2-Day Zanzibar to Ngorongoro & Tarangire Luxury Safari

The shortest possible safari from your Zanzibar beach.

Duration

2 Days

From

$1,050 pp

Style

Private journey

Overview

Just two days, fly Zanzibar to Arusha, do a luxury Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater day, and back. The ultimate beach add-on.

Highlights

  • Tarangire and Ngorongoro
  • Luxury crater rim lodge
  • Direct Zanzibar flights
  • Maximum efficiency

Day-by-day itinerary

Sample programme. Every journey is private and can be paced or extended to suit you.

Zanzibar Coast

Day 1 · Zanzibar Coast

Zanzibar to Tarangire National Park

Your driver will pick you up from your Zanzibar hotel, with pick-ups starting at 5:00 am, depending on your location. You’ll then head to the airport for a flight to Arusha, which is expected to land around 9:20 am. Upon arrival at Arusha Airport, your guide will be there to welcome you. From Arusha, embark on a 2-hour drive to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its expansive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, among the largest on the continent. Traveling in an open-roof vehicle, you’ll immerse yourself in the park’s diverse landscape, which includes seasonal swamps, sweeping savanna, and the lively Tarangire River, home to a rich variety of wildlife. The park offers a captivating variety of wildlife, including birds, giraffes, impalas, zebras, lions, leopards, elands, warthogs, and elephants. As the day ends, you’ll head to your lodge for a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay. Overnight at Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge • Luxury lodge located near Karatu (Town).

After the dust of the safari, Zanzibar is balm: white sand, palm shadows and the Indian Ocean turning seven shades of turquoise. You arrive on the short flight from the mainland and are met at Abeid Amani Karume Airport for the drive to your beach hotel.

Days are yours to design. Snorkel the Mnemba Atoll, sail a traditional dhow at sunset, swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or simply do nothing under a coconut palm. Our local representative is on call for whatever you want to add.

Breakfast, Dinner (lunch on activities)

Today's plan

  • Snorkelling at the Mnemba Atoll
  • Sunset dhow cruise with grilled seafood
  • Spice farm tour and Swahili cooking class
  • Dolphin swim at Kizimkazi (optional)

Where you sleep tonight

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge

Highland lodge near Ngorongoro

Spacious highland lodge with sweeping views, full-board dining and a fireplace lounge — perfectly placed for an early crater descent.

Zanzibar Coast

Day 2 · Zanzibar Coast

Ngorongoro Crater to Zanzibar

Prepare for an early start at 5:00 am as you embark on a journey to the crater, bringing along your packed breakfast and lunch. This stunning location is home to a diverse range of East African wildlife, including the elusive black rhino – with a touch of luck, you might spot one. Covering approximately 20km in diameter, you’ll dedicate around 5 hours to exploring its captivating landscapes. Following this unforgettable adventure, it’s time to head back to Arusha Airport for your return flight to Zanzibar.

After the dust of the safari, Zanzibar is balm: white sand, palm shadows and the Indian Ocean turning seven shades of turquoise. You arrive on the short flight from the mainland and are met at Abeid Amani Karume Airport for the drive to your beach hotel.

Days are yours to design. Snorkel the Mnemba Atoll, sail a traditional dhow at sunset, swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi, take a spice tour or simply do nothing under a coconut palm. Our local representative is on call for whatever you want to add.

Breakfast, Dinner (lunch on activities)

Today's plan

  • Snorkelling at the Mnemba Atoll
  • Sunset dhow cruise with grilled seafood
  • Spice farm tour and Swahili cooking class
  • Dolphin swim at Kizimkazi (optional)

Route map

2-Day Zanzibar to Ngorongoro & Tarangire Luxury Safari, route

  1. 1Ngorongoro
  2. 2Tarangire
  3. 3Zanzibar

What makes this trip special

Private journey

Your own vehicle, guide and pace, no shared safari.

Local expertise

Designed and led by Tanzanians who grew up beside these parks.

Photo-friendly

Pop-top vehicles, beanbags on request and unrushed stops at every sighting.

Good to know

Everything you need to plan, pack and travel with confidence.

Best time to travel

June to October and December to February are dry, hot and ideal for the beach. April to May is the long rains. The island is humid year-round, with sea temperatures between 26°C and 29°C.

Group size

Anything from a honeymoon couple to a family of eight. Beach hotels, boutique villas and private island options all available.

Physical rating

Easy. Beach and boat days with optional snorkelling, diving and water sports.

Getting there

Fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) on Zanzibar Island, either directly from Europe and the Middle East or via a short hop from Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

Visa & entry

USD 50 single-entry e-visa for most nationalities, applied for online at eservices.immigration.go.tz at least two weeks before travel. US passport holders need the USD 100 multiple-entry visa.

Currency & payments

US dollars (post-2009 bills only) are widely accepted; Tanzanian shillings for small purchases. Major lodges accept Visa and Mastercard but a small surcharge may apply.

Electricity

230 V, UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G). Most camps have charging in the main area; bring a universal adapter.

Connectivity

4G coverage across Arusha and Zanzibar, intermittent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Most lodges have Wi-Fi in the main lounge. A local Vodacom or Airtel SIM is cheap and easy to buy at the airport.

Tipping guidance

A guideline, not an obligation. Around USD 25 per guest per day for your driver-guide and USD 10 per day for lodge staff (collective tip box). On Kilimanjaro, USD 20 to 25 per climber per day for the crew is standard.

Responsible travel

We are a Tanzanian-owned company and 100% of our guides, cooks and office staff are Tanzanian. Park fees flow directly to TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Our camps follow leave-no-trace principles and we offset every vehicle kilometre through a verified East African reforestation program.

Booking & cancellation

A 20% deposit confirms your dates. Balance due 60 days before travel. If you need to cancel, you receive a credit note for the full amount paid, valid 2 years to rebook — subject to individual accommodation policies which may differ.

What to pack

  • Light cotton and linen, swimwear, reef shoes
  • Modest clothing for Stone Town (shoulders and knees covered, especially Fridays)
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (mandatory in the Mnemba Atoll)
  • Mosquito repellent for evenings
  • A waterproof phone pouch for boat trips

Health & safety

  • Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from a yellow fever country
  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended, consult your travel clinic
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory
  • Tap water is not potable, we provide unlimited bottled water in the vehicle

Photography

  • Pop-up roof and beanbags supplied on every vehicle
  • Bring at least a 100-400 mm zoom; a wide angle for landscapes
  • Extra memory cards and a charger that fits the 220 V UK-style plug
  • Drones are prohibited inside national parks without a written permit

Pricing, per person

Rates in USD, sharing twin/double accommodation. Final quote depends on chosen lodges and exact dates.

2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
$1,300$1,200$1,150$1,100$1,050

Single supplement applies for solo travellers. "—" means group size not offered for this itinerary.

What's included

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • All park & conservation fees
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals on safari (B/L/D)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • Airport transfers
  • Internal flights
  • Luxury lodge

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania entry visa (USD 50)
  • Travel & medical insurance
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Optional activities (balloon, walking safari)

Frequently asked

When is the best time to go?+

June–October for classic game viewing; January–March for the calving season in southern Serengeti; July–October for the Mara River crossings.

Is it safe?+

Yes, our vehicles are radio-equipped, our guides are licensed, and we operate only in well-managed parks. We've been doing this for over a decade with zero incidents.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Absolutely. Every tour is private and tailor-made, extend a day, add a balloon flight, or combine with Zanzibar.

Suggested reading

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