Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is the largest national park in Africa, covering an area of 30,893 square kilometers. Located in South-Eastern Tanzania, the park boasts a diverse collection of wildlife, including big cats, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, and many others. The park is relatively less frequented by tourists, which means that the animals here tend to be less exposed to humans.

The park has many small game viewing tracks that make it easier to get reasonably close to the animals. The Rufiji River flows through the northern part of the park, creating several oxbow lakes in its northern flood plains. The hinterland away from the river is characterized by extensive savannahs and woodlands, with occasional baobabs, and large stands of Terminalia trees. The park has a rich history and sense of mystique that adds to its attractions. It was named after Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania, who was a devoted conservationist.

How to get to Nyerere National Park

If you’re planning to visit Nyerere National Park in Tanzania, there are three ways to get there: air, rail, and road transport. Flying is the most expensive option, but it’s the easiest way to get to the park. Flights to Nyerere are available from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha. Taking the train is the least expensive option and offers the most scenic route. You’ll pass through rural villages and mountains before arriving at the Matabwe stop, from where it’s a short drive to the park. Driving is the most common way to get to Nyerere, and it takes between 4 to 8 hours, depending on your itinerary. Although it takes some time, it’s worth it to see the sights and arrive at the park.

Things to do while in Nyerere National Park

Once you’re in the park, there are several activities you can do. Game drives are best done during the dry season, which runs from June to October. This is when most animals can be seen at different waterholes as they try to beat the heat and find food. Some of the animals you can see include wild dogs, buffalos, hippos, lions, giraffes, baboons, zebras, rhinos, elands, impalas, elephants, and baboons, among others. Since the park gets few visitors, the animals tend to hide from tourists, but with patience, you can see them in their natural habitat. The best time for a game drive is in the morning before 11:00 am or in the afternoon around 3:00 pm when animals are not shielding themselves from the heat.

If you’re a bird enthusiast, Nyerere is one of the best birding destinations in Tanzania. The best time to go birding is between November and April during the wet season when migratory birds fly into the country. Some of the bird species you can see include the yellow-bellied bulbul, mangrove kingfisher, black cuckoo-shrike, palm-nut vulture, red-throated twin-spot, red-winged warbler, African skimmer, spotted flanked barbet, and the grey hooded kingfisher, among others.

A walking safari through Nyerere might not get you to all the corners of the Reserve, but it’s a great way to explore some of the best places. A walking safari in Nyerere comes with an armed ranger who ensures your safety from wild animals. The walk is organized in a more tame area that doesn’t have predator animals. Some of the animals you may see during the walk include zebras and elephants. Make sure you follow all the guidelines given to you by the guide during your walk.

A cultural tour to Mwaseni is one of the activities you can engage in while on a safari to Nyerere. With the help of a tour guide, you get to spend the whole day with the locals engaging in their day-to-day activities.

If you love photography, a photo safari is one of the best activities you can engage in while in Nyerere. You can take photos of the animals and birds that live within the park and the surrounding scenery all year round.

A boat safari is one of the best ways to explore the game reserve. You’ll take a boat ride along the River Rufiji, where you’ll see aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles, as well as a large flock of birds. Don’t miss out on the experience of a boat ride in Nyerere.