Safari from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere
Dar es Salaam is the usual starting point for a safari in Nyerere National Park. Two things decide which tour suits you: how you travel and how many nights you stay. The flight is short, and operators build many trips around it. The road is long enough that it takes up a large part of any day.
Many timetables and offers still call the destination Selous, because the park was part of the Selous Game Reserve until 2019. If you see a Selous trip from Dar es Salaam, check that it goes to the Nyerere side. Tours that include a walking safari need a permit and advance booking, so a standard trip does not include one automatically.
Our picks: tours from Dar es Salaam
Three trips by road with the park fees spelled out; the three-day trips add the Rufiji boat.
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.
5-day Mikumi and Nyerere safari with a ranger walk
- Park fees included
- Rufiji boat safari
- Walk with a ranger
Two days in Mikumi, then three in Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous), in a private 4x4 with a driver-guide. Accommodation and meals follow the itinerary, and a village visit is part of it.
Check availability →
3-day game drive, boat and walking safari from Dar es Salaam
- Park fees included
- Boat, game drive and walk
- Two nights full board
Overland from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous): a Rufiji boat ride on day 1, a game drive on day 2 and a walking safari of about two and a half hours on day 3.
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3-day game drive and boat safari in a private jeep
- Park entry and fees
- Private jeep and guide
- Rufiji boat safari
An open jeep for the game drive in Nyerere National Park, a boat safari on the Rufiji with wine on a sandbank and a Maasai visit. Transfers and all meals are included.
Check availability →Nyerere tours from Dar es Salaam
Fly-in trips, overnight safaris and boat safaris starting in Dar es Salaam, with live prices and availability.
Flight times from Dar es Salaam
April 2026 timetable, valid until 31 May 2027.
| Flight | Departure and arrival | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam to the park, morning | 08:30–09:15 | Example adult fare $192, plus $46 in fees |
| Dar es Salaam to the park, late morning | 10:30–11:00 | Minimum of 2 seats |
| Dar es Salaam to the park, afternoon | 16:30–17:00 | Minimum of 2 seats |
| Park to Dar es Salaam | 12:50–14:00 | Does not include the transfer from the camp |
The timetable is a schedule, not a confirmed flight for your day. Fares are a base price and the airport fees come on top. For a one-day trip, the 08:30 flight combined with the 12:50 return is the pairing to ask about, and it leaves about three and a half hours between landing and take-off. The transfer from the airstrip comes out of that time. If you stay overnight, any of the three arrivals can work, but the later ones shorten your first day.
By road from Dar es Salaam
Two routes, both long.
Via Kibiti to Mtemere Gate
This is the shorter route, about 240 km from Dar es Salaam. The way runs from Dar es Salaam via Kibiti and Utete.
Via Morogoro and Kisaki to Matambwe Gate
This route is about 350 km. There are also ways in from Morogoro and Ifakara, depending on the gate you use.
Vehicle and season
The park recommends a 4x4, especially in rain. Check the river level and the condition of the roads in the rainy season, and ask your operator for the planned departure time and how long the drive really takes.
A same-day return by road leaves little time in the park, so ask what a road day trip really includes before you pay. The getting there page covers airstrips, gates and the railway in more detail.
What to ask before you book
Five questions that save surprises.
Which landing strip?
Flights serve more than one airstrip in and around the park. Ask which one your flight uses and who meets you.
What time do I land and leave?
Timetable times do not include the transfer to camp or the time you spend on drives. Work out the hours you actually have in the park.
What do the park fees cover?
Ask whether park entry, the vehicle fee and 18 percent VAT are in the price. The park fees page shows the 2023/24 rates for comparison.
Is a boat safari included?
A boat trip on the Rufiji is a separate activity from the game drive. Read the boat safari page and check that your tour includes it if you want it.
Do I start in Zanzibar?
Then your flight goes via Dar es Salaam. See safari from Zanzibar for times and an example fare.
Other national parks reachable on tours from Dar es Salaam have their own guides. For Mikumi, see the Mikumi guide for trips from Dar es Salaam, and for the part of the former Selous that is outside the park, the Selous tours guide.
Safari from Dar es Salaam: frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere?
The morning flight in the April 2026 timetable leaves at 08:30 and arrives at 09:15, a scheduled 45 minutes. Add the transfer from the airstrip to your camp or vehicle. Times can change, so confirm them when you book.
Can I visit Nyerere on a day trip from Dar es Salaam?
By air it is possible to land in the morning and fly back around midday, which leaves a few hours on the ground. By road the distance of about 240 km to Mtemere Gate makes a same-day return tight. Ask the operator for the hours in the park, not only the length of the tour.
How much does the flight cost?
The April 2026 timetable fare is $192 for an adult on the 08:30 flight, with $46 in airport fees shown separately. Fares are a base price and not a guarantee for your date. A safari package normally includes the flight in its own price.
Is Selous the same as Nyerere?
Not exactly. Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve. The UNESCO site and many flight schedules still use the name Selous. The history is on the history page.
Can I add a walking safari?
Yes, if you book it in advance. Walks are led by rangers and need a permit. See the walking safari page for the rules and the age limits.