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In short
From Zanzibar the Serengeti is a fly-in trip: light aircraft to Seronera airstrip with one or two stops, so a 2-day tour gives you roughly one afternoon and one morning of game drives. Take 3–4 days if you can, and add Ngorongoro Crater only on trips that fly via Arusha.
Flight time against park time
Every Serengeti trip from Zanzibar is built around two light-aircraft flights. The published timetables show what that costs you in hours:
Leg
Auric Air
Coastal Aviation
Zanzibar → Seronera
08:00 – 12:00
08:40 – 12:15, via Arusha and Manyara
Seronera → Zanzibar
10:00 – 11:40
10:45 – 14:20, via Arusha
So on day one you reach the park around midday, and on the last day you leave the park mid-morning. On a 2-day trip that leaves a half-day game drive, an evening and an early drive to the airstrip. Each extra night adds a full day in the park for no extra flying, which is why 3- and 4-day trips feel much better value even when the price is higher.
Both airlines mark these flights "on inducement": the flight runs when a booking has a minimum number of seats, usually two. Tour operators handle this, but it is the reason some listings warn that the departure date can move when seats are short. Plan to be back in Zanzibar at least a day before your international flight.
2, 3, 4 or 5 days
Length
What you get
Suits
2 days
≈ half day + one morning in the Serengeti, 1 night
A short add-on when the Serengeti name matters most
3 days
1–2 full game-drive days; some trips add Ngorongoro
The best balance for most people
4 days
2 full Serengeti days, or Tarangire + Ngorongoro + Serengeti
Photography, the migration, a calmer pace
5 days
Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with longer drives
People who skip a separate mainland safari
Some listings fly to Seronera and back. Others fly Zanzibar → Arusha, drive through Tarangire and Ngorongoro, then fly back from Seronera. The second type sees more parks but spends more of the day in the vehicle on the road between them.
Adding Ngorongoro Crater
The crater is outside the Serengeti, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and is reached by road from Arusha or from the Serengeti side. Trips that include it usually stay a night near the rim (often around Karatu) and go down to the crater floor early the next morning.
Three rules from the conservation authority shape these trips. Only 4x4 vehicles may drive down to the crater floor. Every crater visit needs a licensed guide. Driving in the area is allowed 06:00–18:00. The crater service fee is per vehicle (USD 295 for non-East African visitors), on top of the per-person entry fee, so it weighs more on a private trip for two than on a shared vehicle. See the fee card for current entry fees.
What the price usually covers
Most fly-in packages include the two flights, hotel transfers in Zanzibar, a driver-guide and vehicle, full-board meals and the lodge night. Many state that park and landing fees are included. Common exclusions on the listings: a small per-night lodge levy paid in cash at check-in, drinks, tips, your visa and Zanzibar's mandatory travel insurance.
Several 2-day trips stay at a tented lodge just outside the park gate. That is normal, but it means your game drive starts with a short drive back into the park.
Luggage and timing
Light aircraft have strict limits: 15 kg per person including hand luggage on Coastal, 20 kg on Auric. Use a soft bag and leave the rest at your beach hotel. For the season, TANAPA points to June–October for the migration and January–February for calving. Zanzibar's own long rains run ≈ March–May, so a safari-plus-beach trip fits best outside those months. If the Serengeti is part of a longer holiday, see Tanzania safari and Zanzibar; for shorter, cheaper safaris from the island, compare 2–3 day safaris.
Paid on top
Official fees and rules
What the park, conservation area or venue charges. Check whether your tour price already includes it.
