Nyerere National Park — Tanzania's Vast River Wilderness
Nyerere National Park — created from the northern reaches of the legendary Selous Game Reserve — is one of the largest protected areas in Africa, covering more than 30,000 square kilometres of pristine wilderness in southern Tanzania. A UNESCO World Heritage landscape, it remains gloriously uncrowded, offering a wilder, more exclusive safari than the busy northern circuit.
At its heart winds the mighty Rufiji River, fanning out into a maze of lakes, channels and palm-fringed lagoons that draw extraordinary concentrations of wildlife. Nyerere is one of Tanzania's last strongholds for the African wild dog, and home to large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile, one of the continent's biggest lion populations, and more than 400 species of bird.
What sets Nyerere apart is its variety of safari experiences. Beyond classic game drives, the park is famous for boat safaris along the Rufiji — gliding past pods of hippo and basking crocodiles — and for guided walking safaris that reveal the smaller wonders of the bush on foot. It is the perfect southern counterpoint to a northern-Tanzania or Zanzibar itinerary.
Explore Vencha's handpicked Nyerere National Park lodges and camps to begin planning an exclusive, crowd-free southern-Tanzania safari.
Nyerere National Park rewards travellers year-round; the months our safari designers most often recommend are highlighted below. Share your dates and we'll fine-tune the timing for wildlife, weather and value.
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