1 Day safari from Zanzibar itinerary
Day 1 - Zanzibar Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel in Zanzibar (hotel name to be confirmed) and transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your 8 AM flight to Arusha. Upon arriving in Arusha at 9 AM, you'll meet your guide and head to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive. After an exciting day of wildlife viewing, you'll depart from the park at 4 PM, returning to Arusha before continuing to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your 8 PM flight back to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at 9 PM, our driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Lunch and drinking water will be provided during the safari.
Covering nearly 3,000 sq km, Tarangire National Park is renowned for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. The park gets its name from the Tarangire River, which runs through the area, attracting vast numbers of wildlife, especially during the dry season (June to November), when it serves as the main water source. Tarangire is home to over 2,000 elephants and more than 500 species of birds, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
“Is a 1-Day Tarangire Day Trip from Zanzibar Worth It? Pros and Cons”
✅ Pros
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Time-Efficient Adventure
Perfect for travellers on a tight schedule—enjoy a full safari and be back in Zanzibar the same evening. -
Direct Morning Flight
A quick Zanzibar–Arusha flight (approximately 1 hour) minimises transit time and maximises game-drive hours. -
High Wildlife Density
Tarangire is famous for its massive elephant herds, baobab landscapes, and year-round sightings of lions, giraffes, buffalo, and hundreds of bird species. -
Private or Small-Group Option
Flexible itineraries let you choose a private 4x4 or small group for a more intimate safari experience. -
No Overnight Logistics
Saves on accommodation costs and avoids packing for multiple days.
⚠️ Cons
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Early Start & Long Day
Expect a very early hotel pickup and late evening return; it can be tiring for children or those who prefer a slower pace. -
Limited Park Time
Roughly 5–6 hours in the park—great for a highlight reel but not as immersive as multi-day safaris. -
Higher Cost per Hour
Fly-in day trips are more expensive per safari hour than overland or multi-day packages. -
Weather Dependency
Flight schedules can be affected by adverse weather, which might shorten game-drive time. -
No Evening Camp Experience
You’ll miss the classic overnight safari feel—campfire dinners, night sounds, and stargazing.
Tip for Travellers
If you have two or more days, consider adding Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti for a deeper experience. But if time is limited, this 1-day Tarangire fly-in is one of the most rewarding quick safaris from Zanzibar.
Other Tanzania Safaris You Can Start from Zanzibar
2-Day Tour: Best of Tarangire and Ngorongoro from Zanzibar (Fly-in)
From - $1,785 pp
Classic 3-Day Safari from Zanzibar: Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara
Questions About 1-Day Safaris from Zanzibar
What parks are typically visited on a 1-day trip from Zanzibar?
If you only have one day for a safari, it's crucial to quickly reach the safari park. Look for packages offering a direct flight from Zanzibar to the park, rather than requiring an additional flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. This likely means that Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit will be off-limits for a day trip from Zanzibar.
You’re more likely to find tours that go directly to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) or Mikumi National Park. Even where there aren’t direct flights, the travel time is likely to be much shorter than to most other parks on the Tanzanian mainland. Another popular possibility could be coastal Saadani National Park, although the wildlife is not quite as good as in some other Tanzanian parks.
Is Mikumi or Nyerere (Selous) better for a 1-day safari from Zanzibar?
"Both Mikumi and Nyerere (Selous) would be great choices for a 1-day safari from Zanzibar. Each park offers a slightly different safari experience but both have incredible wildlife possibilities.
Mikumi provides a first-rate safari experience and is one of the best Tanzanian parks for wilderness. The park's Mkata Floodplain can sometimes feel like a smaller version of the Serengeti. You have a good chance of spotting big cats, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos.
Nyerere is also an excellent choice, offering big cats, buffaloes, elephants, and much more. What sets Nyerere apart is the mighty Rufiji, one of Africa’s great rivers. A boat safari here is a real highlight, offering stunning scenery and the opportunity to spot diverse wildlife."
Is Mikumi or Nyerere (Selous) better for a 1-day safari from Zanzibar?
"Both Mikumi and Nyerere (Selous) would be great choices for a 1-day safari from Zanzibar. Each park offers a slightly different safari experience but both have incredible wildlife possibilities.
Mikumi provides a first-rate safari experience and is one of the best Tanzanian parks for wilderness. The park's Mkata Floodplain can sometimes feel like a smaller version of the Serengeti. You have a good chance of spotting big cats, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos.
Nyerere is also an excellent choice, offering big cats, buffaloes, elephants, and much more. What sets Nyerere apart is the mighty Rufiji, one of Africa’s great rivers. A boat safari here is a real highlight, offering stunning scenery and the opportunity to spot diverse wildlife."
Is 1 day enough for a trip from Zanzibar?
"One day on safari is never enough, especially for a day trip from Zanzibar. This is because you'll need to consider travel time to reach the safari park. This means flying from Zanzibar to the mainland, and hopefully directly into an airstrip in the park you'll be visiting. Another downside of only having 1 day for your safari is that you'll spend the best time of the day traveling, rather than looking for animals.
The early morning and late afternoon, when the light is best and animals are at their most active and easiest to see, would be better spent out on safari, rather than flying to get there. Despite all of this, if you only have 1 day for safari, it's sure to be a good day.
In fact, I can think of no way I'd rather spend a day than going on safari. Would more time be ideal? Of course. But any time you can spend on a Tanzanian safari will be time well spent."
Are all 1-day safaris from Zanzibar fly-in safaris?
“The only way to make a 1-day safari from Zanzibar work is to fly into the destination you’ll be visiting. Zanzibar is an island, which means you have no choice but to fly. And because you only have 1 day, you really should make the most of your time by flying directly into the national park you want to see (rather than changing planes along the way).
If, for example, you decide to fly to Nyerere, the main airstrip for the park is only a very short drive from the main eastern gate into the park. This means that you will be on safari almost as soon as you get off the plane. And while you may spend a large part of your day flying to and from the mainland, just remember that the views you get to enjoy along the way could end up being a real highlight of your trip.”