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Fly-In Safari
Zanzibar ยท Northern Circuit Fly-In Safaris

Beach to Bush In Hours, Not Days

Board a scenic light aircraft in Zanzibar and touch down among the plains, craters and elephant herds of Tanzania's Northern Circuit the very same day. No long road transfers, just a swift, breathtaking hop from the Indian Ocean to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Serval Wildlife Area, depending on your chosen package.

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2-8
Days Duration
7
Fly-In Itineraries
~2 hrs
Zanzibar to Northern Circuit
Big 5
All Species
Light aircraft flying safari over the Tanzania Northern Circuit
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Direct Fly-In Safaris
Fly-In Overview

Zanzibar to the Northern Circuit

A flying safari is the fastest and most scenic way to pair a Zanzibar beach holiday with the wildlife spectacle of mainland Tanzania. Instead of a long day on the road, a short scheduled flight lifts you off the island and sets you down on a bush airstrip close to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire or the Serval Wildlife Area, ready for your first game drive within hours.

Every itinerary below starts and ends in Zanzibar, so you can bookend your safari with as many beach days as you like. Whether you have two days to spare or a full week, we've built a fly-in package around it. All routes and camps can be tailored to your dates, budget and interests.

Scenic Light-Aircraft Hops
Skip the 8-10 hour road transfer with a short scheduled flight from Zanzibar
Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Big cats, the Great Migration and the world-famous crater floor
Tarangire Elephants
Africa's largest elephant herds beneath ancient baobab trees
Combine With the Beach
Start and end every safari on the white sands of Zanzibar
Serengeti Endless Plains & Big Cats
Ngorongoro World Heritage Crater Floor
Tarangire Elephant Herds & Baobabs
Serval Wildlife Area Untouched Bush Close to Arusha
Zanzibar White Sand Beaches & Turquoise Waters
Serengeti Endless Plains & Big Cats
Ngorongoro World Heritage Crater Floor
Where You'll Land

Four Destinations, One Short Flight

Depending on the package you choose, your bush plane touches down at an airstrip serving one or more of these Northern Circuit destinations.

Serengeti National Park fly-in safari
Northern Circuit ยท Flagship Park
Serengeti
National Park
Home of the Great Migration and the world's highest concentration of predators
Ngorongoro Crater fly-in safari
Northern Circuit
Ngorongoro Crater
A natural Eden, 25,000 animals within a single ancient caldera
Tarangire National Park fly-in safari
Northern Circuit
Tarangire
Africa's largest elephant herds among ancient baobab trees
Serval Wildlife Area fly-in safari
Northern Circuit
Serval Wildlife Area
A quiet, uncrowded reserve close to Arusha, ideal for short fly-in stays
Zanzibar Departure
Serengeti Lion
Tarangire Elephant
Wildebeest Migration
Ngorongoro Black Rhino
Serval Cat Sighting
Serengeti Leopard
Zanzibar Sunset
Cheetah Sprints
Zanzibar Departure
Serengeti Lion
Tarangire Elephant
Wildebeest Migration
Ngorongoro Black Rhino
Serval Cat Sighting
Serengeti Leopard
Zanzibar Sunset
Cheetah Sprints
Our Fly-In Tours

Zanzibar Flying Safari Packages

Every itinerary is bespoke. These packages are starting points. We tailor flight times, camps and pacing to your dates, budget and wishes.

6-Day Flying Safari from Zanzibar
Full Northern Circuit
6-Day Flying Safari from Zanzibar

Fly from Zanzibar into the heart of the Northern Circuit for a complete six-day exploration. Covers the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire with unhurried time in each park before flying back to the island.

Duration
6 Days
Departs From
Zanzibar
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5-Day Great Migration Flying Safari from Zanzibar
Great Migration Focus
5-Day Great Migration Flying Safari from Zanzibar

A five-day fly-in safari timed for the Great Migration. Fly directly from Zanzibar to the Serengeti for prime access to the herds, with the Ngorongoro Crater included before your return flight to the coast.

Duration
5 Days
Focus
Great Migration
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2-Day Serval Wildlife and Tarangire Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar
Short on Time
2-Day Serval Wildlife & Tarangire Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar

A quick, scenic escape from the beach. Fly from Zanzibar for two days of game drives across the Serval Wildlife Area and Tarangire's elephant herds and baobab-studded landscapes, then return to the island by air.

Duration
2 Days
Parks
Serval & Tarangire
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3-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar
Serengeti Specialist
3-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar

A focused three-day introduction to the Serengeti. Fly straight from Zanzibar into the heart of the plains for back-to-back game drives among lion prides, big herds and, in season, the Great Migration.

