About Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park is one of Africa’s largest protected areas and a true wilderness destination. Formerly part of the famous Selous Game Reserve, the park offers an authentic Tanzania safari experience far from the crowds, where nature remains untouched and wildlife roams freely.

The mighty Rufiji River flows through the park, creating a spectacular landscape of rivers, lakes, wetlands, woodlands, and open grasslands. This rich diversity of habitats supports an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and one of Africa’s largest populations of the endangered African wild dog.

Unlike many safari destinations, Nyerere is renowned for its boat safaris, allowing visitors to watch wildlife gather along the riverbanks from a unique perspective. Combined with traditional game drives and walking safaris, every day offers a different way to explore one of Tanzania’s last great wilderness areas.

Location

Southern Tanzania, about 250 km southwest of Dar es Salaam. The Rufiji River is the park’s central artery.

Best Time to Visit

June–October for game drives and boat safaris. The dry season concentrates animals around water. Closed in peak rains (March–May).

How to Reach

Charter flights from Dar es Salaam (45 minutes). Road access from Dar via Kibiti (5–6 hours, 4WD required in wet season).

The Great Migration

The migration follows a clockwise route: calving in the southern plains (Jan–Mar), moving northwest toward Grumeti River (May–Jul), crossing the Mara River into Kenya (Jul–Oct), and returning south (Nov–Dec).

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