Boat safaris on the Rufiji, walking trails and wild dog, in the heart of the former Selous.
Enquire About Nyerere National ParkNyerere National Park was carved in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous, one of the largest protected areas in Africa, and named for Tanzania's founding president. It is a wild, water-laced wilderness in the country's south, built around the broad, braided channels of the Rufiji River.
The river is what sets Nyerere apart. Alongside the usual game drives, you can explore by boat, drifting past hippo pods, crocodiles and elephants on the banks, and on foot with armed guides. That combination of vehicle, boat and walking safari is hard to find on the northern circuit.
Nyerere is one of the best places in Africa to see endangered African wild dog, which den in the park in the dry season, and it carries big herds of elephant and buffalo along with lion, leopard and a rich birdlife drawn to the water.
Remote and reached by light aircraft, it shares the southern circuit's wild, uncrowded character and pairs naturally with Ruaha. For travellers who want a different rhythm to the classic game drive, the Rufiji is the draw.
Nyerere is a stronghold for African wild dog, with packs that den in the park during the dry season, one of the surest places to see them in East Africa. Lion and leopard are present, and spotted hyaena are common.
The Rufiji and its lakes hold large numbers of hippo and crocodile, and elephant and buffalo herds move down to the water, giving superb river-based viewing by boat as well as by vehicle.
Birdlife is a highlight, with the river, lakes and woodland supporting a long list of water birds, fish eagles, skimmers and bee-eaters, and the boat safaris bring you close to species that are hard to approach on land.
June to October, the dry season, is the prime time, when wildlife concentrates along the Rufiji, the wild dogs are denning and the boat and walking safaris are at their best.
The green season from November to April brings the rains and superb birding, but the bush thickens, water levels rise and many camps close for the wettest months, so the dry season is the clear choice.
Well-run camps on the lakes and river, ideally placed for boat safaris, wild dog and the Rufiji's wildlife.
A classic, beautifully sited camp above the Rufiji, with a strong reputation for guiding, walking and boating.
Comfortable camps offering the full range of river, boat and drive activities at a more accessible price.
Several camps build their experience around boat safaris on the Rufiji, the activity that most sets Nyerere apart.
A handful of smaller, simpler camps give budget-minded travellers a foothold in this wild southern park.
Nyerere offers something different to photograph: elephants and hippo from a low boat on the Rufiji, wild dogs at a den, and big skies over the lakes. The river light and the variety of activities make for varied, atmospheric images.
Nyerere ranges from simpler tented camps to polished river lodges and suits travellers drawn to water-based safari, walking and wild dog over the classic plains game drive. It pairs naturally with Ruaha on a southern-circuit trip.
Nyerere lies in southern Tanzania, reached by a short light-aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, which makes it an easy wild add-on to a coastal stay.
We arrange every detail, from the right camp to flights and transfers. Tell us your dates and we will do the rest.
Plan My Safari WhatsApp UsIt was carved in 2019 from the northern section of the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa's largest protected areas, and named after Tanzania's founding president, Julius Nyerere.
Yes. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River are the park's signature activity, bringing you close to hippo, crocodile, elephant and water birds in a way game drives cannot.
Very. It is one of the best places in East Africa to see endangered African wild dog, which den in the park during the dry season.
June to October, the dry season, when wildlife concentrates along the Rufiji and the boat and walking safaris are at their best.
By a short light-aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, which makes it an easy wild add-on to a coastal or Zanzibar stay.
Yes, very easily, given the short flight. A few nights on the Rufiji followed by the beaches of Zanzibar is a classic southern-Tanzania pairing.
Tell us roughly when you would like to travel and what you most want to see. Every enquiry is answered personally by Jarryd, a former Sabi Sands guide and Head Ranger at andBeyond Phinda, usually within 24 hours. No set packages, no booking fees.
