When is the best time to visit Serengeti National Park?

The dryer winter months between June and August is the best time to visit the Serengeti when the grass is low and the temperatures mild and game viewing is optimal.

How much does a safari in Serengeti National Park cost?

The pricing of accommodation ranges from larger hotel options to mobile tented adventures and intimate luxury camps, pricing ranging from USD450 per person sharing to over USD1400 per person sharing per night.

How to get to Serengeti National Park?

Visitors to the Serengeti can drive from Arusha, the 200 mile journey taking around eight hours, or a 30-minute flight is an option onto one of the Serengeti airstrips.

What makes a Serengeti National Park safari so special?

Spending time in the Serengeti is always a treat as it is a vast area with a large number of animals, making game viewing an exciting and successful adventure. It is also home to the great wildebeest migration, a phenomenal crossing between Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti national parks.

What animals can I see in the Serengeti National Park?

Home to the “Big Five”, visitors have a chance to see elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, and lion as well as a plethora of plains game and birdlife.

When is Serengeti National Park open?

The gates to the Serengeti National Park are open from 6.30am to 6.30pm daily.

Do you need to book in advance to visit the Serengeti National Park?

A safari package that includes a stay in the Serengeti will need to be booked quite far in advance. Availability can be scarce during peak safari season, which falls between late June and the end of October each year.

What's the best way to see Serengeti National Park?

An enclosed or open 4x4 safari vehicle is the best way to explore and experience the Serengeti National Park. Game walks and a hot air balloon ride are two other ways to search for animals and see the park.

What hotels, lodges, and camps are near Serengeti National Park?

The Serengeti Serena Lodge offers a large selection of accommodations for groups and families looking for the more “classic” safari lodge experience. The Sanctuary Bushtops is an example of luxury tented accommodation in the Serengeti National Park. Mobile camping, of the four-star and five-star level, is popular in the Serengeti with the AndBeyond Under Canvas experience creating an “up close and personal with nature” adventure.

What restaurants are near Serengeti National Park?

There are no stand-alone restaurants near the Serengeti National Park, with guests dining in the restaurants located at the lodge or camp of their choice.

What attractions are near Serengeti National Park?

Near Serengeti National Park, you can enjoy hot air balloon rides for a bird's eye view of the incredible park or experience the true Maasai culture and heritage at a Maasai Cultural Village.

ZANZIBAR - Natural World Kenya Safaris

Travellers' Choice
Exclusive Safaris
Customised Excursions

Peak TimeNov - Feb

Best Time To GoNov - Feb & Jun - Oct

Famous ForExquisite White Sandy Beaches Per Night

Price Per DayUSD 200 - USD 600 Person Sharing

Home ofSpice Island, Swahili Tradition

General Overview

Location

The idyllic island of Zanzibar is located just off the east coast of Tanzania, a semi-autonomous destination and famous for its role in history’s ‘Spice Route’. The capital of Zanzibar, or Ungunja as it is formally known, is Stone Town, a fascinating city with strong trade roots and a rich Swahili tradition.

Size

The island of Zanzibar is around 950 sq miles in size

History

Zanzibar rooted itself in history as a major player in the spice trade between the 12th and 15th centuries. A large Persian influence resulted in the combination of Islam and Swahili culture that is present to this day.

The Zanzibar Sultanate saw a strong slave trade in the early to mid-19th century, finally being eradicated with the arrival of the British in 1876. In 1964 Zanzibar joined Pemba Island and Tanganyika to create what is today known as the United Republic of Tanzania.

Entrance Fees & Permits

N/A

Hours of Operation

N/A

How to Get There

By Ferry

Taking a ferry from Dar es Salaam is a wonderful way to experience the wonders of the Indian Ocean en route to Zanzibar. The journey will take around two hours.

By Air

International flights will connect visitors from Europe and other parts of Africa to the amazing Island of Zanzibar, with some “touching down” in the bigger city of Dar es Salaam. Guests coming off safari can reach the island direction from the Masai Mara in Kenya or the Serengeti in Tanzania. The flight from Dar es Salaam is a short one lasting around twenty minutes.

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

The weather between June and October is wonderful, with warm, dry days making it perfect for sunbathing and watersports. The short rains fall during November and December with a lovely, short yet somewhat humid period in January and February. Long rains fall in March and April.

