Nyerere National Park
The Wild Heart of Southern Tanzania
Overview
Named after Tanzania's founding father, Julius Nyerere, this park was carved from the vast Selous Game Reserve and represents the wild heart of southern Tanzania. With its immense size and diversity of habitats — from open plains and miombo woodlands to lakes and the Rufiji River — Nyerere offers a truly remote safari experience unlike any other in East Africa.
Location
Southern Tanzania, about 230 km southwest of Dar es Salaam.
Size
Roughly 30,000 sq km — one of Africa's largest protected areas.
Heritage
Named after Tanzania's founding father, Julius Nyerere, formerly part of Selous Game Reserve.
Park Highlights
The Rufiji River
The park's lifeline, winding through palm-lined channels, oxbow lakes, and sandbanks teeming with hippos and crocodiles. Boat safaris along the Rufiji are a signature Nyerere experience, offering unique perspectives of wildlife gathering at the water's edge.
Exceptional Wildlife
Home to impressive populations of elephants, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, giraffes, buffaloes, and large numbers of antelope. Birdlife is exceptional, with over 440 species recorded, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
Untamed Scenery
The mix of miombo woodlands, rivers, wetlands, and open plains gives Nyerere a raw, untamed beauty rarely matched elsewhere in East Africa. This diversity of habitats supports an incredible variety of flora and fauna.
Wildlife
Nyerere National Park boasts impressive populations of Africa's iconic wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, the endangered African wild dog, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous antelope species. The park's river systems attract massive concentrations of hippos and crocodiles, while over 440 bird species make it one of Tanzania's premier birding destinations.
African Elephant
Large populations throughout the park
Lion
Apex predators of the savanna
African Wild Dog
Endangered and rarely seen
Hippopotamus
Abundant in the Rufiji River
Nile Crocodile
Large populations in waterways
Giraffe
Graceful browsers of acacia trees
Atmosphere & Experience
Secluded and tranquil — far from the crowds of the north. The sense of space and remoteness defines the Nyerere experience. This is Tanzania's wild frontier, where the African wilderness remains largely untouched and authentic safari adventures await.
The park's vast size means you'll often have entire areas to yourself, with wildlife encounters feeling more intimate and genuine. The combination of varied landscapes and diverse ecosystems creates an ever-changing backdrop for your safari adventure.
Ideal For: Adventurers and nature lovers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path safaris with variety and solitude. Perfect for those who want to experience Africa's wilderness as it once was — wild, remote, and magnificent.
Activities
Boat Safaris
Unique among Tanzanian parks, Nyerere offers spectacular boat safaris along the Rufiji River. Glide past hippo pods, sunbathing crocodiles, and elephants coming to drink — a signature experience that sets Nyerere apart.
Game Drives
Explore the diverse habitats on classic game drives through miombo woodlands, open plains, and along riverbanks. Spot lions, leopards, wild dogs, and vast herds of elephants and buffaloes in their natural environment.
Walking Safaris
Experience the African bush on foot with armed guides, getting up close to the smaller details of the ecosystem and tracking wildlife through the wilderness — an intimate and thrilling adventure.
Birdwatching
With over 440 species recorded, Nyerere is a birding paradise. From fish eagles and kingfishers along the river to rare woodland species, the park offers exceptional opportunities for bird enthusiasts.