Did you know that from Zanzibar you can easily take a three-day safari in Nyerere National Park on the mainland of Tanzania can make? Imagine: vast savannahs, impressive herds of wild animals and of course the chance to see the famous 'Big Five' in the wild. The great thing is that you can perfectly combine such an adventure with the wonderful tropical beaches of Zanzibar. This creates a unique and unforgettable travel experience.
During our own trip to Zanzibar we consciously chose a three-day safari in Tanzania, arranged through Corendon. In this article I will take you on our adventure: I will tell you what we experienced, give practical tips and show you how everything went, from the starting point Zanzibar to the middle of the African wilderness. All the photos in this article were taken by me and believe me, they will definitely fuel your wanderlust!
Day 1
Special flight Zanzibar – Nyerere NP
Our safari started early – at 04:30 we were ready to go, breakfast in hand. A transfer took us to the airport, where we boarded a small plane to the Selous Game Reserve, now better known as Nyerere National Park. Forget big terminals and comfortable airstrips; small planes and dusty dirt roads await you here!
This flight with such a compact safari aircraft makes your trip extra special. The take-off, the view over endless savannahs and the exciting landing on a simple sand runway: for me personally this was perhaps one of the best moments of the entire trip.
Tip:: Want to see the Instagram stories of this trip (and cool flight!) again? Then click here.
The small safari planes that take you to Nyerere Park can accommodate between 6 and 20 passengers, so you always sit close to the cockpit. On the way there I was lucky: I sat right behind the pilot and could follow everything well – from the meters and buttons to the steering wheel. It was even more fun on the way back: I asked if I could sit next to the pilot and that was no problem at all. Cool!
From that spot next to the pilot, the view is phenomenal. You fly low above the landscape, allowing you to admire rivers, small villages and endless plains up close. During the landing, you experience even better how special this safari destination is: no large airport with asphalt runways, but a short sand runway in the middle of the wilderness.
Curious about what such a landing looks like? Be sure to check out our Instagram StoriesThere you will find spectacular video footage of this unique adventure.
Safari Game Drives
The rest of the day we made extensive safari game drives through a landscape that was constantly changing. Quite soon we came across the first animals: hippos that were relaxed in the water, giraffes that walked calmly between the trees and a few elephants that walked at ease through the green grass. A wonderful start to our safari and exactly as we hoped: relaxed, close to nature and very photogenic.
At a lake we enjoyed a picnic. It was a beautiful moment: drinking coffee in the savannah, surrounded by animals and the guides who did their utmost to give us a great day. Floris from Telegraaf.nl could not get that big grin off his face.
After lunch we headed out for the second game drive of the day. We soon came across a pride of lions and lionesses resting in the bushes and trees. We were one of the first vehicles on site, which meant we could watch and photograph in peace.
It remains special to see these animals in the wild – without fences, without cages. Just as it should be. This encounter resulted in some beautiful photos and a memory that will last a long time.
Tip:: Curious what we shoot with? Then view the display below.
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That afternoon we saw many more animals: hippos, wildebeest, colorful birds, buffalos, baboons, elephants, two hyenas and – I am not exaggerating – at least a hundred giraffes. Nyerere National Park is bursting with wildlife and is in no way inferior to the more famous ones in terms of experience Serengeti. It was clear from the faces of everyone in the jeep: this was a day to remember.
Check-in Selous Kinga Lodge
At the end of the afternoon we left Nyerere National Park behind us and arrived at Selous Kinga Lodge – our base camp for the coming nights. The lodge is beautifully situated in the middle of nature, about 20 minutes drive from the park. From the terrace you look out over the river, and the swimming pool is a lovely place to cool off after a long day of safari.
Of course, a cold Serengeti beer is part of that. With the sounds of nature in the background and a view that never gets boring, this felt like the perfect end to an impressive day.
Day 2
Breakfast and game drives
After a good night's sleep, we started the next day at 07:00 with a half-day game drive. This morning we were not disappointed either: giraffes, elephants, lions and buffalos showed themselves in abundance again. And as a nice ending we saw a group of zebras - we had missed them the day before. An extra surprise that made our safari experience complete.
Around noon we returned to Selous Kinga Lodge before lunch and we had a few hours of free time to relax. Of course we were now mostly in the pool again with everyone!
Riverboat safari
In the afternoon there was another special part of our trip on the program: a boat safari. From the water we got a completely different perspective on the surroundings. We sailed past hippos lazily lying in the reeds, crocodiles sunbathing on the banks, and saw countless species of birds in all colours and sizes. We also passed villages where the locals were busy supplying their community – a nice glimpse into daily life here.
Just before the sun set, we moored at a small island in the middle of the river. There we enjoyed a breathtaking sunset in peace – the sky turned from golden yellow to deep orange, while the river slowly darkened. Finally, our guide surprised us with a local song. Simple, cheerful and incredibly catchy… we seriously had it in our heads for three days, haha.
As the sun slowly disappeared behind the horizon, we looked back on a day full of impressions and special encounters. Tired but satisfied, we boarded again and returned to the lodge. Time to recover, because the next morning we set off early for the last part of our safari!
Day 3
Early morning walking safari
The third day of our safari started early again. At 06:00 we left for a walking safari – a unique way to experience nature even closer. Walking through the landscape you get an eye for details that you easily miss from a jeep: animal tracks in the sand, the smell of fresh plants, the presence of baboons, and the constant background noise of birds and insects.
Our guide took the time to tell us everything about the area. He showed us how to recognize which animal has been there by tracks, and told us fascinatingly about how the local population has managed to survive here for generations in this often rough nature. An impressive and educational morning, during which we literally looked at the bush with different eyes.
