Wildlife Safari 
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park safari: Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeJune to October is the prime season: dry, with animals concentrated ar...
- Trips4 sample trips
- Destinations nearbyMikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains
Nyerere National Park safari: what to know
Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve and named after Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere. At 30,893 km² it is the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa. Visitors see only a small corner of it, along the Rufiji River, and that corner alone is larger than many well-known parks.
What to know before you go
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A safari by boat, on foot and by vehicle
The Rufiji spreads into a chain of lakes and channels lined with borassus palms. Boat safaris take you past hippos, large crocodiles and elephants drinking at the bank, with fish eagles, kingfishers and African skimmers overhead. Nyerere is also one of the best places in Tanzania for walking safaris with an armed ranger, and most camps offer fly-camping nights out in the bush. Game drives fill in the rest.
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Wildlife
The park is an important stronghold for the African wild dog, which is seen here more often than almost anywhere in East Africa. Lion are common around the lakes, and there are large numbers of buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, and the Nyasa wildebeest of southern Tanzania. Elephant numbers fell badly to poaching in the past and are recovering.
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Getting to Nyerere
Light aircraft from Dar es Salaam reach the park's airstrips in about 45 minutes, and there are flights from Zanzibar and Ruaha. By road it is five to six hours from Dar es Salaam to the Mtemere gate. That makes Nyerere the easiest safari to combine with a beach stay.
When to visit Nyerere National Park
June to October is the prime season: dry, with animals concentrated around the lakes and river. January and February are hot and green, with excellent birding. Many camps close during the long rains in April and May, when roads flood.
Where It Is
Nyerere National Park and the other places we travel to nearby.
Nyerere National Park
Trips that include Nyerere National Park
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Wildlife Safari 
Luxury Safari 8-Day Fly-In Safari: Nyerere & Ruaha National Parks
Dar Es Salaam (2) · Nyerere National Park (3) · Ruaha National Park (2)
Wildlife Safari 9-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi, Ruaha & Nyerere
Dar Es Salaam (2) · Mikumi National Park (2) · Ruaha National Park (2) · Nyerere National Park (2)
Wildlife Safari 10-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha & Nyerere
Dar Es Salaam (2) · Mikumi National Park (2) · Udzungwa Mountains · Ruaha National Park (2) · Nyerere National Park (2)
Plan Your Safari to Nyerere National Park
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Questions about Nyerere National Park
Is Nyerere National Park the same as Selous?
Partly. In 2019 the northern section of the Selous Game Reserve, where photographic safaris take place, became Nyerere National Park. The remaining southern area is still called the Selous Game Reserve.
How do you get to Nyerere National Park?
Most visitors fly from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, which takes under an hour. The drive from Dar es Salaam takes about five to six hours.
What makes Nyerere different from the Serengeti?
Boat safaris and walking safaris are a central part of the experience, visitor numbers are far lower, and wild dog sightings are much more likely. It does not have the Serengeti's open plains or wildebeest migration.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
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