3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari from Dar es Salaam

Three days deep in Selous, where 50,000 square kilometers hold elephants, rhinos and cheetahs practically untouched.

A 3-day safari from Dar es Salaam into Selous Game Reserve combines two full days of game drives with overnight lodge stays, professional multilingual guides, and open-roof 4x4 rovers equipped for 360-degree wildlife viewing. Pickup from Dar es Salaam is included. The itinerary pairs morning and afternoon drives with a boat safari on day one and a walking safari option on the final morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Selous and boat safari

• Depart Dar es Salaam at 07:30
• Transfer to Selous with picnic lunch
• Game drive en route to camp
• Arrive and relax at camp
• Boat safari in late afternoon
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 2: Full day game drive in Selous

• Breakfast at camp
• Morning full day game drive
• Picnic lunch during game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 3: Game drive and return to Dar es Salaam

• Breakfast at camp
• Game drive or walking safari
• Early lunch at camp
• Drive back to Dar es Salaam
• Catch flight to Zanzibar or home

The experience

The safari departs Dar es Salaam at 7:30 a.m. and heads into Selous by jeep, arriving at Mbega camp for lunch. That afternoon you rest at the lodge, then take a boat safari after dinner: a different angle on the reserve's waterways and the hippos and crocodiles that live there. Day two is a full day of game drives from breakfast through a picnic lunch and back to camp for dinner. The reserve spans 50,000 square kilometers with dense thickets shifting into open wooded grasslands, and the habitat holds large numbers of elephants, black rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes and hippos with minimal human disturbance.

The 4x4 rovers are retrofitted with window seats and an open hatch for each passenger, so you get unobstructed sightlines and camera angles in every direction. Professional guides speak English, French, Spanish and Italian, and the camp staff handle the logistics: exquisite cuisine and first-class service at the lodge each night. On day three, you choose between another game drive or a walking safari with an armed ranger before an early lunch and the drive back to Dar es Salaam to connect with flights.

What’s included

• Pickup from Dar es Salaam at 7:30 a.m.
• two nights at Mbega camp.
• all meals including picnic lunches.
• two full days of game drives.
• one boat safari.
• one walking safari option on day three.
• professional guide in English, French, Spanish or Italian.
• open-roof 4x4 vehicle with window seats for wildlife viewing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 68 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 42 pickup points.

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 22 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Experience Zanzibar Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?The guides speak English, French, Spanish and Italian, so you choose the language that works for your group. The fixed itinerary (two full days of drives, one boat safari and one walking option) fits the reserve's scale into three days without rushing the game viewing.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

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.

How long does the drive from Dar es Salaam to Selous take?

The jeep transfer departs at 7:30 a.m. and reaches the lodge in time for lunch on day one. The exact duration depends on road conditions and game sightings en route.

What animals will I see in Selous Game Reserve?

Selous holds large populations of elephants, black rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. The reserve's 50,000 square kilometers and minimal human impact mean wildlife moves freely across varied terrain from dense thickets to open grasslands.

What is included in the 3-day safari price?

The package includes pickup from Dar es Salaam, all game drives and the boat safari, two nights at Mbega camp with meals, and a professional guide. A walking safari is available on the final morning as part of the itinerary.

What type of vehicle is used for the game drives?

Retrofitted 4x4 land rovers with window seats and open hatch space for each passenger ensure 360-degree viewing and photography throughout the drives.