Boat Safaris
Glide along the Rufiji River past pods of hippos and basking Nile crocodiles, with elephants drinking at the water's edge.
Tanzania National Parks
Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Water, walking and wilderness: boat safaris on the Rufiji River, guided bush walks and vast untouched landscapes make the Selous one of Africa's most unforgettable safari destinations.
- Location
- Southern Tanzania
- Known For
- Boat & walking safaris
- Size
- Larger than Switzerland
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover Nyerere & the Selous
Africa's greatest wilderness.
The Selous Game Reserve, established in 1922, covers about 50,000 km², making it the largest protected wet wilderness in Africa and bigger than Switzerland. Almost 6% of Tanzania's land is covered by the Selous, and its northern photographic area is now protected as Nyerere National Park.
The reserve lies on the coastal plain stretching towards the Indian Ocean, where the many deltas of the Rufiji River empty into the sea opposite Mafia Island. It hosts the largest number of elephants found in a single park or reserve anywhere in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why Nyerere
Water, walking and wilderness.
Few parks offer the variety of safari experiences found in Nyerere, from boats and walks to classic game drives.
Walking Safaris
Explore the bush on foot with expert guides, one of the most exciting ways to experience the wilderness.
Wild Dogs
The Selous is one of Africa's most important strongholds for the endangered African wild dog.
Vast Wilderness
Africa's largest protected area offers a true sense of remoteness, with very few other visitors.
Location
Where is Nyerere National Park?
Nyerere National Park lies in southern Tanzania, about 230 km southwest of Dar es Salaam. Most visitors arrive by a 45-minute flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, while road and rail journeys are also possible.
The park is defined by the great Rufiji River and its network of lakes, channels and sandbanks, including Lake Tagalala, where wildlife gathers at the water's edge to drink and wallow.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Nyerere story.
The dry season is best for game viewing, while the wetter months bring lush scenery and superb birdlife.
Dry Season
Excellent game viewing as wildlife gathers along the Rufiji River and lakes. Ideal for boat and walking safaris.
Short Rains
The landscape turns green and migratory birds arrive; game viewing remains good.
Short Dry Spell
Warm, green and quieter, with good wildlife and excellent birding.
Long Rains
The wettest period; many camps close and some areas become inaccessible.
What is the best month to visit Nyerere?
Each month brings different conditions, from dry-season gatherings to lush green landscapes.
Warm and green, with good wildlife and excellent birdlife.
A quieter month with lush scenery and good boat safaris.
Rains increase; some camps begin to close.
The wettest month; many camps are closed.
Rains ease late in the month and camps start to reopen.
Dry season begins, with great boat and walking safaris.
Excellent game viewing as animals gather near water.
Prime season, with elephants, lions and wild dogs often seen.
Dry and clear, ideal for all safari activities.
Hot and dry, with dramatic gatherings along the Rufiji River.
Short rains refresh the landscape and birds arrive.
Green scenery and active birdlife, with good wildlife viewing.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Nyerere.
Rivers, lakes, woodland and grassland create a rich mosaic of habitats.
Northern parkThe Rufiji RiverThe heart of the park, where boat safaris reveal hippos, crocodiles, elephants and countless birds.
Northern parkLake Tagalala & the LakesA chain of lakes linked to the Rufiji, where big game gathers at the water's edge.
GrasslandsOpen Plains & WoodlandLong grassland where you may see rare sable antelope, lions and greater kudu.
Northern parkStiegler's GorgeA dramatic gorge on the Rufiji River, rich in history and scenery.
Wildlife
A wilderness of giants.
Nyerere is rich in both plants and animals. It hosts the largest number of elephants found in a single park or reserve anywhere in the world, and in the long grassland you may even see rare sable antelope, lion and greater kudu.
On waterborne boat safaris, big game is usually seen, including Nile crocodiles and pods of hippos lying lazily on the Rufiji River's sandbanks. More than 400 bird species have been recorded, including the globally threatened wattled crane and corncrake.
12 animals to look for
Elephant
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Along the Rufiji River and lakes
The Selous has historically held the largest elephant population of any reserve in the world.
1 / 12
African wild dog
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Woodland and grassland
One of Africa's most important strongholds for these endangered painted dogs.
