Nyerere national park is a UNESCO world heritage site in southern Tanzania in East Africa. Formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere national park covers a total area of 50,000km2 and has additional buffer zones.
The name Nyerere is in honor of the country’s first president Julius Nyerere, the father of this beautiful nation.
Nyerere national park is in the same circuit as Mikumi, Ruaha, Saadani, Udzungwa and Kitulo national parks. Nyerere National park is the largest and said to be bigger than the country of Switzerland!
The topography of Nyerere National park varies from rolling savannah woodland, grassland plains and rocky outcrops by the Rufiji River and it’s tributaries. The Rufiji River which flows from north to south is the life blood of the Nyerere national park
Wildlife
The only other park in Tanzania with a higher wildlife concentration than Nyerere National park is the Serengeti. Nyerere National park boasts of large numbers of Lions, elephants, leopard, African wild dogs, buffalo and hippo. Common species usually seen are bushbuck, red and blue duikers, elands, hartebeest, hyena, impala, giraffe zebra not forgetting the more than 400 bird species recorded.
Getting To Nyerere National Park
Nyerere national park is approximately 6hours drive from Dar es Salaam and under 1hr, 30 minutes by flight from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to the different airstrips that serve this national park. Flights are available on Auric air, Coastal and Safari Airlink light aircrafts.
Nyerere National Park can be experienced in it’s own uniqueness for 2-3 nights or in combination with other parks like Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa National parks if wishing to explore the entire southern circuit parks.
Best time to visit Nyerere National park is peak season which runs from June to October when wildlife is forced from hiding places to the main Rufiji river and it’s tributaries to drink water.
Accommodation Options
Nyerere national park has a variety of lodging and camping options to choose from ranging from budget to high end options. Below are some options in no particular order.
- Selous wilderness camp
- Selous Impala Camp
- Sand Rivers Camp
- Roho ya Selous
- Lake Manze Tented Camp
- Selous River Camp
- Africa Safari Camp
- Kiba Point Selous
- Beho Beho
- The Retreat Selous
6 Exciting Things To Do In Nyerere National Park
Here is a list of some exciting things you can do in Nyerere National Park
Game Drives
Enjoy Game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles, open or closed with pop-up roof depending on your preference. Nyerere National park offers some of the best game drive opportunities owing to it’s vastness and high wildlife concentration.
It’s not uncommon to come across an entire family of lions in one sighting, herds of elephants, wild dogs, giraffes and Zebras
Boat Safari
Treat yourself to a Boat safari on the mighty Rufiji River in a sturdy motorized metal craft with a canopy for shade. Experience this exciting 2-3 hours private or shared boat trip along river Rufiji as well as the lakes of the Nyerere National park.
Here you get to see hippos and crocodiles at close range from your motorized boat as well as birds. Crown it all with a spectacular African sunset or sunrise depending on which timing you choose
Ranger Guided Safari
You can’t get closer to wildlife than this! After a coffee or tea wake up call, treat your self to a walking safari in Tanzania’s Nyerere national park, a thrilling chance to encounter the bush and wildlife on its own terms alongside expert guides.
Here is a chance to pay attention to all the game details that you would easily miss out during the game drive, like identifying animal foot prints, animal poop and what it says about the animal and many more intriguing details.
Be a first hand witness to the harmony of life in the African bush, and no two walks are the same despite the route being the same
Fly Camping
Fly Camping, a form of lightweight camping where you use light and portable gear to camp on the go. It involves packing your essential items in backpacks or duffel bags, then hiking to remote locations where you camp out under the stars (or in tents!)
Imagine spending your night in the wild under the stars immersed into nature and the wild! Those will be nights you probably talk about for years to come.
Bird Watching
As mentioned at the onset, Nyerere National park has more than 400 species of birds recorded globally including the endangered wattled crane and the corncake. Some of the most beautiful birds can be seen along the rocks of the Rufiji River during the boat safari like the mosque swallow, the brown-breasted barbet, purple-banded sunbird, Mangrove
Fishing
If you and your fishing rod are inseparable, Nyerere national park is a must visit for you as am almost certain you wouldn’t want to go on a safari without fishing. Several camps offer fishing as an activity. Local catches include catfish which can weigh at up to 20kgs!
Conclusion
Who Can Visit Nyerere National Park?
Basically any wildlife lover. Add adventure love to that and Nyerere National park will delight you.
Also, if you have been to Tanzania already and been to the parks everybody is raving about like Serengeti then treat yourself to something different and away from the large tourist crowds. Nyerere National park provides an undisturbed ecology and prestine setting for the perfect game activities.
