Rufiji River Boat Safaris
The most dramatic river safari in East Africa — hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and bathing elephants at close quarters from a motorised pontoon.
Nyerere National Park
Africa's largest national park — a vast, wild, boat-safari heartland of the Rufiji River, famous for African wild dogs, hippos and a remote, uncrowded safari atmosphere.
Overview
Formerly the Selous Game Reserve, now Nyerere National Park, this vast southern wilderness is four times the size of the Serengeti and sees a fraction of its visitors. The Rufiji River and its system of lakes and channels is the lifeblood of the park — boat safaris here, drifting past hippo pods, crocodile banks and waterbirds, rival anything in East Africa. Nyerere holds one of the largest lion populations on the continent, significant wild-dog packs, and elephant herds in the thousands. For the traveller who values space, privacy and an authentic bush experience, it is incomparable.
Nyerere at a Glance
- Location
- Southern Tanzania
- Size
- 30,893 km²
- Altitude
- 50 — 1,000 m
- Best Time to Visit
- June–October
Key Attractions
African Wild Dog
One of Tanzania's most reliable places to track packs of the endangered African wild dog — Nyerere's vast, unfenced wilderness supports several large packs with regular denning activity.
Walking Safaris
Nyerere is one of the few Tanzanian parks where walking safaris are permitted — a profoundly different pace, with specialist guides reading tracks, insects and ecosystem in a way a vehicle cannot replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 45-minute charter flight from Dar es Salaam or a 1.5-hour flight from Kilimanjaro — the park is not accessible by scheduled airline. We include charter flights in all Nyerere itineraries.