2 / 12
Lion
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Lakes, river and open grassland
Large prides hunt across the park, often near the lakes.
3 / 12
Hippo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Rufiji River and lakes
Pods of hippos crowd the river channels and lakes, easily seen on boat safaris.
4 / 12
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Rufiji River sandbanks
Huge crocodiles bask on the sandbanks of the river.
5 / 12
Buffalo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Floodplains and woodland
Large herds graze near water.
6 / 12
Giraffe
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Woodland north of the Rufiji River
Giraffes live north of the river and are a common sight in the photographic area.
7 / 12
Leopard
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Riverine woodland
Present but secretive.
8 / 12
Sable antelope
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Miombo woodland and long grass
A rare and beautiful antelope.
9 / 12
Greater kudu
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Thickets and woodland
Seen occasionally in denser bush.
10 / 12
Lichtenstein's hartebeest
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Woodland edges
A southern antelope rarely found in the north of Tanzania.
11 / 12
Spotted hyena
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Throughout the park
Common, especially around kills.
12 / 12
Boat Safaris on the Rufiji
See the wild from the water.
A boat safari on the Rufiji River is one of the highlights of any trip to southern Tanzania. Drift quietly past hippos, crocodiles and elephants drinking at the water's edge, while kingfishers, fish eagles and storks hunt along the banks.
As the sun sets over the river, the experience becomes truly magical. Combined with walking safaris and game drives, it makes Nyerere one of the most varied safari destinations in Africa.
Safaris to 中文
Nyerere & Selous safaris
Itineraries that include Nyerere National Park, often combined with Ruaha, Mikumi or Zanzibar.
Tanzania · 13 days
13-Day Exceptional Safari: Premium Northern Parks & 1 Southern Park
Tarangire · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Nyerere
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Southern Circuit: Selous (Nyerere)
Nyerere
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 5 days
5-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi & Selous
Mikumi · Nyerere
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi, Ruaha & Selous
Nyerere · Mikumi · Ruaha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 7 days
7-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi & Saadani
Nyerere · Mikumi · Saadani
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 7 days
7-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi & Bagamoyo
Nyerere · Mikumi · Bagamoyo
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi, Saadani & Bagamoyo
Nyerere · Mikumi · Saadani · Bagamoyo
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 14 days
14-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Ruaha & Zanzibar
Nyerere · Ruaha · Zanzibar
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 13 days
13-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi, Udzungwa & Ruaha
Nyerere · Mikumi · Ruaha
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Stay in 中文
Where to stay in Nyerere
Riverside camps and lodges along the Rufiji River and lakes.
Silver tier
Nyerere, TanzaniaSelous Mapumziko LodgeAn authentic mud-banda lodge at the gateway to Nyerere National Park, built for river safaris.Gateway lodgeView lodge
Gold tier
Nyerere, TanzaniaSelous Serena LodgeA classic luxury tented camp in the heart of the Selous, where crystal chandeliers meet endless wilderness.Luxury tented campView lodge
Platinum tier
Nyerere, TanzaniaRufiji River CampA pioneering river camp on the banks of the Rufiji, where hippos grunt below your private deck and boat safaris depart fRiverside tented campView lodge
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind the Selous.
The Selous is Africa's oldest protected wet wilderness, first proclaimed in 1896, and rich in history dating back to the 1850s, when European explorers such as Burton and Speke passed through. The Maji Maji uprising against German rule also touched the area in 1905.
The reserve takes its name from the legendary hunter-explorer Frederick Courteney Selous, whose books were best sellers in Victorian England and who was killed here in 1917. In 2019, the northern photographic area was gazetted as Nyerere National Park, honouring Tanzania's founding president, Julius Nyerere.
Is Nyerere National Park the same as the Selous?
Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, where photographic safaris take place.
What makes Nyerere special?
Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris, wild dogs and a vast, remote wilderness with very few visitors.
When is the best time to visit?
June to October is best. Many camps close during the long rains from March to May.
How do I get to Nyerere?
Most visitors take a 45-minute flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Road and rail options are also available.
How many days do I need?
Three nights is ideal to enjoy boat, walking and game drive safaris.
Can Nyerere be combined with Zanzibar?
Yes. Nyerere is a short flight from Zanzibar, making it a perfect safari-and-beach combination.
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