Safari + beach
Safari and Beach: Combine Zanzibar with a Safari
Add wildlife to your beach holiday without a long road trip. Compare the safaris you can do from Zanzibar, see two sample weeks with every cost added up, and avoid the three common planning mistakes.
Updated 2026-10-28, by the Suntrip Zanzibar team
You do not need to leave Zanzibar for days to see African wildlife. From the island you can fly to Mikumi National Park for a day and be back at your hotel the same evening, or go further for two or three nights. This page compares the options we run and shows two sample weeks with the full cost worked out.
Your safari options from Zanzibar
| Safari | What you do | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Private Mikumi Safari | Fly in, game drive in your own vehicle, lunch in the park, back at your hotel the same evening. | Short stays and anyone who wants a safari without leaving the beach for a night. | $550 per adultChildren 3–15: $500 |
| 1-Day Sharing Mikumi Safari | The same flights and park, in a vehicle shared with other travellers. | Solo travellers and couples on a budget. | $450 per adultChildren 3–15: $400 |
| 2-Day Mikumi Fly-In Safari | One night near the park, with an evening and an early-morning game drive. | Better wildlife chances: animals are most active early and late in the day. | From $950 per adult |
| 2-Day Mikumi & Nyerere (Selous) Safari | Mikumi's plains plus a boat safari on the Rufiji River in Selous (Nyerere). | Travellers who want a boat safari as well as game drives. | From $885 per adult |
| 3-Day Mikumi & Udzungwa | Game drives in Mikumi and a hike to the Udzungwa Mountains waterfalls, two nights. | Active travellers who like walking as much as wildlife. | From $1,500 per adult (private) |
| 3-Day Fly-In to the Serengeti | Fly from Zanzibar direct to the Serengeti for a 3-day safari. | Travellers who want the classic northern-circuit savannah. | From $1,925 per adult (booked via our Serengeti site) |
Safari prices are per person from our safari pages. Children's prices are shown where we publish them; ask us for the others.
What you will and won't see in Mikumi
Mikumi's open Mkata floodplain makes animals easy to spot: lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and impala are typical, and hippos live in pools near the main gate. Leopards are present but rarely seen. Rhino have been missing from Mikumi for about three decades, so we never sell it as a Big Five park. No sighting is guaranteed.
Safari first or beach first?
Safari in the middle works best for most people: arrive, rest a day, do the safari on day 2 or 3, then enjoy the rest of the week on the beach.
- Not on your last day. Charter flight times can change. Keep at least one day between the safari and your international flight home.
- Not straight after diving. Divers Alert Network recommends at least 12 hours after a single dive and 18 hours after several dives before flying. That includes the small plane to Mikumi.
- Pack light. Small planes have tight luggage limits. Leave your suitcase at the hotel and take a small soft bag: see our luggage guide.
Sample week 1: a couple in Nungwi
7 nights in Nungwi, with one private safari day and two Zanzibar trips. Prices in USD, excluding your hotel and meals.
| Airport transfer, arrival and departure | 2 × $65 = $130 |
|---|---|
| Day 3: 1-Day Private Mikumi Safari | 2 × $550 = $1,100 |
| Day 5: Mnemba Island Snorkeling Trip (pickup included) | 2 × $100 = $200 |
| Day 6: Stone Town Historical Walking Tour + return transfer | 2 × $21 + $130 = $172 |
| Total for two | $1,602 |
Sample week 2: a family of four in Paje
2 adults and 2 children aged 3–15, staying in Paje. Zanzibar tours are shown at the adult rate; we confirm child rates when you book, so your price can only go down.
| Airport transfer, arrival and departure (one vehicle) | 2 × $55 = $110 |
|---|---|
| 1-Day Private Mikumi Safari | 2 × $550 + 2 × $500 = $2,100 |
| Jozani Forest Tour + return transfer | 4 × $76 + $60 = $364 |
| Blue Lagoon Snorkeling Trip (pickup included) | 4 × $65 = $260 |
| Total for four | $2,834 |
Get your own plan
Tell us your hotel, your dates and who is travelling. We reply on WhatsApp with a day-by-day plan and one total price.
Questions and answers
Can I do a safari from Zanzibar in one day?
Yes. Our 1-day Mikumi safari flies you from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park and back the same day, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
How much is a safari from Zanzibar?
Our 1-day Mikumi safari is $550 per adult private or $450 sharing. Two- and three-day options start from $885 per adult.
Is Mikumi a Big Five park?
No. Mikumi has lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard, but rhino have been absent for about three decades.
Can I dive the day before my safari flight?
Plan at least 12 hours after a single dive and 18 hours after several dives before flying, following Divers Alert Network guidelines.
What should I bring on a day safari?
A small soft bag, passport, sun hat, sunscreen, neutral clothes and a camera. Leave your suitcase at the hotel.
Sources
- The Citizen: Tanapa to reintroduce rhinos in Mikumi (2023)
- Divers Alert Network: Guidelines for flying after diving
Prices and rules change. Last checked 2026-10-28. Tour prices are our own and are confirmed before you pay.
Safari and beach
Add a safari to your beach holiday
Mikumi National Park is a 45-minute charter flight from Zanzibar. Fly in for a full day of game drives and be back at your hotel the same evening: see our 1-day private Mikumi safari or the lower-priced sharing safari.
Dreaming of the Serengeti and the Great Migration? Our sister site, Serengeti Safari from Zanzibar, plans private fly-in Serengeti safaris of 1 to 5 days, with flights straight from Zanzibar.