2-Day Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar — Tarangire & Manyara or Nyerere
Safari from $750 + flights
The Shortest Safari That Still Feels Like One
Fly In from Zanzibar
A morning flight, then a game drive the same day
Tarangire Elephants
Large herds among baobab trees
Lake Manyara
Tree-climbing lions and flamingos
Or Nyerere by Air
Game drives and the Rufiji River in the south
One Night in the Bush
A lodge or tented camp near the park
One Booking
Flights, park fees, guide and lodge arranged together
2-Day Safari from Zanzibar — How the Price Works
Safari Price Plus Flights from Zanzibar
| Option | Safari price per person (from Arusha) | Flights from Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| Tarangire & Lake Manyara | From $750 | Quoted for your dates |
| Nyerere fly-in | On request | Quoted for your dates |
Safari prices are per person and start from Arusha. We add the return flights from Zanzibar and send one total price for your dates and group size.
How a 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar Works
A 2-day safari from Zanzibar is the shortest trip that still feels like a real safari. You fly to the mainland in the morning, spend the afternoon on a game drive, sleep near the park and have a second game drive before flying back to the island. It suits travellers on a Zanzibar beach holiday who have only two days to spare.
There are two good options. In the north, fly to Arusha for Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephant herds and baobab trees, and Lake Manyara, with its tree-climbing lions and flamingos. In the south, fly to Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous) for game drives and a boat safari on the Rufiji River. The northern safari is based on our 2-day Tarangire and Lake Manyara safari, priced from $750 per person from Arusha; we add the flights from Zanzibar and quote the total for your dates.
Be realistic about two days: travel takes a good part of each day. If you can add a third day, our 3-day safari from Zanzibar gives you a full day in the park.
| Departure | Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) |
| Duration | 2 days, 1 night |
| Parks | Tarangire & Lake Manyara, or Nyerere |
| Transport | Scheduled flights and a 4x4 safari vehicle |
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Option 1: Tarangire and Lake Manyara in 2 Days
Based on our 2-day Tarangire and Lake Manyara safari, with flights from Zanzibar. Flight times change with the season; we confirm them when you book.
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Day 1Fly to Arusha · Afternoon in Tarangire
Take a morning flight from Zanzibar to Arusha (about 1–1.5 hours). Your guide meets you and drives to Tarangire National Park (about 2–3 hours) for an afternoon game drive among elephant herds and baobab trees. Night at a lodge or tented camp near the park.
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Day 2Lake Manyara · Fly Back to Zanzibar
A morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park for its tree-climbing lions, baboons and flamingo-lined shore, then the drive back to Arusha and your flight to Zanzibar.
Option 2: Nyerere National Park in 2 Days
The shortest flight from Zanzibar and the most time in the park.
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Day 1Fly to Nyerere · Afternoon Game Drive
Fly from Zanzibar to a Nyerere airstrip (about 45–75 minutes, depending on routing). Your guide meets you at the airstrip for an afternoon game drive in elephant and lion country along the Rufiji River. Night at a camp in the park.
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Day 2Morning Drive or Boat Safari · Fly Back
An early game drive or a boat safari on the Rufiji River among hippos and crocodiles, then the flight back to Zanzibar, usually in time for the afternoon on the beach.
Which Parks Are Best for a 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar?
For two days, choose a park that is close to an airstrip, so you spend more time watching wildlife than travelling.
| Park | From Zanzibar | Why it works for 2 days | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyerere (Selous) | Flight to a park airstrip, about 45–75 minutes | Least travel; game drives plus a river boat safari | No rhino |
| Tarangire & Lake Manyara | Flight to Arusha, then about 2–3 hours by road | Two very different parks; huge elephant herds | More time in the vehicle on the road |
| Ngorongoro Crater | Flight to Arusha, then about 3–4 hours by road | Big Five in one crater | Long transfers; better with 3 days or more |
| Serengeti | Flight of about 2 hours or more | The most famous park | Too far for 2 days; choose 4–5 days |
Our guide to how many days you need for a safari from Zanzibar explains every length from one day to ten.
What Should You Pack?
Bush flights allow about 15 kg per person in a soft bag, so pack light and leave your beach luggage in Zanzibar.
- Neutral-coloured clothing in layers: mornings and evenings can be cold, especially on the Ngorongoro rim
- A warm fleece or jacket and a hat for early game drives
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Any personal medication, plus copies of your passport and insurance
The full list is in our guide to planning a safari from Zanzibar.
When Is the Best Time to Go?
The dry season from June to October gives the most reliable wildlife viewing in both Tarangire and Nyerere. Tarangire is at its best late in the dry season, when elephants gather along the river.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June – October | Dry season: the most reliable wildlife viewing in every park; the busiest and most expensive months |
| November – December | Short rains; green scenery and fewer visitors |
| January – February | Calving season in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu), with peak predator activity; good value |
| March – May | Long rains, heaviest in April and May; the lowest prices, and some camps close |
See the best time for a Tanzania safari and our safari cost guide for how the season affects prices.
Compare Our Safaris from Zanzibar
All of our safaris from Zanzibar start and end on the island, with flights, park fees and your guide arranged in one booking. Choose by the time you have and the parks you want to see.
| Safari | Parks | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar (this page) | Tarangire & Lake Manyara, or Nyerere | Safari from $750 + flights |
| 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar | Nyerere, or Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Manyara | From $1,200, flights included |
| 4-Day Safari from Zanzibar | Tarangire, Manyara & Ngorongoro, or Ngorongoro & Serengeti | Safari from $1,300 + flights |
| 5-Day Safari from Zanzibar | Northern circuit incl. Serengeti, or Serengeti migration | Safari from $1,450 + flights |
Still deciding? Read how many days you need, what a safari from Zanzibar costs and how the flights work, or see every option on our safaris from Zanzibar page.
Questions About a 2-Day Safari from Zanzibar
Yes, if two days is all you have. You get two game drives and a night in the bush. Travel takes up part of each day, so if you can add a third day, a 3-day safari gives you a full day in the park.
Nyerere is best for the least travel, with a short flight and a river boat safari. Tarangire and Lake Manyara, reached via Arusha, offer two different parks and huge elephant herds. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are better with more days.
Our 2-day Tarangire and Lake Manyara safari costs from $750 per person from Arusha. Return flights from Zanzibar are added and quoted for your dates. See our safari cost guide.
Only to Nyerere or Saadani, as a fly-in day with an early start. For anywhere further, two days or more is far better.
About 1–1.5 hours to Arusha for the northern parks, and about 45–75 minutes to a Nyerere airstrip.
Most scheduled safari flights allow 15 kg per person in total, including hand luggage, in a soft-sided bag; some airlines allow 20 kg. Leave your main suitcase at your Zanzibar hotel. See our guide to flights from Zanzibar to the safari parks.
No. Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania share one visa, so the visa you entered with covers the safari. Zanzibar also requires visitors to hold its mandatory travel insurance. Our planning guide covers entry rules and packing.
Our safaris are private: your group has its own guide and vehicle. Shared-vehicle departures cost less; ask us if you would like one.
Yes. Most guests fly out from their beach hotel and return to it. See our Zanzibar packages and our 7-day Zanzibar itinerary.
Cancellations made more than 7 days before the start date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days may incur a partial fee, depending on bookings already made on your behalf, such as flights and camps. We recommend travel insurance.