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
Why Visit
Africa's
largest national park four times the size of the Serengeti, with a fraction of the visitors.
Rufiji
River boat safaris rivaling anything in East Africa, drifting past hippo pods and bathing elephants.
One
of Tanzania's most reliable places to track the endangered African wild dog.
One
of the few Tanzanian parks where walking safaris are permitted.
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.
Top Activities
Stay at Roho ya Selous
Eight tented suites on a private concession within the park boat safaris, game drives, walking, and a guiding team with decades of Selous experience.
Fly Camping on the Rufiji
Spend a night on a sandbank under the stars, with your guide and a campfire the ultimate immersion in the southern wilderness.
Fishing the Rufiji
Catch-and-release tigerfish and catfish on the river an optional afternoon activity for keen anglers staying at Roho ya Selous.
Getting There
Nyerere is reached exclusively by charter flight approximately 45 minutes from Dar es Salaam or 1.5 hours from Kilimanjaro International Airport, landing on an airstrip near your camp. There is no scheduled airline service, and the road journey from Dar es Salaam is long and impractical, so every Nyerere itinerary is built around chartered light aircraft.
Plan Your Journey
Our team handles all logistics airport transfers, cross-border road trips, and charter flights. Reach out and we'll design the smoothest route to suit your itinerary.
ENQUIRE NOWWhere to Stay
LuxuryRoho ya Selous
Eight tented suites on a private concession within the park boat safaris, game drives, walking, and a guiding team with decades of Selous experience.
LuxurySand
Rivers Selous a Nomad Tanzania icon perched above the Rufiji rapids, one of the original luxury camps in the reserve.
LuxuryBeho
Beho a historic, intimate camp with its own private concession and decades of southern Tanzania guiding heritage.
Practical Information & Travel Tips
- Recommended Stay
- Three nights minimum one for the boat safari, one for a full game drive and walking safari, and one simply to appreciate the scale. Four nights is even better.
- Access
- Nyerere has no scheduled airline service all visitors arrive by charter flight, which we build into every itinerary.
- Malaria
- Southern Tanzania is a high malaria zone. Prophylaxis, repellent, and long clothing at dusk are essential.
- Combine With
- Nyerere pairs naturally with the Serengeti as a contrasting final leg wild, remote, and boat-based rather than vehicle-based.
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.