Nyerere is the safari for travellers who want water as much as land. The Rufiji River and its chain of lakes and channels run through the heart of the park, so here you watch wildlife from a small boat as well as from a vehicle, and you can head out on foot with an armed ranger. The park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the old Selous Game Reserve, and it still feels big, quiet and very wild. You will see far fewer vehicles than in the north, and the pace is slower and more personal.

What you will see

Elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala and wildebeest graze along the river margins, and lions are seen regularly. Nyerere is one of the better places in Africa to look for African wild dogs. They cover huge distances, so a sighting is never certain, but it is always possible. On the water you pass hippo pods and large crocodiles basking on sandbanks, and the birdlife is rich, with fish eagles, kingfishers, storks, herons and bee-eaters nesting in the riverbanks.

Boat safaris on the Rufiji and its lakes, usually in the morning or late afternoon
Walking safaris with an armed ranger, where you learn tracks, plants and the smaller wildlife
Game drives in open vehicles, including full days out with a picnic lunch

When to go

The dry season, roughly June to October, is the main safari time. Grass is short, animals gather near water and the tracks are easier. January and February can also be rewarding, hot and green with a short drier spell. The long rains, roughly April to May, make many tracks difficult and many camps close for those weeks. It is warm and humid here for much of the year, so pack light clothing and expect early starts. Our Tanzania weather guide explains the seasons month by month.

Getting there

Most travellers fly. Scheduled light-aircraft flights link Nyerere's airstrips with Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, and there are connections from Arusha if you are coming from the north. Driving from Dar es Salaam is possible, but it is a long day on mixed roads, so we usually recommend the flight. Luggage limits on small aircraft are strict, and soft bags work best.

How it fits your trip

Nyerere pairs naturally with Zanzibar. A short flight takes you from the river to the beach, which makes it an easy addition after a Kilimanjaro climb or a northern safari. Many guests spend three or four nights here, then fly on to Ruaha for a second, very different southern park, or go straight to the coast. Linking the south with the Serengeti or Ngorongoro is also simple with a connecting flight.

Where to stay

Accommodation is mostly tented camps and small lodges set along the river or beside the lakes. Many are unfenced, so animals may wander through camp, and your hosts will walk you to your tent after dark. Rooms are comfortable, meals are included and most camps run their own boat and walking activities. Tell us how you like to travel on our enquiry page and we will suggest options that suit you.