Is it possible to go to the mainland from the island for a one-day safari? At what price? By what means of transport? Is it worth it, or should a longer duration be planned? The answer is YES, it is indeed possible, and it's worth it. Find in this article my account of a one-day safari and the other safari options possible from Zanzibar with their prices according to the duration and location.
Safari options from Zanzibar
Tanzania is known for its best Safari reserves in Africa, such as the Ngorogoro or Serengeti parks in the north of the country, but these are not the only options available, and certainly not the most affordable.
Here are the different Safari options from Zanzibar, for one or more days of Game drive. Prices are indicative of average prices and may vary according to season. Prices are per person and include transport, safari, meals and accommodation for overnight stays in the park. Contact Zanzibar Tailor-made to organize your Safari via this form or book your Safari from Zanzibar in one of the options proposed in this article, according to the park of your choice.
Park name | Safari duration | Means of transportation | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
Saadani | 1 day | 2h by Boat | €350 |
Mikumi | 1 day | 1h Flight | €590 |
Mikumi | 2 nights/ 3 days | 2h Ferry + 8h Taxi | €690 |
Selous | 1 nights/ 2 days | 1h Flight | €890 |
Selous | 2 nights/ 3 days | 2h Ferry + 5h Taxi | €790 |
Selous | 2 nights/ 3 days | 1h Flight | €1100 |
Tarangire & Ngorongoro | 2 nights/ 3 days | 2h Flight | €1200 |
Serengeti | 2 nights/ 3 days | 2h30 Flight | €1900 |
Ruaha | 2 nights/ 3 days | 2h Flight | €1800 |
4- Safari from Zanzibar to Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is one of Africa's largest, covering an area of 14,800 km². In all seasons, it is home to a vast array of wildlife. Some 3,000 lions can be found almost everywhere. The park is the scene of the largest animal migration in existence, and only in the Serengeti can you truly experience this impression of wild immensity. The spectacle of grassy plains as far as the eye can see, covered by millions of wildebeest, zebra and antelope, is unsurpassed. All the animals of northern Tanzania are represented and easily observed in the Serengeti. The animals are easy to spot on the plains. The Serengeti is also famous for the incredible wildebeest migration, with a herd of 2 million herbivores, including 1.3 million wildebeest, moving at an unchanging pace, and is certainly one of the most impressive animal spectacles to be witnessed. In Tanzania and Kenya, there are no fences in the way of movement, and we witness the last great animal migration in the world. The wildebeest form columns up to 40 km long, and smell the rain from afar, rushing to areas where the grass is greening up. Although they are the most numerous, wildebeest are only part of the caravan: hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle join them, and of course predators wouldn't miss such an opportunity for the world. The Park's originality also lies in the variety of its environments: open, grassy plains in the south, acacia savannah in the central zone, a region of wooded hills in the north, and large wooded areas and plains dominated by mountains in the western corridor.
3- Safari from Zanzibar to Selous National Park
I only recommend this park during the dry season, from July to October, as during this period the animals congregate around the waterholes and on the banks of the Rufiji River in the north of the park, the only part of the park reserved for Safaris, the rest being leased to private hunting companies, who play an important role in the management of these remote areas. Selous is home to Africa's largest population of wild dogs, as well as a large number of elephants, hippos, lions and crocodiles.
2- Safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park covers an area of 3,230 km², making it Tanzania's third largest park after the Serengeti and Ruaha, but only a small part of the north is truly accessible, the south being wild and little explored. Surrounded by the Uluguru and Rubeho mountains, the park boasts beautiful scenery and numerous waterfalls. There is a high concentration of wildlife.
1- Cheap safari in Tanzania - Saadani National Park
Located at the center of the historic triangle of Bagamoyo, Pangani and Zanzibar, Saadani National Park covers 1100 km². It is Tanzania's only wildlife reserve bordering the sea. The climate is coastal, hot and humid. It offers a unique combination of marine and continental flora and fauna in a culturally fascinating setting. Around 30 species of large mammals are present, as well as numerous reptiles and birds. In addition to numerous species of fish (over 40), green turtles, humpback whales and dolphins live in the ocean near the Zaraninge forest. Numerous villages can be found around the park's boundaries. Before being included in the national park, Zaraninge Forest was managed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), whose aim was to preserve the enormous botanical diversity of one of Tanzania's last remaining coastal rainforests.
My Safari from Zanzibar to Saadani National Park
The journey to Saadani National Park begins at 4 a.m. We wake up early to meet our driver, who takes us to the port of Kendwa in the north-west of the island. Once there, the real journey begins, a boat trip along the Indian Ocean taking us to the Tanzanian mainland in around 2 hours. As soon as we reach the beach, we meet our guides in their green jeeps, ready to take us on an adventure. The safari lasts around 10 hours, with a one-hour lunch break in a seaside restaurant.
I was lucky enough to observe many ruminants and primates on my Saadani safari, including giraffes, zebras, hippos, buffaloes, monkeys, warthogs and various antelopes such as cobes, hartebeests, wildebeests, greater kudus, elands and even the magnificent and rare black hippotrague. Our guide informed me that elephants are on the increase and several lions have established their territory in Saadani Park, as well as leopards, spotted hyenas and black-backed jackals, but unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to cross their path.
Safari in Saadani - Giraffe observation
Safari in Saadani - Zebra observation
Safari in Saadani - Warthog observation
Safari in Saadani - Hippoptamus observation
Safari in Saadani - Antelope observation
Safari in Saadani - Monkey watching
My opinion on the Safari in Saadani National park
Originally, I wanted to do the best Serengeti reserve, but there were no flights available for my dates (remember to plan well in advance for fly-in safaris), but I'm not going to complain. Saadani met my expectations and offered me an experience that will remain engraved in my memory forever. On the other hand, I didn't like the dense vegetation, due to the hot, humid climate, which made it difficult to find and observe animals, and the impossibility of observing the big five in this park. A good excuse to do another Safari very soon.
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