Nyerere (Selous) National Park

Nyerere National Park, the former Selous, is East Africa's largest park, where the Rufiji River adds boat safaris to classic game drives.

Southern Circuit Circuit

30,893 km² (East Africa's largest) Park size

What makes it different.

Nyerere National Park, created from the northern Selous Game Reserve in 2019, is the largest national park in East Africa at nearly 31,000 square kilometres. The Rufiji River runs through its heart, making it one of the few Tanzanian parks where you can swap a game drive for a boat safari, see large elephant herds, and have a real chance of African wild dog.

Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, past hippo, crocodile and waterbirds

One of Africa's best parks for African wild dog

Large elephant herds and good general game

Wildlife to look for.

African Wild Dog

Elephant

Lion

Hippopotamus

Nile Crocodile

Giraffe

When to go.

Dry Season

June to October is prime. Water levels drop, wildlife concentrates along the Rufiji, and boat safaris, game drives and walks are all at their best. June and early July still carry some green.

Green Season

November to April brings the rains, lush scenery and excellent birding, but many roads flood and a number of camps close, so most visits fall in the dry season.

In pictures.

Getting there.

By Air

Quick scheduled flights connect Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to the park's airstrips in around 45 minutes, the most popular way in.

By Road

A drive from Dar es Salaam takes roughly six hours toward the Mtemere or Matambwe gates, scenic but long.

Good to know.

Is Nyerere the same as Selous?

Nyerere National Park was carved from the northern part of the former Selous Game Reserve in 2019. It protects the prime wildlife area along the Rufiji River, while a smaller Selous reserve remains to the south.

Can you do boat safaris in Nyerere?

Yes, and it is the park's signature experience. Boat safaris on the Rufiji bring you close to hippo, crocodile, elephant at the water's edge and superb birdlife.

What is the best time to visit Nyerere?

June to October, the dry season, when wildlife gathers along the river and both land and water activities are at their best.