Selous trips from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam
Trips sold as Selous safaris from Zanzibar fly to airstrips in the Rufiji area, which are part of Nyerere National Park. The remaining Selous Game Reserve is a separate area under TAWA. When you compare offers, look for the park named in the programme and for what the price includes.
The flight is the reason a day trip works. A morning departure from Zanzibar at 08:00 lands at 09:15, which leaves the middle of the day for a game drive, a boat trip on the Rufiji and lunch. From Dar es Salaam the morning flight leaves at 08:30 and lands at 09:15. Times vary with the airstrip, so confirm yours.
Our picks: Selous safaris from Zanzibar
Four fly-in options from one day to three, plus a ferry-and-road trip from Zanzibar and a road safari from Dar es Salaam for anyone who prefers not to fly.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-day safari by ferry and road from Zanzibar
- Ferry and 4x4 transfer
- Park and landing fees
- Two nights, full board
Ferry to Dar es Salaam, then by road to Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous) for a game drive and a Rufiji boat ride. You sleep in bungalows at the park.
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Two-day fly-in with a ranger walk
- Flights both ways
- Park entry and taxes
- Water and soft drinks
A flight to the Mtemere airstrip in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous). Day two adds a ranger-led walk and a Rufiji boat ride of about two hours; one night in mid-range accommodation.
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Two-day fly-in safari with a bungalow night
- Return flights
- Park and landing fees
- Full board, one night
A jeep game drive in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous) with a driver-guide. The Rufiji boat ride belongs only to the boat option, so check which one you pick.
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Fly-in safari with boat ride and village visit
- Return flights
- Rufiji boat ride
- Full board, village visit
A full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous) on a two-to-three-day itinerary with a lodge stay. Ask whether park fees are included before you book.
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Three-day road safari with boat, drive and walk
- Park fees for non-residents
- Two nights, full board
- Airport transfer
By road from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous), with a Rufiji boat ride, a full-day game drive and a walking safari.
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Shared day safari by plane from Zanzibar
- Return flights
- Park entry and landing fees
- Bush lunch, water, coffee
A shared 4x4 game drive in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous) with a guide. Between April and June, rain can move the schedule.
Check availability →Selous trips from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam
Day trips by air, boat safaris and overnight stays, with live prices and availability.
Selous day trip from Zanzibar
What one day looks like.
The format
A day trip combines a return flight from Zanzibar to Nyerere, a game drive, a boat trip on the Rufiji and lunch, all in one day. Prices start at about $360 per person and include the flights, park fees and taxes. Insurance is not included.
What it does not give you
A day trip leaves little time for a second drive or a walk. Animals cannot be promised, and the price is a starting offer, not a guaranteed price for your date.
Questions to ask
Which park does the programme enter? What time is the return flight? Is the luggage limit tight? Is lunch included, and what happens if a flight is delayed?
For the park itself, with boat safaris and fees, see the Nyerere guide for visitors from Zanzibar. For beaches and the island, see the Zanzibar safari guide.
One, two and three day formats
Choose by how much time you have.
| Length | How you travel | What it covers | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam | Game drive, boat trip and lunch | From $360 per person |
| 2 days | Flight or road, one night in a camp | A second game drive or a walk | Varies by camp and flights |
| 3 days by road | Overland from Dar es Salaam | One full game day, boat trip, return by road | $400 to $600 shared, $600 to $1,050 or more private |
| 3 days by air | Flights in and out | Two nights in a camp, several activities | $1,100 to $2,200 or more per person |
Prices are planning examples for 2026, not fixed tariffs. For most travellers staying on Zanzibar, the day trip is the simplest option. For a first visit with more time, two nights give a calmer pace.
Selous safari from Dar es Salaam
By air or by road.
From Dar es Salaam you have two options. The flight takes about 45 minutes, and more departures leave at 10:45–11:30 and 16:30–17:35. By road, Kingupira is 288 km and Miguruwe 366 km away. The national park advises four-wheel drive, especially in the rains. The getting there page covers both ways in more detail, and the Selous safari page compares the safari types.
Park fees are set by TANAPA for Nyerere and by TAWA for the reserve. In the 2023/24 tariff, Nyerere charged $70 for adult non-East African visitors in the high season. Check the current amount before you book.
What the price should cover
A short checklist for any offer.
Flights and transfers
Check the departure airport, the flight times and whether transfers on the ground are part of the price.
Park fees and taxes
A day trip from $360 includes park fees and taxes. Other offers may add them later, so compare like with like.
Activities and meals
Confirm the game drive, the boat trip and lunch. A day trip should list all three.
Insurance
A day trip from $360 excludes insurance. Mandatory insurance for the mainland is a separate item, see below.
Entry for Tanzania in 2026
Two points that matter before a short trip.
eVisa
An ordinary visa costs $50 and is valid for up to 90 days. US citizens are asked for a multiple-entry visa at $100. Confirm the fee when you apply.
Insurance
Since October 2026, mandatory insurance applies to the mainland as well, at $44 for up to 92 days. It applies even if you hold private cover.
Selous trips from Zanzibar: frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Selous from Zanzibar in one day?
Yes, with a morning flight. One format combines the flight, a game drive, a boat trip and lunch in one day. Check the return time before you book.
How long is the flight from Zanzibar?
About 75 minutes, with a morning departure at 08:00 and arrival at 09:15.
What does a day trip cost?
Day trips start from about $360 per person, with flights, park fees and taxes included and insurance excluded. It is a starting price, not a guaranteed price for every date.
Is a two day trip worth it?
If you have the time, yes. A night in a camp allows a second game drive or a walk. Prices vary by camp and flights, so ask for the full price.
Do I need to pay park fees separately?
Check what the package lists. Some prices include park fees, others list them as an extra.