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Serengeti Safari From Zanzibar - Compare 771 Tours

Going on a safari from Zanzibar to Serengeti National Park combines two of the best destinations anywhere in Africa in one trip. Zanzibar has that wonderfully exotic feel, with its world-class beaches, spice-laden sea breezes and the haunting call to prayer blowing through architecturally-rich Stone Town. The only thing Zanzibar doesn’t have is typical safari wildlife, which is where the Serengeti, one of my favorite parks in all of Africa, can add so much. The chance to see so many incredible animals after just a short flight from Zanzibar provides the makings for the trip of a lifetime.

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5 Questions About Serengeti Safaris From Zanzibar

 
 

5 Questions About Serengeti Safaris From Zanzibar

Answered by Anthony Ham

Can you fly to the Serengeti from Zanzibar?

“It certainly is possible to fly between Zanzibar and Serengeti National Park, and lots of travelers do it. Because it’s so popular, you’ll have lots of choice when it comes to operators and the affordable Serengeti and Zanzibar packages they offer. It’s worth knowing that most flights between the two destinations involve a stop (or a change of plane) in Arusha. Whether your tour does or doesn’t stop in Arusha, make sure you ask for a seat on the right-hand side of the plane when flying from Zanzibar to the Serengeti, and on the left-hand side flying back. This way you might get some extraordinary views of Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru and other northern Tanzanian peaks on the way. If you’re lucky, you might also get views of Ngorongoro Crater and the vast Serengeti savannahs. Be sure to watch for wildlife as your plane descends into the park.”

1

Which animals can I expect to see in the Serengeti?

“A big attraction of the Serengeti ecosystem is its annual world-famous great migration, which comprises around 2 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle. The exact dates of the migration change every year, but the wildebeest usually settle in the Southern Serengeti over December to April, with the calving season typically falling between January and mid-March. The wildebeest then head north through the park to the Western Corridor and Grumeti River around June and July, then continue to the Northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve in August or September, before starting the southward migration in October or November. Even if you’re not in the Serengeti during the migration, you can still expect to see lots of incredible wildlife. Big cats are commonly seen on a safari here, as are elephant and buffalo. There are rhinos in the park as well, so you could even see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), but the rhino can be hard to find. Other highlights include hippo, crocodile, spotted hyena, zebra, giraffe and so many other animals.”

2

Which area or areas of the Serengeti should I visit on my safari from Zanzibar to Serengeti?

“The Serengeti is such a vast park that tours here require careful planning when it comes to deciding where to go. If you’re mainly interested in the great migration, the choices are easier: visit the south in December to April, the west between June and July, and the north between August and September. At other times, it’s all about what kind of experience you’re looking for. The Southern Serengeti has iconic savannah landscapes, as well as the rocky outcrops known as koppies. Lion and cheetah sightings are generally among the many excellent wildlife possibilities. The Central Serengeti is the busiest area, but with good reason. There’s a really good chance you’ll see big cats, especially lions and leopards, as well as elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, spotted hyena and so much more. You can look forward to classic Serengeti landscapes with grasslands, acacia trees, rivers, woodlands and hills, too. It’s also relatively cheap when compared to the rest of the park. The Serengeti’s north sees far fewer visitors (except during the migration) and is good for big cats, elephants and more. The landscape up north has the usual Serengeti highlights, but with more hills than farther south.”

3

Can I combine flights from Zanzibar to Serengeti and onward to Mt Kilimanjaro or Arusha?

“It may be possible to combine all of these flights, but you will need to speak with your tour operator about the timing and connections. Most flights to and around northern Tanzania operate out of two airports. Kilimanjaro International Airport is located about halfway between Arusha and Moshi; Moshi is the gateway town for visiting Mt Kilimanjaro. The other airport is called Arusha Airport, which is on the western outskirts of Arusha. This is used mostly for the smaller planes that fly between Arusha and the airstrips in and around the national parks on Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit, including Serengeti. To make sure that you can combine flights to these destinations, you’ll need to consider which airport you need. For example, it may be possible to fly from Serengeti to Zanzibar via Arusha Airport, and from Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro International Airport (for Mt Kilimanjaro).”

4

Can I combine a Serengeti safari with a beach holiday on Zanzibar?

“Yes, going on safari in the Serengeti and enjoying Zanzibar’s beaches on the same trip is a wonderful thing to do. In fact, it’s a very popular combination offered by many tour operators in Arusha and Zanzibar. To make the most of your time, you will, of course, need to fly between the two, probably via Arusha. The main questions to consider when planning are the order in which you travel (most travelers go on safari first and then to the beach, although either way is possible), and how long you wish to spend in each place. You might also want to visit other safari destinations, such as Ngorongoro Crater, or Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, as well as the Serengeti. Whatever you choose, there will likely be a tour to suit.”

5

Serengeti Safari Reviews

4.9/5 570 Reviews
Expert
Kim Wildman  –  
Australia AU

Kim is a travel writer who authored and updated over 15 guidebooks, including Lonely Planet's South Africa and Bradt's Tanzania guides.

The greatest (natural) show on earth
5/5

One of the best game reserves in the world, the Serengeti is without a doubt my all-time favourite game park. The Serengeti is one of those places that had long lived in my imagination, before I’d even laid eyes on it. Happily, it more...

Full Review

Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Plains of Plenty
5/5

This world-famous reserve is probably my favourite safari destination anywhere in Africa. Although it is not scenic in the conventional manner of, say, the nearby Ngorongoro Crater, the flat grassy plains of the Serengeti – studded with...

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Cagla  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Feb 11, 2026
5/5

Serengeti was honestly one of the most surreal places I’ve ever been. The landscape feels endless and every game drive felt like something incredible was about to happen. We saw elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs — and even a leopard...

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Sabrina Stella Marchesin  –  
Italy IT
Reviewed: Dec 23, 2025
5/5

The biggest and most important Park in Tanzania, we saw cheetas, lions, leopard and much more animals (and yes, I cried because of so much beauty).
We had a great time there and our stay has been amazing too.

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Dineia Pereira  –  
Portugal PT
Reviewed: Dec 5, 2025
5/5

Serengeti is the ultimate safari destination! The vast plains, incredible sunsets, and the chance to witness the Great Migration make it truly special. Wildlife sightings are abundant, and the feeling of being in such an expansive,...

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Harriet  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Aug 27, 2025
5/5

There are so many amazing animals to see in the Serengeti. We had considered a shorter safari that didn't go here and were glad we changed our minds and went. The Serengeti is renowned for good reason!

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