NYERERE NATIONAL PARK

The Nyerere National Park was formerly called “Selous Game Reserve. The park gained the “National Park status in 2019. This is Africa’s Largest National Park. The Park has a size of about 30,893 km2 that hosts the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife. The collection of wildlife both in diversity and abundance is just remarkable. Nyerere National Park is located in south eastern Tanzania. It bordered Mikumi National Park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the west. Visitors to this vast sanctuary will be able to see huge volumes of wildlife both rare and common species. The park hosts the famous ‘’Big Five’’ and some rare species of antelopes like Roan Antelope, Brindled Gnu, Lichtenstein hartebeest, roan, sable antelopes and Kudu.

The Nyerere National Park is located in the northeastern part of the giant Selous Game Reserve that has been set aside for photographic safaris and other attractions.  Nyerere National Park is one of the most beautiful and game-rich areas in the ecosystem of Selous Game Reserve, spanning the Rufiji River basin in southeastern Tanzania. Nyerere National Park is perhaps one of the most unspoiled wildernesses still remaining in Africa. The park has a wide assortment of wildlife habitats, including open grasslands, wildlife, Miombo woodlands, swamps and riverine forests in the many tributaries of the enormous Rufiji River which flows through the National Park to the Indian Ocean.

Its wildlife is spectacular with some of the prime population of mammals and reptiles in Africa. The diversity of wild animals includes buffaloes, elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Nyerere National Park, together with the remaining part of Selous Game Reserve, is considered to be the last defensible of the African wild dog. Other common wildlife include the wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, eland, the greater kudu, sable antelopes, black rhino, waterbuck, impala, lion, leopard, the spotted hyena, cheetah, baboon, vervet and blue monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey which can be viewed in riverine forests. About 440 species of birds both resident and migratory have been experienced in the national park.

The Best time of your safaris at Nyerere National Park

The best time to visit Nyerere National Park is from June to October. During the long rains, between March and May, some parts of the park are momentarily closed for game drives due to poor accessibility. The Park experiences bimodal rainfall season and the short rains fall in November and December and are followed by a partial drying out in January and February. Thereafter, the long rains follow ending in early May.

The Park can be accessed by road and or air. By road, the park can be accessed from Dar es salaam to Nyerere National Park about 250km via Kibiti and by air, the park can be accessed by regular flights from Dar es salaam (JNIA), Kilimanjaro (KIA) and Arusha Airport by number of small airstrips fly direct to the Park.

The uniqueness of Nyerere National Park

The park offers a wide variety of game viewing opportunities that include the thrilling experience of a walking safari in the company of an armed park ranger. The many waterways in the park provide an excellent natural setting for boat safaris both for big game viewing and bird watching. This is additional to the game drives in specially designed safari vehicles which, combined with boat and walking safaris, offer an exciting and rich game viewing journey unique to Nyerere National Park.

Nyerere National Park has numerous attractions that visitors to the park will enjoy. Some of the best attractions in the Park include seeing the Big Five, huge concentrations of elephants and Hippos, The Rufiji River full of abundant wildlife, biggest population of African wild dogs and others more.  The Park is also endowed with beautiful and scenic landscapes that add to the attractiveness of this majestic place. The following are some of the park attractions.

The Rufiji River,Myriad oxbows, delta and Lakes

The Rufiji river is East Africa’s largest river flowing out through the northern part of the Park. This river is slow moving and widens as it moves out of the park. The park has created a number of oxbow lakes in its northern flood plains, and they create a beautiful landscape of plains and woodlands interspersed with expanses of water.  The mighty Rufiji River is a renowned population of hippo and crocodile flows to Indian Ocean. The river has been designated as a photographic zone and is popular for tourists.

Large Populations of African Wild dogs

In Nyerere National Park, the African Hunting Dogs are thriving unlike most of those elsewhere on the continent. In fact, the park has the last true stronghold for African hunting dogs in Africa. While this species is highly endangered and seen in a few areas, Nyerere National Park gives visitors a chance to see them.

Highest Concentration of Hippos and Crocodile

Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park is home of plenty of hippos and Nile crocodiles.

Diverse birdlife

In Nyerere National Park, bird life is diverse and abundant. More than 440 species of birds have been recorded.  These species are found in sandbanks, oxbow lakes and channels as their home. The rare species white backed heron live in the wooded section of the riverbank.

Continent Largest Population of Elephants

The largest concentration of elephants on the continent has been known for taking home in this park.

Rare Species of Antelopes

Apart from being very famous for elephants, rhinos and hippopotamus, Nyerere National Park has also a vast range of game including: brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelope, eland, greater kudu, waterbuck, hartebeest, zebras, giraffe, reedbuck, warthog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, hunting dog, and the largest populations of buffalo in Africa.

Tourism Activities in the Park

Nyerere National Park has some of the activities that give visitors opportunities to enjoy its beauty. The Park will give opportunities to do walking safaris, Game Viewing by vehicles as well as Unforgettable boat trips along the mighty Rufiji.

Boating

Watching wildlife from the water is a beautiful and different way of game viewing. Crocodiles and hippos abound and elephants, waterbuck and buffalo spend a lot of time near the water, but a mass of other game including birds will be seen.

Game Drives

Game driving along the numerous small tracks is a popular way of enjoying the wildlife.

Walking safaris and fly camping

Guided walking safaris with overnight stays in light weight fly camps are popular.

Bush meals

Nyerere National Park facilities and the beautiful wilderness give excellent opportunities to enjoy meals in the bush.

Accommodations

Every type and quality of accommodation is available from light weight fly camps to high end lodges.

KARIBU TANZANIA – KARIBU NYERERE NATIONAL PARK