Duration
3 Days
Focus
Serengeti
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4-Day Serengeti Flying Safari from Zanzibar
Most Popular
4-Day Serengeti Flying Safari from Zanzibar

Four days built around the Serengeti's finest game viewing, with the option to add the Ngorongoro Crater. A balanced fly-in itinerary for travellers who want depth without giving up too many beach days.

Duration
4 Days
Focus
Serengeti
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5-Day Serengeti Flying Safari from Zanzibar
Extended Serengeti
5-Day Serengeti Flying Safari from Zanzibar

An extended five-day fly-in safari giving you extra time across the Serengeti's varied habitats, plus a full morning descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, before flying back to Zanzibar's beaches.

Duration
5 Days
Parks
Serengeti & Ngorongoro
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8-Day Flying Safari from Zanzibar
Ultimate Fly-In Journey
8-Day Flying Safari from Zanzibar

Our most complete fly-in itinerary. Eight unhurried days across the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, with multiple nights in each park, all reached by scenic light-aircraft flights to and from Zanzibar.

Duration
8 Days
Parks
3 Parks
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The Haven Trails Way

What Makes Our Zanzibar
Flying Safaris Different

Seamless Flight Booking
We handle every scheduled flight from Zanzibar to the Northern Circuit airstrips, so you simply show up with your bags packed.
More Time, Less Transit
A road transfer can eat a full day. Our flights get you into the bush in under two hours, leaving more time for game drives.
Built to Pair With Zanzibar
Every itinerary starts and ends on the island, so you can bolt on as many beach days before or after as you'd like.
Private Guides on Arrival
Your private vehicle and guide meet every flight at the airstrip. No shared transfers, no waiting around.
Boutique Airstrip Camps
We select camps and lodges close to each airstrip, cutting drive times further while keeping you deep in the wilderness.
Fully Bespoke Scheduling
Flight times, park combinations and camp levels are all built around your travel dates, budget and interests.
Seasonal Guide

The Best Time to Fly to the Northern Circuit

Flights from Zanzibar to the Northern Circuit run year-round, and each season offers a different kind of wildlife viewing. Here's how each one plays out.

Jan Feb
Calving Season
Short rains end, wildebeest calving on the southern Serengeti plains. Excellent predator action and fewer crowds, easy skies for flying.
Mar May
Green Season
Long rains, lush landscapes and exceptional birdlife. Fewer tourists and lower prices, though some flights may see brief weather delays.
Jun Jul
Peak Season
Dry season begins with clear flying conditions. The Migration moves north toward the Grumeti River crossings. Outstanding big cat sightings.
Aug Oct
Peak Season
The famous Mara River crossings and the Migration's most dramatic chapter. Flight schedules run at their busiest, so book well in advance.
Nov
Short Rains
Brief showers refresh the landscape. Bird life peaks and the Migration returns south. Uncrowded flights and good value.
Dec
Festive Season
Dramatic skies over lush vegetation as calving season approaches. Popular with holiday travellers combining Zanzibar and the bush, book early.
FAQ

Zanzibar Flying Safari
Questions

Everything travellers ask about combining Zanzibar with a fly-in safari to Tanzania's Northern Circuit.

Scheduled light-aircraft flights from Zanzibar to airstrips serving the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Serval Wildlife Area typically take between one and two hours, often with a short stop en route. It's a scenic journey that saves a full day of road travel.

It isn't required, but most guests do. Since every fly-in safari starts and ends in Zanzibar, it's easy to bolt on a few extra nights on the island before or after your safari. We can arrange beach accommodation as part of the same booking.

The 2-Day Serval Wildlife & Tarangire Fly-In Safari is our shortest option and works well if you only have a couple of spare days. For a fuller Northern Circuit experience, the 5 to 8-day packages give you time in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater as well.

Yes, light aircraft have soft-sided baggage limits, usually around 15kg per person including hand luggage. We'll send exact allowances once your flight is confirmed and can arrange bag storage in Zanzibar for anything you don't need on safari.

Yes. Our 5-Day Great Migration Flying Safari from Zanzibar is timed specifically for this, flying you directly into the Serengeti region where the herds are gathered during your travel dates. We track the Migration's movement and adjust routing accordingly.

All packages include scheduled flights from Zanzibar, park entrance fees, accommodation, meals, private game drives, a dedicated guide and airstrip transfers. International flights to Zanzibar are not included. A full inclusions list comes with every tailored itinerary.