Nyerere National Park · Zanzibar
Nyerere Fly-In Escape from Zanzibar
One night on the Rufiji River, by air, between two days of beach.
- Duration
- 2 days
- Destinations
- Nyerere National Park · Zanzibar
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Group size
- 2 to 6 guests
- From
- $1,665 per person
Overview
One night on the Rufiji River, by air, between two days of beach.
Your Zanzibar holiday does not have to stay on the island. A short flight carries you to Nyerere National Park, formerly the Selous Game Reserve, for a night in the bush and then straight back to the coast.
The afternoon is spent on the Rufiji River by boat, passing hippo pools and crocodiles on the banks while elephants and buffalo come down to drink. The next morning starts with a walk through the bush and a game drive, timed for when predators are active, and you are back in Zanzibar in time for a beach afternoon.
Flights both ways remove the long overland transfer entirely, so just a single night away from the sand gets you a real taste of mainland Africa.
- Return flight between Zanzibar and Nyerere, with no road transfer
- A boat safari on the Rufiji River on the afternoon you arrive
- An early walking safari followed by a game drive
- Back on the beach the same day you leave the bush
- Camps at more than one comfort level, with the same route and activities
Best forCouplesShort breaksBeach travellers who want wildlife
Wildlife radar
What you can expect to see
Nyerere can be visited all year. The dry season from June to October is best for game viewing as animals gather along the Rufiji River. The green season from November to March is lush and excellent for birds and boat safaris. The heavy rains of April and May are the quietest time, and some camps close.
- HippopotamusGuaranteed
- Nile CrocodileHigh
- African ElephantHigh
- African BuffaloHigh
- African Wild DogRare
The difference
A bush trip that fits inside a beach holiday
Nyerere covers about 30,900 km², roughly the size of Belgium, yet sees far fewer visitors than the northern parks. Starting from Zanzibar makes it the quickest route into a very wild corner of Tanzania.
Water-based viewing is the signature of this park. Drifting along the Rufiji puts you at eye level with hippos and close to elephants at the bank, a different angle on safari than a vehicle gives.
Along the way
What you will experience
Rufiji River boat safari
Slow water, hippo pools, crocodile-lined banks, and elephants and buffalo coming down to drink.
Walking safari
Leave the vehicle with your guide at dawn, when the bush is cool and alive with tracks and sounds.
Game drive
A morning drive through the reserve in the hours when predators are on the move.
On the map
Your route
Follow the trip from the first night to the last, by road and by air.
- Start · Day 1Zanzibar
- Day 1Nyerere National ParkFlight from Zanzibar
- End · Day 2ZanzibarFlight from Nyerere National Park
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Nyerere and Take to the River
Nyerere National Park
A direct flight from Zanzibar lands you in Nyerere National Park, at about 30,900 km² the largest national park in Tanzania, and known until recently as the Selous Game Reserve. Once you have unpacked, the afternoon belongs to the Rufiji River by boat: pods of hippo float in the shallows, crocodiles lie along the banks, and elephant and buffalo come down to drink.
Nyerere is roughly the size of Belgium and receives a fraction of the visitors of the northern Tanzanian parks.
- Ridge
- Rufiji River Camp
- Meals
- Full Board
Day 2
Walk, Drive, Fly Back
Nyerere National Park and Zanzibar
An early walking safari, then a game drive through the reserve at the time predators are most active. Afterwards you fly back to Zanzibar, in time to spend the afternoon on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast & Lunch
Gallery
Along the route
Where you stay
Choose your style of stay
Price per person
Choose a level of stay and see what each person pays for your group size.
| Travelling together | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | $2,058 |
| 3 travellers | $1,698 |
| 4 travellers | $1,682 |
| 5 travellers | $1,672 |
| 6 travellers | $1,665 |
- Prices are in US dollars, per person sharing a double or twin room. Vehicle and guide costs are shared, so the price per person changes with group size and does not always fall in a straight line.
- Park fees are set by the authorities and can change, so the quote you accept is the price that applies.
What's included
- Return flights between Zanzibar and Nyerere
- All park and concession fees
- Rufiji River boat safari
- Walking safari and game drive
- A professional guide throughout
- Full board at your camp
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzanian entry visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
- Personal items, laundry, phone charges and drinks beyond the standard full-board offering
Good to know
- A minimum of two guests is needed for the flight transfer to be viable.
- Rates are quoted per person sharing a double or twin room; single supplements are available on request.
- Park fees are set by the government and may change without notice.
Questions
Good to know
Because you fly. The journey from your Zanzibar hotel to Nyerere takes only a short time by air, and the same flight brings you home, so none of your time is lost on roads.
The boat safari on the river is the standout for many first-time visitors, and the walk and game drive the next morning take place when animals are most active. Hippos, crocodiles, elephant and buffalo are all likely.
The flights, activities and route stay the same. Only the camp differs, with the second level offering more space and river frontage.
Yes. The flight, transfers and guide are shared costs, so the per-person cost falls as more people join, especially from two to three.
One night suits travellers who will not give up more beach time. If you have days to spare, a longer stay in the southern circuit lets Nyerere show far more.
Nyerere Fly-In Escape from Zanzibar
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and a personal quote.