Safari from Zanzibar: My Honest Day Trip Review & Booking Guide

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I am so excited to share my honest review of our safari from Zanzibar, as it was a bucket list experience I had been eyeing from the second I knew I was going to Tanzania!

Since we spend 10 full days just relaxing on the island (hello all-inclusive resort and swim-up bar), a day trip safari in Tanzania from Zanzibar was our best bet of getting to experience a true safari. And it did not disappoint!

If you, like me, have been considering whether it is worth booking, I can tell you now: it is. However, it can get overwhelming with so many tour operators and different companies offering what is seemingly the same trips, so I hope this review will make it easier – as I can honestly recommend the tour and company I booked!

Side note: I strongly recommend booking this in advance, like I did. Once you get to Zanzibar, you will be bombared with vendors and people trying to sell you safari tours (including the receptionist of our hotel, our driver, the porters etc).

It seems like everyone there gets a commission from one company or another, so my advice is to have decided on your safari before you go, to avoid overwhelm (and ending up with a less-than-reputable operator).

Is a Day Trip Safari from Zanzibar Actually Worth it?

If you ask me straight out: Yes, a day trip safari from Zanzibar is 100% worth it.

When you are spending your holiday relaxing on the island, whether you’re there for a quick 7 days or an ideal 10-day stretch like we were, a fly-in day safari is the most efficient way to experience a true African safari without losing days of your vacation to complicated land travel.

However, before you hit that booking button, you need to know what you are signing up for. Here is my honest breakdown of who this trip is for, and who should probably skip it (in my opinion).

Who this day trip is ideal for:

First-time safari-goers: If an African safari has been on your bucket list forever, but you aren’t ready to commit to a multi-day lodge trip or shell out thousands for a Serengeti expedition, this is a brilliant, hassle-free entry point. As someone whose only prior safari experience was in Sri Lanka, seeing the African bush for the first time blew me away.

Travelers with limited time: If you only have one shot in Africa and don’t know when (or if) you’ll be back, this is the easiest way to cross a real safari off your list.

Those who want a seamless package: Knowing that flights, park fees, game drives, and hotel transfers are entirely handled for you makes the high price tag (roughly $500 per person) completely justifiable. We sure felt it was worth it.

Who should (probably) skip it:

Families with young kids: This is a long, demanding day. We didn’t get back to our resort until 19:00 (7pm), and I was so exhausted that I actually turned down a glass of red wine at dinner, which says a lot if you know me (I love wine)! If you have easily fatigued kids (or adults), the 3:30am wake-up call and hours in a jeep might be too much.

Travelers expecting the “Big Five” in 24 hours: If you expect to check off lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos all in a single day, you might be disappointed. (That said, we managed to see three out of the five, lions, elephants, and buffalo, and we were thrilled!)

Anyone who struggles with early mornings or long days: If you get easily fatigued by travel, the intensity of a dawn flight and a full day in the dust might leave you needing a vacation from your vacation.

To sum up, if you have the stamina for a very early start and a full, jam-packed day of adventure, the value, convenience, and pure thrill of seeing elephants and lions up close make it an unforgettable experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Logistics Breakdown: How a Zanzibar Day Safari Works

Booking a fly-in safari to mainland Tanzania might sound complicated on paper, but it was actually a pretty smooth process all day. The tour operator handles every single transfer and flight leg for you.

If you are a planner, like me, you might have to try to relax a little. I am not used to now knowing what happens next, but just had to accept that *someone* knows.

Here is exactly how the schedule plays out and what is (and isn’t) included in the tour.

