Routes & Itineraries
Safari from Zanzibar: Mikumi, Nyerere or Serengeti?
By Haji, your local · updated on 09.10.2026 · 8 min read
Part of our complete Zanzibar travel guideA safari from Zanzibar is possible – even as a day tour. Zanzibar itself has no Big Five savannah, but the Tanzanian mainland lies right off the coast. Mikumi National Park is the quickest to reach; Nyerere (formerly Selous) and the Serengeti are spectacular, but need significantly more time and budget. Here is the honest comparison so you can combine beach and safari wisely.
Is there a safari on Zanzibar itself?
Not in the classic sense. Lions, elephants and giraffes live on the mainland. On the island you experience a different kind of wilderness instead: the rare Red Colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest, giant tortoises on Prison Island and dolphins off Kizimkazi. Anyone searching for “Zanzibar safari” usually means the real savannah experience – and that begins with a short hop to the mainland.
The three options compared
| Park | Time needed from Zanzibar | Experience | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikumi | 1–2 days | Open savannah, elephants, giraffes, zebras, with luck lions | Beach holidaymakers who want to “add on” a safari |
| Nyerere (Selous) | usually 2–3 days | Vast wilderness, river landscape, often fewer vehicles | Nature fans with a bit more time |
| Serengeti / Ngorongoro | usually 3+ days, arrival by flight | The iconic safari, wildlife migration depending on the season | Anyone planning the big safari as a destination of its own |
Our honest recommendation: if Zanzibar is your main destination and you have one or two days to spare for a safari, Mikumi is the most realistic choice. For the Serengeti and Ngorongoro it is worth planning a trip of its own or several days – otherwise you spend more time getting there than with the animals.
Mikumi as a day trip: how it works
The Mikumi day trip starts very early. The journey to the mainland is organised, then you head out by jeep on a full-day game drive through the savannah – with good chances of elephants, zebras and giraffes. In the evening you are back on Zanzibar. Price: from €520 p. p., privately guided.
Honestly: it is a long day. But you don't have to change hotels and still get a real taste of safari air.
Two days in Mikumi: more animals, less rush
The most beautiful moments of a safari are early in the morning and in the late afternoon, when the animals are active. On the 2-day safari you get both: first game drive in the afternoon, overnight stay in a lodge at the park and a full-day safari on the second day. Price: from €1,490 p. p.
Safari first, then beach – or the other way round?
Many travellers do the safari at the start and let the trip wind down at the beach. That has a lovely effect: after the early game drives you enjoy the calm by the sea twice as much. If the safari falls in the middle of your Zanzibar stay, plan at least one relaxed beach day afterwards. What a whole week can look like is shown by the 7-day route.
What to pack for a safari
- Clothing in muted colours (khaki, beige, green) and a warm layer for early morning
- Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Binoculars and a camera with zoom
- Mosquito protection – more in the article Malaria in Zanzibar
- Some cash for tips
Beach, safari or both? Tell me how many days you have – I will plan for you, free of charge, where the safari fits in best.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go on a safari from Zanzibar?+
Yes. The quickest to reach is Mikumi National Park on the Tanzanian mainland – as a day trip or with an overnight stay. Nyerere and the Serengeti are also possible, but need more time.
Which safari from Zanzibar is the best?+
That depends on your time. With one or two days, Mikumi is the best choice. If you have three or more days and a bigger budget, the Serengeti is the iconic experience.
How much does a safari from Zanzibar cost?+
With us the private Mikumi day trip costs from €520 p. p., the 2-day safari from €1,490 p. p. Safaris to the Serengeti are significantly more expensive because of the flights.
Is a safari day trip worth it?+
Yes, if you can only spare one day. It is a long day with an early start, but you see real savannah and big animals without changing hotels. If you want more calm, take the 2-day option.
Is a safari with children possible?+
Yes, Mikumi is also suitable for families. With small children, plan the 2-day option so the day doesn't get too long.