Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) A Safari Guide
Nyerere National Park is a vast, remote protected area in southern Tanzania, formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve. It is one of the largest national parks in Africa and is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Rufiji River, which offers unique boat safaris. The park is famous for its pristine wilderness experience and diverse wildlife, including large populations of wild dogs, buffalo, elephants, and crocodiles.
The enormous Nyerere National Park is one of the largest in the world and Africa’s largest stand-alone National Park, covering 30,893 square kilometers. The Selous Game Reserve, a vast wilderness area and popular safari destination in Southern Tanzania, was divided to create the park, which is situated in South Eastern Tanzania about 230 kilometers by road from Dar es Salaam city to Mtemere Gate.
The highest concentration of wild creatures and a rich variety of numerous and diverse species may be found in Nyerere National Park. The animals in this park are typically less exposed to people because it is new and largely less visited by tourists. Here, you may find plenty of large game species like elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, elands, zebras, and wildebeests in addition to big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
One of the most revered strongholds of animals on earth and the largest game reserve in Africa.
Nyerere is well-known and loved by nature lovers, thus it feels like home to us. Deep in the heart of southern Tanzania is a vast expanse. Pulsating with crocodiles and hippos, the Rufiji River cuts through eleven million acres of meadows, woodlands, hills, and jungle. We take great delight in the prospect of new discoveries as they materialise in this vast and intriguingly varied ecosystem.
It’s difficult to put into words, but it’s like we’ve managed to slip past a rusty gate and into Nature’s hidden garden. In Nyerere, one can witness a leopard soaring over the rocks on the other side of the river as they stumble onto a hidden bank, observe a herd of elephants stealthily cross a waterhole from a treetop hide, and, as one rounds a bend in the river, come upon a pack of African hunting dogs resting on a kill.
Nyerere National Park Safari Packages
Nyerere National Park safari packages vary in length and style, from short day trips to longer, multi-day adventures. Packages often start and end in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar and can include activities like game drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris. Options range from budget camping to mid-range lodges and luxury fly-in experiences.
Road travel is the most common method of accessing Nyerere National Park, usually beginning and ending in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. A 4×4 Landcruiser Jeep or the less expensive Safari Minibus (Tour Van) are the two options for transportation. It usually takes 5 to 6 hours to go from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere Park, depending on whatever Camp you have reserved for your stay. The advantages of a safari by road include the generally reduced cost and the opportunity to observe how Tanzanian locals still live and work in their traditional ways. The negative is that some sections of the route’s road are in worse shape than normal.
3 Day Nyerere National Park Safari
A 3-day trip to Nyerere National Park typically includes a boat safari on the Rufiji River, a full-day game drive, and a walking safari, all starting and ending in Dar es Salaam. The itinerary often consists of traveling to the park on the first day and a boat safari, a full day of game drives on the second, and a morning bush walk followed by a drive back to Dar es Salaam on the third day.
4 Day Nyerere National Park Safari
A 4-day trip to Nyerere National Park typically involves a mix of game drives, a boat safari on the Rufiji River, and potentially a walking safari. Most tours start from and end in Dar es Salaam, with activities including game drives and a boat safari on the Rufiji River. The exact itinerary can vary, with some tours including an overnight stay in the park or a visit to a Maasai village before returning to Dar es Salaam.
5 Day Nyerere National Park Safari
5-day trip to Nyerere National Park typically includes game drives, boat safaris on the Rufiji River, and walking safaris, with a mix of day and night activities to maximize wildlife viewing. Many tours start and end in Dar es Salaam and can be combined with other nearby attractions like Mikumi National Park or Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly to luxury camps and lodges.
7 Day Nyerere National Park Safari
A 7-day trip to Nyerere National Park typically involves a 2-3 day stay and can be combined with other parks in southern Tanzania, such as Mikumi and Ruaha, to form a full itinerary. The trip usually begins and ends in Dar es Salaam, with activities including road transfers, game drives, and boat safaris along the Rufiji River to spot hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife. Some itineraries may also include walking safaris, fly-in options, or visits to Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
Katavi, Ruaha And Nyerere
Katavi, Ruaha, and Nyerere are all national parks in the Southern Circuit of Tanzania, known for offering a less crowded, wilder safari experience compared to the northern parks. These parks provide opportunities for viewing diverse wildlife in rugged, remote landscapes, with activities like game drives, walking safaris, and boat safaris (particularly in Nyerere and Ruaha) available. Nyerere, formerly Selous Game Reserve, is larger than Ruaha, which is Tanzania’s second-largest park, while Katavi is a remote and less-visited park known for its pristine wilderness.
Ruaha And Nyerere Safari
A combined safari in Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks offers a diverse experience in southern Tanzania, featuring boat safaris and a unique riverine environment in Nyerere, contrasted with the remote, rugged, and predator-rich landscapes of Ruaha. This itinerary typically involves flying between the two parks from Dar es Salaam and focuses on authentic, off-the-beaten-path game viewing with fewer crowds.
Nyerere Safari And Zanzibar
A Selous/Nyerere Safari and Zanzibar trip is a popular combination that pairs a wildlife safari in Tanzania’s Nyerere National Park with a relaxing beach vacation on Zanzibar. The safari, which can range from a single day trip to multiple days, involves activities like game drives, boat safaris, and bush walks, and can be reached from Zanzibar via a short flight. Zanzibar offers beaches, water sports, and cultural excursions like visiting Stone Town or spice plantations.
Serengeti vs Ruaha vs Nyerere
A combined safari in Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks offers a diverse experience in southern Tanzania, featuring boat safaris and a unique riverine environment in Nyerere, contrasted with the remote, rugged, and predator-rich landscapes of Ruaha. This itinerary typically involves flying between the two parks from Dar es Salaam and focuses on authentic, off-the-beaten-path game viewing with fewer crowds.
