By air
Julius Nyerere, Dar es Salaam (DAR), ~45 min by light aircraft
Africa · Tanzania
Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
A vast wild reserve on the Rufiji
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to October — dry
Don't miss
The Rufiji River
Lake Tagalala
Stiegler's Gorge
Things to do
Boat safaris
Walking safaris
Game drives
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Digr · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Neutral colours
A quieter corner
A boat safari on the Rufiji
Questions travellers ask
Is Nyerere National Park far from Dar es Salaam?
Not by air: it's about 45 minutes by light aircraft from Julius Nyerere, Dar es Salaam (DAR).
What time of year suits Nyerere National Park?
June to October, when it's dry. Pack neutral colours.
What kinds of safari can I do in Nyerere?
Boat safaris, walking safaris and game drives. Don't miss a boat safari on the Rufiji.
What landscapes will I see in Nyerere National Park?
The Rufiji River, Lake Tagalala and Stiegler's Gorge, all within this vast wild reserve. Meals are taken at the lodges.
About Nyerere National Park
- Riverside
Where it is
Nyerere National Park is a vast protected area in southern Tanzania, created from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, where the Rufiji River and its lakes and channels wind through miombo woodland and savanna.
History
The vast Selous Game Reserve was named after the English hunter and explorer Frederick Selous and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. In 2019 its northern part was made Nyerere National Park, named after Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first president.
People
Few people live inside the park; the surrounding districts are home to the Ndengereko and other communities who farm and fish along the Rufiji, and Swahili is the common language. Many local people work as guides and staff in the park's camps.
Known for
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River
- Walking safaris
- African wild dogs
- Lake Tagalala and the river lakes
- Hippos and crocodiles
Did you know?
Frederick Selous was killed in battle at Beho Beho, inside the old reserve, in 1917 during the First World War, and his grave still lies there.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.