2-Day Safari From Zanzibar - Compare 87 Tours

4.8/5 – 1,573 Tanzania Reviews

There’s nowhere in East Africa quite like Zanzibar, both for its beaches and fascinating cultural offering that is utterly unlike anywhere else you can visit in Africa. But it also opens up some fantastic opportunities for going on a safari on the Tanzanian mainland, which lies just across the water. It’s a very common combination that allows you to see two of Tanzania’s most memorable attractions: the Indian Ocean coastline and its safari parks with their amazing wildlife. There are so many tours and packages to choose from, and although 2 days isn’t very much time, you’ll still get a taste of what this diverse country has to offer.

1-20 of 87 two day safari itineraries starting from Zanzibar

5 Questions About 2-Day Safaris From Zanzibar

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Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Tanzania’ and ‘East Africa’. He writes about Tanzania and the wider region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’.
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Which parks are typically visited on a 2-day trip from Zanzibar?

“Going on a 2-day safari from Zanzibar means you will most likely travel on day 1 and return to Zanzibar on day 2, allowing you one precious night in the park of your choice. To make the most of your limited time, you will need to fly in both directions, preferably to an airstrip inside or very close to the park. With only 2 days and 1 night in a park, you should really make it a good one. If you decide to visit Tanzania’s south, then Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) is a fine choice. Its main rival would be Mikumi National Park. If, instead, you travel to the north, Serengeti National Park would always be my first choice, although it would be quite a long flight to get there. Any of Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park or Ngorongoro Crater would also ensure an absolutely fantastic safari.”

Is the south or north of Tanzania better for a 2-day safari from Zanzibar?

“As long as you choose your park carefully, it’s impossible to have a bad safari in either the south or north of Tanzania, so you can’t really lose! When making your choice, a key question to ask your safari tour operator is whether you can fly directly to the park from Zanzibar or whether you have to change planes (in Arusha or Dar es Salaam, for example). With only 2 days at your disposal, a change of planes can waste valuable time. As a general rule, it’s easier to find direct flights to southern Tanzanian parks, but it’s best if you ask your operator about the options. When it comes to the parks themselves, there’s not much difference in relation to wildlife. Big cats, elephant, giraffe, zebra and most of the safari animal highlights can be seen in nearly all parks across both regions. One thing that Nyerere has that other parks don’t is a boat safari on the beautiful Rufiji River. But remember that time spent on the boat will take away from the time available for game drives, where you’ll generally see more animals.”

Are 2 days enough for a trip from Zanzibar?

“The short answer is no, but 2 days are better than none. There are many different tours and packages available, but a 2-day safari from Zanzibar will always involve flying to the park on day 1 and flying back on day 2. The benefit of this (when compared to a 1-day safari) is that you will get to stay overnight in the destination and have time for game drives during the ideal times for seeing animals: late afternoon and early morning. The downside is that you won’t get to enjoy a full day in the park you’re visiting. At the end of your 2 days, you will almost certainly wish that you had more time. But the same could be said for just about any length of safari. More than that, if given the choice between a 2-day safari from Zanzibar and no safari at all, I would choose the 2-day safari every single time.”

Are all 2-day safaris from Zanzibar fly-in safaris?

“Because Zanzibar is an island, and it is impossible to have a classic safari experience there, you have no choice but to fly to the Tanzanian mainland and then fly back. You also have very limited time on a 2-day safari, so flying is the best way to make the most of that time. Flying has pros and cons. On the one hand, flying is expensive, which will make it almost impossible to arrange a cheap or affordable 2-day safari from Zanzibar. But if you can afford it, the views as you fly into the park should be worth every dollar you spend. Your trip will feel less like a transfer and more like a scenic flight. A fly-in safari should mean that you fly from Zanzibar into an airstrip inside the national park (or, in the case of Nyerere, just outside the park gate). Very often this airstrip will be close to your accommodation, and you’ll be driven around in a safari 4WD vehicle while you’re in the park or reserve.”

How much does a 2-day trip from Zanzibar cost?