Schedule & What to Expect

• 3:30-5:00 am – Hotel Pickup: A private driver picks you up directly from your hotel in Zanzibar. The pick up time depends on where on the island you are staying. The driver takes you to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ, the main airport in Zanzibar). There, you are handed over to a representative of the tour company, who takes you to the small domestic terminal. A very different, much more basic experience than the international terminal! There is some waiting around here, but your operator will have someone on site managing the check-in.
• 6:00 am – Domestic flight to the mainland (30 mins): You board a small plane for a quick 30-minute flight across the ocean, landing directly on the Mtemere Airstrip inside Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park).
• Morning Game Drive & Bush Coffee: Upon landing, you meet your guide (our names were on a big sign he was holding) and step straight into the safari vehicle. Around mid-morning (9-10 am), your guide will stop in a safe spot in the bush for coffee, tea, and quick snacks (and the opportunity to pee).
• Safari Jeep comfort: The cars used by this specific operator are open-sided with an overhead canopy for shade, arranged with six spacious seats (two per row with a small table in between) and even built-in charging ports! We passed several other safari jeeps throughout the day that looked far less comfortable and much more cramped, which is one of the main reasons I’m so glad we booked this exact tour.
• Bush Lunch: For lunch around 12-2pm you stop at a designated picnic site, which handily has an actual toilet building (all though it got real dirty after more cars had stopped. My tip is to go right away)! Your safari guide (we had both a fantastic lead guide and a student training to be a guide) sets up a packed lunch featuring chicken, rice, spiced chickpeas, and fresh watermelon.
• Afternoon Drive & Return Flight: After more afternoon game viewing, you head back to the Mtemere airstrip for your return flight to Zanzibar (ours was around 5pm, but I was told this changes on the day), landing in time for your transfer back to your resort (we got back around 7 pm).

What’s Included (& what’s not)

One of the best parts about booking this day trip in advance is the complete transparency: there are zero hidden costs.

What is Included:

• Roundtrip hotel transfers in Zanzibar
• Roundtrip domestic bush flights between ZNZ and Mtemere Airstrip
• All national park entry fees and conservation taxes
• Full-day open 4×4 game drive with an English-speaking guide
• Morning coffee/snacks, hot bush lunch, and cold bottled water throughout the day

What is Not Included (Bring Cash For):

• Gratuities: Cash tips for your safari guide/driver. Tipping is customary in Tanzania and deeply appreciated for good service!
• Airport Souvenirs: Any extra coffee, snacks, or small souvenirs you might buy at the airport (there was a tiny shop in both the domestic terminal at ZNZ and one at Mtemere).

My Personal Experience & Highlights (Review)

Okay, it’s time to dive into what the safari was like for us. Keep in mind that there are some variations that can happen, such as the pick up time (which will obviously depend on where your resort is). But our safari guide, Nasri, also told us that the departure flight back to the mainland could be at anytime between 3 and 5 pm.

This was odd to me, but since I had decided to relax and let my regular planner self take a back seat, I just went with it.

First things first, our pick up at 03:35. Yes, that’s AM. It was wild, but worth it in the end.

We had been a little spoiled on our Zanzibar trip so far, starting with our upgrades to Ethiopian Airlines Business Class on the way there, so I guess it was time to be a little uncomfortable.

After picking up two other guests from a nearby resort, we arrived at the domestic terminal at the airport just before 5am. Our driver handed us over to a tour company representative, who then took us into a waiting area outside the terminal.

There, we did a brief check in with another guide/representative/woman in a yellow high-vis vest, who gave is a big, red card that was our «ticket».

This was a pretty dumbed down system, but to be honest, it was super nice. There were people who didn’t speak a word of English around us (for example the French tourists we shared a transfer with), and so it became clear why everything had to be so simplistic and why we had to be walked everywhere.

Our flight out of Zanzibar was at 06:00/6 am. There were flights to other national parks (mainly Mikumi), and several flights leaving almost at the same time. If it wasn’t for our very obvious red ticket, we could’ve easily gotten on the wrong flight, as we didn’t have a real boarding pass or even a flight number.

However, everything was very clear, and we just waited until the gate agent (at the one gate they had) shouted “RED TICKETS”, and then followed the 30 other people going on the same flight.

The flight itself was just 30 minutes to Mtemere Air Strip and went by fast. The plane had open seating, which was fun. We were handed small water bottles on the flight, which was an unexpected extra.

Once we got to the air strip, we walked through the only building there, and were met with a bunch of safari guides holding big signs with names. It was super easy finding our guide (Nasri, he was great!). All the guides were there with big signs with lists of the people going with them in their car.