Avoiding Crowds

Traveling just outside the popular months of June to October will mean more availability in hotels and resorts and therefore less crowded beaches. The time of year to consider would be late May into early June and again in late December into early February.

Value for Money

There are many types of accommodations available in both Stone Town and on the beaches of Zanzibar, which means there is an option to fit all budgets. From moderate hotels to luxury boutique resorts, there are many accommodation styles to choose from. With good connections from Europe and other parts of Africa, this Indian Ocean Island destination can certainly be part of a value-for-money package.

Marine Life and Topography

Popular Marine Life Sightings

Diving and snorkeling in Zanzibar is wonderful, with popular reefs such as Mnemba Island, presenting incredible sightings of sea life. Dolphins are often seen frolicking in the warm Indian Ocean. One can swim with whale sharks at Mafia Island and witness turtles at play. From octopus to crocodile fish, exploring marine life off the Zanzibar shores is wonderful.

The Aquatic & Beach Landscape

Beautiful coral reefs can be discovered under the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean off the pristine white beaches of Zanzibar. The islands of Zanzibar are mostly flat and consist of coral and a mix of limestone and sandstone.

Safari Experiences

Diving and snorkeling are popular activities while spending time in Zanzibar, with professional guides taking guests out to ideal diving spots such as Mnemba Island and Mafia Island. Guests can go deep-sea fishing or simply enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional Dhow, a traditionally designed wooden sailboat. Horseback riding in shallow waters and on the beach is a fun activity while on the higher adrenalin side, one can enjoy parasailing or spending time on a jet ski.

Lodges & Camps - Accommodation Overview

Zanzibar Lodging

Lodge or Hotel	Distance to Zanzibar Airport
Serena Hotel Stone Town	5 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Hyatt Stone Town	5 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Tembo House Stone Town	5 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Bluebay Resort	30 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Breezes Resort	38 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Matemwe Lodge	33 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Kasha Boutique Hotel	33 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Z Hotel	40 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Royal Zanzibar	40 miles from Zanzibar Airport
Elewana Kilindi	40 miles from Zanzibar Airport

Points of Interest

City Tour of Old Stone Town

Visit the Old Fort, walk through narrow side streets and marvel at magnificent wooden doors, decorated with intricate details. Step inside the bustling market where you can find spices and fresh produce as well as textiles and beautiful sarongs for your beach stay.

Spice Tour

Visit various spice farms on Zanzibar Island and learn about the variety of fruit and spices that one can find on the island. Embrace the aromas and colors in front of you and admire the processing from drying to bottling.

Visit Prison Island

Built with the intention to house prisoners from the mainland, a prison was built in Zanzibar but never used. The building stands as a tourist attraction today with the option to see many turtles that inhabit the Island

Visit Jozani Forest

Take a trip to Jozani Forest where you can see Colobus monkeys at play in this lush, green forest as you walk along wooden walkways.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

Plan to visit Zanzibar between June and October to enjoy the best of the weather and dry climate, long days and idyllic beach conditions. December and January are also good times to visit, although a little humid at times.

How much does a stay in Zanzibar cost?

Accommodation options range from moderate to luxury boutique hotels, so pricing ranges from around USD 100 to around USD 600 per person sharing per night.

How to get to Zanzibar?

The best way to get to Zanzibar is to fly from Dar es Salaam or any of the handful of international destinations, either directly or with a ‘touchdown’ in Dar es Salaam. Guests can fly from a few safari reserves in both Tanzania and Kenya. Taking the 2-hour ferry from Dar es Salaam is another way to get to Zanzibar.

What makes Zanzibar so special?

The white sandy beaches are exquisite and stretch on for miles. Stone Town is filled with history both in architecture, its magnificent wooden doors, and a rich Swahili culture.

What marine life can I see in Zanzibar?

Sea life is prolific in the corals all around the island with a variety of colorful fish to spot when snorkeling and diving. Swimming with Whale Sharks is exhilarating and dolphin watching is superb.

When is Zanzibar open?

N/A

Do you need to book in advance to visit Zanzibar?

Yes, it is advisable to pre-book your stay in Zanzibar as the hotels fill up pretty quickly with the average stay between five and seven nights.

What’s the best way to see Zanzibar?

