Many visitors reach Zanzibar at the end of a safari, but you can also fit a safari into a beach holiday. The fastest way is to fly to Mikumi National Park, in the south of mainland Tanzania, spend the day on game drives and fly back the same day. This shared fly-in tour takes about eight hours, includes the flights, hotel pickup, lunch and a guided safari in a small group, and is rated 4.9 from more than twenty reviews. Mikumi is a large park of open floodplains and woodland, home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos, wildebeest and a good variety of birds, and lions and other predators are seen on some drives. It is not the same as the Serengeti, but it is far closer to Zanzibar than the northern circuit, and one day is enough to see a surprising amount. It is also the most expensive excursion on this site, so it suits travellers who truly want a taste of the bush.
How it works
You are collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for a short scheduled or charter flight to the park, where a guide meets you with a safari vehicle. You spend most of the day on game drives with a break for lunch, then fly back to Zanzibar in the late afternoon and are dropped at your hotel.
The booking page lists what is included and the exact schedule, which is early and long, so be ready for a start well before breakfast. It is a shared tour with a small group, which keeps the cost lower than a private departure.
What you see
The park’s Mkata floodplain is the heart of the experience, a broad grassland where herds gather in the open and giraffes feed among borassus palms. Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, and the dry season from June to October concentrates animals around water and makes sightings easier. In the green season the grass is higher and the park is quieter. Elephants, buffalo and giraffes are the most reliable sightings, and a lion or other predator is a bonus rather than a promise.
Making the most of it
You travel to the mainland, so carry your passport or the identity document the operator asks for. Small aircraft have strict luggage limits, so take a soft bag, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and a light layer for the early flight, and wear neutral colours. Bring binoculars if you have them, and a camera with a zoom lens.
This is a long day with a lot of sitting, so it is better for adults and older children than for toddlers. Check the flight and park details on the booking page, and keep a spare beach day in your schedule in case of weather changes.
What to expect
The experience
A shared, small-group day: hotel pickup, a short flight to Mikumi National Park, guided game drives, lunch and the flight back.
Best time
June to October is the dry season, with the easiest wildlife viewing around water.
How long
About eight hours door to door, starting early.
Tips
Take a passport or ID, a soft bag for the small aircraft, sun protection, repellent and neutral clothes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beach visitors who have not been on safari and want one big-game day without leaving Zanzibar for long.
- Families
- Best for older children who can handle an early start and a long day in a vehicle.
- Couples
- A memorable day out, especially if you will not be going on a longer safari.
- Pair with
- A slow beach day the day after, or the Mnemba Atoll snorkelling trip for the opposite pace.
- Time needed
- One full day.
Good questions
How long is the Mikumi day trip?+
The shared fly-in tour takes about eight hours, with flights, game drives and lunch included.
Which animals can I see in Mikumi?+
Elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos and wildebeest are the usual sightings, and lions are seen on some drives. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Do I need a passport?+
You travel to the mainland, so carry your passport or the document the operator asks for.
Is it a private safari?+
No, this is a shared tour with a small group. Private departures are sold as separate products.
When is the best time to go?+
The dry season from June to October usually gives the best wildlife viewing, though the park can be visited year-round.
