3 Days Selous Safari Adventure

Price

On Request

Best time

All year round

Trip Overview

Spanning over 55,000 square kilometers, the Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park) is one of Africa’s largest and most pristine protected areas. Known for its rich biodiversity, the park is home to elephants, lions, African buffalo, giraffes, wild dogs, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, and countless bird species. With landscapes ranging from wetlands along the Rufiji River to sweeping miombo woodlands, Selous offers a raw, untamed safari experience.

On this 3-day Selous safari adventure, you’ll experience thrilling game drives, a memorable boat safari on the Rufiji River, and an intimate walking safari at sunrise. This short yet immersive safari is perfect for travelers looking to escape into the wild, whether starting from Dar es Salaam or connecting from Zanzibar.

Trip Gallery

endless memory to capture

Destinations

Dar es Salaam, Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park), Rufiji River

What to expect

Game drives, boat safari on the Rufiji River, walking safari, Big 5 wildlife encounters, birdwatching,

Day by day description

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve – Rufiji River Boat Safari

Your adventure begins with a scenic 5-hour drive from Dar es Salaam to the Selous Game Reserve. Along the way, you’ll pass through rural landscapes, bustling roadside villages, and wide-open countryside, offering your first glimpse of everyday Tanzanian life.

Upon arrival at Africa Safari Lodge, enjoy a hot lunch and a chance to settle in. In the late afternoon, embark on a boat safari along the Rufiji River. This is one of Selous’ signature experiences watching pods of hippos snort and splash, crocodiles basking on the banks, and colorful bird species filling the skies. As the sun sets over the river, you’ll return to camp for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park

Rise early for a full-day game drive into the heart of Selous. With your picnic lunch packed, you’ll explore vast savannas, acacia woodlands, and open plains where wildlife roams freely. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its large elephant population and healthy prides of lions. You may also spot wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, impalas, buffalo, baboons, elands, and kudus.

The variety of habitats ensures every turn brings something new from dramatic mountain backdrops to hidden lagoons alive with birdlife. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and another night surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Accommodation

Day 3: Morning Walking Safari & Return to Dar es Salaam

On your final morning, set out at sunrise for a guided walking safari. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you’ll explore the forest on foot, noticing the small details often missed on a game drive — animal tracks, insects, and the awakening sounds of the bush.

After breakfast back at the lodge, check out and begin your return journey to Dar es Salaam. For travelers coming from Zanzibar, pick-up arrangements from the ferry can also be arranged.

Though just three days, this Selous adventure leaves you with lasting memories of Tanzania’s southern wilderness from Rufiji River sunsets to unforgettable close encounters with wildlife.