Zanzibar to Selous Safari: Game Drive, Walking & Boat

What would you see if you had three days to hunt for wild dogs in Africa's quietest park?

You fly from Zanzibar into Nyerere National Park for two days of three different safari types: game drives hunting predators and wild dogs, a guided walk through miombo woodland, and a boat safari on the Rufiji River. The lodge, all meals, flights, and expert guide are included. You return to Zanzibar the afternoon of day two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fly to Selous and game drives

• Fly from Zanzibar to Selous
• Meet driver guide and briefing
• Start game drives with picnic lunch
• Continue game drives until evening
• Return to camp for dinner and bonfire

Day 2 — Walking safari, boat trip, and departure

• Early guided walking safari
• Breakfast at camp
• Boat safari on Rufiji River
• Return to camp for lunch and rest
• Fly back to Zanzibar

The Experience

Two days sounds short until you're in Selous—or Nyerere National Park, as it's officially known now—and your guide points out a pack of wild dogs moving through the miombo woodland. Zanzibar feels like another world once the light aircraft touches down at Mtemere airstrip. The park holds Africa's largest population of wild dogs, and that alone makes the flight worth it, but the real draw is that Selous stays uncrowded. You get game drives that don't feel like a convoy, walking safaris where you can actually hear the birds, and a boat safari down the Rufiji River where hippos surface close enough that you hold your breath.

Day one moves fast. After landing and meeting your driver-guide, you're straight into a game drive that runs through lunch and into the evening—hours of searching for predators, elephants, buffalo, whatever the park decides to show you that day. The lodge sits on the river, and after dinner you'll hear the sounds of the reserve at night, which is its own kind of safari. Day two starts before sunrise with a walking safari, the kind where your guide reads the ground like a map: animal tracks, scat, the small signs that tell you what passed through hours before. Breakfast comes after, then a boat safari down the Rufiji where crocodiles sun themselves on the banks and you drift past hippos and waterbirds. You're back in Zanzibar by afternoon.

The flights are included—round trip from Zanzibar—along with the lodge, all meals, and water throughout. Your guide knows the park in detail, and the groups stay small enough that you're not competing for sightings. The walking safari is the part most people don't expect to love, but it changes how you see the place. You're not just watching wildlife; you're reading the landscape.

What’s included

• Round-trip flight from Zanzibar to Mtemere airstrip.
• two nights at Selous Safari Lodge.
• all meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• bottled water, tea, and coffee throughout.
• full-day game drive on day one.
• guided walking safari on day two.
• boat safari on the Rufiji River.
• all park fees and taxes.
• expert driver-guide for both days.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Safari Gateway Ltd

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Nyerere National Park without spending a week in the bush—the two-day format and included flights mean you leave Zanzibar in the morning and return by evening of day two, which is what makes a serious safari possible on a shorter trip.

Top questions

Do I need a visa to fly from Zanzibar to Selous?

You're already in Tanzania if you're in Zanzibar, so no additional visa is required for the domestic flight to Nyerere National Park.

What's the difference between a game drive and a walking safari?

A game drive covers more ground from a vehicle and lets you spot animals from a distance. A walking safari is slower, on foot, and focuses on tracks, plants, and smaller details of the ecosystem.

How many people are in a typical group?

Groups are kept small to minimize disturbance to wildlife and give everyone a better chance of sightings, though the exact number isn't fixed.

What time do flights depart from Zanzibar?

Morning departure is typical for safari operations, but confirm the exact time when you book, as light aircraft schedules can vary.

Is the boat safari safe if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The boat safari is a viewing experience on the river; you remain in the boat the entire time, so swimming ability is not required.

What wildlife am I most likely to see?

Elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and various predators are common. Wild dogs are a highlight if you're lucky—Selous has the largest population in Africa.

Can I extend the safari to three days?

This package is fixed at two days. Longer safaris may be available as a separate booking; ask your operator.

Do I need malaria medication?

Nyerere National Park is in a malaria zone. Consult your doctor about prophylaxis before traveling.