Can I Combine Zanzibar with a Safari?

Zanzibar is a beautiful island known for its white sandy beaches and blue ocean waters. Many people visit Zanzibar for a relaxing beach holiday, but some wonder: Are there wildlife parks near Zanzibar? If you love nature and animals, this is an important question. In this blog post, we will answer it in a simple way.

Does Zanzibar Have Wildlife Parks?

Zanzibar is an island, so it does not have big national parks like Serengeti or Ngorongoro. However, it does have places where you can see some wildlife. These include Jozani Forest, Cheetah’s Rock, and Menai Bay Conservation Area. If you want to see big animals like lions and elephants, you need to travel to the mainland of Tanzania. There are several wildlife parks near Zanzibar, and we will explain them in detail.

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Wildlife Places in Zanzibar

Even though Zanzibar does not have big national parks, it has some special places where you can see animals.

1. Jozani Forest

Jozani Forest is the only national park in Zanzibar. It is home to the Red Colobus Monkey, which is found only in Zanzibar. These monkeys are friendly and do not fear people. In Jozani Forest, you can also see other animals like small antelopes, bush babies, and different types of birds.

What to do in Jozani Forest?

Walk through the forest with a guide.
See the Red Colobus Monkeys up close.
Visit the mangrove boardwalk and learn about the ecosystem.

2. Cheetah’s Rock

Cheetah’s Rock is a wildlife sanctuary in Zanzibar where you can see rescued wild animals up close. The place is home to animals like cheetahs, lions, zebras, and lemurs. The animals are well taken care of and cannot live in the wild anymore.

What to do at Cheetah’s Rock?

Learn about animal conservation.
Get close to a cheetah and take pictures.
Feed some of the animals under supervision.

3. Menai Bay Conservation Area

Menai Bay is the largest marine conservation area in Zanzibar. It is perfect for people who love sea animals. You can take a boat trip to see dolphins, sea turtles, and colorful fish. The area also has coral reefs, which are great for snorkeling.

What to do in Menai Bay?

Go on a boat tour to see dolphins.
Snorkel in clear waters.
Visit sandbanks and small islands.

Wildlife Parks on Mainland Tanzania Near Zanzibar

If you want to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras, you need to travel to the mainland of Tanzania. Luckily, there are wildlife parks that are easy to reach from Zanzibar.

1. Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park is the closest national park to Zanzibar. It is the only park in Tanzania where you can see wildlife and visit the beach in the same place. It takes about 30 minutes by flight or 3 hours by boat and car from Zanzibar.

Animals you can see in Saadani:

Lions
Elephants
Giraffes
Hippos
Crocodiles

2. Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)

Selous Game Reserve, now called Nyerere National Park, is one of the biggest wildlife parks in Africa. It is about 1 hour by flight from Zanzibar.

Animals in Selous:

Elephants
Lions
Wild dogs
Hippos
Crocodiles
Many birds

You can also enjoy boat safaris, walking safaris, and game drives in Selous.

3. Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is another great place to see wildlife. It is about 1.5 hours by flight from Zanzibar. This park is good for people who have little time but still want to see animals.

Animals in Mikumi:

Giraffes
Zebras
Lions
Buffalos
Hippos

How to Visit a Wildlife Park from Zanzibar?

The best way to visit a wildlife park from Zanzibar is by taking a short flight to the mainland. There are daily flights from Zanzibar to Saadani, Selous, and Mikumi. Another option is to take a ferry to Dar es Salaam and then drive to the parks.