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3 Days Flying Safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi — Tanzania Safari
Safari Overview
Imagine trading the turquoise tides of Zanzibar for the golden horizon of the African savannah in under an hour. This 3-day flying safari to Mikumi National Park is the ultimate “bush and beach” bridge, offering a high-impact wildlife experience without the exhaustion of long-haul trekking.
Safari Highlights
- Direct flight from Zanzibar (no long road trips)
- High chance of elephants, giraffes, zebras & buffalo
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Sunrise & sunset game drives
- Comfortable lodge stay inside/near park
- Perfect for short stays or beach add-on
At a glance
- 2 Nights
- Tanzania
- Safari
Tailormade itineraries
Every Tanzania Safari Experience adventure is customized just for you—no fixed tours or set dates. Speak with our Tanzania Safari experts to help you plan your perfect Tanzania Safari itinerary.
Safari Spots
- Mikumi National park
- Morogoro (Arrival/Departure Base)
Day-by-Day Itinerary 3 Days Flying Safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi
Your safari is carefully planned to maximize wildlife viewing while still giving you time to relax and enjoy the journey. Here’s what you can expect day by day.
Day 1: Fly from Zanzibar to Mikumi
How does the journey from Zanzibar to Mikumi begin? Your journey starts with a 7:30 AM flight from Zanzibar, landing in Dar es Salaam or a nearby airstrip where a 4×4 vehicle waits to whisk you into the national park.
The transition is jarring in the best way possible. By 10:00 AM, the humidity of the coast is replaced by the dry, whistling wind of the savannah. After a brief drive through the park gates, the sheer scale of Mikumi opens up.
After a quick lunch at Mikumi Adventure Lodge, we head straight into the bush. The afternoon game drive is when the predators begin to stir. Mikumi is famous for its “Elm” trees and the giant Baobabs that dot the landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for the “Mikumi Giraffe”—a subspecies with darker patches that the locals claim are the most beautiful in the country.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Meet with your professional Guide/Driver
- Afternoon Game Drive & Picnic Lunch.
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Mikumi Adventure Lodge
- Location: Mikumi National park
- Category: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Day 2: The Mkata Floodplain and the Art of the Walking Safari
What wildlife can I expect to see in Mikumi National Park? Expect to see the “Big Four” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo), along with massive herds of zebras, wildebeests, and the rare Greater Kudu, which thrives in the park’s miombo woodlands.
We recommend an early start—5:30 AM. This is “Golden Hour,” not just for photography but for tracking. The air is crisp, and the lions are often found lounging on the road because the asphalt or dirt retains the previous day’s heat.
The “Information Island”: Species Checklist
The Predators: Lions (often seen in prides of 10+), Spotted Hyenas, and the elusive Leopard.
The Giants: African Elephants and large pods of Hippos at the Hippo Pools.
The Unique: African Wild Dogs (occasional sightings) and the Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest.
The Walking Safari Experience In the afternoon, we trade the vehicle for our own two feet. Led by an armed ranger, a walking safari isn’t about covering distance; it’s about the details. You’ll learn to identify “spoor” (tracks), understand the medicinal uses of the Fever Tree, and feel the adrenaline of being on the same level as the wildlife.
Pro-Tip: Wear neutral colors (khaki, olive, or tan). Avoid bright blue or black, as they attract the Tsetse fly, which can be active in certain wooded pockets of the park.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Full Day Game Drive In Mikumi National Park
OVERNIGHT & MEAL PLAN
- Mikumi Adventure Lodge
- Location: Mikumi National park
- Category: Standard
- Meal Plan: FB – Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch
- It's Reviews: TripAdvisor Reviews
Day 3: The Final Sweep and Return to Paradise
When is the best time for a final game drive? The final morning game drive is best conducted at dawn, between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM, to catch nocturnal hunters retreating and herbivores gathering at waterholes before the midday heat.
As we make our final loop around the Mkata Floodplain, the goal is often to find what we missed. Perhaps it’s the Dwarf Mongoose living in a termite mound or a Martial Eagle perched atop an Acacia.
After a hearty bush breakfast, we head back to the airstrip. The flight back to Zanzibar is a time for reflection. There is a specific magic in seeing the coral reefs of the archipelago appear beneath the wings just forty-eight hours after seeing a lion kill in the bush.
