Tanzania · Safari

3-Day Fly-in Safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere with Rufiji Boat Safari

3 Days Round trip from Zanzibar Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience a unique 3-day fly-in safari from Zanzibar to Selous/Nyerere National Park
02 Stay in elevated lodge accommodations amidst stunning natural beauty
03 Enjoy diverse wildlife sightings, including elephants, lions, and rare wild dogs
04 Embark on a scenic sunset boat safari along the Rufiji River
05 Engage with local culture during a village tour and learn about daily life

Embark on an unforgettable 3-day fly-in safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve. Enjoy full-day game drives, a village tour, and a sunset boat safari on the mighty Rufiji River. Encounter diverse wildlife, beautiful scenery, and rich local culture, then fly back to Zanzibar on Day 3.

Enjoy full-day game drives, a village tour, and a sunset boat safari on the mighty Rufiji River.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Zanzibar, Selous Game Reserve

Languages English, French, German

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Fly from Zanzibar to Nyerere and Enjoy a Full-Day Game Drive

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Zanzibar and transferred to the airport for your 30-minute flight at 6:00 to Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve. Upon arrival at Mtemere Airstrip, you will be transferred to your accommodation for breakfast.
After breakfast, you will head out for a full day of game viewing in Nyerere National Park/Selous Game Reserve. To maximize your game drive time, you will take a packed lunch with you. You will enjoy a picnic lunch break from a safe vantage point, with a chance to capture the images of your dreams, from beautiful scenery to fascinating views of wildlife in their natural habitat.
You may expect to see diverse wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, eland, kudu, wildebeests, antelopes, lions, leopards, rare wild dogs, jackals, and an amazing array of colourful birds.

Day 02

Village Tour and Sunset Boat Safari on the Rufiji River

At 9:30 AM, you will go on a village tour to explore the local area, observe the daily lives of local people, and learn about the local culture. After the village tour, you will return to the camp for lunch at 13:00.
After a hot lunch, in the afternoon at around 15:45, you will depart for an adventurous and romantic sunset boat safari along the great Rufiji River. This trip offers an opportunity to spot abundant birdlife, hippos, and crocodiles while enjoying the spectacular sundown. Your guide will also point out interesting birds and plant species during the trip. After the boat safari, you will return to your accommodation for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 03

Final Game Drive and Flight Back to Zanzibar

After breakfast, you will set out for another full-day game drive before flying back to Zanzibar. You will follow different routes from the previous day, starting from Selous Safari Lodge, where your professional drivers and guides will pick you up. Today, you will get to see various animals, including elephants, zebra, giraffes, antelope, and more. You will also see birds and landscape scenery with varied topography, including wetlands, dry grassland, light acacia forest, and higher ground with vast views of far-off mountains.
You will also have the chance to visit a hot spring and even go swimming, but this depends on the accessibility of the road to the location, as during the rainy season the road may be muddier.
In the afternoon, you will have a packed lunch, continue with the game drive, and then return to the airstrip.

Where this trip takes you

Nyerere National Park, Rufiji River at sunset, Zanzibar

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Zanzibar 2 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees (for non-residents)
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All taxes/VAT
Round-trip airport transfer
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (on all days)

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: US$20.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Any government-imposed increase in taxes and/or park fees

What to bring

Passports mandatory.

Know before you go

Safari Tips

Blessed with spectacular scenery, prolific wildlife, and a superb coastline, Tanzania has long attracted seekers of an exotic holiday from across the globe. Its rich history, cultural heritage, idyllic beaches, and wildlife safaris, complemented by the warm hospitality of its charming people, make for a most memorable experience.

Safari Clothing

Dress in natural colours like brown, beige, and khaki. Shorts or trousers and short-sleeved shirts, blouses, or T-shirts in cotton are generally preferable. Light woollens may be required in the evenings or early mornings, especially in the northern circuit.

Things to Pack

Passports mandatory.
Camera memory cards - the novice explorer took 10 GB of videos and photographs.
Sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
A small trolley will be enough, and you can always leave the big suitcase with us or in your hotel.

Hotel in Zanzibar

Snacks are always a good idea.

Tips

For the safari tour guide, we recommend US$20 per day.
Hotels and lodges: TZS 50,000 per person in the tip box at the reception desk.

Expectations

Learn which animals are grazers - they eat grass only, such as wildebeests, zebras, warthogs, and hippos.
Learn which animals are browsers - they eat leaves, grasses, trees, and bushes, such as elephants, giraffes, elands, and other antelopes.
Listen to and follow the instructions of the ranger/guide - their #1 responsibility is to keep safari guests safe from danger.
Wild animals are unpredictable and should not be provoked. Stay in the safari vehicle.
If on a walking safari, never get between a mother and her young.

Logistics