Tanzania Fly-In & Fly-Out Safari (From Zanzibar, Arusha & Dar es Salaam)
A Tanzania Fly-In & Fly-Out Safari with Travel Wise Safari is the simplest way to see more wildlife in less time: you take short, scenic bush flights on light aircraft that land right by the parks—so you skip long road hours and head straight into game viewing. Start from Zanzibar, Arusha, Kilimanjaro (JRO), or Dar es Salaam (DAR) and touch down at bush airstrips such as Seronera, Kogatende, Ndutu (Serengeti), Manyara, Tarangire, Msembe (Ruaha), and Nyerere/Selous.
Your guide meets you on the runway for a quick 10–60 minute airstrip-to-lodge transfer in a private 4×4 with a pop-up roof, seatbelts, charging points, and chilled water—often doubling as your first mini game drive. Days are paced for comfort with flexible game-drive times, plenty of photo/refreshment stops, and family-friendly lodges (family tents or inter-leading rooms, pools, kids’ menus, early dinners; child seats/boosters on request).
Choose experiences like witnessing the Great Migration in Serengeti, descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, boating the Rufiji River in Nyerere/Selous, or meeting Tarangire’s elephant herds and baobabs, with Ruaha offering wild, crowd-free predator country. We handle flights, transfers, guiding, park fees, and lodging—you fly in, safari, and fly out—and we can store extra bags in Zanzibar/Arusha if needed (soft-bag limits apply on bush flights).
If you’re searching for a seamless tanzania flying and out safari, this is it: easy, comfortable, and focused on maximizing time with wildlife.
Safari by Air in Tanzania at Glance : Pictures
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Sample Fly-In Itineraries (2–7 Days)
2 Days — Tarangire & Ngorongoro (from ZNZ/ARK/JRO)
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Day 1: Fly in, Tarangire game drive (elephants/baobabs); overnight near park or Karatu
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Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater descent; afternoon flight out
3 Days — Central Serengeti Big Cats (from ZNZ/ARK/JRO)
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Day 1: Fly to Seronera, PM game drive
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Full day Serengeti (resident predators; panoramic plains)Day 2:
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Day 3: Sunrise drive; fly out
4–5 Days — Northern Circuit Highlights
Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti (Seronera or Ndutu/Kogatende season-dependent); fly in/out to reduce transit
6–7 Days — Great Migration Focus
Split time between Central (Seronera) and Northern Serengeti (Kogatende/Lamai) to target river crossings; add a balloon flight
3–4 Days — Southern Circuit (from ZNZ/DAR)
Ruaha (Msembe) for big cats or Nyerere for Rufiji River boat safaris + game drives; easy hop back to Zanzibar/Dar
Tanzania Fly-in and Out Safari s Itineraries
Overview: Luxury Fly-In Safaris Across Northern & Southern Tanzania
Trade long road transfers for short, scenic flights that land you close to the wildlife action. Travel Wise Safari connects you to Tanzania’s top parks—Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ruaha, and Nyerere/Selous—so you spend more time on game drives and less time traveling. Expect private 4×4 pop-up-roof vehicles, expert driver-guides, and handpicked lodges or tented camps, all coordinated for a seamless, high-comfort experience.
Start Points & Flight Options: Zanzibar (ZNZ), Arusha (ARK), Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Begin your journey from Zanzibar, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, or Dar es Salaam on scheduled light aircraft. Typical routes include:
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Zanzibar → Serengeti (Seronera/Kogatende/Ndutu)
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Zanzibar/Arusha → Manyara/Tarangire
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Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar → Ruaha (Msembe) or Nyerere (Airstrips in Selous)
We confirm the most efficient routing for your dates and park choices, balancing flight time, cost, and connection reliability.
Top Parks by Air: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ruaha & Nyerere/Selous
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Serengeti National Park: Big cats year-round; Great Migration access via Seronera (central), Kogatende (north), or Ndutu (south).
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Ngorongoro Crater: High wildlife density; excellent chances for the Big Five on a single crater descent.
