Planning a safari from Zanzibar? Good news: you don’t need a week off the beach for it. A short flight takes you to a national park on the Tanzanian mainland, and you can be watching giraffes before most people at your hotel have finished breakfast. Here’s everything we wish every first-timer knew before booking.
Not in the sense most people imagine. Zanzibar does have one national park, Jozani-Chwaka Bay, but it’s a forest known for its red colobus monkeys. There are no lions, elephants or giraffes on the island. So a classic Zanzibar safari actually means a short hop over to the mainland.
Mainland Tanzania has 22 national parks, and the famous ones you’ve probably heard of, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, are in the far north of the country. From Zanzibar they’re a 2–3 hour flight, often with a stop on the way, so they really make sense only if you have several days.
The parks in the south are much closer. Mikumi, Selous and Saadani are a short flight away, which means you can fly out in the morning, spend the day on game drives and be back at your hotel for dinner. Every park has its own character, but you can’t really pick a wrong one. All three give you a real African safari.
Often called the “mini Serengeti”, Mikumi is all wide grassy plains, which makes animals easy to spot even for first-timers. It’s our most popular safari and the easiest one to fit into a single day. Lunch is at a restaurant inside the park, overlooking the bush.
Best for: a first safari, families, a classic savannah day
You may also see the name Nyerere National Park. In 2019, most of the old Selous Game Reserve became Nyerere National Park, but almost everyone, us included, still calls it Selous. It’s the largest national park in East Africa, around 30,900 km², with the Rufiji River, lakes and riverside forest running through it. It feels wilder, lunch is served outdoors in the bush, and it’s one of the best places in Africa for African wild dogs, if luck is on your side.
Best for: a wilder feel, and on the 2-day trip a river boat safari too
The closest park to Zanzibar, only a 15–20 minute flight away, and the only park in East Africa where the bush runs right down to the Indian Ocean. Our 2-day trip combines game drives, a boat safari on the Wami River and a night at a beachfront lodge. It also leaves at around 1 PM, so no alarm clock in the middle of the night.
Best for: travellers who don’t like early starts, a mix of safari and beach
| Park | Flight from Zanzibar | Trip length | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikumi | about 1 hour | 1 day | Open plains, easy spotting |
| Selous | about 1 hour | 1 or 2 days | River, lakes, wild dogs, boat safari on the 2-day trip |
| Saadani | 15–20 minutes | 2 days | Bush meets beach, boat safari, afternoon start |
“Big Five” is the phrase you’ll see on every safari advert, and many people assume it means Africa’s five most popular animals: elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos and so on. It’s a little different. The term comes from old big-game hunters, who used it for the five animals that were the hardest to hunt on foot: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. So the giraffe, the zebra and the hippo, some of the animals guests love most, aren’t on the list at all. Today “Big Five” is mostly a marketing label: it sounds great in a brochure, but few people know which animals are behind it.
Here’s the part many adverts leave out: to see a rhino on a safari from Zanzibar, you’d need to be extremely lucky. There are none in Mikumi, and the few left in Selous live in remote areas far from where safaris go, so in practice visitors almost never see them. If anyone promises you the full Big Five on a one-day safari from Zanzibar, it’s worth asking where exactly.
What about the other four? Elephants, buffalo and lions are seen often, and the leopard is the shy one that only some lucky groups get to meet.
Many of the animals people look forward to most aren’t part of the Big Five at all, including the warthog, better known to many as Pumbaa from The Lion King. Here’s how likely you are to see them:
Nobody can promise exactly what you’ll see, because these are wild animals in huge parks, not a zoo. But from our experience, guests usually come back with a camera full of animals.
Your guide knows where the animals tend to be that season and keeps in touch with other guides in the park, so the chances are really good.
A game drive simply means driving through the park in a safari jeep to look for animals. On a safari from Zanzibar it starts almost the moment you land: the small plane stops at an airstrip inside the park, you step out and walk straight over to the jeep where your guide is waiting. There’s usually a toilet at the airstrip, so you can go before you set off.
