5-day Fly in Southern Serengeti Safari From Zanzibar
5-day Fly in Southern Serengeti Safari From Zanzibar
Price
Overview
A 5-day fly-in calving season safari from Zanzibar takes you directly into the heart of Tanzania’s Great Migration, combining the Ndutu plains of southern Serengeti with the iconic Ngorongoro Crater. This tour is timed for the calving season (December to March), when over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily, attracting predators like lions, hyenas, and cheetahs.
Starting from the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, you’ll board a direct bush flight to the Serengeti, avoiding long road transfers and maximizing your time in the wild. The Ndutu region, rich with open grasslands, offers front-row seats to the drama of new life and survival, one of Africa’s most intense wildlife spectacles.
The adventure continues into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s Big 5, including rhinos and large lion prides. With luxury or mid-range lodges set in prime game-viewing areas, this safari balances comfort and adventure perfectly.
Designed by the Best Tour Company in Tanzania, Nihapa Tours, based on real traveler reviews, this tour is ideal for honeymooners, photographers, and nature lovers seeking a high-impact safari with limited time.
Price Range: This 5-day fly-in safari from Zanzibar typically ranges from $2,950 to $4,400 per person, depending on travel season, accommodation style, and group size.
To receive a personalized quote or custom plan, contact us today. Flights to Serengeti during the calving season fill up fast; early booking is highly recommended.
Tour Highlights
- Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Parks Visited: Ndutu (Southern Serengeti), Ngorongoro Crater
- Safari Style: Private guided fly-in safari from Zanzibar
- Scenic Flights: Enjoy stunning aerial views as you fly between safari destinations.
- Group Size: Flexible (2–6 travelers recommended for best experience)
- Expert Guides: Private 4x4 vehicles with knowledgeable guides for top wildlife experiences.
- Luxury Stays: Sleep in upscale lodges or tented camps with amazing views.
- Custom Itineraries: Tailor the route, stays, and activities to your travel style.
- Departure and Return Place: Start and end your journey from Zanzibar, with a scenic bush flight directly to the Serengeti and back via Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Departure Time: Please be ready by 6:45 AM for a prompt 7:15 AM flight departure from Zanzibar
- Return Time: Flight arrives back approximately 4:30 PM at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Dress Code: Casual and comfortable, breathable athletic clothing, a hat, and spare layers for early morning game drives
- Customizations: Fully customizable itinerary to suit your preferences and interests
- Optional Extras: Add balloon safaris, walking tours, or cultural visits.
- All-Inclusive: Packages often cover flights, hotels, meals, park fees, and guides.
- Extensions: Available upon request, extend your safari or add a beach stay in Zanzibar
- Best Season: December to March, coinciding with the wildebeest calving season, when thousands of calves are born daily and predator activity peaks for dramatic wildlife viewing
- Your own private expert guide and driver, born and raised in Tanzania, with deep knowledge of the Ndutu ecosystem and animal behaviors during the calving season
- Exclusive fly-in access from Zanzibar, maximizing your time on safari and minimizing road travel
- Around-the-clock concierge support from Nihapa Tours, available before, during, and after your trip, ensures a seamless and unforgettable safari experience.
Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Zanzibar to Arusha & Tarangire National Park
- Day 2: Road Transfer to Ndutu (Southern Serengeti) & Afternoon Game Drive
- Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in the Serengeti
- Day 4: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
- Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Return Flight to Zanzibar from Arusha
Choose Your Safari Style
- Budget Camping – Simple, affordable, and adventurous.
- Mid-Range Lodges – Comfortable stays at great value.
- Luxury Camps – Premium comfort with exceptional service.
Why Choose This Safari
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration river crossings in Northern Serengeti
- Two days in North Mara for immersive migration viewing
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser for optimal game viewing
- Ideal for wildlife photographers, families, and migration enthusiasts
- Flexible, customizable safari package
- Stay in eco-friendly lodges or budget camps
Best Month to Visit Tanzania for Safari
The best time to enjoy a Tanzania Safari is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife gathers around water sources, making game viewing easier and more rewarding. This period also offers the best chance to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet.
For travelers interested in the wildebeest calving season, the optimal months are late January to March, when newborn calves and predator-prey interactions can be observed, providing a unique and thrilling safari experience.
While Tanzania’s wildlife can be seen year-round, visiting during the dry months ensures better road conditions, concentrated animal sightings, and clear skies, perfect for photography. Optional cultural visits to Maasai communities or local villages are available throughout the year, adding a rich cultural dimension to your safari adventure.
With Nihapa Tours, you can plan your safari around these optimal months to ensure the most immersive and unforgettable experience across Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Read More:- When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania
Availability for Calving Season Safaris
The Serengeti Calving Season Safari is available from late January to March, which marks the peak period for wildebeest births in the Southern Serengeti. Due to high demand during this time, especially for accommodations near Ndutu, we recommend booking at least 3–6 months in advance to secure your spot.
All our safari packages are customizable and subject to availability. Whether you're flying in from Zanzibar, Arusha, or Kilimanjaro, we’ll arrange the most convenient departure and return options for you. Private and small group departures are available daily during the calving season.
Why Choose Nihapa Tours for Your Tanzania Safaris?
