Safari from Zanzibar?

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Zanzibar. Do you think it’s possible to do a safari from Zanzibar in 1 or 2 days? Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there, Planning a trip to Zanzibar. Do you think it's possible to do a safari from Zanzibar in 1 or 2 days? Thanks for your feedback!

Yes, it's possible, but I think it's a shame because it turns the safari into a rushed experience. And I'm not sure the agencies take you to the best spots...

thanks for your reply, I’ll think about it anyway

Hi there,

Yes, it’s possible and even quite common, but...

- You can head to either Mikumi Reserve (the closest), Selous (now Nyerere National Park), or Ruaha (the farthest). - It can be done in a group or solo. - Round-trip flights from Zanzibar are on small bush planes (12 to 20 seats, single or twin-engine). For group tours, you leave in the morning and return in the evening—packed 8 or 10 people into a 4x4, which is pretty rough. If you can, going solo or as a couple with one or two nights in a camp inside the reserve is the best option. You’ll stay either outside the reserve (like in Mikumi or Selous), which is a bit cheaper since you don’t have to pay the overnight stay tax.

If you want to get an idea of these two reserves, check out my trip report from a 2-week safari in June 2024: https://voyageforum.com/forum/mikumi-selous-dans-sud-tanzanien-juin-2024-d10707408/ We ran into a lot of day-trip safari groups.

Here’s the Dar es Salaam agency that organized our trip—run by a Belgian, so communication in French is easy. (And we’ve used them for 4 other trips before.) https://asanterra.com

Cheers,

Puma2A

Hi, Alain, thank you so much for your help and assistance! I’d started looking at your excursions and trips, and I really like what I see. I’ll go through everything carefully. Thanks again! Best regards, Sébastien

Hi Sebastien,

For a real safari, my advice would be to go to Selous for 3 days and 2 nights on-site at Lake Manze Camp, on a private safari (or at Impala Camp). You’d arrive by plane midday at Selous/A.M., take a boat safari on the Rufiji River, spend the night, have a full-day safari, another night, then depart midday after the safari to head to the airstrip. Alternatively, the same program is available in Mikumi, staying outside the reserve to lower the cost a bit (no boat safari in Mikumi). But if you’re planning a 2- or 3-day safari, I’d recommend arranging everything in advance: You can arrive in Zanzibar, enjoy your stay, go on safari, and leave directly either from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam without returning to your lodge. Just make sure to pack light, as bush planes usually limit luggage to 14 kg.

Purely personal opinion—easier said than done!

Cheers,

Puma2A