We were in a jeep with 4 others, and had a full car of 6 people.

After a little safety brief, we were on our way! As in, before 7am we were officially on our game drive! The efficiency was incredible, and I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the time.

The safari jeep was so much comfier than I had expected. Comfy seats, tables in between, holders for our water and even charging ports (I did not test these, as I didn’t pack a charger for the safari, but assume they worked). As mentioned earlier in this guide, we saw other jeeps that looked a lot less comfortable, so I was glad we booked the tour we did.

The morning game drive was surprisingly cold, and Nasri took us away from the air strip (and the other vehicles) as quickly as he could. We drove around until around 10am, spotting giraffe, elephant, hippos, baboons and impalas (amongst others) in those first few hours.

The first stop was to use the “bush toilet” (as in, literally going to pee behind a bush), whilst coffee and some snacks were being prepared for us. This was a nice pick me up, as I had been getting quite sleepy.

And, for someone who usually needs coffee pretty immediately after waking up, it’s a miracle I didn’t break up with my boyfriend in those hours before it was served at 10am!

Just kidding..

After snacks (chips, boiled eggs, local cakes and pastries), we continued on with our game drive for a few hours. We kept racking up exciting animals, including a very close encounter with an elephant!

Then, things got exciting as Nasri heard tales of two lions resting, and we picked up speed to go see them before everyone else. We made it, and it was so cool to see them up close!

During this game drive the heat really started ramping up as well. I was very glad to be in a long-sleeve linen shirt, all though it was scorching whenever the car stopped.

At around 12:30, we stopped at a picnic/rest area for lunch, where there were tables and benches set up under permanent roof/gazebo structures. There was also a building with toilets, all though I personally felt cleaner when I used the bush toilets.

Lunch consisted of chicken, rice, chickpeas and watermelon, and was really good. There was a bloat of hippos in a big pond nearby, and we were told not to go near that area for obvious reasons. It was actually quite exciting!

After lunch, we spent a few more hours in the jeep, and this is when we saw zebra (amongst other animals)! They are pretty elusive animals, so I was extra excited about it.

We got back to the Mtemere air strip around 4:30pm, and spent about 45 minutes waiting for our flight back to Zanzibar. Again, we were given big plastic “tickets” to hold on to. Super straight forward, in my opinion!

When we arrived back in Zanzibar it took a second to find the tour company representative, but once we did, he had us paired up with a driver within minutes after confirming our names and resort. My advice here is to remember the name of the company you have booked with (if you book the tour I am reviewing in this post, you are traveling with Flash Tours).

We got back to our resort at 19:00/7pm, and went straight for the all-inclusive buffet. I ordered a glass of red out of habit, but found I was too exhausted to touch any alcohol.

As I have said a couple times so far in this post, the safari from Zanzibar was exhausting, but 100% worth it!

🤩 Check Availability & Book the Safari I Recommend here!

Which Animals did we see?

I kept a running list on my phone, and here are the animals we saw on our safari (including 3 of the Big Five!):

• Baboon 🐒
• Elephant 🐘 
• Buffalo 🐃 
• Impala 
• Giraffe 🦒 
• Kudu 
• Hyena 
• Hippo 🦛 
• Gnu 
• Warthog 🐽
• Lion 🦁 
• Jackal 
• Zebra 🦓
• Crocodile 🐊 
• A bunch of birds

There may be more that I didn’t remember to write down, but I think this is an accurate list. Some of these, like impala and giraffe, we saw loads of, and others less so (we saw “just” 2 lions).

My Zanzibar Safari Tips (Including what to wear & pack)

To make sure your day trip goes off without a hitch, a little preparation makes all the difference. Based on the experience I had, here are my top practical tips along with exact advice on what you should wear, pack, and prepare for your safari.