Nyerere, Ruaha And Zanzibar
Nyerere, Ruaha, and Zanzibar are popular, complementary destinations in Tanzania that offer a varied experience of safaris and coastal relaxation. Nyerere National Park is known for boat safaris on the Rufiji River, while Ruaha National Park provides a rugged landscape with large predator populations and diverse wildlife, such as elephants and wild dogs. Zanzibar is an island offering relaxation on its beaches, historical sites like Stone Town, and water activities, making it an ideal way to end a safari trip.
Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) Flying Safaris
Flying Safaris makes it simple to travel from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park in less than an hour. From Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha, there are multiple connecting departure flights that land at various lodgings or public access airstrips in Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous Game Reserve). Visitors are welcomed and transported to their appropriate Camp or Lodge in time for lunch once they arrive at the airstrip in the park. The property offers game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles.
2 Days Nyerere Fly in Safari
A 2-day fly-in safari to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) from Zanzibar involves a short flight to the park, with highlights including game drives and a boat safari on the Rufiji River. This quick safari is ideal for visitors with limited time who want to experience wildlife like elephants, lions, hippos, and wild dogs in one of Africa’s largest and most biodiverse parks. The package typically includes flights, full-board accommodation, park fees, and guided game drives and boat safaris.
3 Days Nyerere Flying Safari
A 3-day fly-in safari to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) involves a short flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, maximizing time in the park and minimizing travel. Typically, you will have two nights of accommodation, with activities including game drives, a boat safari on the Rufiji River, and possibly cultural visits, returning by flight on the third day. The package includes internal flights, accommodation, meals, and park fees, with baggage usually limited to 15 kg.
4 Days Nyerere Fly-in Safari
A 4-day fly-in safari to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam includes flights, game drives, and often a boat safari on the Rufiji River. Activities can include game drives in a 4×4 vehicle, a walking safari with an armed ranger, and a sunset boat safari, with accommodation ranging from lodges to camping. This trip provides an experience in one of Africa’s largest and least crowded wildlife sanctuaries.
Nyerere National Park ex Selous Game Reserve
In 2019, Nyerere National Park was created by annexing the northern portion of Tanzania’s renowned Selous Game Reserve. A Game Reserve is comparable to a National Park, with the exception that the latter is overseen by a different TANAPA agency and is thus managed more closely and with greater professionalism. The late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding father, is recognized and honored by the park’s name, which honors his memory.
With a genuinely sizable wilderness region in East Africa, this national park can be likened to Tanzania’s less-visited Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire parks as being more isolated, pristine, and unspoiled. The park is home to a wide variety of intact species that exhibits a clear predator and prey relationship. A popular tourist destination in this area is the huge Rufiji River, the longest river in Tanzania and the largest river in Africa. It flows through the northern portion of the park and empties into the Indian Ocean, where it is home to a robust population of hippos and crocodiles. The river is really beautiful and has a designated photo area.
One of the best wildlife sites to see some of the intriguing wild creatures of Africa is the Nyerere Park, as this location is also known. Our website, Nyerere National Park, aims to provide comprehensive information to help visitors organize a trip to this stunning location, which may very well involve selecting the best Safari tour for their needs.
Since this is a remote area of East Africa, visitors understandably have a lot of questions when making travel plans. We frequently receive inquiries about everything from the best time to visit Nyerere Park to the specifics of the park entrance fee that applies to visitors as well as directions from Arusha or Dar es Salaam as well as safari reservations to this enchanted location. Through this website, we aim to promptly respond to the majority of your inquiries, if not all of them.
Things to Do in Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)
In Nyerere National Park, one can engage in a variety of fun activities. The River Boat Safari, which entails viewing animals from the comfort of a boat on portions of the Rufiji River and exploring channels, lagoons, and swamps, has to be the most thrilling of all. This unusual pastime is very well-liked and a great way to discover the park. Visiting a traditional village is another interesting experience. Visitors can gain insight into the distinctive and unusual way of life of the locals who live close to this park by visiting the village. Other excursions available to park visitors include nature hikes, sundowners, and romantic bush dinners.
1. Game Drive
What exactly are “game drives” in the Nyerere National Park or on an African safari, as anyone considering booking a safari in Tanzania, for instance, will have seen game drives mentioned throughout the schedule. An adventure excursion by car into a wildlife region, such as a national park or reserve, like Nyerere National Park, with the goal of touring the park and viewing a range of wild animals in their natural habitat is what is meant by a safari game drive.
2. Nyerere National Park Village Tour
The Maasai, who inhabit a sizable portion of Tanzania’s northern regions and are arguably the most recognizable tribal group in all of Africa, are the predominant ethnic group in and around the majority of Tanzania’s National Parks and Reserves. This warrior tribe that lives in the areas surrounding Selous Game Reserve is nomadic and still practices many of its ancient customs. So why go to a village, and what will you see there? This one-hour tour to a hamlet gives you the chance to meet the locals, learn about their culture and distinctive way of life, and observe some of their customs and practices firsthand.
3. Boat Rides
One of the most stunning and game-rich regions in the Selous Game Reserve ecosystem, which spans the Rufiji River basin in southeast Tanzania, is Nyerere National Park, now the largest National Park in Africa. One of the few areas in Africa where it is possible to watch wildlife and birdlife from the water is Nyerere National Park, which is distinguished by the Rufiji River, which offers a great natural environment for boat safaris. The likelihood of seeing hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species, including the African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, and Boehm’s Bee-Eater, Monkeys (Blue Monkey, Savannah Baboon and Black and White Colobus Monkey) are often spotted in the trees along the banks of the river as well as Nile Monitor Lizards. is very high during a boat safari.
