What You Need to Know: Our 2-day Mikumi safari from Zanzibar costs from US$1,928 per person for 2 travelers sharing, including the return flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. You fly to Dar es Salaam early, about 20 minutes, drive about 4.5–5 hours to Mikumi National Park for an afternoon game drive and a night at Bastian Camp or similar, then take a sunrise game drive before the drive and flight back to Zanzibar. Park fees, meals as listed and a private 4x4 with a driver-guide are included.
Who Is the Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar For?
It is for beach travelers on Zanzibar who want to see lions, elephants and giraffes in the wild without giving up more than two days of their holiday. Mikumi's open plains make the animals easy to find, and a night near the park gives you both the afternoon and the early-morning light. It is a full trip, with long travel days, so it suits travelers who don't mind an early start.
| This safari suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You're on Zanzibar and have two days for a safari | You'd rather avoid long road transfers: a fly-in safari to Nyerere, about an hour from Zanzibar by light aircraft |
| You want the Big Five classics: lions, elephants, buffaloes | You can spend a night in Dar es Salaam: the 2-day Mikumi safari by SGR train |
| You're happy with an early start and a long day of travel | You have three days: the 3-day Mikumi safari with a Maasai village visit |
The Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar at a Glance
| Day | Plan | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Early flight Zanzibar–Dar es Salaam, drive to Mikumi, picnic lunch, afternoon game drive | Bastian Camp or similar |
| 2 | Sunrise game drive, breakfast, drive to Dar es Salaam, flight back to Zanzibar | — |
2-Day Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar, Day by Day
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Day 1: Fly from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, drive to Mikumi and an afternoon game drive
An early transfer from your Zanzibar hotel to the airport for the short flight to Dar es Salaam, about 20 minutes. Your driver-guide meets you on arrival for the drive of about 4.5–5 hours west to Mikumi National Park, with a picnic lunch on the way. In the afternoon you head out on the Mkata Floodplain in the open-roof 4x4, looking for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and lions, before checking in at camp for dinner.
Stay: Bastian Camp or similar, near the park, with a swimming pool.
FlightRoad transferGame drivePicnic lunch, dinner -
Day 2: Sunrise game drive in Mikumi and back to Zanzibar
Out early for a morning game drive, the best time to see the animals active. After breakfast you drive back to Dar es Salaam with lunch on the way, and fly to Zanzibar, where we transfer you to your hotel.
Sunrise game driveRoad transferFlightBreakfast, lunch
How to Get from Zanzibar to Mikumi
There is no direct road from Zanzibar, and Mikumi has no scheduled flights, so every Mikumi trip from the island goes through Dar es Salaam. These are the three ways we do it:
| Route | Time each way | Our package |
|---|---|---|
| Flight to Dar es Salaam, then road | About 20 minutes flying plus 4.5–5 hours by road | This 2-day safari |
| Ferry to Dar es Salaam, a night there, then the SGR train | About 2 hours by ferry, then about 1 hour 40 minutes by train and 2 hours by road | The 2-day train safari plus a Dar es Salaam night |
| Ferry or flight, then a longer stay | As above | The 3-day Mikumi safari |
If you'd rather fly straight into a park from Zanzibar, Nyerere is about an hour by light aircraft and is quoted on request; see our southern Tanzania safaris.
How Much Is a Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar?
The safari costs from US$1,928 per person for 2 travelers sharing, including the return flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. Solo travelers, groups and children are quoted on request.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| 2-day Mikumi safari from Zanzibar, flights included, 2 sharing | From US$1,928 per person |
| 2-day Mikumi safari by SGR train, from Dar es Salaam | From US$964 per person, train extra |
| Fast ferry, Zanzibar–Dar es Salaam | US$55 per person each way |
| Mikumi park fee (included) | About US$35.40 per adult per 24 hours (incl. 18% VAT); children 5–15 about US$11.80 |
What the Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar Includes
- Return flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, with transfers on Zanzibar
- Private transport in a custom-built 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, sliding windows, a fridge for drinks and binoculars
- A professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance and conservation fees, government taxes and levies
- Game drives as described
- 1 night at Bastian Camp or similar, with meals as listed
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa and the mandatory inbound travel insurance (US$44 per adult)
- Optional activities, drinks, tips and personal expenses
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so you don't need another visa for the mainland; keep your passport with you for the domestic flights.
How to Book the Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar
Send us your dates and the number of travelers through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation and the itinerary for your dates. A 30% deposit confirms the booking and the balance is paid on arrival. If you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, the deposit is refunded in full; closer to the date, a sliding scale applies, and your quotation sets out the terms.
Common Questions About the 2-Day Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar
Can you do a safari from Zanzibar in 2 days?
Yes. Our 2-day Mikumi safari flies you to Dar es Salaam and drives you to Mikumi for an afternoon and a sunrise game drive, from US$1,928 per person for two with the flights.
How far is Mikumi from Zanzibar?
About 20 minutes by air to Dar es Salaam, then 4.5–5 hours by road to the park.
Is Mikumi or Nyerere better from Zanzibar?
Nyerere is closer by air, about an hour by light aircraft straight to the park, with boat safaris; Mikumi has open plains where the animals are easy to see, reached through Dar es Salaam.
What animals will we see in Mikumi?
Elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest and lions are seen on most game drives, with hippos at the Hippo Pools.
Can we take the ferry instead of flying?
Yes. The fast ferry takes about 2 hours and costs US$55 per person each way; with a night in Dar es Salaam you can take the SGR train to Mikumi, as in our 2-day train safari.
Do I need my passport?
Yes. Carry it for the domestic flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
The Bottom Line
Two days is enough to leave the beach and see Mikumi's elephants, giraffes and lions: a flight, a drive, an afternoon and a sunrise game drive, from US$1,928 per person for two with the flights included. Send us your Zanzibar hotel and dates for a quotation.