Wildlife, water & culture - a complete luxury safari
This premium fly-in safari takes you from the beaches of Zanzibar deep into Nyerere National Park the vast wilderness formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve, and the largest national park in Tanzania. In just three days you experience the park from every angle: full-day private game drives across open plains, a guided walking safari on foot, a warm Maasai cultural welcome, and a sunset boat safari on the legendary Rufiji River.
It is a private, tailor-made journey built for travelers who want depth and comfort in equal measure. Everything is handled from your Zanzibar hotel pickup to the scheduled flights, the private 4x4, and two nights of full board at Safari Selous Lodge so all that is left is to immerse yourself in one of Africa's wildest and most beautiful ecosystems.
Seamless fly-in: Zanzibar to the heart of Nyerere
No long road transfers. You are collected from your Zanzibar hotel and flown by scheduled scenic flight straight to the Mtemere Airstrip inside the park, where your private guide and 4x4 are waiting. On the final day, you fly back to Zanzibar and are transferred to your hotel effortless from start to finish.
Your 3-day luxury itinerary
2 full game drives plus a walking safari, a Maasai visit and a Rufiji boat safari all private and flexible.
Day 1: Arrival & full-day game drive
- Early morning: Pick-up from your Zanzibar hotel and transfer to Zanzibar Airport.
- Flight: Scheduled flight from Zanzibar to Selous (Mtemere Airstrip); arrival at Nyerere National Park and safari briefing.
- Daytime: Start your full-day game drive, with a bush lunch inside the park at 13:00.
- Afternoon: Continue the game drive until 17:00, then transfer to Safari Selous Lodge.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight at the lodge (full board).
Day 2: Walking safari, Maasai culture & Rufiji boat safari
- Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge.
- Morning: Guided bush walking safari with an armed ranger.
- Cultural visit: A local Maasai village traditional Maasai dance, a cow-milking experience, and an insight into Maasai culture and daily life.
- Lunch: Lunch at Safari Selous Lodge.
- Afternoon: Boat safari on the Rufiji River, with a beautiful sunset along the water.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight at the lodge (full board).
Day 3: Full game drive & departure
- Breakfast: Early breakfast at the lodge, then check-out.
- Morning: Morning game drive until 13:00, with a bush lunch inside the park.
- Afternoon: End of safari and transfer to Mtemere Airstrip for your flight back to Zanzibar.
- Arrival: Transfer from Zanzibar Airport to your hotel.
Safari Selous Lodge
Your base for two nights is Safari Selous Lodge, a relaxed riverside retreat set within the Nyerere (Selous) ecosystem. After long days in the wild you return to comfortable rooms, warm hospitality and unhurried evenings surrounded by the sounds of the bush.
Full board is included throughout dinner, breakfast and lunch each day, from your first evening to your final departure so every meal is taken care of, whether at the lodge or as a bush lunch out in the park.
Four ways to experience Nyerere
Private game drives
Two full days of private 4x4 game drives across Africa's largest reserve, with bush lunches out in the park.
Walking safari
A guided bush walk with an armed ranger tracking, plants and the small details you miss from a vehicle.
Maasai cultural visit
A warm welcome to a Maasai village: traditional dancing, a cow-milking experience and a window into daily life.
Rufiji boat safari
An afternoon cruise on the Rufiji River past hippos and crocodiles, ending with a glowing riverside sunset.
Effortless fly-in
Scheduled flights and all transfers between Zanzibar and the park, handled door to door.
Full-board comfort
Two nights full board at Safari Selous Lodge every meal included, in and out of the park.
Wildlife of Nyerere (Selous)
Nyerere is a vast, uncrowded wilderness where the wildlife feels genuinely wild. Across your game drives, walk and river cruise you can expect elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffe, hippos and crocodiles, one of Africa's most important populations of endangered wild dog, and superb birdlife along the Rufiji River.
Who this safari is for
Private, unhurried and romantic from start to finish.
Sunset river cruises and optional romantic touches.
Effortless fly-in service and total privacy.
A private vehicle and a varied, flexible programme.
What's included & excluded
Reserve your luxury Selous safari
Solo, family and larger-group rates on request. Price varies with season and availability and is confirmed at booking.
Rated 4.9 / 5 on TripAdvisor
"The Rufiji boat safari at sunset was unforgettable hippos everywhere and the sky on fire. Flying in from Zanzibar made the whole thing effortless."
"Three completely different days game drives, a walking safari and the Maasai visit. Our guide was superb and Safari Selous Lodge was so relaxing."
"Total VIP treatment from the Zanzibar pickup to the flight home. Wild, uncrowded and beautifully organized. Worth every dollar."
Moments from Nyerere
Your private wilderness awaits
Begin your luxury Selous journey
Tell us your dates and who's travelling, and we'll craft your bespoke 3-day Nyerere fly-in safari from $1,200 per person.
