12-Day Tanzania & Pemba Island Safari
$10,800 / personPrivate · lowest rate, US$, subject to availability
View itinerary
Tanzania
12-Day Selous & Zanzibar Safari
A safari and a beach holiday in one continuous itinerary: four nights in Selous Game Reserve, then six nights on Zanzibar.
Duration12 days11 nights
From$9,600per person sharing, US$. Estimate, subject to availability
Trip overview
A private circuit that flies directly into Selous Game Reserve from Dar es Salaam, skipping the northern circuit entirely, before closing with six days at leisure on Zanzibar.
CountryTanzaniaTanzania
Duration12 days11 nights
ArrangementPrivateyour own vehicle and guide
Starts & endsDar es Salaam
Best timeJun – Oct
From$9,600Per person sharing, in US dollars. An indicative starting price: your exact rate is quoted for your dates and party size, subject to availability. All prices shown are estimates. Your final price is confirmed in your written quote.
Map route
The route, stop by stop
1
Selous
Days 1 to 5 · 4 nights
2
Zanzibar
Days 5 to 12 · 6 nights
What you are likely to see
Elephant
Wild dog
Hippo
Crocodile
Solid tone means often seen on this route. Outline means possible, and worth the patience. Sightings vary with season and luck, and nothing wild is guaranteed.
Best months to travel
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best
Quieter
Green season
Day by day
12 days, in order
Each day lists the route, the meals included and the lodge for that night. Ask us for the expected driving time on any day.
01
Dar es Salaam to Selous
Arrival in Selous Game Reserve
The scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam is short, and it flies low enough to watch the coastal farmland turn to forest and then to the wild country of the Selous, with the Rufiji River and its lakes flashing silver below. The airstrip is a strip of cleared ground in the bush, and the safari begins almost as soon as the engines stop.
A first game drive follows in the afternoon, among the palms and open woodland along the water, where giraffe browse and elephant come down to drink.
Scheduled flightAfternoon game drive
Accommodation
Night 1 of 4
3 photos
The Selous Serena Camp
Zema River, Nyerere National Park Tented camp · 3 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Selous Serena Camp is a permanent tented camp on the Zema River in Nyerere National Park, the protected area formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve and part of a vast World Heritage wilderness in southern Tanzania. Run by the Serena group, the camp has twelve tents with canvas walls under thatched roofs, en suite […]
Night 1 of 4 in the Selous, at a property such as The Selous Serena Camp. The exact camp is confirmed with the final itinerary.
02
Selous
Full Day in the Selous
The Selous is one of the last great strongholds of the African wild dog, and a pack on the move, fast, chattering and tightly knit, is the sighting everyone hopes for. The reserve also holds big lion prides, and herds of elephant and buffalo that follow the lakes through the dry season.
The first of three full days is built around the cooler hours, with drives in the morning and afternoon, and the heat of the day spent at camp, watching the water.
Morning and afternoon drives
Accommodation
Night 2 of 4
3 photos
The Selous Serena Camp
Zema River, Nyerere National Park Tented camp · 3 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Selous Serena Camp is a permanent tented camp on the Zema River in Nyerere National Park, the protected area formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve and part of a vast World Heritage wilderness in southern Tanzania. Run by the Serena group, the camp has twelve tents with canvas walls under thatched roofs, en suite […]
A second night at the same property in the Selous.
03
Selous
Second Full Day in the Selous
The lakes strung along the Rufiji are the heart of the reserve, and the second full day follows their shores. Hippo pods grunt in the shallows, crocodiles lie open mouthed on the banks, and fish eagles call from the dead trees standing in the water.
Away from the lakes the country turns to sand rivers and woodland, and the drives can go all day without meeting another vehicle.
Morning and afternoon drives
Accommodation
Night 3 of 4
3 photos
The Selous Serena Camp
Zema River, Nyerere National Park Tented camp · 3 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Selous Serena Camp is a permanent tented camp on the Zema River in Nyerere National Park, the protected area formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve and part of a vast World Heritage wilderness in southern Tanzania. Run by the Serena group, the camp has twelve tents with canvas walls under thatched roofs, en suite […]
A third night at the same property in the Selous.
