Safari from Zanzibar to Nyerere
Visitors from Zanzibar fly to Nyerere National Park. There is one daily flight from Zanzibar to the park, and it goes via Dar es Salaam, with a scheduled total of 1 hour 25 minutes. It is not a nonstop flight, so treat the stop as part of the plan and confirm it when you book.
Many flight plans still call the destination Selous, because Nyerere was part of the Selous Game Reserve until 2019. The flights go to the airstrips in and around the park, and your operator arranges the transfer from there. Trips from Zanzibar are fly-in safaris, with one or more nights in camp or a short visit on the ground.
Our picks: Nyerere from Zanzibar
Three fly-in trips, each with the flights included. The one-day option is the cheapest way to see the park; the two-day trips add a night and more time on the Rufiji.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
2-day fly-in safari with a walk and a boat ride
- Return flights included
- Park entry and taxes
- Open jeep, full board
From a Zanzibar hotel by private van and plane into Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous), with a game drive, a walk with an armed ranger and a boat ride of about two hours on the Rufiji. One night in mid-range accommodation.
Check availability →
2-day fly-in safari with a lodge night
- Return flights included
- Park and landing fees
- Lodge night, en-suite room
A twin-engine plane to Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous), 4x4 game drives and a Rufiji boat safari, with meals and water included.
Check availability →Fly-in day safari from Zanzibar
- Return flights from Zanzibar
- Park and landing fees
- Bush lunch
A shared 4x4 safari in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous) with a guide. The two-day option adds a lodge night, a Rufiji boat ride and a walking safari.
Check availability →Nyerere safaris from Zanzibar
Fly-in safaris with a stay in the park, with live prices and availability.
Flight times between Zanzibar and the park
April 2026 timetable, valid until 31 May 2027.
| Direction | Departure and arrival | Fare example |
|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar to the park, via Dar es Salaam | 07:50–09:15 | Adult $248, child $198, plus $52 in fees |
| Park to Zanzibar, via Dar es Salaam | 12:50–14:50 | Confirm the stop and the fare when you book |
A flight needs at least 2 booked seats on the leg from Dar es Salaam, so a single traveller should ask whether a seat is available on the day. The timetable is a plan and not a confirmed flight, and the fares are base prices that do not guarantee a seat on your date. Landing at 09:15 and flying back at 12:50 leaves about three and a half hours between the two, and the transfer from the airstrip comes out of that time. For most visitors who want a game drive and a boat trip, staying at least one night is the more comfortable choice, and an operator can tell you what a one-day plan really includes.
Fly-in safari in Tanzania: how it works
The same idea, whatever your starting point.
The flight is the transfer
A fly-in safari replaces a long drive with a short flight to an airstrip in or near the park. Flights serve more than one airstrip in and around the park, so ask which one is yours.
The airstrip meets a vehicle
Your camp or operator collects you at the airstrip. Agree the pickup point and the time before you travel, because flight times do not include the ride to camp.
The stop in Dar es Salaam
The Zanzibar flight stops in Dar es Salaam. Ask whether you stay on board or change aircraft, and which airstrip the aircraft lands on.
Activities on the ground
Once in the park you can combine game drives with a boat safari on the Rufiji. A walking safari needs advance booking and a permit, see walking safari.
Practical points for trips from the island
What changes when you leave Zanzibar for the mainland.
Travel insurance
The mandatory Tanzanian travel insurance applies to the mainland as well since October 2026. If you visit both the mainland and Zanzibar, one policy is enough. It is issued at your first point of entry, on the mainland or on Zanzibar.
Park fees
Entry to Nyerere is charged per person and day. Under the 2023/24 tariff, non-East African adults pay $70 in the main season. See the park fees page and ask whether your package already includes them.
The weather
The dry season runs roughly from June to October, and some camps close from mid-March to May. Check weather and best time before you pick dates.
For the island itself, including the airport, Stone Town and the beaches, see the Zanzibar airport guide. If you want to compare with the part of the former Selous outside the park, see the Selous tours guide.
Safari from Zanzibar: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park?
You fly. The April 2026 timetable has a daily flight from Zanzibar at 07:50 that reaches the park at 09:15 and goes via Dar es Salaam. Confirm the stop, the airstrip and the time when you book.
How much does the flight from Zanzibar cost?
The timetable fare is $248 for an adult and $198 for a child, with $52 in fees shown separately. These are base prices for one example flight and do not guarantee a price for your date. A fly-in safari package normally includes the flight.
Can I do Nyerere from Zanzibar in one day?
The timetable has a morning arrival at 09:15 and a return at 12:50, so a short visit is possible on paper. It leaves about three and a half hours on the ground, with the transfer coming out of that time. Ask what a one-day program includes, and consider a night in camp.
Is the flight nonstop?
No. The Zanzibar flight goes via Dar es Salaam, with a scheduled total time of 1 hour 25 minutes. Ask whether you change aircraft or stay on board.
Do I need extra travel insurance for the mainland?
One policy covers both parts of the country if you visit both. It comes from the insurer at your first point of entry, on the mainland or on Zanzibar. It currently costs $44 for up to 92 days on the mainland.