2-Day Selous Safari from Zanzibar: Flights, Lodge & Rufiji River

Spot elephants and lions on game drives, then cruise past hippos and crocodiles on the river

A 2-day safari tour from Zanzibar to Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park) with round-trip flights, full-day game drives in a 4x4 vehicle, a boat safari on the Rufiji River, lodge accommodation and all meals. Day one brings a full-day game drive after arrival. Day two starts with breakfast and a 2-hour river cruise before your return flight to Zanzibar.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Selous Game Reserve Safari

• Early hotel pickup and airport transfer
• Fly from Zanzibar to Selous Game Reserve
• Meet guide at Mtemere Airstrip
• Full-day safari in 4x4 vehicle
• Enjoy bush lunch in wilderness
• Continue afternoon game drive
• Arrive at lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Boat Safari and Return

• Breakfast at the lodge
• 2-hour boat safari on Rufiji River
• Transfer to airstrip for return flight
• If late flight, enjoy walking safari or village tour
• Return flight to Zanzibar
• Hotel transfer in Zanzibar if selected

The experience

The tour begins with an early morning hotel pickup in Zanzibar and a 7:30 AM flight to Mtemere Airstrip in Selous Game Reserve, landing around 8:20 AM. Your guide meets you at the airstrip and leads a full-day game drive across savannahs, woodlands and river areas in a custom 4x4 vehicle. You'll search for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos and buffalos: African wild dogs are possible too. Around midday, a bush lunch breaks the drive before the afternoon game continues until you reach your safari lodge around 5:00–6:00 PM for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day two starts with breakfast at the lodge, then a 2-hour boat safari on the Rufiji River. From the water, you watch hippos and crocodiles at close range and spot birdlife along the banks: a completely different angle on the reserve. After the river cruise, you transfer to the airstrip for the 10:00 AM flight back to Zanzibar. If only a 4:00 PM flight is available, the tour includes a complimentary guided walking safari or village tour with lunch so the extra hours don't feel wasted.

The guide speaks English, French, German or Polish depending on which option you book. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zanzibar are included if you select that option at checkout. Park entry fees, all meals, refreshments, bottled water, a raincoat if needed and the overnight lodge stay in a private room with ensuite are all covered.

What’s included

• Park entry and landing fees.
• professional driver and expert safari guide.
• all meals including bush lunch, breakfast and dinner.
• refreshments and bottled water.
• scenic boat safari on the Rufiji River.
• overnight stay in a private safari lodge room with ensuite.
• game drives in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle.
• return domestic flights between Zanzibar and Selous.
• raincoats in case of rain.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Zanzibar (if selected).
• tour available in English, French, German and Polish.
• all government taxes and charges.

Options for this experience

4 options

Without transfer, English07:00Lodge stay lasting 2 days, with lunch, dinner and breakfast included, in English

With transfer, English06:002-day lodge stay with lunch, dinner and breakfast, travelled by van, in English; pickup is included

Without transfer, French, German and Polish07:002-day lodge stay with lunch, dinner and breakfast, travelled by van, in English, French, German and Polish

With transfer, French, German and Polish06:002-day lodge stay with lunch, dinner and breakfast, travelled by van, in English, French, German and Polish; includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Polish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Ocean Blue Holidays

Is this one for you?Book with hotel transfer if you're flying in and out of Zanzibar without a rental car. Book without transfer if you have your own transport to the airport. The 2-day format fits a safari into a short break from Zanzibar without the time commitment of a longer reserve stay, though it means early starts and a full schedule both days.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Polish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I see on the game drives in Selous?

Elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos and buffalos are regularly spotted during the full-day game drive on day one. African wild dogs are also possible, though less common. Your guide shares insights about the park and its wildlife throughout the drive.

How does the Rufiji River boat safari differ from the game drive?

The Rufiji River boat safari on day two gives you a water-level view of hippos, crocodiles and birdlife that you cannot see from a vehicle. The 2-hour cruise is a completely different way to experience Nyerere National Park after the land-based drives.

What happens if my return flight is at 4:00 PM instead of 10:00 AM?

If only the 4:00 PM flight is available, the tour includes a complimentary guided walking safari or village tour with lunch included, so you have a structured activity during the extra hours before departure.

Are hotel transfers in Zanzibar included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Zanzibar are included if you select the "With Transfer" option at checkout. The "Without Transfer" option means you arrange your own way to the airport.

What is the lodge accommodation like?

You stay in a private room with an ensuite at a safari lodge. Breakfast, dinner and all meals during the game drives and boat safari are included in the tour price.