3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari from Zanzibar Island

Our 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari from Zanzibar Island is one of the most well-known Zanzibar short safari itineraries. This 3-day safari from Zanzibar to the Selous Game Reserve is one of the few short itineraries available by road from Dar es Salaam, after flying from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam International Airport and back. Flights from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam are included, but not transfers from your hotel to Zanzibar. If you provide us with the name and location of your hotel, we may also offer airport transfers in Zanzibar (airport pick-up and drop-off). Transfers from the airport to most beach hotels range between USD 50 and USD 70, depending on the beach hotel’s location (2019-2020 prices). The cost of transportation from Stone town Zanzibar Hotels to the airport ranges between USD 10 and USD 15. Depending on the beach hotel’s location (2019-2020 prices). The cost of transportation from Stone town Zanzibar Hotels to the airport ranges between USD 10 and USD 15.

What are some of the activities to do on the 3-day Selous Game Reserve from Zanzibar?

When most people think about Tanzania safaris, they think of wildlife safari tours in the country’s more famous parks, such as the Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Crater. This tour, on the other hand, brings you to the less congested Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit, which provides a variety of activities in addition to the conventional game drives. This safari tour in the Selous allows you the opportunity to not only do game viewing in a 4×4 safari land cruiser but also to go on an actual walking safari in the world’s largest game reserve, as well as a rare boat safari on the magnificent Rufiji River. Another similar trip that we offer from Zanzibar that includes Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park for an all-in-one journey in which you may visit the Southern Tanzania circuit is our 8-day Selous Game Reserve & Mikumi National Park from Zanzibar.

Selous riverside safari camp

Where to stay during your three-day trip to the Selous Game Reserve from Zanzibar

During your three-day safari in the Selous Game Reserve, you will stay at either the Selous Tented Camp or the Selous Mapumziko Lodge, both of which are located on the banks of the Great Rufiji River. Upgraded accommodations include Selous Kinga Lodge, Selous Jimbiza Lodge, and Selous Kulinda Camp. If you want to stay in a luxurious resort or camp, try Rufiji River Camp, Serena Safari Camp, or Selous Mivumo River Camp. You might also be interested in our 3-day Serengeti Safari from Zanzibar, which takes you to the world-famous Serengeti National Park.

Day 1. Fly from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam for this day.

This morning, take a flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, where your safari guide will meet you. When you arrive in Dar es Salaam at around 08.00 hrs, your driver will take you directly to the Selous Game Reserve, where you will arrive at about lunchtime. You’ll return to your lodge or camp for a nice lunch and some rest. You will be brought to the jetty in the afternoon when the boat safari will begin. You will spend the day on a boat safari in the Great Rufiji, which will be an unforgettable experience. Crocodiles, hippos, black and white colobus monkeys, crocodiles, and birds such as fish eagles, pied kingfishers, gigantic kingfishers, and other animals congregate here to quench their thirst. Crocodiles use this to hunt their prey, and if you’re lucky, you might see some animal activity. After seeing the sunset, you will return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Selous Tented Camp or Selous Mapumziko Lodge on the banks of the Rufiji River.

sightings of leopards in Selous Game Reserve

Day 2. Wildlife sightings in Selous Game Reserve

This morning, you will have breakfast at your camp or lodge before checking in at the Selous Wildlife Reserve gates for a full day of game viewing within Selous, Africa’s largest game reserve. This full day will be spent in the large game reserve on wildlife game drives in search of animals and birds. You might expect to see gazelles, giraffes, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, kudus, and zebras, but you can also see the rarest of all, which are African wild dogs. Selous was named for a notable European explorer, the late Frederick Selous, and the reserve was later designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Selous Game Reserve is roughly the size of Switzerland, and it comprises an unexploited African wilderness with an intriguing environment that includes notable savannah woods, undulating savannah grassland plains, and rocky outcrops thought to have been formed long ago by the Rufiji River. Selous is also home to big cats such as leopards and lion prides. Overnight at Selous Mapumziko Lodge or Selous Tented Camp. All meals are provided.

Day 3: Morning guided walks followed by a flight back to Zanzibar.

After an early breakfast, you will embark on a walking safari within the Selous Game Reserve, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with wildlife and experience the African wilderness on foot. For your protection, you will be escorted by an armed ranger who is also a certified naturalist. Following the walking safari, you will drive back to Dar es Salaam. If you drive, you will arrive in Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon. You will be dropped off at Dar es Salaam International Airport for your return trip to Zanzibar Island. Your 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari from Zanzibar Island has come to an end.

The price of the safari includes

• Return flights from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam and back Zanzibar 03-day private safari from Zanzibar to Selous Game Reserve for 02-06 individuals
• Transport and game drives modified 4x4land cruiser with a photographic roof hatch
• The services of an experienced professional English-speaking safariguide
• All wildlife games reserve entry fees for Selous
• All game drives, as mentioned in the itinerary,
• Afternoon boat safari in the Rufiji River
• 5 liters mineral water per person per day during game drives02.x FB at safari lodges or tented camps as per itinerary
• Walking Safari with a Ranger at Selous Game Reserve
• Concession bed night tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority’s WMA Value Added Tax

The price doesn’t include

• International flights:
• Items of a personal nature such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotions, sunscreen Gratuities for the safari guides and lodge staff (please tip separately).
• Travel insurance if needed.
• Visa fee (50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
• Drinks and beverages in lodges airport pick up and transfers in a private car to Zanzibar.