Then you head out into the park. Your driver and guide are official park guides, so they know where you’re allowed to drive and how close you can get to each animal. In practice that’s often very close, and along the way your guide tells you about the animals you meet: how they live, how they behave and why some of them don’t mind a jeep just a few metres away.
Yes, as long as you stay inside. Animals in the parks are used to safari vehicles, and a lion, for example, sees the jeep with everyone in it as one big object, not as a group of people smaller than itself. That’s exactly why nobody gets out of the jeep during a game drive.
There are regular stops during the day: at lunch and, on a 2-day trip, at the lodge. If you really can’t wait, just tell your guide. They’ll either take you to the nearest toilet or find a safe place to stop.
Using our Mikumi trip as an example, a typical day looks like this:
The Selous day starts even earlier, with a 6:00 AM flight, because the drive time in the park is a little longer. Yes, it’s an early alarm. Most guests tell us it was worth it the moment the plane door opens.
Two days give you more time in the park and a night at a safari lodge. On our 2-day Selous safari you spend the first day on game drives, sleep at a lodge and start the second morning with a boat safari on the Rufiji River, watching hippos and crocodiles from the water. The 2-day Saadani trip adds a Wami River boat safari and a beachfront lodge where you can swim in the ocean between game drives.
If you’re unsure whether 1 or 2 days are worth it: one day gives you a real safari, and two days add a night in the wild under the African stars.
Everything you need is included: flights, park fees, guide, jeep, lunch and drinks.
From $415 per adult · Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Both are the same price, the same length and the same comfort, so this comes down to what you’d like the day to feel like.
Still can’t decide? Message us on WhatsApp and tell us what matters most to you. We’re happy to help you choose.
Yes, you can, but it isn’t one ticket. It’s a lot of separate pieces to book and pay for: a domestic flight to the right airstrip, a safari vehicle with a guide waiting for you there, park and landing fees, lunch, and timing that gets you back on the plane before it leaves. That’s why most visitors book their safari as a package, with everything arranged in one go.
When you compare safari offers, a cheaper price can hide costs you only find out about later. Before you book, check that the price includes:
With us, everything above is included, so the price you see is the price you pay. The only things you choose on top are the hotel transfer and, if you’d like your guide to speak French, German or Polish instead of English, a small extra fee. Tips for your guide and driver are up to you.
Safari vehicles differ from park to park and from one operator to another. Some are closed 4x4s with a pop-up roof: you see the park through the windows, and to look out properly you have to stand up and share the roof opening with the others. For a classic safari experience, open-sided jeeps with a roof are much better. Nothing stands between you and the animals, you can take photos sitting down, and the roof keeps the sun off.
That’s what we use. Our jeeps have tiered seating, so each row sits higher than the one in front of it and everyone has a clear view in all directions, not just of the heads ahead. On day trips there are no more than six guests in one jeep, and everyone has their own seat with a view.
Safaris run all year. June to October is the dry season, when grass is short and animals gather near water, so spotting is easiest. In the rainy months, especially April, flights can change at short notice. If the forecast doesn't look good, we move your safari to another day and agree the new date with you. More in our Best Time to Visit Zanzibar guide.
You need a valid passport to check in for the domestic flight. You don't need another visa: Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the visa you arrived with covers the mainland too. More in our guide to visas and mandatory insurance.
Depending on where you're travelling from, you may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Ask your doctor before the trip, including whether you should take anything against malaria on the mainland.
Plan your safari at least 2 days before your international flight home. Small planes depend on the weather, and you don't want to be racing to the airport.
Comfortable clothes in neutral colours, closed shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. A light layer helps on the early morning flight and drive.
A safari day means many hours in a jeep on bumpy park roads. Before you book, think about whether that suits everyone in your group, especially small children, pregnant women and anyone with back or mobility problems.
Vegetarian meals and food allergies are usually no problem. Just let us know when you book, and check with us beforehand if your diet is stricter.
Bring a camera or phone with plenty of space. Binoculars are a bonus. Drones and flash photography aren't allowed in the parks.
