Nyerere National Park — carved out of the historic Selous Game Reserve in 2019 — is the largest national park in Africa, covering more than 30,000 km². The Rufiji River, with its lakes, channels and sandbanks, is its beating heart.
Here you do not only drive. You take a boat through hippo pods and crocodile beaches; you walk with armed rangers along dry riverbeds; you fly-camp under stars where no permanent structure exists. It is the most varied safari experience in Tanzania — and one of the most exclusive.
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and one of Africa's healthiest populations of African wild dog all live here. Distances are vast, camps are intimate, and the rhythm is slow — Nyerere is built for travellers who want to stay longer, not tick faster.
Highlights
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River and its lakes
- Walking safaris with experienced rangers
- Fly-camping in remote sectors
- Endangered African wild dog — one of Africa's best strongholds
- Elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile
- Genuine wilderness — vast distances, very few vehicles
When to go
June to October is the prime safari season — water concentrates wildlife along the Rufiji. November to March is hot and green, excellent for birding. Most camps close in April and May during the long rains.
Wildlife
Elephant, lion (large prides), leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra. Africa's most important refuge for wild dog. Excellent birdlife along the river systems — 440+ species.
Why we love it
For the boat. There is nothing quite like watching a herd of elephant drink at the Rufiji from a small skiff at golden hour. We use Nyerere to slow our travellers down — and they thank us for it.
