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DISCOVER SELOUS GAME RESRVE/NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
Tanzania’s great southern wilderness a vast landscape of rivers, floodplains, lakes and miombo woodlands where elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and rare African wild dogs roam freely. While the most important geographical feature is the Rufiji River.
NYERERE NATIONAL PARK!
THE BEST OF NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
The Tanzania’s park as the largest not only in Tanzania but entire African Continent and the most spectacular protected areas, located in the southern part of Tanzania. Formerly part of the vast Selous Game Reserve, approximately 50,000 km² (19,000 Square miles) of the former Selous landscape was designated as Nyerere National Park in 2019. It is named after Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president and a strong supporter of conservation.
The park is especially famous for its Rufiji River, elephants, African wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, lions and exceptional boat-safari experiences. Its combination of rivers, lakes, floodplains, miombo woodlands and open grasslands creates a very different safari experience from the northern Tanzania circuit.
How to access Selous from Dar es Salaamby air
The park is relatively accessible by air from Dar es Salaam, with flights serving airstrips including Mtemere, Siwandu and Beho Beho. Road access is also possible, although some routes involve long journeys
WILDLIFE FOUND IN NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
The park famous for its African wild dogs, one of the rarest and most fascinating predators in Africa. The park is considered one of East Africa’s important strongholds for this species.
Wildlife commonly encountered includes:
- African elephants
- Lions
- Leopards
- African wild dogs
- Buffalo
- Hippopotamuses
- Nile crocodiles
- Giraffes
- Zebras
- Warthogs
- Wildebeest
- Impala
- Waterbuck
- Eland
- Greater kudu
- Sable antelope
- Lichtenstein’s hartebeest
- Reedbuck
- Bushbuck
- Spotted hyena
The combination of river habitats and woodland makes Nyerere particularly interesting for both large mammals and less commonly seen antelope species.
Birdlife
Tarangire is also an excellent destination for birdwatching, with a remarkable diversity of bird species.
Visitors may encounter:
- African fish eagles
- Kingfishers
- Bee-eaters
- Sandbanks and wetland birds
- Herons
- Egrets
- Storks
- Raptors
- Pel’s fishing owl and other specialized riverine birds
The combination of wetlands, woodland and open grassland creates habitats for a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
The park can be visited throughout the year, but the best time depends on what you want to experience. For travelers whose priority is wildlife viewing and large elephant herds, the dry season from June to October is generally the most rewarding period.
Best time according to Moth’s
June – October:
- Best overall wildlife season
July – October
- Excellent wildlife with seasonal advantages
November – February
- Best for green landscapes, birdlife and a quieter atmosphere
March – May (April – rain season)
- Best for travelers seeking a quieter and greener friendly safari
The best time to experience Nyerere National Park is from June to October, during the dry season when wildlife becomes more concentrated around the Rufiji River, lakes, channels and remaining water sources. This period offers excellent opportunities to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and African wild dogs across the park’s vast woodlands and floodplains.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES WITHIN NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
ATTRACTIONS.
African wild dog.
- One of Nyerere’s greatest wildlife highlights is the African wild dog, also known as the African painted dog. These highly social predators live in packs and are known for their remarkable cooperation when hunting. Seeing a pack moving through the wilderness, preparing for a hunt or interacting socially can be one of the most memorable experiences of a Nyerere safari.
The Rufiji River – the heart of Nyerere National Park.
- The river creates an extraordinary network of channels, floodplains, sandbanks and oxbow lakes, supporting hippos, crocodiles, elephants, water birds and many other species. This river system makes Nyerere very different from a traditional vehicle-only safari destination.
Boat Safari
A boat safari on the Rufiji River is one of the park’s signature experiences.
From the boat, visitors can observe:
- Hippos gathered in the water
- Nile crocodiles along the banks
- Elephants drinking at the river
- Giraffes and antelopes near the water
- Fish eagles and kingfishers
- Waterbirds around channels and lakes
- Beautiful sunsets over the Rufiji
Activities.
Activities within the park.
- Birding
- Game drive
- Boat cruise
- Guided walking safari
- Hot Air Balloon safari
Activities outside the park.
- Village visits and traditional homes
- Fishing traditions around the Rufiji region
DRIVE TIME TO NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
- Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park: 5.5 hours
- Morogoro to Nyerere National Park: 6 hours
- Nyerere to Mikumi National Park: 5.5 hours
FLYING TIME TO NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
- Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park: 1 hour
- Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park: 1 hour
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