire is at its most spectacular in the dry months. Game viewing across both parks is finest from June to October, when Tarangire's elephant herds and plains game crowd the river and the crater is dry underfoot. January and February are a good, drier break in the calendar. The long rains of March to May are the quietest, greenest months — Tarangire's wildlife disperses into the wider ecosystem, the crater rim turns cool and misty, and light-aircraft schedules are most likely to shift, so those months reward flexible dates.
Jan
Good
Feb
Good
Mar
Moderate
Apr
Moderate
May
Moderate
Jun
Excellent
Jul
Excellent
Aug
Excellent
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Good
Northern-circuit lodges and the light-aircraft seats are in high demand in peak season (June–October), so booking a few weeks ahead is the best way to secure both your date and preferred lodge near the crater.
What Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
- Light, breathable clothing in neutral tones (khaki, beige, olive)
- Warm layers — the Ngorongoro rim gets genuinely cold, morning and evening
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Camera with a zoom lens, plus binoculars
- Toiletries for one night, personal medications and a valid photo ID
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Book This Safari
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