3-day wildlife safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park

Three days spotting elephants, lions, and wild dogs across Nyerere's savannahs and wetlands

A 3-day fly-in safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) with daily game drives, guided bush walks, a sunrise boat safari on the Rufiji River, and a village visit. You stay at a mid-range lodge near Mtemere gate, fly in and out the same day you depart and return, and travel with an English-speaking guide who briefs you on arrival and leads all activities.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Journey from Zanzibar and Wildlife Encounter

• Fly from Zanzibar to Selous
• Meet driver guide and receive briefing
• Enjoy game drives in Selous
• Have picnic lunch in the park
• Relax by bonfire at camp
• Dine and overnight at lodge

Day 2: Exploring Selous National Park

• Breakfast at camp
• Game drives exploring diverse ecosystems
• Picnic lunch in scenic park spot
• Afternoon bush exploration for wildlife
• Return to camp to unwind
• Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 3: Bush Walk, Boat Safari, and Village Tour

• Early morning guided bush walk
• Breakfast at camp
• Sunrise boat safari on Rufiji River
• Lunch at camp
• Visit local village and community sites
• Drive to airstrip and fly back to Zanzibar

The experience

The safari starts with a light aircraft flight from Zanzibar to Mtemere airstrip, where your guide meets you with a briefing on what to expect. The park sprawls across rolling savannahs, wetlands, and dense forests: home to Africa's largest population of wild dogs, plus elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles. Game drives fill the first two days, with picnic lunches served in the park itself. You return to Selous Safari Lodge each evening to rest by a traditional fire bonfire before dinner.

The third day shifts the rhythm. A guided bush walk before dawn lets you spot smaller creatures and plants the game drives miss, with your guide explaining the details. After breakfast, a sunrise boat safari on the Rufiji River gives you a different angle on the park's wildlife: hippos, crocodiles, and birds in their riverine habitat. Then comes a cultural stop at a nearby village, where you walk through the local school, healthcare facilities, and market to see how people live alongside the park. A drive to the airstrip closes the tour, and you fly back to Zanzibar the same afternoon.

Bottled water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee come with you on game drives. The lodge provides a comfortable base with easy park access, though the emphasis stays on the wilderness itself: the sounds of the African night, the scale of the reserve, the animals moving through their own landscape rather than a curated viewing experience.

What’s included

• Round-trip flight from Zanzibar to Mtemere airstrip.
• all game drives, guided bush walks, and the sunrise boat safari on the Rufiji River.
• village visit and cultural tour.
• two nights at Selous Safari Lodge with meals.
• bottled water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee during game drives.
• English-speaking guide for all activities.
• all park fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 to 85 years) · Child (2 to 10 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Safari Gateway Ltd

Is this one for you?This tour is shared with other travelers and led by a guide throughout. You are not navigating or driving yourself. The fixed three-day schedule means you see the park's major ecosystems and wildlife in a single trip without the time commitment of longer safaris, making it ideal for travelers with limited time in Tanzania who want both game viewing and cultural context.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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 72 h before the start.

What animals am I most likely to see on the game drives?

Nyerere National Park holds Africa's largest population of wild dogs, plus elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, hippos, and crocodiles. The diverse ecosystems (savannahs, wetlands, and forests) mean different species appear in different zones, and your guide knows where to find them.

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

The boat safari on the Rufiji River happens at sunrise on the final morning and shows you wildlife from the water: hippos wallowing, crocodiles basking on banks, and birds in their riverine habitat. It gives you a perspective the land-based drives cannot reach.

What happens during the village visit?

On the final afternoon, you visit a nearby local village and walk through the school, healthcare facilities, and bustling market to understand how the indigenous communities live and interact with the park environment around them.

Do I need to arrange my own flights to and from Zanzibar?

No. Round-trip flights from Zanzibar to Mtemere airstrip are included in the tour price. You depart in the morning on day one and return the same afternoon on day three.

What is the lodge like, and how much time do I spend there?

Selous Safari Lodge is a mid-range property near Mtemere gate that prioritizes comfort and easy park access over luxury. You stay there two nights (after the first day's game drive and after the second day's activities), and spend evenings unwinding by the fire before dinner.

Is the bush walk on day three difficult, and do I need hiking experience?

The guided bush walk happens before dawn on the final day and is designed to let you experience the wilderness up close with expert interpretation. It suits all physical fitness levels, though it does require being awake and mobile in the early morning.