Nyerere National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park and one of the newest, formed from the northern part of the former Selous Game Reserve. Covering over 30,000 square kilometers, it offers a truly wild and remote safari experience. Located in southeastern Tanzania, the park is characterized by diverse ecosystems including rivers, lakes, woodlands, and savannahs. The mighty Rufiji River flows through the park, supporting rich wildlife and offering boat safari experiences that are rare in other parts of Africa.
This park belongs to the Southern Safari Circuit, which is known for its off-the-beaten-path adventures, fewer crowds, and vast, untouched wilderness. Unlike the more frequented Northern Circuit, the Southern Circuit offers a more exclusive and authentic safari, ideal for seasoned travelers or those seeking solitude and pristine nature. Nyerere National Park forms the core of this circuit, often paired with other southern parks like Ruaha, Mikumi, and Udzungwa Mountains.
Wildlife in Nyerere is abundant and includes large populations of elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hippos, and crocodiles. The park is also a bird lover’s paradise, with over 440 recorded bird species. Its unique boat safaris along the Rufiji River provide a different perspective on game viewing, allowing visitors to spot animals as they come to drink and observe aquatic life up close. For those seeking a remote yet rewarding safari, Nyerere National Park is the crown jewel of the Southern Circuit.
