4-Day Fly from Zanzibar to Mikumi Safari
trip overview
A short safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi's open plains.
This 4-day safari takes you from the beaches of Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park, with a short flight to Dar es Salaam and a scenic drive west. You'll spend a full day on game drives across the Mkata Floodplain, then return to Dar es Salaam and fly back to Zanzibar, making it an easy add-on to a beach holiday.
Trip Highlights
day-by-day itinerary
Where you go each day, what you'll see, and where you sleep each night.
You'll stay at a lodge near Mikumi National Park on Nights 1 and 2, and at a hotel in Dar es Salaam on Night 3. Flight and drive times are approximate and depend on the flight schedule and conditions.
Fly from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam and Drive to Mikumi
After breakfast, you'll be transferred from your hotel to Zanzibar's airport for a short flight to Dar es Salaam, where your guide will meet you for the drive west to Mikumi National Park, with a stop for lunch along the way.
You'll arrive at your lodge near Mikumi in the late afternoon, with time to settle in before dinner and your first night near the park.
Full-Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park
You'll spend the day exploring Mikumi National Park in your private safari vehicle, starting with an early morning game drive across the Mkata Floodplain, where elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and buffalo are often seen, along with lions.
After lunch, you'll head out again on an afternoon game drive, including a stop at the park's hippo pools, before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Morning Game Drive and Drive to Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, you'll enjoy one more morning game drive in Mikumi National Park, with a last chance to see the animals you've been hoping to find.
You'll then drive back to Dar es Salaam, with a stop for lunch, arriving in the evening to check in to your hotel for the night.
Fly Back to Zanzibar
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Dar es Salaam's airport for your short flight back to Zanzibar, marking the end of your fly-in safari.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Return flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam
- Private safari vehicle and professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 3 nights' accommodation: lodge near Mikumi (2 nights) and a hotel in Dar es Salaam (1 night)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Game drives in Mikumi National Park
- Mikumi National Park fees
- Drinking water during game drives
- Airport and hotel transfers in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
- Flights to and from Zanzibar from your home country
- Travel & medical insurance
- Tanzania visa fees
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
- Drinks not listed above and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed above
- Hotel nights before or after the safari
Important to know before booking
- Flights between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam are short domestic flights, and baggage allowances are set by the airline. We'll confirm the limit when you book.
- Days 1 and 3 include long drives between Dar es Salaam and Mikumi, so allow for a full day of travel.
- Additional hotel accommodation before and after the safari can be arranged for an extra cost — ask us when booking.
- Wildlife sightings depend on the season and conditions, and cannot be guaranteed.
- Days are hot, but early morning game drives are cool, so a light jacket is useful.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about malaria prevention before you travel.
what to bring
Your packing list for the safari.
Days are hot, with cooler early mornings on game drives, so light layers are the key. Here's what to pack for the 4 days.
- Light, neutral-coloured shirts and trousers
- Light jacket or fleece for early morning game drives
- Light rain jacket
- Comfortable clothes for travel days
- Swimwear for the lodge, if it has a pool
- Wide-brimmed hat or cap
- UV sunglasses
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Sandals for the lodge
- Light socks
- Binoculars
- Camera with a zoom lens and spare memory cards
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Small daypack for game drives
- Soft bag, easy to carry on flights and in the vehicle
- Sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit and any prescription medication
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Toiletries
- Passport and Tanzania e-Visa
- Travel insurance details
- Yellow fever certificate, if required
- Small US dollar notes for tips
- Printed or saved copies of your documents
- Light jacket for cooler evenings
- Long sleeves and trousers for the evenings, to keep insects off
- Swimwear for the lodge pool, if it has one
- A book or journal for downtime
- Zip-lock bags to keep dust off electronics
Packing tips
- Pack in a soft bag, as space in safari vehicles is limited. We'll confirm any luggage limits when you book.
- Dress in layers: early mornings are cool and the days warm up, so being able to add and remove layers matters more than any one item.
- Stick to neutral colours such as khaki, green and beige, which are better for game drives than bright colours.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-day Fly from Zanzibar to Mikumi Safari 3 nights in a lodge and hotel, meals as listed, park fees and return flights included | $1,450 | Per person |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Additional hotel accommodation before or after the safari can be arranged for an extra cost.
Ready for a fly-in safari?
Reach out and we'll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
You'll fly from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam on a short flight, which is included in your price, and then drive west to Mikumi with your guide. The drive takes roughly 4 to 5 hours.
Yes — this is a popular add-on before or after a Zanzibar beach holiday. Let us know your dates and we can arrange the flights and transfers to fit.
Flying to Dar es Salaam and driving gives you a scenic road journey and a lower price than a fly-in to the park, while still keeping your safari short.
Mikumi's open floodplain is a good place to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and hippos, with lions also seen on game drives. Sightings can't be guaranteed.
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required depending on your transit country — check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
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