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Tarangire: Famous for elephant herds and baobab landscapes; great from June–Oct.
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Lake Manyara: Tree-climbing lions (seasonal), flamingos, forests, and hot springs.
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Ruaha: Southern Circuit gem—rugged scenery, large lion prides, and fewer vehicles.
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Nyerere/Selous: Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking options, and diverse habitats.
Great Migration by Air: Seronera, Kogatende & Ndutu Seasons
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Dec–Mar (Ndutu Area): Calving season on the Serengeti/NCA plains.
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Apr–Jun (Central/Western): Herds move through Seronera and towards the Grumeti.
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Jul–Oct (Northern Serengeti): Mara River crossings near Kogatende/Lamai.
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Nov (Short Rains): Herds return south via central Serengeti.
We position you near the herds using the correct airstrips for your dates to maximize sightings.
Smooth, Short Transfers: Bush Airstrips to Lodges (10–60 Minutes)
Touch down at a bush airstrip and step into your private 4×4. Most lodges are 10–60 minutes away on scenic tracks, minimising bumpy road time. Vehicles include seatbelts, charging ports, a cooler with water, and large windows for unobstructed viewing.
Family-Friendly Safaris: Comfort, Child Seats & Kid-Approved Lodges
Fly-ins are ideal for families with kids. We plan short transfers, flexible game-drive times, frequent rest stops, and midday breaks at camp. Child seats/boosters are available on request. Many partner lodges offer family tents/connecting rooms, pools, kids’ menus, early dinners, and fun junior-ranger activities (varies by lodge).
What’s Included: Flights, Private 4×4, Transfers & Park Fees
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Scheduled light aircraft flights between parks and gateway cities
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Airport meet-and-greet, all ground transfers and assistance
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Private 4×4 pop-up-roof safari vehicle & professional driver-guide
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Park fees, conservation fees, and game drives as per the itinerary
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Full-board accommodation (or as specified)
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Drinking water in the vehicle
Optional: premium drinks, hot-air ballooning, walking/boat safaris (where permitted), and city/historic tours.
Luggage & Storage: Soft-Bag Limits (15–23 kg) + Secure Bag Storage
Light aircraft typically allow 15–23 kg per person in soft bags (exact limit depends on route/airline). Hard suitcases don’t fit small holds. We offer secure bag storage in Zanzibar or Arusha if you’re continuing a beach stay or carrying extra items.
Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights
Year-round: Serengeti and Ngorongoro deliver consistent game viewing; fly-ins keep logistics smooth in any season.
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Dry Season (Jun–Oct): Peak visibility; Tarangire elephants, Northern Serengeti crossings, Ruaha predators
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Green Season (Nov–Mar): Lush backdrops, superb birding; Ndutu calving (Dec–Mar) with intense predator interaction
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Shoulder (Apr–May): Value rates at many properties; dramatic skies and fewer vehicles
We’ll align parks and airstrips to your month for best sightings.
Accommodation: Luxury Lodges & Tented Camps
Your stay shapes the experience. We curate for location, guiding, and comfort.
Styles
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Luxury tented camps: Close to migration corridors; intimate, immersive feel
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Safari lodges: Solid builds, pools/spas, family units, kids’ facilities
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Boutique properties: Fewer rooms, personalized hosting, chef-driven menus
Selection criteria
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Distance from airstrip & key wildlife zones
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Quality of guiding and vehicles
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Family options (inter-leading rooms, child policies)
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Sustainability and community footprint
Add-Ons from Zanzibar: Stone Town, Prison Island, Jozani & Spice Tour
Make your trip a beach-to-bush-to-beach celebration.
Popular add-ons
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Stone Town walking tour (2–3h): History, architecture, markets
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Prison Island & snorkeling (½ day): Giant tortoises + reef time
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Jozani Forest (2–3h): Red colobus monkeys; mangrove boardwalk
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Spice Farm (2–3h): Clove, cinnamon, vanilla tastings
We time these around your ZNZ flight and hotel location (Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Paje).
