Nyerere (Selous)
Nyerere National Park, the former Selous: boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris and elephants, reached by flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.
The Rufiji and a wilder southern reserve
Nyerere National Park — still widely known as Selous — is boat-safari country on the Rufiji, with fly-camp energy and a wilder southern circuit than the north. Hippo, crocodile, and kingfishers from the water, then woodland and lakes on game drives. It pairs naturally with Ruaha on an eight-day south itinerary.
Highlights
- Rufiji boat safari — A different pace from a 4x4 day — river, hippo, and birds. Wilder roads — Fewer vehicles than the classic northern parks. Pairs with Ruaha — Fly or drive between the two southern heavyweights.
Wildlife
- Predators: lion, leopard, hyena, and over 50% of remaining African wild dog. River: hippo, crocodile, elephant, buffalo. Woodland and lakes: giraffe, eland, sable, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hartebeest, baboon, colobus, vervet. Birds: 440–450+ species; outstanding in the green months.
Things to do
- Boat safari — On the Rufiji and lakes — the signature Nyerere day. Game drives — Open-sided vehicles through lakes and woodland; a different feel from closed northern Cruisers. Walking — Guided walks from selected camps; among the strongest in Tanzania. Fly-camping — Walking days and a night under the stars — adventurous, not for everyone.
Best time to visit
- July–October — Greatest overall concentrations; boat days are reliable. Later dry season is stronger still. January–February — World-class birding; game more scattered — camp location matters more than in the dry. Other months — Resident game remains in river and lake systems. Some camps are seasonal.