Choosing to begin your safari from Zanzibar is both practical and rewarding. Zanzibar serves as a convenient gateway to Tanzania’s iconic national parks, making it suitable to be the starting point of a thrilling safari experience. Moreover, starting a safari from Zanzibar allows you to spend some time unwinding and relaxing in its white-sand beaches, right across turquoise waters. Zanzibar provides a rich cultural experience, owing to its blend of African, Arabic, Indian and European heritage. It's also perfect for families or couples on a honeymoon looking for a diverse and well-rounded holiday with an adventurous safari. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about starting your safari from Zanzibar.

Connectivity:

Getting to and from Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania is convenient. Multiple flights operate from key cities like Arusha and Dar Es Salaam, providing easy access to the island and ensuring you can access both the Northern safari circuit as well as the Southern safari circuit from Zanzibar. Flights are available at various times throughout the day, offering flexibility in travel. This makes it ideal for travelers who want to maximize their time by enjoying a relaxed beach stay followed by a few action-packed days on safari, or vice versa.

Travel Options:

Fly-in:

Flying-in and out is the most efficient and comfortable option, ideal for those short on time or seeking luxury experiences. There are airstrips in all the major national parks mentioned above. You can either begin your fly-in journey directly from Zanzibar, or fly to Arusha (for Northern Circuit) or Dar es Salaam (for Southern Circuit) first and then fly to your safari destination. If your itinerary includes multiple parks, we recommend flying-in one way and travelling by road for the rest of your trip. In this scenario, we will devise your itinerary in a way where this will be possible. However, it will require a longer duration of stay as compared to a complete fly-in option.

By Road:

To travel by road to your safari destinations, you will be required to reach Arusha (for Northern Circuit) or Dar es Salaam (for Southern Circuit) first. Thus, this travel option will require you to travel partially by air. After you reach the starting point of your safari, we will embark on a 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser for the entirety of your safari.

Safari Duration:

Recommended duration for a safari in Tanzania is:

• 2 to 5 days for a quick taste of wildlife safari, covering a couple of national parks.
• 6 to 8 days for visiting the top parks including Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
• 9 to 11 days for covering the top parks with a relaxed schedule.
• 12+ days for a once-in-a-lifetime trip with maximum wildlife spotting potential.

Popular Tours:

2-Day safaris:

For a low-cost safari , flying into Dar es salaam and driving to Mikumi national park or Nyerere is a good option. If budget allows, we suggest flying into Nyerere and back from Zanzibar directly. This will allow you sufficient time to adequately cover the park you choose to visit, and save the long drive. To see the Big 5, you can consider flying into Arusha and visiting Tarangire and Ngorongoro.

Click here to get more details about a 2-day safari to Mikumi National Park

Click here to get more details about a 2-day safari to Nyerere National Park.

Click here for the fly-in option.

Click here to get more details about a 2-day safari to Ngorongoro and Tarangire

3-Day safaris:

For a low-cost safari, flying into Dar es salaam and driving to Nyerere National Park is a good option. If budget allows, we recommend flying in and out of Nyerere National Park or Serengeti National Park to and from Zanzibar directly. You can also consider flying to Serengeti National Park and driving back to Arusha while covering Ngorongoro on the way, and finally complete your journey by flying from Arusha to Zanzibar. Another alternative is to fly into Arusha and back and do a 3 day safari covering Tarangire and Ngorongoro.

Click here to get more details about a 3-day safari to Nyerere National Park

Click here to get more details about a 3-day safari to Serengeti National Park

Click here to get more details about a 3-day safari to Serengeti and Ngorongro

Click here to get more details about a 3-day safari to Ngorongoro and Tarangire

4-day or longer safaris:

For a 4-day or longer safari duration, we recommend flying into Arusha and visiting Serengeti, Ngorongoro and other parks based on available duration, and flying back to Zanzibar from Arusha . If the budget allows, flying into Serengeti directly and covering other parks is an excellent option. After completing your safari, you can fly back to Zanzibar from Arusha.