Nihapa Tours designs personalized Tanzania Safaris to suit your preferences, blending adventure, comfort, and expert guidance. Our Tanzania Safaris stand out with:
- Extended Exploration: More time to visit key parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
- Expert Guides: Local experts enhance your Tanzania Safari with rich insights.
- Flexible Options: Choose budget camping, mid-range lodges, or luxury tented camps.
- Private Tours: Enjoy exclusive 4×4 vehicles for an intimate safari experience.
- Conservation Focus: We support sustainable tourism during your Tanzania Safari.
How to Book Your Tanzania Safari
You can book this5-Day Tanzania Safari directly with Nihapa Tours for a seamless and personalized experience.
-
Get in Touch: Contact us via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp +255 786 261 927 to share your preferred travel dates and any special requests.
-
Customize Your Safari: Work with our travel specialists to tailor your itinerary, accommodations, and optional experiences like Maasai village visits or private game drives.
-
Confirm Your Booking: Secure your safari with a deposit. Full payment details and policies will be provided.
-
Pre-Trip Support: Receive guidance from your dedicated travel designer, including travel tips, packing advice, and arrangements before departure.
-
Start Your Adventure: Arrive at Nairobi (NBO) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) and enjoy your expertly guided safari through the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater.
Tip: Book early, especially during peak wildlife season (July–October), to ensure your preferred lodges, camps, and game drives are available.
Read our ultimate guide to 5 day safari to Tanzania and learn more about it
Other Recommended Tanzania safari itineraries
Costs Includeds/Excludes
- All Mentioned Safari Activities
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors
- Airport Pick-up and Drop-off Transfers
- Hotel Accommodations According to the Itinerary
- Transportation in 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography
- All Park Fees
- Experienced English-speaking safari guide
- All Meals according to the Itinerary
- Bottled water and soft drinks throughout the tour
- Binocular (1 per Vehicle)
- Medical kit
- All Taxes on Tour Fees & Services
- Crew salaries
- Air tickets
- Visa fees
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari)
- Travel insurance
- Tips to your safari guide ($25-45 per day per car)
- Other optional activities
- Personal expenses
Day 1 Zanzibar to Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Begin your adventure with a morning flight from Zanzibar to Arusha, where you’ll be greeted by your private guide. After a short transfer, embark on an afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park, famous for its majestic elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. Enjoy your first up-close encounters with Tanzania’s incredible wildlife in this diverse and scenic park.
Day 2 Road transfer to Ndutu (Southern Serengeti) & Afternoon Game Drive
Early in the morning, begin your road transfer from Tarangire to Ndutu in the southern Serengeti, the epicenter of the wildebeest calving season. Upon arrival, dive straight into an afternoon game drive, where you’ll witness the plains come alive with newborn wildebeest calves and attentive predators. This is one of the most thrilling and intimate wildlife experiences on the continent.
Day 3 Full-Day Game Drive in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)
Spend a full day exploring the vast Serengeti ecosystem with your expert guide: witness dramatic calving season scenes, predator-prey interactions, and an abundance of wildlife. For a once-in-a-lifetime perspective, optional activities like a hot air balloon safari are available (booking recommended) to soar above the endless plains at sunrise.
Day 4 Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Ngorongoro Highlands
Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Serengeti before setting out for an afternoon transit game drive to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy spectacular views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the Big Five, dense wildlife populations, and stunning landscapes. Evening at leisure at your lodge overlooking the crater rim.
Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Return Flight to Zanzibar from Arusha
Rise early for a final morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, immersing yourself in one of Africa’s richest ecosystems. After the game drive, transfer to Arusha for your late evening flight back to Zanzibar, completing your unforgettable Tanzanian safari adventure.
Tour Pricing
| Number of People | Cost Per Person in US($) Budget Camping | Cost Per Person in US($) Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | On Request | $4,491 |
| 2 People | On Request | $3,512 |
| 3 People | On Request | $3,102 |
| 4 People | On Request | $3,022 |
| 5 + People | On Request | $2,886 |
Tour Accommodations
| Tour Day | Budget Camping Package | Standard Package |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | On Request | Masek T.Lodge |
| Day 2 | On Request | Masek T. Lodge |
| Day 3 | On Request | Ndutu Safari Lodge |
| Day 4 | On Request | Ndutu Safari Lodge |
Will there be wildlife roaming at the camps and lodges?
What do you mean by game drives?
What happens if I get sick or injured on safari?
What if I have special dietary requirements?
What is the maximum group size per vehicle?
What travel documents do I need?
Who are your operators in Tanzania?
Will I see wildlife?
Will the safari be dusty?
What can I expect on a typical safari day?
What about tipping the safari driver guides?
Do you arrange Airport pick-up and Drop off?
How far in advance do I need to book a Safari?
How much does a safari cost?
What about bathrooms in the bush?
What about snakes and insects?
What about solar protection?
What about the roads on safari?
Am I allowed to walk around the national parks?
Are drinks provided in the safari vehicle?
Book This Tour
Chat to a Safari Specialist!
WhatsApp
Why Book With Us?
- Middle-man Free Pricing
- Customer care available 24/7
- Hand-picked Tours & Activities
- Evacuation by AMREF Flying Doctors
- Liability Insurance Cover up to $1M
- Fully Personalized Travel Experiences
- Secure and Flexible Payment Options
- Proudly 100% Tanzanian Owned and Operated
Other Similar Tours
Daily Day Trip Deals
