Tanzania Sky Safari

A Tanzania sky safari is a fly-in safari that uses scheduled or charter light aircraft to travel between national parks and airstrips instead of driving long distances. With Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris it is fully private: your own guide and 4x4 vehicle meet you at each airstrip for game drives, and your lodges and flights are matched to your interests and budget. Sky safaris save time, reach remote parks and add spectacular aerial views of Tanzania's landscapes.

Light aircraft in Tanzania have strict luggage rules. Soft-sided bags are required, and the allowance is commonly around 15 to 20 kilograms per person including hand luggage, depending on the airline and route. Bags may be weighed at check-in, and excess luggage might not travel on the same flight. Pack light, layer your clothing and keep essentials in a small daypack. Extra bags can usually be stored safely in Arusha or Zanzibar until you return.

A fly-in safari is better when time is limited, when you want to reach remote parks such as Ruaha or the northern Serengeti, or when you prefer to avoid long road transfers. A drive-in safari costs less, lets you see villages and landscapes between parks, and keeps the same guide throughout. Many travelers choose a combination, driving the classic route through Tarangire and Ngorongoro and then flying out of the Serengeti to Arusha or Zanzibar.

Northern sky safaris usually depart from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport and use bush airstrips such as Kuro for Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Seronera in the central Serengeti, Kogatende in the north, and Ndutu or Kusini in the south during calving season. Southern itineraries fly into airstrips serving Nyerere and Ruaha, often via Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. We choose airstrips that put you close to your lodge and the best wildlife for the season.

Yes, a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti is a wonderful addition to a sky safari. Flights operate from the central and southern Serengeti depending on the season, last roughly an hour over the plains, and are followed by a bush breakfast. Balloon flights depend on weather and have minimum age requirements, so we confirm availability and book in advance, then adjust your game drives so you continue exploring after landing.

A Tanzania sky safari usually costs more than a drive-in safari because each flight adds to the price, and many fly-in itineraries use premium lodges and camps. As a guide, luxury safaris typically run from about $990 to $2,500 per person per day, with ultra-luxury from about $2,500. The total depends on season, flights, lodges, park fees and trip length. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris provides a clear, itemized quote so you can compare options before booking.