Safari from Zanzibar: how it works
There is no bridge or road from Zanzibar to the mainland. A Zanzibar safari therefore starts with a flight or a ship crossing, and the road part begins only on the other side. The flight schedules below show what fly-in trips can look like.
The big parks are not on the islands. Serengeti, Nyerere, Selous and Mikumi are mainland destinations with their own guides, and this page stays with the part that starts in Zanzibar: connections, timing, fees and entry rules. Good chances of seeing wildlife depend on the park and the season, and no trip can promise a sighting.
Our picks: safaris from Zanzibar
All three are day trips by plane from the island with park fees covered. Two go to Mikumi and one to Nyerere, the northern part of the former Selous, so compare what each one includes.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mikumi day safari with a return flight
- Return flight
- All fees and taxes
- Airport transfers
Snacks, fruit and drinks are on board the jeep during the game drive in Mikumi National Park.
Check availability →
Mikumi safari day trip with flights
- Return flights
- Park entry and landing fees
- Bush lunch
A shared game drive in a 4x4 with an English-speaking driver-guide. The Zanzibar travel insurance is extra.
Check availability →Nyerere day safari with flights, the former Selous
- Return flight
- Park entry and landing fees
- Bush lunch
A shared game drive in a 4x4 in Nyerere National Park, the northern part of the former Selous. The Zanzibar travel insurance is extra.
Check availability →Safaris from Zanzibar
Fly-in safaris, day trips to the mainland parks and combined trips from Zanzibar, with live prices and availability.
Safari from Zanzibar: flights and times
Examples from the flight schedule of April 2026, valid until 31 May 2027.
| Route | Planned time | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar to Selous | 07:50–09:15 | 1 h 25 min | Via Dar es Salaam; minimum of 2 seats from Dar es Salaam |
| Zanzibar to Serengeti (Seronera) | 08:40–12:15 | 3 h 35 min | Via Arusha and Manyara |
| Zanzibar to Seronera, July to September | 08:30–11:00 | 2 h 30 min | Only in the season marked in the schedule |
These are block times, not nonstop flights, and the schedule itself warns about extra stops and short-notice route changes. Check the return flight and its time before you plan a day trip. "Selous" is the route name used on the schedule, so check which airstrip and which national park your tour actually uses. Ask your operator for the full itinerary.
Mainland parks you can combine with Zanzibar
Each has its own guide.
Serengeti
The Serengeti is the longest flight on the list. For routes, timing and the park itself, see Serengeti from Zanzibar.
Nyerere and Selous
The route name Selous and the park name Nyerere overlap in tour offers. Nyerere from Zanzibar explains boat and walking safaris, and Selous Game Reserve covers the reserve and its history.
Mikumi
Mikumi National Park lies on the mainland and has its own guide at Mikumi from Dar es Salaam. Ask your operator for the flight options and the full price.
Fees, payment and insurance
What changes the budget for the mainland leg.
Park fees
TANAPA sets the park fees, and they differ by park, age group and season. Ask your operator which fee applies on your dates, whether VAT is included and how long the ticket is valid. Do not rely on fee tables from earlier years.
Payment
TANAPA fees are paid through the government payment system, online, at banks, by card or by mobile payment. Ask your operator how the fee is paid and do not plan on cash at the gate.
Insurance for both parts
The state travel insurance is compulsory. Since October 2026 it also applies when you enter on the mainland, and the cover of your first point of entry is enough for up to 92 days. If you enter at Zanzibar first, you buy the Zanzibar insurance. A private policy you already own does not replace it.
Visa and insurance →Entry and visa
The eVisa is valid for the mainland and Zanzibar. An ordinary single entry visa costs $50 and is valid up to 90 days.
Planning a safari around your Zanzibar days
Seasons and order.
The long rains (Masika) run from March to May and the short rains (Vuli) from October to December. January and February are relatively dry, and June to September is the drier part of the year. These are the national seasons, and each park has its own conditions, so check the guide of the park you choose.
You can put the safari before or after your beach days. Either order works with the insurance rule, because the cover of your first point of entry is enough for up to 92 days. Book onward flights with the tour in mind, since the schedule above warns about changes at short notice.
Getting to the airport and to the ferry
The start of every safari from Zanzibar.
Most fly-in trips leave early, so plan your transfer. The airport taxi to Stone Town costs $15 per taxi, to Nungwi or Kendwa $65, to Paje $50 and to Kiwengwa or Pongwe $50, one way for up to 7 passengers. The airport page has the full list. If you cross by ship, note that travel advice recommends against sea crossings in storms and thunderstorms and warns about overloaded ships.
Safari from Zanzibar: frequently asked questions
Can I do a safari from Zanzibar?
Yes, but not by road. You reach the mainland by plane or by ship, and the safari begins there. Scheduled flights serve airstrips near Selous and the Serengeti.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar to the Serengeti?
The April 2026 schedule shows 3 h 35 min via Arusha and Manyara, and 2 h 30 min on a route flown from July to September. These are planned times with stops, not nonstop flights.
Is a day safari possible?
A same-day return is not a given. Ask for the full itinerary, including the return flight and its time.
Do I need extra insurance for a safari?
The state insurance is compulsory for visitors to Zanzibar and the mainland, and the cover of your first point of entry is enough for up to 92 days. Check the cover for activities you plan with your insurer.
What are the chances of seeing animals?
Good, depending on the park, the season and the guide, but never guaranteed. Wild animals move and are not on a schedule.