As our guide spoke enthusiastically, an armed guard circled around us – a reassuring thought, because you are truly in the wilderness here. Big game can appear at any moment, and safety is paramount during a walking safari.
To be honest, we didn’t always understand everything the guide said – his English was sometimes a bit hard to follow – and he kept smelling a piece of dried elephant dung (yes, really). But that’s what made it such a unique and unforgettable experience. Moments like these are what make travelling special, and I wouldn’t have missed this walk for anything.
Breakfast and game drive
After returning to the lodge we enjoyed a hearty breakfast – just what you need after an early walk through the bush. Then we were given a choice: one last game drives, or another activity to end our safari adventure. To be honest, I couldn't get enough of the animals and the scenery, so I got back in the jeep! This game drive did not disappoint either.
Return flight to Zanzibar
In the afternoon we said goodbye to the Selous Game Reserve and flew back to Zanzibar. There we checked in at Palumbo Mnemba View, a nice place to recover after all the impressions of the past few days. After so much adventure and nature it was wonderful to exchange the safari for the peace of white beaches and rippling waves.
With a relaxed dinner at the hotel we concluded these unforgettable safari days. Full of stories, memories and a memory card full of photos we looked back on a trip that we will not soon forget.
This exclusive lodge overlooks the turquoise waters around Mnemba Island, a hotspot for divers and snorkelers. You can walk straight onto the large beach from this resort and in the morning mother nature treats you to beautiful sunrises.
Tip:: The hotel can be booked with a 3-day safari combo on the mainland of Tanzania.
- 4* All-inclusive
- Beautiful swimming pools
- Directly on the beach
- Very spacious rooms
Tip:: You can read all about our experiences on Zanzibar in the article Tips for Zanzibar.
How does the Zanzibar + safari combo work?
Are you planning to book a sun-sea-beach holiday to Zanzibar? Then this is the time to think about a unique addition to your trip. Corendon offers combination trips where you go on safari from Zanzibar for one to three days on the mainland of Tanzania. In just 25 minutes you fly with a small plane to Nyerere National Park - one of the largest and most animal-rich game parks in Africa.
Here you will experience a fully organised safari with game drives, experienced guides, atmospheric lodges and good food. The great thing is: these trips are available in different price ranges and with various hotels to choose from. This way you can perfectly combine your beach holiday with an unforgettable safari adventure.
Where can you book it?
Corendon offers 3 variations of this trip in three different hotels. These are Palumbo Mnemba View, Palumbo Waves Resort and Kiwengwa Beach Resort. During our trip we stayed in two different accommodations from the Corendon offer, and we were very satisfied with both. Especially when you look at the price-quality ratio: you really get a lot for your money.
Our first stop was Palumbo Waves Resort, a relaxed and comfortable place in the north of Zanzibar. The location is ideal – close to the lively beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa, but itself wonderfully quiet. We stayed here at the beginning of our trip and it was the perfect place to acclimatize and get into holiday mode.
Palumbo Waves is a beautiful hotel within walking distance of the beautiful Kendwa Beach, located on the northwest coast of Zanzibar. The hotel has a lovely swimming pool where you can relax after a day in the sun.
Tip:: The hotel can be booked with a 3-day safari combo on the mainland of Tanzania.
- Very affordable
- Nice and relaxing
- 4* All-inclusive
- Near Kendwa Beach
The second accommodation we stayed at was Palumbo Mnemba View, an exclusive lodge with a beautiful view of the turquoise waters around Mnemba Island – a popular spot for divers and snorkelers. From the resort you can walk straight onto the wide beach, where you are treated to beautiful sunrises in the morning. The atmosphere here is quieter and more intimate than in the north of Zanzibar, which makes it an ideal place to end your trip in peace.
This exclusive lodge overlooks the turquoise waters around Mnemba Island, a hotspot for divers and snorkelers. You can walk straight onto the large beach from this resort and in the morning mother nature treats you to beautiful sunrises.
Tip:: The hotel can be booked with a 3-day safari combo on the mainland of Tanzania.
- 4* All-inclusive
- Beautiful swimming pools
- Directly on the beach
- Very spacious rooms
Finally, there is also Kiwenga Beach Resort which you can also book as a combination deal including 3 days safari. Use the orange button below for more information such as prices and availability.
Enjoy a wonderful beach holiday, but also a great activity? This combination trip from Corendon offers a unique opportunity to enjoy Zanzibar and at the same time a 1 or 3-day safari on the mainland of Tanzania. We have experienced this trip ourselves and found it great.
- Affordable on Safari
- Spot the Big 5
- Enjoying beaches
- 4* All-inclusive
Tip:: You can via this link view the complete Zanzibar offer from Corendon. Please note: this is a winter destination, there is no offer in the summer months.
Conclusion
I could easily fill another ten pages about this special experience, but I hope this photo-rich article has at least given you a good idea of what to expect. From a personal point of view, I look back on a great trip to Zanzibar, with the absolute highlight being the three-day trip to the mainland of Tanzania.
Less than half an hour's flight from Zanzibar, you suddenly find yourself in the middle of the wilderness of Nyerere National Park. Here you really go on safari - with multiple game drives, eye to eye with wild animals, and everything in their natural habitat. For me, this extra adventure gave the trip just that little bit of magic that I had not experienced before.
The great thing is: this unique combination of safari and beach is also offered by Corendon for a remarkably sharp price. That makes it not only special, but also surprisingly accessible.
So…what are you waiting for?