What to wear: Safari Dress Code

• Wear Neutral/Natural Colors: Browns, beige, tans, khakis, and greens are essential safari colors. I originally thought this was just to look the part, but it actually serves a real purpose: bright colors can easily startle animals. Those lions will spot a bright neon shirt from miles away and head straight in the other direction!
• Loose, Breathable Layers: Layers are a non-negotiable, and my #1 advice. I was surprisingly cold in the morning while driving in the open jeep, but by midday, it was sweltering. I wore long, loose linen trousers and a long-sleeve linen shirt over a tank top, which was perfect. Someone in our jeep wore tight denim shorts, and I can tell you right now, they did not look comfortable!
• Bring a Bandana (or scarf): I bought a brown bandana (like this one) specifically for this trip, and I didn’t regret it for a second. It kept my neck warm during the chilly early morning drive and protected my face from inhaling dust when the jeep sped up along the dirt tracks.
• Closed-Toed Shoes: You will be stepping in and out of the jeep on dusty, uneven ground at picnic stops. Save the beach sandals for your resort and wear comfortable sneakers or light trail shoes.
• Sunglasses: Key for both bright sunlight and keeping windblown dust out of your eyes during fast drives.

Packing & Practical tips

• Remember your (actual) Passport: Because you are taking a domestic flight within Tanzania, you must carry your physical passport with you for airport security check-in.
• Download WhatsApp (and how to handle pre-trip messages): A few days before our safari, our operator reached out via WhatsApp to request your passport details for flight manifests. This is completely standard procedure in Tanzania. However, if you want peace of mind, don’t hesitate to ask them to confirm your booking reference and the email address associated with your reservation before sending details over, I did this just to be 100% sure and Flash Tours were so sweet confirming everything for me.
• Sun protection & hydration: Sunscreen (SPF) is a total must in the open bush. Additionally, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. We bought water at the Zanzibar airport terminal (bring cash for this!), were handed bottled water on the flight, and had virtually unlimited water provided in our safari jeep. Don’t be afraid to use the “bush toilet” if needed, staying hydrated in the heat is far more important than worrying about bathroom breaks!

Tipping Guidelines

The standard recommendation for a day safari is $10–$20 USD per person. However, working as a tour guide myself, I am firmly team “aim high” when it comes to tipping. Our guide went above and beyond to give us an incredible day and more than deserved it.

From professional experience, I know that for every traveler who overtips, there are five who undertip. So if you have a fantastic driver who works hard to find wildlife, reward them accordingly!

Therefore, my recommendation is: We tipped $50 USD for the two of us. I also reached out to a friend who is a safari guide in Zimbabwe asking about this, and he said $50 for 2 people was a generous tip that would be greatly appreciated.

Why You Should Book Online Before You Arrive

While it might be tempting to wait until you get to Zanzibar to arrange a tour, I advise against it for a few key reasons:

• Avoid pushy street & beach vendors: The moment you step foot in Stone Town or check into your beach resort, you will be approached by vendors trying to sell you mainland safaris. Hotel receptionists, taxi drivers, and beach boys all earn commissions by routing tourists to their preferred operators. Some tours use cramped jeeps, lack proper flight licensing, or hit you with hidden fees.
• Guaranteed flight seats: Fly-in safaris rely on small domestic bush planes with strictly limited seating. During peak season, these day flights sell out days or even weeks in advance. Booking online secures your seat on the plane before you even pack your bags.
• Flexible cancellation & booking protection: Booking through a trusted platform like Viator gives you free cancellation options (up to 24 hours before the tour start time) and secure payment processing. You don’t have to carry large amounts of cash to hand over to a local street vendor, and your money is protected if your plans change.

Zanzibar Safari FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about going on a safari to mainland Tanzania from Zanzibar.

Final Verdict: Should you book it?

If you are still on the fence about taking a mainland safari during your island getaway after reading my post, I think you need to read it again. It’s pretty clear that my opinion is that you should book the trip.

While the 3am wake-up makes for a long, exhausting day, the thrill of trading the beach for the African bush for 12 hours was unbeatable, and I don’t regret it one bit!

By booking your tour in advance online, you guarantee your spot on a safe, comfortable, and seamless itinerary with no surprise expenses or pushy vendor hassle. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate bucket-list addition to any Zanzibar vacation!