Nyerere National Park Safaris

About This Destination

Nyerere National Park, carved from the northern sector of the former Selous Game Reserve and renamed in honor of Tanzania's first president, is Africa's largest national park and one of the last places on the continent where safaris happen as much by boat and on foot as by vehicle. The Rufiji River, Tanzania's largest, cuts through the park in a maze of channels, lakes, and sandbars that support one of the densest hippo and crocodile populations anywhere in Africa.

Wildlife & Highlights

Boat safaris along the Rufiji are Nyerere's signature activity, drifting past pods of hippo, basking crocodile, and elephant coming down to drink, while walking safaris with armed guides offer a level of engagement with the bush impossible from a vehicle. The park holds one of Tanzania's most important populations of African wild dog, alongside healthy numbers of lion, buffalo, and greater kudu, and its remoteness keeps visitor numbers far lower than the northern circuit.

- Africa's largest national park by area

- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, a rarity among East African parks

- A key stronghold for the endangered African wild dog

- Walking safaris with armed ranger guides

Best Time to Visit

June to October, the dry season, is prime time, when river levels concentrate wildlife and boat safaris offer their best game viewing. Many camps close during the heaviest rains from March to May.

Getting There

Nyerere is reached by scheduled light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar in about 45 minutes, or by a five to six hour road transfer from Dar es Salaam.

[2 Day to Nyerere National Park](https://mackafricasafaris.com/en/safaris/2-day-to-nyerere-national-park)

Two days in Nyerere National Park, Africa's largest park and the former Selous: a boat safari on the Rufiji River among hippos, crocodiles and elephan...

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