Zanzibar: 2-day safari to Tarangire & Ngorongoro with flights

Summary

Two days from Zanzibar chasing elephants and rhinos in Tanzania’s wild heart

You’ll fly straight from Zanzibar for two packed days exploring Tarangire’s elephant herds and Ngorongoro’s crater wildlife with a local guide. Expect close-up animal encounters, picnic lunches by rivers or hippo pools, warm dinners at a cozy lodge near Lake Manyara, plus all flights and transfers handled for you—leaving space for moments you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

We were already half-awake when the driver knocked on our door in Zanzibar — I think I was still dreaming of the ocean as we sped through the quiet streets toward the airport. The flight to Arusha was quicker than I expected (I barely finished my coffee), and suddenly there was our guide, Joseph, waving at us with this huge grin. He had that calm way about him, like he’d seen every kind of traveler before. The drive out to Tarangire felt like peeling away layers — city, then villages, then just dry grass and those enormous baobab trees that look like they’re upside down. Joseph called it “the land of giants,” and yeah, it fits. We rolled down the windows and you could smell dust and something sweet from the acacias. At one point a line of elephants crossed right in front of us — so close you could see their eyelashes twitching. Lunch was a picnic by the river but honestly I spent most of it watching monkeys eye our sandwiches (one almost made off with an apple).

That night at Jungle Pearl Resort near Lake Manyara, I remember lying under a mosquito net listening to frogs and distant laughter from the kitchen staff. Dinner tasted smoky and fresh — maybe goat? — but I was too tired to ask. There’s an optional night game drive but we just crashed; sometimes you need sleep more than adventure, you know? Next morning we were up before sunrise for Ngorongoro Crater. It’s hard to describe that first glimpse down into the caldera — mist curling over green slopes, zebras scattered like chess pieces below. Joseph pointed out a black rhino moving through the grass (“very lucky,” he said quietly). We ate lunch by a hippo pool where everything smelled muddy and warm; hippos make these weird grunting noises that sound almost human if you’re not looking.

The drive back felt slower somehow — maybe because nobody wanted it to end yet. Our flight left from Kilimanjaro Airport this time (the mountain hidden behind clouds), then another driver met us in Zanzibar and dropped us right at our hotel door again. Two days is short for a safari but somehow it all fit: elephants close enough to touch, rhinos in morning fog, Joseph’s stories about growing up near Arusha. Sometimes I still hear those hippos when things get too quiet at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tarangire National Park Safari

• Scenic flight to Arusha
• Drive to Tarangire
• Game drive in Tarangire National Park
• Picnic lunch
• Check-in at Jungle Pearl Resort
• Dinner at lodge

Day 2 — Ngorongoro Crater Wildlife Tour

• Early morning rhino viewing
• Explore Ngorongoro Crater
• Lunch by hippo pool
• Return flight to Zanzibar

Top questions

How long is the flight from Zanzibar to Arusha?

The flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

Is hotel pickup included in Zanzibar?

Yes, hotel pickup in Zanzibar is included before your flight.

Are meals provided during the safari?

Yes, all meals are included—picnic lunches during game drives and dinner at the lodge.

Do we visit both Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater?

Yes, you’ll spend one day in Tarangire National Park and one day inside Ngorongoro Crater.

Is accommodation included on this tour?

Yes, accommodation at Jungle Pearl Resort near Lake Manyara is included.

Are domestic flights between Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania included?

Yes, roundtrip domestic flights are part of the package.

What kind of vehicle is used for game drives?

An air-conditioned safari jeep with pop-up roof is used for game drives.

Can infants join this safari?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap or use a pram or stroller.

What’s included

Your trip includes hotel pickup in Zanzibar, roundtrip domestic flights to Arusha and back via Kilimanjaro Airport, all park entry fees for Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, guided game drives with a professional local driver-guide in an air-conditioned safari jeep (with pop-up roof), warm meals (not boxed), bottled water throughout the journey, comfortable accommodation at Jungle Pearl Resort near Lake Manyara with dinner and breakfast provided, plus airport transfers on both ends so you never have to worry about logistics along the way.