Request a Custom Quote (Fast Response)
Tell us your travel dates, group size, preferred parks, starting point (Zanzibar / Arusha / JRO / DAR), and lodging style (tented camp vs luxury lodge). We’ll craft the smartest flight routing, select child-friendly or honeymoon-perfect camps, and set a smooth daily pace with short airstrip-to-lodge drives so you get maximum wildlife, minimum hassle. Get your tailored Fly-In Safari plan now with Travel Wise Safari.
Why Choose Travel Wise Safari for Your Air safari in Tanzania?
Flying over the African bush saves both time and energy. Instead of spending hours driving between parks and lodges, you can reach your destination in a fraction of the time. This allows you to spend more time exploring, relaxing, and enjoying the incredible wildlife. It’s an efficient and adventurous way to experience the stunning beauty of Tanzania.
Flying safaris offer a unique perspective on the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Unlike traditional game drives, these flights enable you to cover vast distances quickly while providing an aerial view of the country’s most iconic sights. This is the ideal way to explore remote areas like the Serengeti, Maasai Mara, or Ngorongoro Crater, where ground travel would take significantly longer.
You May Have a Stop… or Perhaps Not!
Flying in the bush of Africa introduces an element of unpredictability. While you might enjoy a non-stop flight to your safari location, there’s also the possibility that you’ll land at several airstrips along the journey. The flight paths are optimized for efficiency, frequently making stops to either drop off or pick up additional passengers.
These unexpected breaks can enhance your adventure, offering you views of secluded airstrips and local scenery that you may not have encountered otherwise. Regardless of whether your trip is direct or involves multiple stops, you’ll have a lot to appreciate from your window seat!
Luggage Space? What’s That About?
The available space on a bush plane is quite limited. Forget about having overhead compartments. On these planes, all your carry-on items will need to be placed on your lap. You might manage to fit a small bag or camera equipment into a compartment at the rear, but even that space is restricted.
To enhance your flying experience, aim to pack as lightly as you can. Most bush plane companies enforce strict weight restrictions for checked baggage as well, so keep this in mind when preparing for your journey. Traveling light not only ensures a more pleasant experience but also helps maintain the aircraft's safe weight limits.
Why Book Flying Safari with Us
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Tailored Experiences: We personalize every itinerary to suit your travel style and preferences.
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Seamless Logistics: From your initial flight to Tanzania to your journey home, we handle all the details, including airport transfers, flights, and lodge bookings.
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Small Groups: We believe in intimate safari experiences, which is why we keep group sizes small to ensure personalized attention.
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Eco-Friendly Safaris: We are committed to responsible tourism and work with lodges that prioritize sustainability.
5 Questions About Tanzania Fly-in Safaris
How much is Tanzania Fly-in Safari
Flying between destinations is typically more expensive than a road safari in Tanzania. While fly-in safaris offer many benefits, budget-conscious travelers often prefer more affordable options. Fortunately, several local airlines now provide scheduled flights between parks, and increased competition among carriers serving popular destinations has lowered prices.
Moreover, flying from park to park is generally more time-efficient, allowing you to complete your safari in fewer days compared to a road trip. Considering this, a fly-in package may not be significantly more expensive than a road safari. However, it's important to note that these packages often feature exclusive, high-end lodges, which come with a higher price tag
What are the pros and cons of a driver-guide vs fly-in safari in Tanzania?
“There are two ways to travel in the country. You can either book a safari where a driver-guide travels with you for the duration of your trip. He or she will drive you from park to park and will usually conduct the game drives as well. In this case the guide will be a constant throughout your holiday. You may need to travel long distances between parks. This can be tiring, but you will see much of rural Tanzania. You will be away from the busy tourist areas.
