4 Day Tanzania Fly-in Safari Lake Manze Camp Selous

4-Day Tanzania Fly-in Safari Lake Manze Camp Selous/ Nyerere National park: In just four days fly from Dar es Salaam to the vast Nyerere National Park and back to Dar es Salaam to experience Africa’s largest stand-alone National Park and one of the largest in the world. Nyerere National Park is located in south Eastern Tanzania, roughly 230 km by road from Dar es Salaam city to Mtemere Gate, and was carved out from the Selous Game reserve, a huge wilderness area and safari destination in Southern Tanzania.

Enjoy crowd-free wildlife viewing in this remote and amazingly wild African park. Embark on 4×4 game drives in search of the wild dogs, lions, and wildebeest of Nyerere National Park and the abundance of big cats, and elephants, along with an exceptional diversity of other wild animals, birds, and plants inhabiting this unspoiled wilderness area. Travel in a small group staying at the comfortable Lake Manze Camp while you explore Southern Tanzania’s top game parks at an excellent price.

Our short 3-night fly-in safari takes you far off the beaten track in Tanzania to the remote Lake Manze Camp in the north of the diverse Nyerere National Park, providing an unmatched safari experience.

Great herds of elephants wander the floodplains and large numbers of endangered wild dogs can be seen here. Explore Africa’s largest protected wildlife area by 4×4 safari vehicle, on foot, and by boat as you traverse through grass plains, flourishing wetlands, swamps, and dense forests.

Witness the congregation of the game along the banks of the Rufiji River, with its lagoons, sandbank, and lakes. Birding enthusiasts will delight in the variety of bird species found along the river’s banks.

Expect attention-to-detail service, breathtaking landscapes, and comfortable accommodations at Lake Manze. The camp has a prime position on the edge of a beautiful Lake Manze and is within shouting distance of pods of bathing hippos.

This genuinely fantastic yet simple safari camp has been deliberately set up as rustic, providing guests with a comfortable stay but still giving a true sense of wilderness – a little like do-it-yourself camping but providing security and all the essential comforts with en-suite safari bathrooms, as well as hearty food. The staff is friendly and attentive.

The camps 12 tents are small but very comfortable, with lovely views over the river. They all have en-suite bathrooms with refreshing, private, outdoor showers. With no electricity in the tents, lanterns will warmly light your tent after a fun-filled day of safari.

Manze’s communal area is a large thatched roof stretching above a sand floor and furnished with armchairs and sofas. An idyllic spot for lounging with a drink in hand while watching the animals come and go.

Lake Manze Camp offers a variety of activities such as safari drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris. They also offer fishing trips for interested guests, with the chefs eagerly awaiting your ‘catch of the day’ to put back on your plate for supper. 

There are other camps that offer higher levels of luxury but Lake Manze Camp delivers an authentic, down-to-earth safari that makes you feel connected with the surroundings – so it’s an ideal camp if you’re looking for a genuine adventure without all the bells and whistles.

From Dar es Salaam, it’s about a 45-minute flight into the Selous Siwandu airstrip, followed by a drive of around an hour to reach Lake Manze Camp, depending on what wildlife you see en route. Flights are also available from Arusha, Manyara, and Ruaha to Siwandu Airstrip in the Nyerere National Park.

Day 1: Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam – Fly to Nyerere National Park. Overnight at Lake Manze Tented Camp
Day 2: Nyerere National Park. Overnight at Lake Manze Tented Camp
Day 3: Nyerere National Park. Overnight at Lake Manze Tented Camp
Day 4: Nyerere National Park – Fly to Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam

Day 1: Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam – Fly to Nyerere National Park

Enjoy an early morning breakfast at your hotel followed by a transfer to Dar es Salaam International Airport/ Zanzibar International Airport, where you will board your scheduled flight (45 minutes) to the Nyerere National Park located in the south of Tanzania.

On arrival at Siwandu airstrip, a driver guide, and the vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to Lake Manze Camp with a game drive en route arriving in time for lunch. Relax till late in the afternoon. Then you will do a short game drive and return later to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Lake Manze is a genuinely fantastic yet simple safari camp. It has a prime position on the edge of a beautiful lake and is within shouting distance of pods of bathing hippo. No electricity in the lodge gives it a rustic edge, yet its comfort and charm give it an old-world gravitas that other camps can’t touch.

The camp is not about five-star luxury, but in terms of safari and value for money, there are none better.

Accommodation Option: Lake Manze Camp
Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2 & 3: Selous Game Reserve

Each morning and afternoon you can choose from the safari activities on offer. Game drives are a good way of exploring farther afield and seeing the larger wildlife and predators. The Selous is home to a superb variety of wildlife including good populations of lion and leopard, and Africa’s largest population of wild dogs.

Walking safaris are a real treat and offer a slower pace to learn about the flora and fauna of the Nyerere National Park. Boat safaris on the lake are particularly lovely in the afternoon, combined with a spot of fishing or sundowners, and are a good chance to get up close to pods of hippo and bird colonies nesting on small islands.

Nyerere National Park offers wonderful views of wild animals. It is home to Africa’s Big 5 and all the top predators – lion, wild dog, cheetah, leopard, and spotted hyena. And the animals are present in large numbers too: a Selous safari is fantastic for sightings of large elephant and buffalo herds as well as healthy populations of hippo, giraffe, and sable antelope.

Nyerere National Park is a fantastic place to watch birds. There are over 440 bird species that have been recorded.

Accommodation Option: Lake Manze Camp
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Selous – Fly to Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam

You’ll have a final breakfast at Lake Manze Camp before a drive to the Siwandu airstrip, skirting the edge of Lake Nzerakera for your late-morning flight to Dar es Salaam. The drive should take around an hour, depending on the wildlife you see along the way.

The flight will likely stop a couple of times on the way to drop off/ pick up passengers, and the total journey will be approximately 2 hours. You will land at Dar es Salaam International Airport (Domestic Terminal) and the airline will help you transfer the short distance to the international terminal, where you can check in for your international flight home.

Meal Plan {Breakfast}

4-Day Tanzania Fly-in Safari Lake Manze Camp Rates Includes:

Flights (Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam – Nyerere National Park – Zanzibar or Dar Es Salaam) + Transfers to/ from Siwandu airstrip in Nyerere National Park + 3 Nights Accommodation + Meals + All park fees + Game drives, Boat safari + Services of a professional driver/ guide, Concession fees & All Taxes/ Value Added Tax

Notes

* Boat excursion depends on water levels and conditions
* Children over the age of 6 are welcome at Lake Manze, and two of the tents can be converted to accommodate families
* Don’t forget your binoculars and, if you can get your hands on a good camera, it really makes it so much more fun. There are so many picture-perfect photo opportunities. Bring sunblock, comfortable walking shoes, and a good hat
* Honeymooners; A special tent is set aside for honeymoon couples, set further away from the main area to provide a more private, intimate stay. The tent’s décor is also especially romantic

4-Day Tanzania Fly-in Safari Lake Manze Camp Rates Do Not Include:

*  Tips
* International flights (From/ to home)
* Additional accommodation before and at the end of the Tour
* Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa Fees, etc)