Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park  : The huge Nyerere National Park, at 30,893 square kilometers, is Africa’s largest stand-alone national park and one of the world’s largest. The park was created from the Selous Game Reserve, a vast wilderness area and safari destination in southern Tanzania, and is located around 230 kilometers by road from Dar es Salaam city to Mtemere Gate. With the Tanzanian government and TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority) establishing this park in late 2019, it is believed that it will be expanded and managed more professionally for a better tourism experience.

Nyerere Park is home to the world’s highest concentration of wild animals and a diverse and prolific wildlife collection. Because this park is new and mainly undiscovered by tourists, the animals are less likely to be exposed to humans. Big cats like the Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah, as well as elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, elands, zebras, wildebeests, and other wildlife, can be found in large numbers here.

Getting There

The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours by car from Dar es Salaam. Tourists are more likely to fly to Nyerere National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. The flight from Dar es Salaam takes around 45 minutes, and the plane lands at a number of airstrips across the park. Direct flights from Zanzibar to Nyerere are also available, though some connections may be non-direct with brief stops in Dar es Salaam.

Perfect time to visit

The optimum time to visit Nyerere National Park is from mid-June to mid-October. This is the normal dry season, which means the vegetation is thinner and the animals are easier to identify, with many of them being found around the park’s different drinking holes or along the river’s edge. The months of October through May are wetter, resulting in thicker, lusher green foliage, while the days can be hot and humid.

Nyerere National Park Safari

In the park during your safari tour, expect to see wild dogs, antelope herds, elephants, lions, and impalas, all of which keep their distance from your safari car. The vast plains of Nyerere National Park are adorned with golden grass, savannah woods, riverine marshes, and lakes. The park is cut through by the River Rufiji, Tanzania’s longest river, which flows into the Indian Ocean. River Rufiji adds to the park’s charm and is a must-see for honeymoon holidays and other kind of safari travelers in Tanzania. The Rufiji River is Tanzania’s most crocodile-infested inland watercourse. Buffaloes, elephants, Thomson gazelles, and giraffes can all be found feeding in the same area.

Attractions in Nyerere National Park

Elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, hippos, leopards, wild dogs, zebras, gorgeous sable antelopes, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeest, gazelles, and many other animals can be found in Nyerere National Park. Over 400 bird species have been recorded in the park, including the African fish eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, African skimmer, and Bohm’s Bee-eater. Savannah grasslands and Miombo woodlands abound throughout the park.

Other tourist attractions in the park includes the physical features such as the Rufiji River, its lakes, the vegetation etc.

Things to do/ tourist activities in nyerere

In Nyerere National Park, visitors can participate in a variety of thrilling activities. The River Boat Safari, which involves observing animals from the comfort of a boat on parts of the Rufiji River while exploring channels, lagoons, and swamps, has to be the most fascinating of all. This unique pastime is very popular, and it’s a great way to see the park.

Visiting a traditional village is another interesting experience. The village visit provides guests with an eye-opening cultural experience into the special and unique way of life of the people who live in the park’s immediate vicinity. Nature treks, sundowners, and romantic bush lunches are among the numerous activities available to park visitors.

Boat safari

Beautiful boat safaris on the reserve’s many canals and lakes are available in Nyerere National Park. There’s a considerable possibility you’ll encounter hippos, crocodiles, and possibly other species on your boat safari experience in this park. There are also several birds to be seen (around 40 different species).

A boat safari lasts approximately two hours and can be done either in the morning or afternoon. The light is magnificent in the morning (unless it is gloomy), but because the temperatures are higher in the afternoon, there is a better chance of spotting crocodiles. A popular option is a morning stroll at 6.30 a.m. followed by a boat safari at 10 a.m. The advantage of an afternoon boat safari is that you can sail at sunset.

Game drives

Nyerere National Park offers excellent game viewing all year. A game drive can be done in the morning or afternoon, and you can enjoy the lovely surroundings while watching the various animal species roam the park and around water sources such as the Rufiji River. Giraffes, zebras, and cape buffaloes, as well as avian species such as the African fish eagle, may be seen.

Walking safaris

Take great photos of the scenery, bird species, and animals as you walk around the park’s paths and get up close and personal with Mother Nature. This is done with the assistance of a skilled armed game ranger to ensure your safety.

Cultural visit

Get a chance to meet the Masaai people, who live in most of Tanzania’s national parks. As you connect with the Masaai people during your tour, you will develop an understanding of their distinct customs and way of life.

Nyerere National Park Accommodation/ where to stay

Serena Mivumo River Lodge, Selous Serena Camp, Mbuyu Safari Camp, Beho Beho Camp, Stiegler’s Gorge Camp, Rufiji River Camp, and Sand Rivers are among the Nyerere National Park’s lodging options to stay in during your safari tour. The sheer amount of wildlife in Nyerere National Park is incredible. You must include this location on your Tanzania Safari Tours itinerary to take advantage of the park’s adventures and activities.

Nyerere national park top tips/ safari highlights

• The best place to watch games in the park is the Siwandu region. This location, which includes Lake Manze Camp and Siwandu Camp, is ideal for game drives.
• Without Ruaha, Nyerere is nothing! Combining these two parks for a southern Tanzania safari is common; it’s a fantastic safari. Selous is gorgeous and charming, but there aren’t many cats there. Ruaha is known for its cats and is one of Africa’s most predator-rich parks.
• If you want to explore two regions of the Nyerere in one trip, we recommend visiting the area near Siwandu.