Alternatively, you can opt for a Tanzanian fly-in safari where you travel from park to park by light aircraft. This will save you a lot of time as it cuts out many additional kilometres spent in the car, often on bumpy roads. When you fly between parks, your local guide will meet you at the airstrip. They will take care of you during your stay at that destination. So, you’ll have a different guide in each place. These guides work on-site and tend to be more knowledgeable than the general guides based in the cities. On a fly-in safari, your game drives will be conducted in the lodge’s open-sided vehicles. These spacious, open cars are superior to the pop-up-roof 4x4s used for road safaris.
It is also possible to combine both types of safari. You could book a road safari to Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro National Park. This was once called Selous Game Reserve. You can also add a fly-in trip to a more remote area. For example, you can see chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains National Park
What are the luggage restrictions on a fly-in trip in Tanzania?
Safari flights typically use small aircraft, which come with strict luggage limits of 20 kg (33 lb) per person. Due to the limited space, travelers are encouraged to use soft bags, like duffel bags, for easier storage. While international flights allow for more luggage, you can either pack according to the smaller aircraft's restrictions or leave some bags with your tour operator or hotel upon arrival.
To help with these restrictions, many lodges offer same-day laundry services, and some luxury lodges even include this in their packages. However, these luggage limits can pose challenges for avid photographers carrying large lenses and other equipment. If you're unsure about your luggage, it's best to consult your tour operator ahead of time. In some cases, you may need to book an extra seat for your gear
How reliable and safe are the small aircraft used for a fly-in safari in Tanzania?
A fly-in safari with US Travel Wise is a safe and enjoyable experience in Tanzania. The country has a robust safari industry, with many local airlines operating for years. These airlines follow strict safety protocols and are known for their reliability.
Several airlines offer scheduled flights to popular parks and reserves, adjusting their operations based on bookings.
While routes are planned, stops at various airstrips depend on the reservations made. As a result, flight times are usually confirmed the day before departure. Lodges work closely with the airlines to keep guests informed and coordinate transfers to and from the airstrips.
Are some parks or reserves in Tanzania more suitable to this type of safari?
Most parks and reserves can be explored through a road or fly-in safari, and we at Travel Wise Safari recommend both options for the Northern circuit, which includes Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire National Parks. Since the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is on the way to the Serengeti, consider driving one way and flying back. This approach saves time and allows you to avoid retracing your steps.
The Southern circuit, featuring Mikumi, Nyerere, and Ruaha National Parks, is a bit more remote. Many of our guests choose to fly in, but a road trip is a budget-friendly alternative, especially if you're only visiting one reserve.
For the Western circuit, which includes Katavi, Mahale Mountains, and Gombe National Parks, fly-in safaris are the norm. Katavi offers a classic savannah experience with lions and elephants, while Mahale and Gombe provide the unique opportunity for chimp trekking along Lake Tanganyika. We often recommend visiting Katavi and Mahale together due to their convenient flight connections.
While it is theoretically possible to reach Katavi by road, it's rarely done because of its remoteness. Mahale and Gombe have no access roads, so visitors typically arrive by flight and then take a private boat transfer. The exclusivity of the Western circuit, with its limited rustic lodges, ensures a truly wild experience away from the crowds. At Travel Wise Safari, we strive to create unforgettable adventures tailored just for you.
Which destinations can I reach on a fly-in safari?
You can fly directly to:
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Serengeti National Park (multiple airstrips: Seronera, Kogatende, etc.)
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Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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Tarangire National Park
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Ruaha and Selous (for southern circuit safaris)
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Zanzibar (for safari-to-beach combo trips)
Is it safe to fly within Tanzania?
Absolutely. We collaborate with reputable domestic airlines that adhere to rigorous international safety standards. Our pilots possess extensive experience in bush flying, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle various conditions. Additionally, they operate under strict regulations, which further guarantees the safety and reliability of our services.
Can I combine a fly-in safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar?
Absolutely! A significant number of travelers opt to take a flight from the beautiful island of Zanzibar to the breathtaking Serengeti or other nearby national parks, and then return to unwind and relax on the stunning beaches. Our expertise lies in designing and crafting exceptional Zanzibar-to-safari packages that cater to your adventurous spirit while ensuring you enjoy the best of both worlds.