Mikumi, Nyerere and Serengeti: official park fees
Serengeti NP entry, adultnon-resident adult, per person per 24 h; tariff dated 2026-05-16 to 2027-03-14 (season "ENTRY HIGH"); VAT not stated in this row
Tarangire NP entry, adultnon-resident adult, per person per 24 h; tariff dated 2026-05-16 to 2027-03-14 (season "ENTRY HIGH"); VAT not stated in this row
Lake Manyara NP entry, adultnon-resident adult, per person per 24 h; tariff dated 2026-05-16 to 2027-03-14 (season "ENTRY HIGH"); VAT not stated in this row
Nyerere NP and Selous. Nyerere National Park is a TANAPA national park, carved from the northern sector of the Selous Game Reserve.7
What the entry fee covers. TANAPA conservation (entry) fees are per person and valid for 24 hours from the time of entry.8
Children. Children under 5 enter TANAPA parks free; child rates apply to ages 5–15.9
How to pay. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at TANAPA park gates; TANAPA also lists mobile money (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money) and payment through its online reservation system.10
Payment system. TANAPA fees are paid through the Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GePG).11
VAT. TANAPA's tariff page says all fees are inclusive of 18% VAT where applicable (the per-row tariff data does not mark VAT).12
What the permit covers. An NCAA entry permit is valid for one entry within 24 hours only. NCAA says tariffs can change without prior notice.17
Crater service fee. The crater service fee is charged per vehicle per trip; all permits, including crater service, are single entry.18
Vehicles in the crater. Only 4×4 vehicles up to 3,500 kg tare weight may go down to the Ngorongoro Crater floor (authorised trucks for organised groups excepted).19
Guide. All crater visitors must be accompanied by a licensed guide or an official NCAA guide.20
Driving hours. Driving in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is allowed 06:00–18:00; outside these hours permission is needed.21
Plastic bags. Plastic bags are not allowed in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.22
Zanzibar–Nyerere (Selous), Auric Air. Auric Air publishes a daily scheduled flight Zanzibar → Selous (Nyerere NP) airstrips at 07:00, arriving 08:15. The route is closed for the wet season, 15 March to 31 May.23
Second Auric departure. Auric Air has a second daily Zanzibar → Selous (Nyerere NP) departure at 15:05, arriving 16:25 (on inducement of 4 seats).31
Zanzibar–Nyerere (Selous), Coastal Aviation. Coastal Aviation publishes a daily Zanzibar → Selous flight at 07:50, arriving 09:15 via Dar es Salaam, on inducement of 2 seats from Dar.27
Rainy season. Coastal Aviation suspends its starred routes, including Selous, during the long rains (mid March – end May).32
"On inducement" flights. Both timetables mark the Zanzibar–Selous and Zanzibar–Seronera flights "on inducement" of 2 (some 4) seats: the flight operates only when a booking has that minimum number of passengers.33
Baggage, Auric Air. Auric Air allows 20 kg per passenger in total, including hand baggage, cameras and other personal items.34
Baggage, Coastal Aviation. Coastal Aviation allows 15 kg per person including carry-on luggage; soft bags are strongly recommended but not obligatory.35
Children on Coastal flights. Coastal child fares apply from age 2 to 12; infants under 2 fly free.36
Checked 3 November 2026 on Auric Air and Coastal Aviation (airline websites).
How the day runs
Hotel pickup in Zanzibar, transfer to the airport
Flight to Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti
Half-day game drive with a bush coffee break and picnic lunch
Check in at a tented lodge near the park gate, dinner
Guided night game drive
Breakfast, then a game drive on the way to the airstrip
At Seronera airstrip for the flight back to Zanzibar
Rain rows follow the Tanzania Meteorological Authority’s seasons for Zanzibar. Crowd levels are the usual pattern of European and local holidays.
Questions people ask
Can you do a Serengeti day trip from Zanzibar?
Not sensibly. The scheduled flights to Seronera take ≈ 3.5–4 hours and the return flights leave in the morning, so the shortest real trip is 2 days with one night.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
Published timetables give 08:00–12:00 (Auric Air) and 08:40–12:15 via Arusha and Manyara (Coastal Aviation). Flights back to Zanzibar leave Seronera in the morning and land between ≈ 11:40 and 14:20.
Is a 2-day Serengeti trip worth it?
It works if the Serengeti is a must and you have no more time, but you get about one afternoon and one morning in the park. A 3- or 4-day trip gives full days of game drives for the same two flights.
Are park fees included?
Many fly-in listings include Serengeti entry and landing fees, but some leave out per-night lodge levies paid in cash at check-in. Read the included and excluded lists on each listing and compare with the fee card.
Can I add Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes, on trips that fly Zanzibar → Arusha and drive to the crater, usually 3 days or more. The crater service fee is charged per vehicle, so a private crater day costs more per person for a couple than a shared one.
How much luggage can I take?
Coastal Aviation allows 15 kg per person including hand luggage and Auric Air 20 kg. Soft bags are recommended; leave the rest at your Zanzibar hotel.
When is the best time?
TANAPA names June–October (dry season) for the migration and January–February for the calving season. Zanzibar's long rains run ≈ March–May.