04
Selous
Third Full Day in the Selous
The last full day in the Selous is left open, so the guide can go back to whatever the first two days turned up: a pride that has made a kill, a pack of dogs that has been hunting the same stretch, a lake where the elephants come to swim.
The evening at camp is the last in the bush, with the night sounds of the river close by.
Morning and afternoon drives
Accommodation
Night 4 of 4
3 photos
The Selous Serena Camp
Zema River, Nyerere National Park Tented camp · 3 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Selous Serena Camp is a permanent tented camp on the Zema River in Nyerere National Park, the protected area formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve and part of a vast World Heritage wilderness in southern Tanzania. Run by the Serena group, the camp has twelve tents with canvas walls under thatched roofs, en suite […]
A fourth night at the same property in the Selous.
05
Selous to Zanzibar
Transfer to Zanzibar
The morning is slow, a last coffee by the water, and then comes the flight to Zanzibar, connecting through Dar es Salaam. The change is complete: from sand rivers and palm woodland to white beaches and water in every shade of turquoise.
The beach hotel is reached by evening, with the sound of the sea to fall asleep to.
Morning at leisureFlight via Dar es Salaam
Day 52 photos
Accommodation
Night 1 of 6
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
Night 1 of 6 on Zanzibar, at a property such as Matemwe Lodge. The exact property is confirmed with the final itinerary.
06
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Six days with nothing fixed in them start here. The tide on this coast moves a long way, drawing back across the flats at low water to uncover rock pools, sea grass and the seaweed farms tended by village women, then rolling back in until the ocean laps at the edge of the sand.
The day can be spent swimming at high tide, walking the flats at low tide, or doing nothing much at all.
Full day at leisure
Accommodation
Night 2 of 6
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
A second night at the same property on Zanzibar.
07
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Optional excursions into the island's culture and history are on offer from here on. Stone Town, the old heart of Zanzibar and a World Heritage Site, is a maze of narrow lanes, carved wooden doors, markets and merchant houses, shaped by centuries of trade between Africa, Arabia and India.
For anyone who would rather stay put, the beach makes an equally strong case.
Full day at leisure
Accommodation
Night 3 of 6
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
A third night at the same property on Zanzibar.
08
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
The reef is the draw on the third day. The water is warm and clear, and snorkelling over the coral reveals a wealth of tropical fish, with dolphins and turtles also found in the waters around the island.
Back on shore, the afternoon moves at the pace of the tide, with a book in the shade and a swim whenever the heat calls for one.
Full day at leisure
Accommodation
Night 4 of 6
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
A fourth night at the same property on Zanzibar.
09
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
By the fourth day the rhythm has settled in: an early swim before the heat, a long lunch in the shade, a walk along the sand as the fishing dhows come home under sail in the late afternoon.
The evenings are warm and unhurried, and the island's kitchens make the most of the day's catch.
Full day at leisure
Accommodation
Night 5 of 6
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
A fifth night at the same property on Zanzibar.
10
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar has long been known as the spice island, and the fifth day is a good one for a change of scene. A tour of the spice plantations, with cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla growing on the trees and vines, makes a fragrant half day, and Stone Town is easily reached too.
For anyone happy to stay put, the beach is right there, with nothing else to decide.
Full day at leisure
Accommodation
Night 6 of 6
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
A sixth night at the same property on Zanzibar.
11
Zanzibar
Zanzibar
The last full day on the island is spent exactly as little or as much as wanted: one more snorkel, one more long lunch, and a final swim as the light goes soft.
The evening is the last of the trip, with the sea just beyond the door.
