From Zanzibar to the Serengeti: safari experiences between beach days
From Zanzibar to a safari across Tanzania
A safari from Zanzibar begins with a two-to-three-hour flight to mainland Tanzania. The major national parks and Mount Kilimanjaro are served daily by flights from Zanzibar. During a safari excursion, you can spot the so-called “Big Five”: elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and with a bit of luck, even rhinos. From July to October, these animals migrate to the northern Serengeti. Alongside jeep safaris, walking tours and hot-air balloon rides across the savannah are also available.
A day in the Selous Game Reserve
The fastest route to a safari from Zanzibar is a day trip to the Selous Game Reserve – this park is just a short flight away and ranks among Africa’s largest game reserves. The area is traversed by the Rufiji River and is home to over 350 bird and reptile species, as well as a vast array of plant life. When you book a tour, an experienced guide accompanies your safari through the reserve’s pristine wilderness.
From Zanzibar to Arusha: a two-day Serengeti safari
From Zanzibar, a short flight takes you to the city of Arusha: the starting and ending point of a two-day safari through the Serengeti. The drive leads through Maasai villages and small towns into the vast savannahs of northern Tanzania. Tarangire National Park, famed for its elephant herds, is featured on most itineraries, alongside Lake Manyara National Park, whose waters attract huge flocks of flamingos, cormorants and pelicans.
Along the Rufiji River through Nyerere National Park
A three-day safari tour leads from Zanzibar into Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries. It includes a game drive, a bush walk and a boat safari along the Rufiji River. Taking a break from your stay in Zanzibar for a safari on mainland Tanzania allows you to observe elephants, hippos and buffalo in their natural habitat. Finally, the village of Moka offers authentic insights into Maasai culture.
From Zanzibar to the Amazing Tanzania safari
By plane, the flight from Zanzibar to the city of Arusha is just one hour. That is where the five-day Amazing Tanzania safari through the country’s game parks begins. First, a game drive leads through Tarangire National Park, renowned for its elephant herds. The following night is spent in Karatu, near the Ngorongoro Crater. The next day, the safari group explores the crater floor, with the journey culminating in a drive across the Serengeti.
Sky above the savannah: a safari through Tanzania’s Serengeti
Things reach new heights on the three-day tour to Serengeti National Park. The safari excursion starts with a hotel pick-up in Zanzibar, followed by a transfer to the airport. Once in Serengeti National Park, a game drive leads through acacia woodlands and open savannah. On Day 2, you can experience the national park from above on a hot-air balloon flight, taking in sweeping views of zebra and antelope herds. On Day 3, the safari concludes with a return journey to Zanzibar.
Experiencing wildlife migration at the Mara River
The multi-day “Mara River Crossing Safari” takes you right into the heart of the Great Migration: the monumental wildlife movement across Tanzania. Upon arrival in Arusha, the journey continues to Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, complete with a visit to a Maasai village. In the northern Serengeti, the ultimate highlight awaits: thousands of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River. The return route passes back through Ngorongoro to Karatu, featuring a stop at Lake Eyasi and visits with indigenous tribes.
Wildebeest Calving Safari: from Zanzibar to Tarangire Park
The 6-day “Wildebeest Calving Safari” allows you to experience wildebeest calving in Tanzania. A flight from Zanzibar brings you to Arusha, followed by a drive to Tarangire National Park. From there, the tour sets off across the Serengeti to the Ndutu Plains, where wildebeest give birth to their young in January and February: an event that also draws in predators. Further tour highlights include a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions and a picnic by the hippo pool.
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