Nyerere National Park Holidays

Explore Nyerere National Park, a colossal slice of African wilderness where river boat safaris on the Rufiji River rule and yours may be the only 4×4 in sight. Four times the size of the Serengeti yet rarely visited by tourists, Nyerere (formerly known as Selous) is an unspoilt wonder of UNESCO-listed terrain, from miombo forests to horizon-stretching plains, hot springs and swampy wetlands. To visit Nyerere is to discover the safari of years gone by, where animals wander undisturbed over five million hectares. This is a land where huge herds of grazing herbivores rove and big cats hunt; it’s also one of the very last refuges for endangered African hunting dogs.

The Rufiji River, Tanzania’s largest, takes centre stage in Nyerere, creating a network of streams, swamps and lakes ripe for exploring. Board a riverboat to navigate this watery paradise where baboons and birds rustle in the riverine forests filled with borassus palms. You’ll pass buffalos, giraffes and elephants lapping at the water’s edge while keeping a careful eye out for Nile crocodiles and cantankerous hippos. Isolated river lodges offer views of this delicate eco-system, where you can enjoy sandbank sundowners and star-filled skies. Lacking the restrictions of other Tanzanian parks, Nyerere also offers the opportunity for exhilarating night drives and Maasai walking safaris through the untamed bush.

Get to grips with one of Tanzania’s wildest national parks with help from our Tanzania experts, who have the inside scoop on the best Nyerere riverside lodges and wildlife experiences.