What You Need to Know: Nyerere National Park (the former Selous Game Reserve) is about a 45-minute flight or 4–5 hours by road from Dar es Salaam. It is known for boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris and African wild dogs. Our 2-day safari from Dar es Salaam costs from US$964 per person for 2 travelers at a mid-range camp, with park fees, a boat safari and game drives included.
Why Visit Nyerere?
Nyerere was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa's largest protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At about 30,000 km² it is Tanzania's largest national park, but most visitors see only the northern sector along the Rufiji River and its chain of lakes, where the game is concentrated.
The appeal is variety and quiet: a boat drifting past hippos, crocodiles and elephants drinking at the bank, a walk with a ranger to read tracks, and game drives with only a few other vehicles. It is one of the best parks in East Africa for African wild dogs.
Boat Safaris, Walks and Game Drives in Nyerere
| Activity | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Boat safari on the Rufiji | 2–3 hours in the afternoon, often ending at sunset, among hippos, crocodiles and water birds |
| Walking safari | A morning walk with an armed ranger, focused on tracks, plants and smaller animals |
| Game drives | Lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, wild dogs and many antelopes around the lakes |
| Fishing (some camps) | Tiger fish and catfish on the river, catch and release |
Boat safaris and walks are what make Nyerere different from the northern parks, so plan your days to include both.
Wildlife in Nyerere National Park
Nyerere holds big populations of elephants, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles, plus lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and wild dogs. Giraffes are common in the north; zebras, wildebeest (the Nyassa subspecies), impalas, greater kudus and sable antelopes are all seen. More than 400 bird species include African skimmers, fish eagles and carmine bee-eaters.
Nyerere Safari Prices
Our 2-day safari from Dar es Salaam includes hotel pickup, the road transfer, a night at a lodge or camp on the Rufiji River with full board, an afternoon boat safari, a game drive, park fees and drinking water. Prices are per person:
| Nyerere safari | Price from (per person, 2 travelers, mid-range) |
|---|---|
| 2-day safari from Dar es Salaam, by road | US$964 |
| 2-day fly-in safari | US$1,928, flights included |
| 3-day safari from Dar es Salaam, by road: boat safari, full-day game drive and a bushman walk | US$1,446 |
Solo travelers, larger groups and budget or luxury lodges are quoted on request.
Longer stays and trips from Zanzibar are quoted for your dates; the 7-day southern circuit combines Nyerere with Mikumi and Ruaha from US$3,374 per person.
Where to Stay in Nyerere
We use lodges and camps on the Rufiji River, at three levels: Selous River View Lodge (budget), Selous River Camp (mid-range) and Selous River Lodge (higher end), or similar. Your quotation names the lodge for your dates. Inside the park, luxury tented camps on the lakes cost more but put you in the heart of the game area.
How to Get to Nyerere
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | By road | 4–5 hours |
| Dar es Salaam | Light aircraft | About 45 minutes |
| Zanzibar | Light aircraft | About 1 hour |
| Mikumi | By road | 4–5 hours |
| Ruaha | Light aircraft | About 1.5 hours |
We book flights with Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, ZanAir and Rainbow Air Charter. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of about 15–20 kg.
Nyerere Park Fees
Nyerere is run by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). The conservation fee is higher than in most southern parks; we confirm the current rate in your quotation and include it in the price. Boat safaris and walks have their own small activity fees, also included in our packages.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Nyerere?
June to October is the dry season and the best time: animals gather at the river and lakes and the bush thins out. January and February are hot, with short dry spells. Many camps close from about April to May, during the long rains.
How Many Days Do You Need in Nyerere?
Two days gives you one boat safari and one game drive; three or four nights let you add a walk and explore the lakes, as on our 3-day Nyerere safari from Dar es Salaam. After the safari, Mafia Island is about 30 minutes away by charter flight for our 4-day whale shark holiday. Nyerere combines well with Mikumi, Ruaha and a beach stay on Zanzibar.
How We Run a Nyerere Safari
We run our southern and western safaris ourselves, with our own team, and book the light-aircraft flights for you. Jaynevy Tours is a licensed Tanzanian tour operator (TALA licence 014271), based in Moshi.
A 30% deposit confirms your safari and the balance is paid on arrival. Refunds: 100% if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, 90% at 30–59 days, 60% at 15–29 days, 25% at 10–14 days, and nothing under 10 days.
Combining Nyerere with Other Trips
- Mikumi for open plains
- Ruaha for predators
- Zanzibar for the beach, about an hour by air
- Mafia Island for the marine park, as on our 11-day Zanzibar, Nyerere and Mafia honeymoon
Common Questions About Nyerere
Is Nyerere the same as the Selous?
Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, where almost all safaris take place. Many people still call it the Selous.
How much is a Nyerere safari?
Our 2-day safari from Dar es Salaam starts from US$964 per person for 2 travelers at a mid-range camp, or US$1,928 as a fly-in safari with flights.
Can I do a boat safari in Nyerere?
Yes, it is the highlight: an afternoon on the Rufiji River among hippos, crocodiles and birds, usually ending at sunset.
Can I visit Nyerere from Zanzibar?
Yes, by light aircraft in about an hour, which makes Nyerere the closest big park to Zanzibar.
Are there wild dogs in Nyerere?
Yes, it holds one of Africa's largest populations, though sightings depend on where the packs are denning.
The Bottom Line
Nyerere is the south's most varied safari: boats, walks and game drives in a vast, quiet wilderness. Come between June and October, for at least two nights.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and the parks you are interested in through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation.