Absolute WildernessTravel & Tours
Hippos in the Rufiji River at Nyerere National Park Tanzania
Africa's Largest Reserve

Nyerere National Park

Formerly the Selous Game Reserve — Africa's largest game reserve, larger than Switzerland, with boat safaris on the Rufiji River.

50,000+ km²
Reserve Size
13,000+
Elephant Population
40,000+
Hippo Population
440+
Bird Species
About Nyerere

The Wild South — Vast, Remote, Untouched

Nyerere National Park — formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve — is Africa's largest game reserve, covering over 50,000 km² of pristine wilderness in southern Tanzania. Larger than Switzerland, it is one of the last truly wild places on earth.

The Rufiji River is the heart of Nyerere — a vast waterway that winds through palm-fringed channels, open floodplains, and ancient forests. Boat safaris on the Rufiji offer a completely different perspective on African wildlife: hippos, crocodiles, and elephants viewed from the water, with fish eagles calling overhead.

Nyerere is a fly-in destination, which keeps visitor numbers low and the wilderness experience genuinely exclusive. Walking safaris with armed rangers, fly-camping under the stars, and night drives are all available — experiences that are simply not possible in many of Tanzania's northern parks.

Elephants at the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park
· Africa's Largest Game Reserve ·
Over 50,000 km² of protected wilderness — larger than Switzerland
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Nyerere

Nyerere is best visited during the dry season when wildlife concentrates along the Rufiji River and its tributaries. Most camps close during the peak wet months.

Jan
Green season
Feb
Birdwatching
Mar
Peak rains
Apr
Closed
May
Shoulder
Jun
Dry season
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Peak season
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Good viewing
Nov
Shoulder
Dec
Green season
Dry Season (Jun–Oct)
Peak wildlife & boat safaris

The dry season is the best time to visit Nyerere. Wildlife concentrates along the Rufiji River and its channels. Boat safaris are at their most productive and walking safaris are excellent.

Shoulder Season (Nov, May)
Good value & green landscapes

November and May offer good wildlife viewing at lower rates. The landscape is transitioning and visitor numbers are low. Some camps may be closed in May.

Wet Season (Dec–Apr)
Birdwatching & lush scenery

The wet season transforms Nyerere into a vivid green landscape. Migratory birds arrive in large numbers. Most camps close from March to May. December–February can be excellent for birdwatching.

Wildlife

What You'll See

Nyerere supports one of Africa's largest populations of elephant, hippo, and crocodile. The reserve is also one of the best places in Africa to see African wild dog — the continent's most endangered large carnivore.

African Wild Dog
Elephant
Hippo
Crocodile
Lion
Leopard
Buffalo
Sable Antelope
Nyasa Wildebeest
Eland
Fish Eagle
Goliath Heron
Hippos in NyerereLion in NyerereBoat safari on the Rufiji RiverBush camp in Nyerere
Common Questions

Nyerere National Park FAQ

Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern section of the former Selous Game Reserve — the area most ac…

· nyerere · frequently asked
Plan your safari

Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern section of the former Selous Game Reserve — the area most accessible to tourists and with the highest wildlife density. The southern section of the former Selous remains a game reserve. When people refer to 'Selous safaris', they typically mean what is now Nyerere National Park.

Nyerere offers activities not available in most northern parks — boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris with armed rangers, fly-camping, and night drives. The visitor numbers are also far lower, giving a more exclusive wilderness experience. The landscape is different too — more varied and less open than the Serengeti.

Nyerere is a fly-in destination. Scheduled and charter flights operate from Dar es Salaam (approximately 45 minutes) and Arusha (approximately 2 hours). Most camps include airstrip transfers. Driving from Dar es Salaam takes approximately 4–5 hours on reasonable roads.

Yes — Nyerere is one of Africa's best destinations for wild dog sightings. The reserve supports a significant wild dog population and sightings are relatively reliable during the dry season. Your guide will track pack movements and the boat safaris sometimes offer views of dogs drinking at the river.

Boat safaris on the Rufiji River are one of Nyerere's signature experiences. You'll drift quietly past hippo pods, crocodiles sunning on sandbanks, and elephants drinking at the water's edge. Fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons are abundant. The perspective from the water is completely different from a vehicle game drive.

Yes — Nyerere and Ruaha are the classic southern Tanzania combination. Both are fly-in destinations and can be combined in 7–10 days. The two parks offer complementary experiences — Nyerere's boat safaris and river landscape contrasting with Ruaha's rugged wilderness and predator density.

Combine With

Pair Nyerere With

Ready to Go?

Plan Your Nyerere Safari

Nyerere rewards those who venture south. Our team knows every camp and every channel of the Rufiji. Tell us your dates and we'll design an unforgettable southern Tanzania itinerary.