Selous Day Safari from Zanzibar: Game Drive & Pro Photographer

Summary

Fly from Zanzibar to Selous for wild dogs lions elephants plus lunch

You’ll fly from Zanzibar at sunrise for a full-day Selous safari with a local guide and professional photographer capturing your adventure. Spot lions, elephants, giraffes—even wild dogs if you’re lucky—then enjoy lunch by the river before heading back at sunset. It’s intense, beautiful, sometimes awkward (in a good way), and leaves you wanting more time out there.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed after stepping off that little plane at Mtemere airstrip wasn’t the heat — it was the smell. Dry grass, dust, and something sharp and green in the air. Our guide, Juma, grinned like he’d been waiting for us all morning (maybe he had). He handed me a bottle of cold water and pointed out a line of giraffes in the distance before I’d even found my sunglasses. The Selous day safari started fast — no slow build-up, just straight into the open savannah with that bumpy jeep engine humming under us.

I’m not usually one for early mornings, but sunrise over Zanzibar was worth it. The flight itself was short — maybe half an hour? — but landing in Selous felt like dropping into another world. Juma knew every twist of the dirt tracks and seemed to know where the animals would be before we did. At one point he stopped so suddenly I nearly spilled my coffee (yes, they actually had decent coffee in a flask), whispering “lioness” and pointing to a patch of gold barely moving in the grass. There’s something about seeing lions up close that makes you forget how to breathe for a second.

Lunch was set up under some acacia trees overlooking a stretch of river. Nothing fancy — buffet style, but I still remember how good that grilled chicken tasted after hours scanning for wild dogs (we saw them too; I got way too excited and probably scared them off). The photographer riding with us kept snapping away quietly, only chiming in when he caught me trying to pronounce “Selous” correctly — Li laughed and said I sounded French. Maybe I do.

The afternoon light made everything look softer, even the elephants lumbering past our jeep with their ears flapping. By then we were all dusty and tired but nobody wanted it to end yet. Heading back toward the airstrip as the sun started dipping low, I realized how quiet it got out there sometimes — just wind in the grass and distant bird calls. Flying back to Zanzibar felt strange after all that space and silence. Still thinking about those wild dogs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Selous luxury safari

• Depart Zanzibar at 6 a.m.
• Fly to Selous game reserve
• Meet driver guide at airstrip
• Receive safari briefing
• Start game drive in park
• Explore savannah and river areas
• Spot elephants, lions, wild dogs
• Stop for lunch buffet with park view
• Continue afternoon game drive
• Return to airstrip by 6 p.m.
• Fly back to Zanzibar at sunset
• Transfer to hotel drop-off

Top questions

How long is the Selous day safari from Zanzibar?

The tour starts around 6am with an early flight from Zanzibar to Selous and returns by sunset—about 12 hours total including flights.

Is lunch included on this Selous safari?

Yes, a buffet lunch is included during midday in a scenic spot inside Selous reserve.

Are drinks provided during the safari?

Yes—water, soft drinks, tea/coffee are available throughout your day trip.

Will we have a professional photographer on this tour?

Yes—a photographer joins your group and shares photos via link after your safari.

What animals can we see on this day trip?

You might spot elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras—and if lucky—wild dogs or leopards.

Is hotel pickup included in Zanzibar?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel in Zanzibar before your morning flight.

How far is Selous from Zanzibar by plane?

The flight takes about 30 minutes each way between Zanzibar and Selous (Mtemere airstrip).

Is this safari suitable for families?

The tour suits most fitness levels but isn’t recommended for infants or travelers with spinal/cardiac issues.

What’s included

Your day includes early hotel pickup in Zanzibar with breakfast before flying to Selous; all entry fees; bottled water; soft drinks; tea or coffee breaks; buffet lunch by the river; snacks along the way; plus return transfer back to your hotel after sunset.