Final full day at leisure
Accommodation
No overnight
5 photos
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe, northeast coast of Zanzibar Lodge · 5 photos
View lodge & photosClose
Matemwe Lodge is a relaxed beach retreat on the quiet northeast coast of Zanzibar, set beside the small fishing village of Kigomani and between two stretches of white sand. It is an ideal place to wind down after a safari on the mainland. The lodge has twelve standalone bungalows, each with an en suite bathroom […]
Final night on Zanzibar, at the same property.
12
Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Departure
The morning is free for a last swim in the Indian Ocean, and then the transfer runs to the airport, connecting through Dar es Salaam to the homeward flight.
Flight to Dar es SalaamOnward connection
Accommodation
No overnightNo overnight. Departure timed to the onward connection.
The price
The price, in full
Written plainly so there are no surprises at the airport. Anything optional can be added to the quote before you pay.
Included
Already in the price you see.
- Domestic flights and transfers
- Accommodation as specified
- All meals as mentioned
- Shared game drives
- Park fees and entrance charges
Not included
Budget for these separately.
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses, including tips
- Drinks and meals not mentioned
Before you book
Questions, answered
What travellers ask us most about a safari like this one. Anything else, ask below and a specialist in Nairobi replies within one business day.
Is this a private safari?
The trip is arranged for your party alone, but at the camps on this route the game drives and activities are run by the camp and can be shared with other guests, as the trip details above explain. Ask us if you would like a private vehicle at the camps.
How do we book, and how much is the deposit?
Press Book this safari. You can hold your dates for three days without paying while a specialist checks availability with the lodges and parks, or pay a deposit of 30, 40 or 50 percent, or the full amount, by credit or debit card through Pesapal. You can also pay by bank transfer, or in person at our Nairobi office by card. The standard schedule is a 30 percent deposit to confirm and the balance 60 days before arrival; bookings made within 60 days of departure, and gorilla or chimpanzee permits, are paid in full at booking. Card details go to Pesapal, never to Volcan.
Do we need a visa?
Tanzania: visas are issued online through the official immigration portal, visa.immigration.go.tz, and on arrival at some entry points. Rules depend on your passport and change from time to time, so check them before you book flights, and always apply through the official government portal, never a third-party agent. We tell you what applies to your route when we confirm your trip.
Which vaccinations and health precautions do we need?
See a travel clinic at least six weeks before you go. Malaria is present in most safari areas of East Africa, so ask about antimalarials, insect repellent and cover-up clothing for the evenings. A yellow fever certificate can be required depending on your route and where you arrive from.
Can children come on this safari?
Yes, and a private vehicle makes it easy to set the pace around them. Child rates depend on the lodges, and some camps and activities set minimum ages, so tell us the ages of everyone travelling and we confirm what applies before you pay anything.
What happens if we need to cancel?
Tell us in writing as early as possible. The cancellation charges for your trip are set out in your written booking confirmation. Gorilla permits, internal flights and non-refundable lodge deposits already paid on your behalf cannot be recovered, so they are charged in full. Refunds go back to the card or account the payment came from. The detail is in our Booking & Payment Terms.
Can we change this itinerary?
Yes. Every route on this site is a starting point. The dates, the number of nights, the lodges and the pace can all change, and we re-price the trip before you commit to anything. There are no fixed departures and no minimum group size.
Do we need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation and cancellation is a condition of travelling with us. Check that your policy covers everything on the itinerary, such as trekking.
Enquire
Plan this safari with us
Send your dates and who is travelling. A specialist checks availability with the lodges and parks and replies within one business day with an itemised price.
- Free, and no obligation
- Ask about changing the dates, lodges or pace
- Answered by the team in Nairobi who plan the trip
Availability
12-Day Selous & Zanzibar Safari
Dates are held for 72 hours without payment while you check flights. Nothing is charged until the itinerary is confirmed in writing.
From
$9,600
Per person sharing, in US dollars. An indicative starting price: your exact rate is quoted for your dates and party size, subject to availability. All prices shown are estimates. Your final price is confirmed in your written quote.
Prices are for guidance and are confirmed against current lodge and park rates before any payment.
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