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “"Park":"Serengeti National Park","Category":"Entrance","RevenueCode":"REV0001","ProductName":"Entrance Adults (NR)","Season":"ENTRY HIGH","FromDate":"2026-05-16","ToDate":"2027-03-14","Currency":"TZS","Amount":178850,"createdAt":"2026-07-26” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “"Park":"Serengeti National Park","Category":"Entrance","RevenueCode":"REV0002","ProductName":"Entrance Children 5 - 15 Years (NR)","Season":"ALL","FromDate":"2026-07-01","ToDate":"2027-06-30","Currency":"TZS","Amount":51100,"createdAt":"2026-07-26” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “"Park":"Tarangire National Park","Category":"Entrance","RevenueCode":"REV0001","ProductName":"Entrance Adults (NR)","Season":"ENTRY HIGH","FromDate":"2026-05-16","ToDate":"2027-03-14","Currency":"TZS","Amount":127750,"createdAt":"2026-07-26” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “"Park":"Tarangire National Park","Category":"Entrance","RevenueCode":"REV0002","ProductName":"Entrance Children 5 - 15 Years (NR)","Season":"ALL","FromDate":"2026-07-01","ToDate":"2027-06-30","Currency":"TZS","Amount":38325,"createdAt":"2026-07-26” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “"Park":"Lake Manyara National Park","Category":"Entrance","RevenueCode":"REV0001","ProductName":"Entrance Adults (NR)","Season":"ENTRY HIGH","FromDate":"2026-05-16","ToDate":"2027-03-14","Currency":"TZS","Amount":127750,"createdAt":"2026-07-26” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “"Park":"Lake Manyara National Park","Category":"Entrance","RevenueCode":"REV0002","ProductName":"Entrance Children 5 - 15 Years (NR)","Season":"ALL","FromDate":"2026-07-01","ToDate":"2027-06-30","Currency":"TZS","Amount":38325,"createdAt":"2026-07-26” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “Carved from the northern sector of the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park protects a colossal landscape of rivers, wetlands, open plains and woodlands.” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “Conservation fees are valid for 24 hours from time of entry” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “Children under 5 years of age enter FREE of charge” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “Visa, MasterCard accepted at park gates” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “Payments are made using Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GePG)” (checked 3 November 2026)
tanzaniaparks.go.tz — “All fees are inclusive of 18% VAT where applicable” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “Non-East African Citizen (USD) Of or above the age of 16 years 11,800 11,800 35.40 70.80 Children aged 5 years and below 2,360” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “70.80 Children aged 5 years and below 2,360 2,360 11.80 23.60 Children below 5 years Free” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “Expatriates/Residents Living in Tanzania (USD) or equivalent in (TZS) Non-East African Citizen (USD) Of or above the age of 16 years 11,800 11,800 35.40” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “PLEASE NOTE: Permit once issued is valid for one entry within 24 hours only. Tariffs are subjected to change without prior notice.” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “Entry and camping fees must be paid within 24 hours of entry, and all permits, including crater service, are single entry.” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “Only 4×4 vehicles up to 3,500 Kgs of tare weight are allowed in the Ngorongoro Crater floor except for authorized trucks for organized groups.” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “A licensed guide or an official NCAA guide must accompany all crater visitors.” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “Driving is permitted between the hours of 06:00 and 18:00. Beyond these hours, permission must be obtained” (checked 3 November 2026)
ncaa.go.tz — “Plastic bags are not allowed in the Ngorongoro conservation area.” (checked 3 November 2026)
storage.aerocrs.com — “Zanzibar Selous (Nyerere NP) All Airstrips Daily 07:00 08:15 250.00 187.50 22.00 272.00 209.50 On inducement 2 seats, Closed for wet season: 15 March to 31 May” (checked 3 November 2026)
storage.aerocrs.com — “Selous (Nyerere NP) All Airstrips Zanzibar Daily 12:35 14:20 250.00 187.50 15.00 265.00 202.50 On inducement 2 seats, Closed for wet season: 15 March to 31 May” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Selous* Daily 7:50 9:15 Via Dar. On inducement of 2 seats from Dar 248 198 52 317 254” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Zanzibar Daily 12:50 14:50 Via Dar. On inducement of 2 seats 248 198 42 317 254” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Serengeti / Seronera Daily 8:40 12:15 Via Arusha and Manyara. 517 414 93 661 529” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Zanzibar Daily 10:45 14:20 Via Arusha 568 454 90 727 581” (checked 3 November 2026)
storage.aerocrs.com — “Zanzibar Selous (Nyerere NP) All Airstrips Daily 15:05 16:25 250.00 187.50 22.00 272.00 209.50 On inducement 4 seats, Closed for wet-season 15 March to 31 May” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Rainy season: Flights marked with a star (*) are suspended during the long rains (mid March - end May) for exact dates please contact us.” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Inducement flights: Coastal is operating a few pioneer routes for which the demand is still not high enough to allow a regular daily operation. These routes therefore require the incentive of a minimum number of passengers per booking” (checked 3 November 2026)
auricair.com — “The total baggage allowance is 20kgs (44lbs) per passenger. This includes hand baggage‚ cameras‚ filming equipment‚ and any other personal items.” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Passengers are permitted a maximum luggage allowance of 15kgs (33lbs) per person including carry-on luggage. Soft bags are strongly recommended but are not obligatory.” (checked 3 November 2026)
coastal.co.tz — “Child Price: The child rates apply for children from the age of 2 to 12. Infants under the age of 2 fly at no charge.” (checked 3 November 2026)
storage.aerocrs.com — Auric Air Zanzibar–Seronera schedule
coastal.co.tz — Coastal Aviation Zanzibar–Seronera and Zanzibar–Arusha schedule
