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2-Day Tarangire Safari from Zanzibar
2 Days / 1 Night Days
Zanzibar, Tanzania → Zanzibar, Tanzania
Beach Combo
Easy
Why Choose This Safari?
Tarangire doesn't get the same name recognition as the Serengeti, but it quietly holds Tanzania's largest elephant herds and some of the most striking baobab-studded scenery in the entire northern circuit—and you can fit all of it into a single overnight trip from Zanzibar. With a midday flight out and an afternoon flight back the following day, this is a genuine safari rather than a token day trip, giving you a full afternoon game drive, a dedicated morning session for the park's exceptional birdlife, and a night sleeping in the bush before you're back on the beach. For travelers who want one proper taste of mainland Tanzania without reworking their entire Zanzibar itinerary, this is about as efficient as it gets.
Destinations to Travel
Tarangire National Park
Itinerary
Day 1 — Zanzibar to Arusha, then Tarangire National Park
Your short mainland escape starts with a transfer to Zanzibar Airport for the scenic late-morning flight to Arusha, landing at 12:30 with the whole afternoon still ahead of you. Your driver from Wonders of Creation Tours and Safaris meets you on arrival and takes you straight to Tarangire National Park, often described as Tanzania's hidden gem and home to the country's largest elephant herds, towering ancient baobabs, and a dependable cast of lion, buffalo, baboon, giraffe, zebra and impala. After a picnic lunch, you head out on an afternoon game drive through Tarangire's distinctive terrain, where the sight of elephant herds moving beneath centuries-old baobab trees makes for one of the most memorable introductions to mainland Tanzania you'll find on a short trip like this.
Day 2 — Tarangire National Park to Arusha, then Return to Zanzibar
After an early breakfast, you head out for a morning game drive that doubles as one of the best birding sessions on the northern circuit — Tarangire is home to more than 550 recorded bird species, from the statuesque Kori bustard and ostrich down to a riot of small, colorful weavers and finches. It's also prime time for predator activity, and with a bit of luck you may catch a lion or leopard stalking prey along the Tarangire River. After a relaxed lunch back at your lodge, you drive back to Arusha in good time for your afternoon flight to Zanzibar, where a transfer will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Accommodation as stipulated in the Itinerar
- Airport transfers
- Return flight Zanzibar/Serengeti/Zanzibar or Dar es laam
- Sightseeing as specified in itinerary
- Transport on safari in a 4WD vehicle with an open roof
- All parks entrance fees
- Service of English Speaking driver guide
- Mineral water 1.5lt per person per day
- Salary for the Professional English Drive Guide.
Rate Excludes
- International flights.
- Accommodation before and after safari in Zanzibar
- VISA and any Airport Taxes
- Hot and cold drinks.
- Hot Air Balloon ride over Serengeti, book with us.
- Flying doctors insurance, we can arrange for USD 50per person.
- Tips to the driver/guide and all items of personal nature/use.
- And all not mentioned in the itinerary above.
Best Time to Go
Tarangire is at its most dramatic in the dry season, June through October, when wildlife concentrates tightly along the shrinking Tarangire River and the park's famous elephant herds are easiest to find in large numbers. The wetter months bring fewer crowds and a greener landscape, and since Tarangire's resident birdlife doesn't migrate, the birding itself holds up well no matter when you visit.
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough time for a proper Tarangire safari from Zanzibar?
Yes—this itinerary is built specifically as a round trip from Zanzibar, with flights bookending one full afternoon game drive and one full morning game drive, so you get genuine time in the park rather than a rushed pass-through. It's a well-proven format for travelers who want real mainland safari time without restructuring a longer beach holiday.
What time do the flights depart and return?
You fly from Zanzibar to Arusha at 11:30 AM on Day 1, landing at 12:30 PM, and fly back from Arusha to Zanzibar at 4:35 PM on Day 2, landing at 5:35 PM — both short, scenic flights that are part of the experience in their own right.
Where will I stay overnight?
You'll overnight at a lodge or campsite within Tarangire National Park; the specific property will be confirmed closer to your travel dates.
Is this trip good for birdwatchers specifically?
Very much so. Tarangire is recognized as one of Tanzania's best birding parks, with over 550 recorded species, and Day 2's morning game drive is timed specifically to make the most of that, alongside your general wildlife viewing.
Will I see the Big Five on this trip?
You've got strong odds for elephant, buffalo and lion, with leopard a realistic possibility near the Tarangire River but two days in a single park isn't enough to guarantee rhino or leopard sightings specifically, so it's worth setting expectations around Tarangire's real strengths: elephants, baobabs, and birdlife.
What's included in the price?
Flights, park fees, transport, a guide, and the meals listed in the itinerary are included; Day 1 dinner is still being confirmed with our accounts team, along with the full rate breakdown.