Mikumi National Park: Multi-day Trips and Tours from Zanzibar City

Tucked in among the mountains of central Tanzania is a little-known wildlife hotspot that rivals the Serengeti. Mikumi National Park has been protecting some of the world’s most endangered animals since 1964. Over 3,000 square kilometers of floodplain, mountains and savannah are home to elephants, lions, giraffes, baboons and much more.

Mikumi National Park multi-day trips and tours from Zanzibar City are too easy to pass up during your beach vacation. Adding an unforgettable safari experience to your tropical idyll in Zanzibar can be a seamless and affordable way to get a close look at Africa’s legendary creatures.

Here's all you need to know about visiting Mikumi National Park, one of the most exciting and wild destinations for multi-day trips from Zanzibar City.

How to get to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar City?

Mikumi National Park is located on mainland Tanzania, about 190 kilometers west of Dar es Salam.

From Zanzibar City to Mikumi National Park by car

If you’re renting a car in Zanzibar, you can combine ferry and road travel to reach Mikumi National Park. It’s a lengthy but extremely scenic journey of about 9 hours.

Board the ferry in Zanzibar City for a ride of about 2 hours to Dar es Salam. From the port in Dar es Salam, take the A7 west out of town for about 310 kilometers until you reach Mikumi National Park.

Guided tour to Zanzibar City to Mikumi National Park

Booking a guided tour to Mikumi National Park makes visiting this wild space infinitely simpler than organizing the steps yourself.

Guided tours cover all of the steps of transportation between Zanzibar City and the park, game drives in safe 4x4 vehicles and meals. Overnight tours provide lodging at the park in either camps, a lodge or cottages.

How much does the entrance ticket to Mikumi National Park cost?

Entry fees to Mikumi National Park vary by age. Adults ages 16 and up are TZS 7,000 per person (around US$30 per person). Children ages 5 to 15 enter for TZS 3,500 per person, and children under 5 enter for free. Guided tours to the park cover the cost of entry fees.

What is the typical itinerary?

Whether you opt for a day tour or an overnight excursion, your guide will pick you up early from your Zanzibar hotel. Expect to leave around 6 AM for the drive to the ferry dock or airport.

Day trips to Mikumi National Park slice hours of travel time by making the jaunt by plane. Overnight tours involve ferry crossings and long but beautiful drives each direction. If you only have time for a day trip, a guide will drive you to the Zanzibar airport for a short flight to the park.

Enjoy a traditional lunch, included in the price, before boarding a 4x4 safari vehicle and setting off into the wilderness. Fly back to Zanzibar by dinner.

For multi-day trips with ferry travel and road travel, take in 2 hours of sea views as you motor from Zanzibar to Dar es Salam. There, your driver will escort you on the 300-kilometer drive to the park. Pause in Morogoro for lunch before continuing the journey to Mikumi.

Once you arrive at around 5 PM, make your first game drive as the sun sets. Relax over dinner before retiring to your accommodations, either at a luxury camp, cottage or lodge.

Start early the next morning to catch the animals at their most active. Your morning game drive will last about 3 hours before you begin the drive back to Zanzibar. For 2-night stays, you can take advantage of longer game drives during your stay.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Mikumi National Park ?

There are several kinds of tours to Mikumi from Zanzibar that enable you to add a safari experience onto your beach vacation.

Guided day tours to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar City

Join a group of like-minded people for a chance to witness Africa’s most celebrated animals. With early starts from Zanzibar, full-day guided tours give you a chance to get close to the animals in a safe and ethical way. Expert guides know the animals’ hangouts so you can spy and photograph your favorites.

Private day tour to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar City

If you’re looking for a more personalized outing, private tours to Mikumi are a great option. Private tours are a hassle-free way to reach the park and are ideal for families and groups of friends.

Two-Day tour to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar City

Double your chances of wildlife spotting with an overnight stay in Mikumi. Two-day tours from Zanzibar City offer an evening game drive once you arrive at the park as well as one at sunrise the next day before your drive back to Zanzibar.

Three-Day tour to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar City

Get an evening and a full-day game drive when you spend two nights in Mikumi on a three-day trip from Zanzibar City. Once you arrive in the evening of day one, see the wildlife at dusk. Then venture out on a day full of animal sightings on day two before the drive back to Zanzibar on day three.

How much does a multi-day trip or tour to Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar City cost?

Small-group day trips to Mikumi National Park cost around US$500 per person. Private day trips cost around US$600 per person. The price for day trips comprise round-trip air transportation from Karume Airport in Zanzibar City, lunch, drinks and a game drive with an expert guide. Private tours also offer door-to-door service from your hotel.

Two-day tours to Mikumi are private and cost around US$650 per person. Three-day private tours cost around US$900 per person. Tours provide transportation, all meals, water and two game drives as well as accommodation. Three-day trips feature a full-day game drive on the second day.

What will you see and do?

Explore inland Tanzania’s landscape, flora and fauna in as little as 9 hours. Absorb the sights on the 7-hour drive through the savannah or from above during the 1-hour flight. Savor a traditional lunch in a village before setting out on a game drive.

The Uluguru, Rubeho and Lumango Mountains encircle the park’s Greater Selous ecosystem. Extending beyond the borders of the park, the Selous is eastern Africa’s largest game reserve. Here live the most celebrated large African species, and the animals tend to be active year-round, upping your chances of top sightings.

Among the baobab and tamarind trees, look for browsing elephants and giraffes. Hippos, water buffalos, crocodiles and water birds may be cooling off in pools. In the grasses, you may locate lions or leopards waiting to pounce on impalas or antelopes. Scan the plains for baboons, zebras, wildebeests and hyenas.

What are the opening times?

Mikumi National Park is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

While most day tours and multi-day trips to the park are not wheelchair friendly, some advertise that they are. Be sure to check with the tour provider at the time of booking to make sure that your needs will be met.

When is the best time to visit Mikumi National Park?

The best time to visit Mikumi National Park in Tanzania is during the dry season, which typically occurs from June to October. During this period, the vegetation is less dense and animals gather around water sources, increasing your chances of wildlife sightings.

It's worth noting that Mikumi National Park can be visited throughout the year, as it offers different experiences depending on the season. From November to May you will see lush green landscapes, newborn animals, and migratory bird species. However, travel during this period may be more challenging due to heavier rainfall.

Are there any tours to Mikumi National Park from other cities in Tanzania?

Yes, there are day trips to Mikumi National Park from Dar es Salaam.

Travel tips

• Book your accommodation well in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your preferred choice.
• Organize your safari arrangements through a reputable tour operator.
• Be patient during your drives around the park and keep a lookout for animals both near and far from the road.
• Bring a pair of binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens to enhance your wildlife viewing experience and capture memorable moments.
• Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent.
• Carry sufficient drinking water to stay hydrated.
• If you are planning for a full-day safari, it's a good idea to take some snacks or packed lunch with you.
• Listen to your guide's instructions and follow their advice for your safety.
• Respect the animals and maintain a safe distance. Avoid standing up or making sudden movements and refrain from stepping outside of your vehicle unless in designated resting areas.
• Respect the park's natural beauty, avoid littering, and don't disturb or feed the animals.