Nyerere National Park (Selous): Safari Guide
Nyerere National Park, the former northern Selous Game Reserve, is Tanzania's largest national park and about an hour's flight from Zanzibar. The Rufiji River and its lakes mean you can explore by boat as well as by vehicle, and on foot with an armed ranger.
Nyerere at a glance
| Size | About 30,893 km², created in 2019 from the northern Selous Game Reserve; the largest national park in Tanzania |
| From Zanzibar | About an hour by light aircraft, with daily scheduled flights |
| Best time | June to October, the dry season |
| Activities | Game drives, boat safaris and walking safaris with an armed ranger |
| Park fees | Included in our tours |
| Known for | The Rufiji River and its lakes, hippos, crocodiles and African wild dogs |
The Rufiji River
Tanzania's largest river runs through the park and feeds a chain of lakes and channels. That water is what makes Nyerere different from the northern parks: you can explore by boat as well as by vehicle, close to hippos, crocodiles and water birds, and on foot with an armed ranger. Upstream, at Stiegler's Gorge, Tanzania has built the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, a dam about 131 metres high that was formally inaugurated in August 2026.
Wildlife you can expect
- Hippos and crocodiles: common along the river and the lakes.
- Giraffes, impalas, buffalo and elephants: often seen on game drives.
- African wild dogs: Nyerere is one of the places in Africa where they still live; sightings are possible but never certain.
- Lions: seen sometimes.
- Birds: many water birds along the river and lakes.
Park fees
Park fees are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). The 2026 figures published by different sources disagree, so we do not list them here: they are included in the price of all our tours, and we confirm the current official figures when you book.
Getting there
- From Zanzibar: daily scheduled light aircraft to the airstrips in the park, about an hour. Luggage is usually limited to about 15 kg per person in a soft bag.
- From Dar es Salaam: scheduled flights too; the road is long and slow, so most visitors fly.
When to go
- June to October: the dry season, the best time for game drives and boat safaris.
- November to May: the rains. Many camps close in about April and May.
Practical tips
- Combine a game drive with a boat safari: they show you two different sides of the park.
- For a walking safari, bring closed shoes and neutral-coloured clothes.
- Boat trips depend on water levels and the weather.
Questions travellers ask
Is Nyerere the same as the Selous?
Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve, where most safaris took place. Many people still call it the Selous.
How do I get to Nyerere from Zanzibar?
By light aircraft: there are daily scheduled flights, and the trip takes about an hour. A day trip is possible, but staying a night gives you more time on the river.
What can I do in Nyerere?
Game drives, boat safaris on the Rufiji River and its lakes, and walking safaris with an armed ranger, depending on your camp and the season.
How much is the Nyerere park fee?
The fee is set by TANAPA and charged per person for every 24 hours. The 2026 figures published by different sources disagree, so we confirm the official figure when you book. Park fees are included in the price of our Nyerere tours.
When is the best time to visit Nyerere?
June to October, the dry season, when animals gather near the water. Many camps close in about April and May because of the rain.
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