Nyerere National Park
Formerly called the Selous Game Reserve
OVERVIEW
Located in southern Tanzania and covering an area of 50,000 square kilometres, Nyerere National Park is several times the size of the Serengeti. As a result, it's not uncommon to go days without seeing another traveller. Wonderfully wild and atmospheric, Nyerere National Park is a game-rich riverine wilderness of savannah, forest and lakes. At the heart of the reserve, Tanzania's largest river, the Rufiji, forms a complex network of channels - these are the life source for the park, which hosts fantastic game, including buffalo, hippo, crocodile, elephant, wild dog and prides of lions. Given its size, it is impossible to count the exact wildlife numbers.
WILDLIFE
Game viewing is best during the dry season from July through to October. Huge numbers of herbivores gather around the park's water sources, and the predators follow. The bush is dry and thin thus spotting game is easier. Nyerere National Park is home to some of the most significant herd densities in Tanzania; approximately 40,000 hippos, 120,000-150,000 buffalo, 100,000 wildebeests, and 35,000 zebra roam the savannah, stalked by a diversity of predators. Lion are prevalent here; other carnivores include leopard, cheetah, hyena and thriving packs of wild dog. The endangered black rhino can be found here; however, sightings are rare due to their shy nature and the sheer size of this unspoilt reserve. Other mammals include hippo, giraffe, sable antelope, hartebeest, greater kudu, eland, impala, waterbuck, bushbuck, and some of the largest elephant species in Africa. Nyerere National Park is a bird enthusiast paradise; a boating safari is the best way to discover some of the 440 species that inhabit the park's lakes and waterways.
ACTIVITIES
Nyerere National Park has the best selection of safari activities of all Tanzania's National Parks. You can walk, boat and fly camp here - the boating safaris being the stand-out attraction.
GETTING THERE
Nyerere National Park is untouched African wilderness yet easily accessible from Dar es Salaam airport.
Tanzania National Parks