DAY ACTIVITIES
- Morning Game Drive & Reflection Lunch.
- Transfer back to Zanzibar
QUOTATION & PRICING
| Type | Price Range (Per Person) |
|---|---|
| Budget | $850 – $1,100 |
| Mid-Range | $1,100 – $1,500 |
| Luxury | $1,500 – $1,800+ |
Customize your safari with confidence — our specialists guide you every step of the way to ensure an exceptional experience.
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Why Choose a Flying Safari to Mikumi?
Is a flying safari worth the extra cost?
Yes, because it saves roughly 12 hours of transit time. By flying from Zanzibar, you maximize your time on game drives, ensuring you spend your vacation watching lions rather than tarmac.
While the drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi is scenic, the Tanzanian highway can be unpredictable. When you fly, you transition from the spice-scented air of Stone Town to the rugged wilderness of the Mkata Floodplain by mid-morning.
Pro-Tip: If you can, book a window seat on the right side of the aircraft when flying from Zanzibar. On clear days in 2026, you can spot the silhouette of the Uluguru Mountains as you approach the mainland.
Comparison: Flying vs. Driving
| Feature | Flying Safari | Driving Safari |
| Travel Time | 45–60 Minutes | 6–8 Hours (from Dar) |
| Wildlife Access | Immediate (Day 1) | Late afternoon (Day 1) |
| Exhaustion Level | Low | Moderate to High |
| Scenery | Aerial views of the Indian Ocean | Local village life and highlands |
We've got you covered
Our tours are top-notch but give you great value. The price we tell you upfront covers most of the costs for one person, like flights and all transfers.
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Domestic flights
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Air Ambulance Service by AMREF Flying Doctors;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips to your safari guide ($30-50 per day per car).
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
- Visas and visa fees where relevant
- Additional activities not offered as scheduled by the accommodation
- Lunch and dinner in hotel (only before and after safari);
Connect with our local experts for personalized travel planning
Plan your 3 Days Flying Safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi today
3 Days Flying Safari from Zanzibar to Mikumi TripAdvisor Reviews
SEE WHAT OUR GUESTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR TANZANIA SAFARI EXPERIENCE.
*For the most recent reviews/testimonials from our guests, please visit our TripAdvisor page and Trustpilot.
Everything You Need to Know About Your Safari
Every safari adventure begins with a question. Whether it’s your first or second time, it’s natural to wonder about the best time to visit, what to pack, or how the journey works. Here, we’ve answered the most common questions travelers ask before booking their Tanzania safari, so you can plan with confidence and look forward to unforgettable memories.
Absolutely. The park is well-regulated, and traveling with a reputable operator like Tanzania Safari Experience ensures you have a dedicated guide and secure lodge accommodations throughout your stay.
You can see four of the five. Lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalo are common. However, there are no rhinos in Mikumi. If the rhino is a "must-see," you would need to visit the Ngorongoro Crater.
Domestic bush flights typically have a strict 15kg (33 lbs) limit, including hand luggage. It is best to use soft-sided duffel bags rather than hard-shell suitcases to fit into the small cargo pods.
You have only 1–2 days availableMikumi is the closest national park to Zanzibar by flight, making it the most realistic option for very short safaris. You can leave Zanzibar in the morning, enjoy quality game drives, and return with minimal disruption to your beach holiday.
There is no direct connection from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park. However, you can take the taxi to Zanzibar, take the ferry to Dar es Salaam, walk to Magufuli SGR Stn, take the train to Kilosa, then take the taxi to Mikumi National Park.
Flying direct from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park. - Departure time is 07h00 and the flight duration is 50 minutes. Arriving at the park, Mikumi Airstrip at 7:50am - You will meet your driver/guide and start your Game Drive. 8am to 1pm - We will picnic in the park and rest, then look for animals again.
Yes, Tanzania is a malaria-endemic zone. We strongly advise consulting a travel clinic before your trip and using insect repellent, especially during the evening hours at the lodge.
Physically, it's about 200 kilometers, but the "time distance" varies wildly. A flight takes 45-60 minutes, whereas the ferry-plus-drive combination can take a full day (10+ hours).
Our 3-day Marvels Safari is "Full Board," meaning breakfast, picnic lunches in the bush, and multi-course dinners at your lodge are all included.
