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3 Days – Nyerere National Park Safari from Zanzibar
3 Days / 2 Nights Days
Zanzibar, Tanzania (morning flight to Mtemere airstrip) → Zanzibar, Tanzania (flight from Mtemere airstrip on Day 3)
Wildlife
Easy
Why Choose This Safari?
Nyerere National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park, at about 30,893 sq km, which is roughly the size of Belgium, and it’s a good choice if you want a different safari from the northern circuit. It is also one of the few places in Tanzania where you can combine a boat safari, a walking safari and game drives in the same park. You fly from Zanzibar and reach Mtemere airstrip within about an hour, then head out on the great Rufiji River at sunset to look for hippos, crocodiles and birds. The next day is a full day of game drives, with the chance of elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, zebra and the endangered African wild dog. On the last morning, a walking safari with an armed ranger lets you experience the bush on foot before flying back to Zanzibar. It makes a quick fly-in extension to a beach holiday, and the same safari can start and end in Dar es Salaam.
Safari Highlights
- Mid-Range Accommodation Safari
- US$ 1,715 Per person sharing
- Minimum 2 Pax
Destinations to Travel
Zanzibar · Nyerere National Park (Mtemere airstrip, Rufiji River)
Itinerary
Day 1 — Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park
You start your safari at Zanzibar Airport, where you should arrive 60 minutes before your 08:00 departure. On arrival at Mtemere airstrip in Nyerere National Park, at 09:15 or 09:45, you’re met by your driver-guide and transferred to your lodge to check in. At around 16:00 you set off on a romantic sunset boat safari along the great Rufiji River, watching for hippos, crocodiles and birds and enjoying the spectacular sundown. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 2 — Full Day in Nyerere National Park
After an early breakfast you set out on a full day of game drives, exploring the wildlife of the park. You may see any of Africa’s great favourite mammals, including elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo and zebra, and even the endangered African wild dog. Lunch is a picnic at midday, and your guide chooses a spot with shade and water nearby, where you can watch animals come to drink, with a clear view all round so that no predator can creep up unseen. Before the end of the day you return to your lodge, and the evening is yours to spend at leisure before dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3 — Early Morning Walking Safari and Departure to Zanzibar
Your day starts with an early morning walking safari, usually at 6:00 to 6:30am after morning tea or coffee, accompanied by an armed ranger and lasting around 2 to 3 hours. A walking safari is a fantastic way to learn more about the bush. You may see wildlife on the walk, but the focus is also on the habitat the animals live in, insects, trees and birdlife, and it’s an experience very few places in Africa can offer. After breakfast you check out and transfer to Mtemere airstrip for a scheduled flight to Zanzibar, at 10:30 or 12:50.
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Return flight Zanzibar to Nyerere NP to Zanzibar
- Safari base vehicle + English speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation
- Park fees & Concession fees & game drives
- Boat and walking safari
Rate Excludes
- Accommodation Before and After in Zanzibar
- International Flight
- Airport Transfer
- Beverages (Alcohol and Non-Alcoholic)
- Medical and luggage insurance
- Tips
- Other personal expenses
- Emergency evacuation insurance
Best Time to Go
No travel window was given for this itinerary, so the advice below comes from the route and general seasonality. The drier months, roughly June to October, are usually the easiest for game viewing in Nyerere National Park, because animals gather near the Rufiji River and other water sources, and the cooler mornings suit a walking safari. The wetter months, roughly November to May, bring lush scenery, fewer visitors and excellent birding, though game can be harder to spot in thicker bush and roads can be muddier. For the best overall balance of game viewing and travel comfort, aim for June to October. You can find more on the Tanzania National Parks Authority site.
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this safari start and end, and how long does it take?
It starts in Zanzibar with a morning flight to Mtemere airstrip in Nyerere National Park and ends with a flight from the same airstrip back to Zanzibar on Day 3. It runs for 3 days and 2 nights, with two nights at a lodge in the park.
Can the safari start or end in Dar es Salaam instead?
Yes. The same safari can be arranged to start and end in Dar es Salaam, to start in Zanzibar and end in Dar es Salaam, or to start in Dar es Salaam and end in Zanzibar. Tell our team where you want to begin and end and we’ll plan it around your dates.
What activities are included?
You have a sunset boat safari along the Rufiji River on Day 1, a full day of game drives on Day 2 and an early morning walking safari with an armed ranger on Day 3. The Rufiji is Tanzania’s largest river and is home to many hippos and Nile crocodiles. You can read more on the Nyerere National Park page.
What is the walking safari like?
The walk usually starts at 6:00 to 6:30am after morning tea or coffee, lasts around 2 to 3 hours and is accompanied by an armed ranger. You may see wildlife, but the focus is also on the habitat, insects, trees and birdlife, so it’s a way to experience the bush up close.
What wildlife can we expect?
On the game drive you may see elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo and zebra, and even the endangered African wild dog, and the park is known for a large population of this species. Sightings can’t be guaranteed on any given day.
How early do we need to arrive at the airport?
On Day 1 you should arrive at Zanzibar Airport 60 minutes before your departure at 08:00. Our team will confirm exact flight times when your booking is confirmed.