“There are almost as many packages and tours available for a 2-day safari from Zanzibar as there are tour operators, so expect the prices that you are quoted to vary greatly. Because each day of your trip will include an expensive air transfer, your safari will cost at least US$500 per person per day. It could cost much more if it’s high season and you stay in luxury accommodation. Always ask your tour operator what’s included in, and what’s excluded from, the price they quote. As a general rule, it should include both air transfers, park entry fees, accommodation, meals, guide, vehicle and a driver. You’ll have to pay for all these things whether they’re included in the quoted price or not, so ask for a full list to avoid any nasty surprises when it comes time to pay.”

Tanzania Reviews

4.8/5 1573 Reviews

Expert

Kim Wildman –

Kim is a travel writer who authored and updated over 15 guidebooks, including Lonely Planet's South Africa and Bradt's Tanzania guides.

On the prowl

5/5

Tanzania is a wildlife photographer’s dream come true – even for wannabe National Geographic photographers like me. With one of the world’s largest and wildest animal populations, the country offers some of the best safari...

Full Review

Expert

Philip Briggs –

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Africa’s Greatest Safari Destination

5/5

There is arguably no better safari destination than Tanzania. And, to be honest, I’m not even sure I should be using the word ‘arguably’ here! Tanzania’s superb network of wildlife reserves (including 22 national parks) is the most...

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Erickson –

Reviewed: Apr 22, 2024

Unforgettable Experience

5/5

I had an amazing safari adventure with Tanzania Pilgrimage Safaris, exploring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti, and Tarangire National Parks. The knowledgeable guides made each stop unforgettable, from the vast plains of Ngorongoro...

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Soukaina Tazi –

Reviewed: Apr 21, 2024

Amazing!

5/5

Absolutely loved my day safari at Mikumi Park! It was a one-day trip from Dar es Salaam, and it exceeded all expectations. Huge thanks to the agency for their flexibility and accommodating all our special requests, like starting the tour at...

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Beatrice ******* –

Reviewed: Apr 16, 2024

Unforgettable!

5/5

Our safari was great. At the airport, after resolving a few small problems, we were picked up by the driver and taken to Arusha to a good hotel to spend the night and agree on the Safari that would start the next day. We had booked the...

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Marion Martellacci –

Reviewed: Apr 16, 2024

Beautiful Country

5/5

My daughter and I did a 3 day fly in fly out from Zanzibar. You get the island experience in Zanzibar with beautiful beaches and Stonetown. When you hit the Serengeti it is such a special place, the Crater is another totally different...

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2-Day Safari From Zanzibar - Compare 87 Tours

2-Day Fly-in Safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro

2-Day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Fly in Safari

2-Day Zanzibar to Melia Lodge in Serengeti National Park

2-Day Zanzibar Fly in & Fly out to Ngorongoro, Tarangire

2-Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Crater from Zanzibar

2-Day Photographic Fly in & out Ngorongoro Crater

2-Day Safari to Serengeti and Ngorongoro- Fly In

2-Day Fly in - Fly out Taste of Tanzania Safari

2-Day Zanzibar to Ngorongoro & Tarangire Midrange Safari

2-Day Private Luxury Safari Fly from Zanzibar

2-Day Flying Zanzibar to Nyerere NP, Night Game Drive

2-Day Nyerere NP Flying Safari and Boat

2-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro- Two Way Flight

2-Day Fly in Nyerere National Park Safari Fly Out

2-Day Fly from Zanzibar to Nyerere NP (Game + Boat)

2-Day Fly in Private Safari to Selous from Zanzibar

2-Day Zanzibar to Tarangire National Park Camping Safari

2-Day Luxury Tour from Zanzibar to Tarangire & Crater

2-Day Safari in Ngorongoro and Tarangire from Zanzibar

2-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro from Zanzibar Midrange Tour

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5 Questions About 2-Day Safaris From Zanzibar

Answered by

Anthony Ham

5 Questions About 2-Day Safaris From Zanzibar

Which parks are typically visited on a 2-day trip from Zanzibar?

Is the south or north of Tanzania better for a 2-day safari from Zanzibar?

Are 2 days enough for a trip from Zanzibar?

Are all 2-day safaris from Zanzibar fly-in safaris?

How much does a 2-day trip from Zanzibar cost?

Tanzania Reviews

On the prowl

Africa’s Greatest Safari Destination

Unforgettable Experience

Amazing!

Unforgettable!

Beautiful Country