Take your time! You have the option to simply relax on any of the exquisite white sandy beaches, enjoy a tour of Old Stone Town, or learn about the famous Spice route. Take a Dhow boat ride out at sunset or enjoy a walk around Jozini Forest.

What hotels and resorts are in Zanzibar?

There is a great range of accommodation types on Zanzibar Island. Most visitors will enjoy one of the boutique hotels such as Kasha Boutique Hotel near Matemwe, the lovely properties of Breezes or Z Hotel, or the ultra-luxury Elewana Kilindi Hotel – originally designed for Benny of the group ABBA.

What restaurants are near Zanzibar?

There are many restaurants near the resorts and hotels situated along the beaches of Pungwe, Matemwe and Nungwe. As well as local restaurants in Stone Town and within the major hotels in the town. A plethora of options mostly offering wonderful seafood, the occasional barbeque and some fine dining options.

What attractions are near Zanzibar?

Old Stone Town has winding, narrow streets with famous and beautiful wooden doors so intricately designed. The Old Fort and market is filled with spices, fresh produce and colorful textiles and souvenirs. Jozani Forest, Prison Island and a visit to the spice farms are attractions to consider when visiting Zanzibar.

BEST FLY - INN ZANZIBAR TO NYERERE nATIONAL PARK SAFARI TOURS START/END IN ZANZIBAR
1, 2,3 & 4,5 Days Zanzibar -Nyerere Safari Tours

1 Day
2 Days
3 Days
4 days
5 Days

FLY ZANZIBAR TO NYERERE PARK DAY TOUR

Fly from Zanzibar to Nyerere Park for a Day of Safari Thrills! Experience Wildlife Magic in a Day Tour Adventure.

Being a fairly new reserve, Nyerere is still not that well-known amongst the safari touring community so you’ll have more of this big park and its rivers of wildlife to yourself.

2 DAY TOUR FLY ZANZIBAR TO NYERERE PARK

Unleash the Ultimate Safari Adventure! 2-Day Tour: Fly Zanzibar to Nyerere Park. Double the Thrills, Double the Wildlife Magic. Book Your Safari Escape Now!

Everything about Nyerere National Park is big, even its main waterway, the Rufiji River, is the largest in Tanzania. This great artery is the centre of a network of channels, swamps, and lakes that form a massive ecological system. It’s also home to vast numbers of hippos and crocodiles.

2 FULL DAYS FLY ZANZIBAR TO NYERERE PARK

2 DAYS, 1 NIGHT: FLY ZANZIBAR TO NYERERE PARK

With its vast system of lakes and waterways, acacia-adorned hills, riverine forests, and green rolling grasslands, Nyerere is a stunning and bountiful park to behold.

The final colourful flourish – the reserve’s hundreds of bird species dressing up the lakes, trees, and sometimes the wildlife – it is not uncommon to see a bright songbird resting upon the back of a rhino or antelope. Look for the purple-crested turaco, trumpeter hornbill, and fish eagle.

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3 DAY SAFARI FLY ZANZIBAR TO NYERERE PARK

You’ve heard about Tanzania’s biggest reserve, Nyerere National Park, and want to see for yourself these immense fields and forests teeming with wildlife.

So just how large is this new park, carved out from the vast Selous Game Reserve? Well, it’s bigger than the Masai Mara and even bigger than the Serengeti, stretching out to 30,983 sq km (11,928 sq mi). That’s more land area than dozens of countries!

4 DAY ZANZIBAR FLY-IN SAFARI TO NYERERE PARK

Embark on a 4-Day Zanzibar Fly-In Safari to Nyerere Park! Immerse Yourself in Wildlife Wonders and Serene Beauty. Your Dream Safari Journey Starts Here!

5 DAY ZANZIBAR FLY-IN SAFARI TO NYERERE PARK

Experience the Ultimate Safari Adventure! Join Our 5-Day Zanzibar Fly-In Safari to Nyerere Park. Discover Wildlife Magic and Serenity. Book Your Escape Now!

For more information about our safari excursions, or to book your dream safari trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris, simply get in touch with our friendly travel advisors. Give us a call on +254 704 001 122 or leave your details on our contact us page, and we'll reply as quickly as possible.

East Africa Travel Guide

ZANZIBAR