A Journey to Wanyamapori

Planning your journey is the first step to an unforgettable safari. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get to Wanyamapori Safari Lodge at Nyerere (Selous) National Park. From flight connections and transfers to road options, discover the best ways to reach us and start your adventure with ease.

Every safari begins at the airport. Tanzania is well connected to the world, and there are several ways to reach us. The country’s main international gateways are Dar es Salaam (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO), and Zanzibar (ZNZ). Among them, Dar es Salaam is by far the most common entry point—Tanzania’s bustling hub and “unofficial” capital when it comes to international arrivals.

Several major airlines serve Tanzania with convenient connections and modern fleets:

• Kenya Airways (SkyTeam) – Routes via Nairobi link Tanzania with Paris, London, and Amsterdam. Long-haul flights use Boeing 787 Dreamliners, offering comfort and competitive fares.

• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (SkyTeam) – A favorite for Europeans with a vast Amsterdam hub. Operates Boeing 777s and 787s, sometimes stopping at Kilimanjaro en route to Dar.

• Air France (SkyTeam) – Connects Europe with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, flying Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s for long-haul comfort.

• Ethiopian Airlines (Star Alliance) – Africa’s largest airline, with an Addis Ababa hub, flies Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s worldwide. Convenient from Vienna, Zurich, Frankfurt, Copenhagen and beyond.

• South African Airways (Star Alliance)– Links Tanzania via Johannesburg on Airbus A320s, ideal for combining southern and eastern Africa.

• Emirates – Offers a vast global network via Dubai, operated on Boeing 777s, connecting travelers from almost every continent.

• Qatar Airways (Oneworld) – Provides smooth global connections through Doha, with modern aircraft and strong links to Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

• Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance) – Serves Tanzania via Istanbul, one of the world’s most connected hubs, with excellent reach across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

• Condor – A German leisure airline flying directly to Zanzibar, a convenient option for holidaymakers from Germany and neighboring countries.

With such a wide range of airlines, alliances, and modern fleets, every traveler will find a suitable option to reach the destination Tanzania—whether you’re seeking seamless connections, great fares, or the comfort of next-generation aircraft.

Before boarding your flight to Tanzania, it’s important to make sure that your travel documents are in order. Most international visitors need a tourist visa to enter the country, and there are several convenient ways to obtain one. The easiest option is the eVisa, which can be applied for online via the official Tanzanian immigration website. Approval usually takes just a few days, and the visa confirmation will be sent to you electronically. For those who prefer to arrange everything upon arrival, a visa on arrival is available at major airports such as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar, though queues at immigration can sometimes be long, especially during peak travel periods. Travelers planning to combine Tanzania with neighboring countries like Kenya or Zambia may also find it useful to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which saves both time and paperwork.

Tourist visas are typically valid for 90 days, and you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your stay, with sufficient blank pages for stamps. Immigration officers may also ask for proof of onward or return travel. In addition to your visa, it’s important to check health entry requirements. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or transiting through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and general health regulations can change from time to time, so it’s best to confirm the latest guidelines before departure.

The cost of a standard tourist visa is usually between USD 50 and 100, depending on your nationality and the visa type. To avoid stress at the airport, it’s advisable to apply online for your eVisa at least two to three weeks before your trip. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your paperwork is ready, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your safari adventure at Wanyamapori Safari Lodge.

After successfully entering the country, your adventure truly begins. There are three main ways to reach Wanyamapori Safari Lodge, each offering its own flavor of travel and discovery. The most straightforward option is to be picked up directly at the airport and travel by car. The journey takes around twelve hours via Morogoro, depending on road conditions. While long, this route is a private and comfortable way to see the landscapes unfold, and it offers an authentic glimpse into everyday life in Tanzania. For many guests, the drive itself becomes part of the safari experience, as the countryside, villages, and people along the way provide a fascinating window into the country’s realities.

For those seeking something even more adventurous, there is the TAZARA railway, which runs from Dar es Salaam to Zambia and stops in Kisaki, just a short distance from the lodge. Train travel in Tanzania has its own rhythm, and the timetable can be unpredictable—locals jokingly call it “TIA: This is Africa.” Still, the journey is an unforgettable way to see the country from a different perspective. The train winds through changing landscapes and offers a chance to mingle with fellow travelers, making it a unique cultural experience. This option can be strenuous, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Naturally, you will be accompanied by our staff, ensuring comfort, safety, and smooth onward transfer to the lodge.

The most common, time-saving, and reliable way to reach Wanyamapori Safari Lodge is by taking a domestic bush flight. Several airlines, including Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Flightlink, operate light aircraft that connect Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha, and other hubs directly to the airstrips inside Nyerere National Park (Selous). Depending on your route, flight times range from just 30 minutes from Zanzibar or around 45 minutes to 1 hour from Dar es Salaam, making it by far the quickest way to swap the bustle of the city or beach for the tranquility of the bush.

The aircraft are small—usually 12 to 15 seats—and use gravel runways such as Beho Beho, Matambwe, or Selous Kiba. Landing on these airstrips is an adventure in itself: as the plane descends, you’ll already spot herds of giraffe, elephants, or buffalo from above, and the moment the wheels touch down on the red gravel, you know your safari has truly begun. It’s an exhilarating introduction to the wild, with the open savannah stretching right up to the edge of the runway.

Another highlight is the connection with Zanzibar. Many guests combine a safari in Nyerere with a few days on the beach, and the short hop between the island and the park makes this a seamless combination. One morning you may be enjoying breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean, and less than an hour later you’re stepping into the heart of the African bush.

Flying in on a bush plane is not just about saving time—it’s about the experience. The low cruising altitude gives you a bird’s-eye view of the landscape: winding rivers, scattered villages, endless woodland, and the vast, wild expanse of Selous. For many travelers, that first flight into the park is one of the most memorable moments of their trip, setting the tone for the adventure that lies ahead. No matter how you choose to plan your route—by car, by rail, or by bush plane—it’s always about the journey itself. Each option offers its own rhythm and perspective on Tanzania, turning travel into part of the adventure. And at the end of the day, you’ll arrive at Wanyamapori Safari Lodge, where comfort and calm await. As the sun sets and the fire crackles, you’ll find yourself sharing stories at the campfire, reliving the day’s journey and looking forward to the days of safari ahead.