Nyerere National Park is larger in area than Switzerland and four times larger than the Serengeti, making it the largest protected wildlife area in Africa.
There are still places where it can be expected that people have never been there. Only part of the park is accessible. The reserve is named after the British explorer, conservationist and hunter Frederick Courteney Selous.
Nyerere National Park is an unspoilt, magical reserve with a very diverse landscape. Lakes, the Rufiji and Ruaha rivers, rock formations, savannahs, forests and hot water springs (Maji Moto) are part of it. The northern sector and most touristy part of Selous was declared Nyerere National Park in 2019. The name Nyerere National Park honors former president Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania.
Lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, antelopes, various monkey species and more than 440 different species of birds live in the park. Hippos and crocodiles live in the rivers and lakes. You can go on various types of safaris in Nyerere National Park. Whether it is a walking safari, boat safari or a regular game drive. The expedition across the river is highly recommended.
In Nyerere you can go for a camping safari, lodge safari and fly-in safaris. Fly camping is also an option where you go out with a guide for a few days and spend the night under the beautiful starry sky and in small tents. A true adventure and a feeling of participating in an expedition. Back at your lodge or tented camp by the river, you can enjoy the peace and quiet on the veranda and the sunset and reminisce about all your experiences.
Distances
The parks in southern Tanzania are more difficult to reach by road than in northern Tanzania. Travel distances are longer and more tiring. Therefore, in most cases it is worth considering covering the distances by transfer flight. This saves a lot of time and, depending on the time of the flight, there is still enough time left at the place of departure and arrival to participate in an activity that day. For road transfers it is not possible to drive directly between Ruaha and Selous. The route must then go via Mikumi.
Duration of transfer by road
Selous – Mikumi: 9 hours or more depending on circumstances (but on an adventurous route with a lot to see.)
Dar es Salaam – Selous: 5 hours or more depending on circumstances
Duration of transfer by flight
Dar es salaam – Selous: 45 minutes
Mikumi – Selous: 30 minutes
Ruaha – Selous: 80 minutes
Visit Selous Game Reserve with Jolita Safari.
