A safari plane filled with tourists was forced to make an emergency landing in Tanzania after it ran over a zebra during take-off. 

The bush plane, carrying 30 on board, struck and killed the wild animal on the Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti National Park. 

The pilot was forced to divert from its course to Zanzibar after the crew discovered mid-air that its gears were damaged during the collision.

This forced the Embraer EMB-120 to make an emergency landing in Kilimanjaro International Airport, around 270 miles east of the park, at around midday on Sunday.

Dramatic footage shows smoke billowing from the small aircraft’s left wing as the plane’s underside scrapes across the runway’s tarmac during the emergency landing.

Emergency crews scrambled to the scene and surrounded the damaged plane, operated by Sindbard Air, as airport officials shut down the airport. 

All 26 passengers and four crew members are understood to have safely disembarked the plane. No injuries were reported.

Around 500,000 tourists visit the Serengeti, which extends from northern Tanzania into southwestern Kenya, each year. 

The Embraer EMB-120 to make an emergency landing in Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, around 270 miles east of the park, at around midday on Sunday

Emergency crews scrambled to the scene and surrounded the damaged plane, operated by Sindbard Air

A zebra is pictured in the Serengeti National Park (file photo)

The Seronera Airstrip is the largest and most used airstrip in the park, handling thousands of local flights from its centre position of the Serengeti – recognised as one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. 

The incident comes after a Tui flight was forced to make an emergency landing in February 2025 after two swans were swallowed by the jet. 

The Boeing plane, which was bound for Cape Verde, was 1,000ft in the air when it collided with the animals at 185mph. 

Pictures showed dents in the plane and blood smeared over the cracked windscreen. The electronic systems were also damaged. 

It is understood the pilots were given their own private escort from the runway due to being unable to see out of the windscreen. 

The runway was closed as emergency services were called and checked for debris.  

The damage to the plane is said to have cost £1million to fix as it remained grounded for several weeks for repairs.