Selous Safari Day Trip from Zanzibar by Flight: Wildlife Adventure

Summary

Selous Game Reserve Fly-In Safari: Elephants, Lions & Wild Dogs

If you want to see elephants, lions, wild dogs, and more all in one day—with barely any crowds—this Selous fly-in safari from Zanzibar is hard to beat. It’s quick, packed with wildlife sightings, and you’ll be back in time for dinner on the island.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Zanzibar felt thick and warm as we waited at the small airport—there’s always this mix of excitement and sleepiness before sunrise flights. Our guide, Musa, handed out boarding passes with a grin and reminded us to keep an eye out for hippos once we landed. The flight itself was quick, maybe just under an hour, but you could see the land changing below—patches of green giving way to endless stretches of bush. When we touched down on the dusty Selous airstrip, the first thing I noticed was the quiet. Just birds and the hum of insects.

We piled into an open-sided jeep and rolled straight into the reserve. Within minutes, a herd of elephants crossed our path—one calf flapping its ears at us like it was showing off. Musa pointed out fresh lion tracks in the sand; he said they’d probably passed by just before dawn. We saw giraffes nibbling acacia leaves, warthogs darting through tall grass, and even caught a glimpse of wild dogs lounging in the shade (they’re rare here). There’s something about Selous—the space, the way you can drive for ages without seeing another vehicle. At midday, we stopped near a lake for a picnic lunch. You could hear hippos grumbling somewhere close by and smell wild basil crushed underfoot. After eating, we stretched out in the shade for a bit before heading back out.

The afternoon light made everything look golden. We watched zebras kicking up dust as they trotted to the water’s edge, and baboons squabbling over fruit in a sausage tree. Musa knew every bird call—he pointed out sunbirds flitting between branches and even spotted a fish eagle perched above the riverbank. By four o’clock, it was time to head back to the airstrip. I remember feeling dusty, tired, but also kind of amazed at how much we’d seen in just one day. The return flight felt quieter—everyone was lost in their own thoughts or scrolling through photos.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Selous Game Reserve Safari

• Flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam to Selous
• Picnic lunch and rest in the bush
• Game drives to see wildlife and visit lakes
• Flight back to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Top questions

How long is the flight from Zanzibar to Selous?

It’s about an hour each way on a shared charter plane—quick enough that you’ll have plenty of time for game drives.

Will I definitely see lions or elephants?

Wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed since it’s nature, but Selous has large populations of both—and our guides know where to look.

Is lunch provided during the safari?

Yes! There’s a picnic lunch served out in the bush, usually near one of the lakes or shady spots inside Selous.

Is this trip suitable if I have back problems?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or serious health issues due to bumpy roads during game drives.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water to keep you cool, lunch served picnic-style right in the reserve, and all park entry fees covered. Flights from Zanzibar (or Dar es Salaam) are part of the package too.