Nyerere National Park was established in November 2019, when the legendary Selous Game Reserve was subdivided. As the largest National Park in Africa, Nyerere National Park covers an immense area of over 30,000 square kilometers, roughly 230 kilometers by road from Dar es Salaam. 

The surrounding game reserve is still called Selous, named after the renowned hunter, explorer, writer and soldier Frederick Courtney Selous, who was killed during the First World War inside the reserve and was buried near to the spot where he fell (marked by a grave to this day).

The Nyerere National Park is the biggest national park in Africa, covering a total area of 30,893 km2 (almost 12,000 sq. miles), 3.2% of Tanzania’s land surface. A large area of the reserve is drained by the Rufiji River.

There are over 2,000 species of plants, over 430 species of birds, and 60 species of mammals.
In 1982 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature. It’s a unique environment rich in water, channels and lakes. Abundant with wildlife and little visited by tourist, compared to northern parks. You can enjoy a variety of activities thanks to the lakes and the Rufiji River.

The Nyerere National Park togethere with the Selous Game reserve is also the biggest stronghold for wild dogs in Africa and surely one of the places where you would have more chances to spot them!

Relatively undisturbed by humans, the park’s diverse vegetation includes patches of savannah, riverine forest, and swamp that impose on the predominant miombo woodland. In turn, this diverse habitat accommodates a wide range of fauna and flora. Off-roading is permitted, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the areas residents. 

A popular pastime at Nyerere is extended treks through the bush with overnight options at fly-camps available along the way. Visitors will wake in the morning to decipher the animal tracks near their tents and speculate about who wandered nearby during the night. Other more permanent accommodation options are available throughout the park, offering game drives and water safaris along the Rufiji River. Nyerere National Park is the perfect add-on to a Zanzibar trip with flights departing from the island and Dar es Salaam and landing in the park.