Safari in the north or safari from Zanzibar: which one?
| Northern safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) | Safari from Zanzibar (Nyerere, Mikumi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Suggested length | 4 to 6 days | 1 day or 2 days and one night |
| Access | Flight Zanzibar-Arusha then road and tracks | Small plane from Zanzibar airport |
| Wildlife | The big plains game, the Serengeti herds, the Ngorongoro crater | Elephants, giraffes, hippos; boat trip at Nyerere |
| Budget | Highest: park fees per day, lodging, vehicle | Day trip about 420 to 700 dollars at Nyerere, 465 to 985 at Mikumi (October 2026) |
| Who it suits | Those for whom the safari is the aim of the trip | Those who mostly want the beach |
Entry fees for the northern parks are given at about 70 to 83 dollars per adult per 24 hours by travel sites read in 2026, with differences by season and source; the descent into the Ngorongoro crater is quoted at about 295 dollars per vehicle. No official tariff was confirmed: ask what the package includes. For safaris from the island, see Nyerere (Selous) from Zanzibar and Mikumi from Zanzibar.
7-day itinerary: the essentials without rushing
Here the safari is a single day, starting from the island.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, transfer and night in Stone Town, dinner at Forodhani Gardens |
| 2 | Stone Town on foot, spice farm or Prison Island |
| 3 | Safari day by plane to Nyerere or Mikumi, very early start |
| 4 | Drive to Nungwi or Kendwa |
| 5 | Boat to Mnemba atoll |
| 6 | Beach or diving day, see diving in Zanzibar |
| 7 | Back to the airport with a generous margin |
10-day itinerary: two days of safari at Nyerere then the beach
14-day itinerary: Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire then Zanzibar
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha, night in Arusha |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park (elephants, baobabs) |
| 3 | Drive to Ngorongoro |
| 4 | Ngorongoro crater, then drive to the Serengeti |
| 5 to 6 | Serengeti: dawn and late-afternoon game drives |
| 7 | Last game drive, domestic flight to Arusha |
| 8 | Flight Arusha-Zanzibar (see below), night in Stone Town |
| 9 to 11 | North coast: Nungwi, Kendwa, Mnemba |
| 12 to 13 | East coast: Paje, Jambiani, Jozani |
| 14 | Back to the airport |
This plan is an example: the order of the parks and the number of nights change with the agency, the season and lodge availability, which must be booked well ahead in high season.
Flights between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar
A direct flight links Arusha and Zanzibar in about 1 h 15 to 1 h 20 according to the comparison sites read; several local airlines offer it (names and frequencies differ from source to source). Dar es Salaam is also about an hour from the island by fast ferry, see getting around Zanzibar. On small safari planes the baggage limit is strict, often one soft bag of about 15 kg: confirm with the agency.
When to go
The dry season, June to October, suits both safari and beach: the vegetation is low and animals gather near water, see when to go to Zanzibar. The long rains fall mostly in April and May, when some tracks are hard going and some hotels on the island scale back. The best compromise for a combined trip is therefore June to October.
Before you go
- Health: malaria and vaccines to discuss with a doctor, and entry formalities, in visa, health and formalities.
- Budget: the island costs less than the northern parks, see Zanzibar travel budget.
- Money: tips for guides and drivers, see money and tipping in Zanzibar.
- Where to sleep on the island: where to stay in Zanzibar.
Going further
For the island stay alone, read Zanzibar in 7 days or Zanzibar in 4 days.
FAQ
Should you do the safari before or after the beach?
Before, to finish the trip by the water; but the reverse order works if the flights suit.
Can you do a safari from Zanzibar without going to the Serengeti?
Yes: Nyerere and Mikumi can be done from the island in a day by small plane. The wildlife differs from the Serengeti's.
What is the minimum number of days?
Seven days allow one safari day and the beach; for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, allow at least 10 days in total.