Click here to get more details about a 4-day safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire

Click here to get more details about a 4-day safari to Nyerere National Park

Click here to get more details about a 4-day safari to Nyerere and Mikumi

Costs

Costs for a safari starting from Zanzibar can vary depending on your preferences, requirements, and customizations. Keeping this in mind, safari costs can vary depending on the number of days, season, accommodation preference, travel type (by road or fly-in), safari type (private or group), the number of people, add-ons, airport transfers etc. Generally, a safari starting from Zanzibar for a group of 2 can vary anywhere from USD 200 to USD 1500 per person per day. The above mentioned price range includes park fees, accommodations, meals, transport & game drives in custom land cruisers with professional guides, and does not factor in flying to and from Zanzibar, fly-in travel option for the safari, airport transfers, pre and post safari accommodations, beverages while on tour, and tips to the guides or other locals.

Click here to get a detailed overview of safari costs in Tanzania.

Top Safari Destinations Accessible from Zanzibar:

Northern Circuit:

Tanzania's Northern Circuit is a haven for safari enthusiasts. This circuit houses iconic national parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire, and the towering Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. This circuit promises an unparalleled safari experience with a diverse range of activities and accommodation options catering to every budget. Whether you're an adventure enthusiast seeking thrills, or a nature lover eager to explore the abundant wildlife, the Northern Circuit has something for everyone.

Serengeti National Park:

Also called the Big Cat capital, Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most legendary wildlife reserves. Serengeti National Park is famous for its incredible wildlife diversity, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), and hosting the Great Migration, the largest land-based animal migration in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Click here to know everything you need to know about Serengeti National Park

Ngorongoro Crater:

The result of a tall active volcano exploding around 2 million years ago, Ngorongoro Crater has a unique landscape filled with rich and fertile soil, capable of supporting various types of vegetation and ecosystems. At any given time, there are around 25,000 animals present at the base of Ngorongoro Crater itself. Ngorongoro is one of the few places in Tanzania that has all the big five: Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Elephant, and Rhino. It also has the highest density of mammalian predators and the densest concentration of lions anywhere in Africa! Along with the big cats, the real special animal found at the base of the crater is the endangered Black Rhino.

Click here to know everything you need to know about Ngorongoro Crater

Tarangire National Park:

Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s most distinctive safari destinations, known for its remarkable wildlife, unique landscapes, and tranquil atmosphere. It boasts the highest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania, especially during the dry season (June to October), when herds of up to 300 gather around the Tarangire River. The park is also famed for its ancient baobab trees, which stand tall across a diverse landscape of acacia woodlands, grasslands, riverine forests, and seasonal swamps. Tarangire contains thousands of wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes, and antelopes during the dry months, which in turn draw predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas.

Click here to know everything you need to know about Tarangire National Park

Southern Circuit:

The Southern Circuit offers a more remote and expansive safari experience. The parks in the South are vast, teeming with wildlife, and devoid of bustling crowds. The Southern Circuit is also a haven for witnessing some of the last wild dogs in larger numbers and families of black rhino. The extensive parks in this region mean plenty of travel, exposing you to diverse flora and fauna while enjoying a more intimate safari experience with fewer vehicles, creating a distinct ambiance.

Nyerere National Park:

Nyerere National Park is Africa’s largest stand-alone national park, covering over 30,000 square kilometres. The park is significant for its vast, untouched wilderness, extraordinary biodiversity, and critical role in wildlife conservation, including hosting endangered species and serving as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its diverse ecosystems, ranging from savannahs and wetlands to dense forests, support a wide variety of wildlife and help maintain ecological balance in the region.

Mikumi National Park:

Mikumi National Park is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park, covering 3,230 square kilometres. It is renowned for its abundant wildlife, diverse ecosystems, and scenic landscapes surrounded by mountains and hills. Sometimes called the "little Serengeti," Mikumi offers excellent game viewing with fewer crowds, making it a hidden gem for those seeking a more intimate safari experience. Its open plains, varied habitats, and proximity to Dar es Salaam make it both accessible and rewarding for wildlife enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Combining the coastal charm of Zanzibar with the wildlife wonders of Tanzania’s mainland is one of the best ways to experience the country’s full diversity. Whether you choose a short excursion or a full safari circuit, a safari tour from Zanzibar adds depth, adventure, and unforgettable memories to your trip. Reach out to our professional sales team at Monkey Adventures to help tailor the perfect safari-beach combination for your travel plans along with a free quote.