Camps outside the gate
Simple tented camps and bandas just outside the park near Mtemere gate, some on the banks of the Rufiji. Good value, with boat trips and game drives into the park.
Outside Mtemere gate
Southern Circuit · Tanzania
Nyerere National Park
30,893 km² of river, lakes and wild woodland in southern Tanzania, carved out of the famous Selous Game Reserve in 2019 to become the country's largest national park. The Rufiji River runs through its heart, and it is one of the few places in Tanzania where you can go on safari by boat, on foot and by vehicle in a single day.
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Travelers' Choice Awards
June – October, and February
30,893 km², Southern Circuit
About 45 min by air from Dar es Salaam
Boat safaris, wild dogs, Rufiji River
Nyerere National Park: The Wild Heart of the Old Selous
For decades, travellers knew this corner of Tanzania as the Selous Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. In 2019, the northern part of the reserve, where photographic safaris take place, became Nyerere National Park, named after Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first president. At 30,893 km², it is now the largest national park in Tanzania, and the Selous Game Reserve continues to the south. The park is shaped by water. The Rufiji, Tanzania's largest river, winds through it in a maze of channels, sandbanks and oxbow lakes, feeding Lakes Tagalala, Manze and Siwandu. Hippo and crocodile crowd the water, elephant and buffalo come down to drink, and the palm-fringed lakes are alive with fish eagles, skimmers, storks and kingfishers. More than 440 bird species have been recorded in the wider Selous ecosystem.
Nyerere is also one of Africa's strongholds for the African wild dog, and one of the best places in Tanzania to see them. Lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, eland, sable antelope and big herds of buffalo complete a picture that feels far wilder than the park's closeness to Dar es Salaam suggests. Flights from Dar es Salaam take about 45 minutes and from Zanzibar around an hour, so Nyerere pairs easily with a beach holiday. Our 3-day Selous safari is the quickest way in, and many guests combine the park with Ruaha, Mikumi or a few days on Mafia Island.
Things to Do in Nyerere National Park
Nyerere is one of the most varied safari parks in Africa. Its waterways make a boat as useful as a vehicle, and walking and fly camping are part of daily life at many camps. A typical stay mixes all three.
Game drivesDrives through the woodland and around the lakes in search of lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo and giraffe, with very few other vehicles in the photographic area.
Boat safaris on the RufijiGlide along the river and between the lakes in a small boat, past hippo pods, basking crocodiles and elephants drinking at the water's edge. Sunset on the water is the classic end to the day.
Walking safarisGuided walks with an armed ranger, often straight from camp or combined with a boat trip, are a highlight of the park and a real way to feel the scale of the wilderness.
Fly campingWalk out from camp to a simple overnight site by a lake or river, eat around the fire and sleep under a mosquito net with the sounds of the night all around. Offered by several camps in the dry season.
Wild dog trackingNyerere holds one of the largest wild dog populations in Africa. Packs move fast and far, but good guides follow the latest sightings for your best chance of finding them.
BirdwatchingFish eagles, African skimmers, carmine bee-eaters, storks and kingfishers along the water, and more than 440 species in the wider ecosystem. Best from November to March.
When to go
What's the Best Time to Visit Nyerere National Park, Season by Season
Like the rest of southern Tanzania, Nyerere has one long rainy season and one long dry season. The dry months are best for wildlife, while the wet months bring birds and green landscapes but cause many camps to close.
June to October: dry season. Wildlife concentrates around the Rufiji and the lakes, the vegetation thins, and walking and fly camping are at their best. The most popular time to visit.
November and December: the early rains Warm, with the first storms. Wildlife starts to spread out, birdlife picks up and price rates start to drop. A good time for a quieter trip.
January to March: green season Hot, humid and lush. Birdwatching is excellent and boat safaris run well on higher water, but game drives are harder to do in the long grass.
April and May: the long rains. Heavy rain and flooding. Most camps close and many roads are impossible to use.
Nyerere is low-lying and close to the coast, so it is warm to hot for much of the year, and a midday rest in the shade of camp is part of the rhythm. For rainfall by month, see our Tanzania weather guide. Let us know which season fits you well and we can plan Nyerere around the river. →
Where to Stay in Nyerere National Park
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Tented camps on the lakes and river
Comfortable tented camps on the Rufiji and the lakes, with en-suite tents, verandas over the water and boat, walking and driving activities from camp.
Rufiji River and lakes
Riverside luxury lodges
Spacious suites on the best stretches of the Rufiji and Lake Siwandu, with private plunge pools, fly camping and exceptional guiding.
Rufiji River and Lake Siwandu
Nyerere Safaris, Tailored to You
Start with one of these safaris that include Nyerere, then work with a local planner to change the pace, the camps and the length.
Nyerere and Selous frequently Ask Questions
Is Nyerere National Park the same as the Selous Game Reserve?Partly. In 2019, the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, where photographic safaris take place, became Nyerere National Park. The Selous Game Reserve still exists to the south. Many people still call the whole area the Selous, and camps that were once in the Selous are now in Nyerere.
How do I get to Nyerere National Park?Light-aircraft flights from Dar es Salaam take about 45 minutes, and from Zanzibar about an hour, landing at airstrips close to the camps. The park can also be reached by road from Dar es Salaam in around six to eight hours.
Will I definitely see the migration?No one can promise that, and we will not. What we can do is place you in the right region for your dates and be honest about the odds before you book.
Nyerere or Ruaha: which is better?Nyerere is closer and offers boat safaris, walks and wild dog. Ruaha is drier and more remote, with more lions and a wider range of antelope. Both are excellent, and with a week they combine very well.