“An incredible activity – it's a real feast for the eyes. The guide was lovely and took the time to explain the characteristics and habits of each animal you encounter. The food offered is very good. In short, I recommend it 100%. Memories that will last a lifetime!”
GetYourGuide traveller, France
Mikumi day trip
“We had a lovely day on safari. As agreed via WhatsApp, we were picked up at the hotel and handed over by the driver to the next guide, and so on – until we arrived in Mikumi. The flight alone was already an initial experience. Vincent and our driver gave us a wonderful day with many great memories and various animals. We could almost touch the lions, elephants, zebras and giraffes – our friendly driver and Vincent, our guide who speaks good German, were able to take us that close to the animals. It was an incredible experience that we would recommend to anyone who is in Zanzibar.”
GetYourGuide traveller, Germany
Mikumi day trip
“Extremely well ran, friendly guide and great communication leading up to the trip. A trip of a life time, highly recommend. All the guide communicate to tell each other where the animals are at. Saw 3 of the 4 big 5 that are at the selous (no rhinos at the park) - even saw the rare wild African hunting dog.”
Matt, United Kingdom
Selous day trip
“Very well organised from pick up to drop off the following day, our guide was very good and we managed to see all but the leopard, which was amazing! Food was good and lodge was clean and comfortable.”
GetYourGuide traveller, United Kingdom
2-day Selous safari
“Amazing experience! It was my first time going on safari and the experience ran smoothly even though there are a lot of steps to finally get there. I was so impressed with the entire day and I would definitely book again.”
GetYourGuide traveller, United Kingdom
Mikumi day trip
“The excursion was perfectly planned. The pick-up at the hotel, the flight, the safari, and the return transport were all very good. Our safari guide, Sylvester, was very nice and answered every question and explained everything in detail. I can only recommend it.”
Swen, Germany
Selous day trip
“The two-day safari was an unforgettable experience for us. The overall organisation, the friendliness of the guide, the food and the accommodation met our expectations. We are glad that we booked this experience.”
GetYourGuide traveller, Germany
2-day Selous safari
No, there are no big safari animals on Zanzibar. Safaris from Zanzibar fly to national parks on the mainland, such as Mikumi, Selous or Saadani.
Yes. Our 1-day safaris to Mikumi and Selous leave in the early morning and bring you back to Zanzibar in the late afternoon.
Our 1-day safaris start at $415 per adult, and 2-day safaris start at $725 per adult, including flights, park fees, guide and meals.
A few days ahead is usually enough. Some guests book months or even a year in advance, so if your dates are fixed, especially in the busy season, there’s no harm in booking early.
If you book the hotel transfer, we pick you up at your hotel in the morning and drop you back there after the safari. Without the transfer, you make your own way to Zanzibar Airport, and the tour ends back at the airport too.
On our safaris, no: flights, park fees, the guide, the jeep, lunch and drinks are all paid for in advance. With other operators, check what’s included, as some things may have to be paid on the spot. Either way, it’s good to bring a little cash if you’d like something extra, such as souvenirs or a tip for your guide.
You have good chances of seeing elephants, buffalo and lions, and sometimes a leopard. Rhinos are extremely rare on a safari from Zanzibar, so seeing one takes a lot of luck.
Yes, as long as you stay inside the vehicle. Animals in the parks are used to safari jeeps and see the jeep with everyone in it as one big object, not as people. That’s why nobody gets out of the jeep during a game drive, and your guide always decides how close you can go.
Mikumi is a great first choice, because its open plains make animals easy to spot. But all three parks give you a safari experience you’ll remember for a long time.
Small planes depend on the weather. If the flight can’t go, we move your safari to another day and agree the new date with you.
It can be, but it’s a long day in a jeep on bumpy park roads. Think about whether that suits your children, especially small ones.
As for the price, with many safari operators children pay the same as adults. With us, children always pay less than adults.
Our safaris are in English. French, German or Polish guides are available on request for a small extra fee.
Whether you have one free day or two, a safari is one of the best things you can add to a Zanzibar holiday. Pick the park that suits you, or send us a message and we’ll help you choose.
