Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Africa, spread along the banks of the Rufiji River in southern Tanzania. It sees a fraction of the visitor numbers of the northern circuit parks, so game drives and boat trips tend to feel private even during peak season.

What sets Nyerere apart is the river itself. Alongside standard game drives, most itineraries here include a boat safari along the Rufiji, drifting past hippo pods and large crocodiles at water level and reaching stretches of riverbank vehicles can't get close to. The park also holds some of Tanzania's largest elephant populations, along with wild dog, in a genuinely remote setting.

The best time to visit is June to October, during the dry season, when wildlife concentrates along the river and tracks are easier to drive. Nyerere is reached by a short flight or a longer drive from Dar es Salaam, and pairs naturally with neighboring Ruaha National Park for travelers building a southern-circuit safari away from the more visited Serengeti and Ngorongoro.