3-Day Mikumi Safari from Zanzibar: Ferry, Train & Game Drive

Watch the coastline fade from the ferry as the train rolls toward Mikumi’s wild plains.

A 3-day, 2-night safari tour from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park combining ferry, SGR train and road travel. Day 1 takes you by fast ferry to Dar es Salaam, then by train toward Morogoro with a lunch stop in Doma Village, finishing with a Maasai Boma visit before lodge check-in. Day 2 is a full-day game drive spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and hippos across the savannah, with a picnic lunch in the park. Day 3 returns you to Zanzibar by road, ferry and afternoon departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Zanzibar to Mikumi National Park

• Hotel pick-up in Zanzibar at 05:00 AM
• Transfer to Zanzibar Ferry Terminal
• Take 07:00 AM ferry to Dar es Salaam
• Arrive Dar es Salaam at 09:00 AM
• Board SGR train to Morogoro
• Lunch break at Doma Village
• Drive to Mikumi Village
• Visit traditional Maasai Boma
• Check into lodge and dinner

Day 2: Full-day game drive in Mikumi Park

• Early breakfast at lodge
• Depart lodge at 06:00 AM for game drive
• Spot wildlife including elephants and lions
• Lunch picnic in park at 12:30 PM
• Afternoon game drive
• Return to lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Return to Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam

• Early breakfast at lodge
• Depart Mikumi lodge at 06:00 AM
• Drive to Dar es Salaam
• Relax at ferry terminal
• Board 2:00 PM ferry to Zanzibar
• Arrive in Zanzibar and end tour

The experience

Most travelers arriving in Zanzibar want to see wildlife but don't have a car or the time to arrange separate transport. This tour solves that by building the journey itself into the experience: you leave your hotel at 05:00 AM, take the Azam or Zan Fast Ferry across the Indian Ocean (departing 07:00 AM), and arrive in Dar es Salaam two hours later. From there, the SGR train carries you inland for roughly two hours through Tanzania's countryside: a comfortable, scenic alternative to a long road drive. A lunch stop in Doma Village breaks up the travel, then a final hour by road brings you to Mikumi and your lodge, with time to visit a traditional Maasai Boma and understand how the Maasai live before you settle in for the night.

Day 2 is the heart of the safari. You depart at 06:00 AM for a full-day game drive in Mikumi National Park, where the open savannah makes wildlife visible: elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeest and hippos move across the landscape in their natural habitat. A picnic lunch at a designated spot inside the park lets you eat surrounded by the reserve itself. The afternoon drive continues until dusk, then you return to the lodge for dinner and rest.

The return on Day 3 reverses the route: an early breakfast, a three-hour drive back to Dar es Salaam, and a 2:00 PM ferry departure that lands you in Zanzibar by late afternoon. Your guide speaks English, French or German throughout, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Zanzibar, all accommodation, park entrance fees, and both ferry and train tickets are included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zanzibar.
• accommodation at Chambo Lodge for two nights.
• Mikumi National Park entrance fees.
• ferry tickets (Azam or Zan Fast Ferry).
• SGR train tickets.
• all road transport between stops.
• a guide in English, French or German.

Options for this experience

2 options

A 3-day, 2-night trip into the heart of Mikumi National ParkGuide in English, French or German · 05:00Pickup is included

A 3-day, 2-night trip into the heart of Mikumi National ParkGuide in English, French or German · 05:00Chambo Lodge jeep: pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you check availability.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (4 to 85 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by alsa tours zanzibar

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Zanzibar and want a full game drive day without breaking your island stay into separate trips. The ferry and train journey are built into the itinerary, not add-ons you arrange yourself.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

What animals will I see on the Mikumi game drive?

Mikumi's open savannah is home to elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and hippos. The full-day drive on Day 2 gives you morning and afternoon chances to spot them as they move across the landscape, with a picnic lunch break in the park itself.

How much time do I spend traveling versus on safari?

Day 1 is travel (ferry, train, road and a cultural stop), ending at your lodge by evening. Day 2 is entirely the game drive. Day 3 is the return journey. So you get one full day in the park, with the travel days built around it rather than separate from it.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from my Zanzibar hotel?

No. Hotel pickup in Zanzibar at 05:00 AM is included, and the tour handles all transport: ferry to Dar es Salaam, SGR train inland, road to Mikumi, and the return ferry. Drop-off back at your Zanzibar hotel is included on Day 3.

What is the Maasai Boma visit on Day 1?

A Maasai Boma is a traditional settlement where you can see how the Maasai people live, their customs and daily routines. The visit happens in the afternoon on Day 1, after your train and lunch stop, before you reach your lodge.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zanzibar, all accommodation at Chambo Lodge (a 3-star hotel), Mikumi National Park entrance fees, and tickets for both the ferry and SGR train are included. Travel insurance, tips and alcoholic beverages are not included.