Nyerere (formally known as Selous)

Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous Game Reserve) is a vast 30,000 square km swathe of untamed wilderness in Southern Tanzania, teeming with game.

Nyerere is an excellent destination for the safari connoisseur as well as first-timers who would like to explore the wilderness by boat and on foot as well as in vehicles.

The Great Rufiji River meanders through the reserve and a highlight of staying in Nyerere is a peaceful cruise around the oxbow lakes and drifting down the river along doum-palmed banks abundant with crocodiles, hippos and a wide variety of birdlife. Another highlight is the walking safaris, which teach you about the habitat and flora and fauna, giving you a fascinating and different dimension to your safari.

Game drives are abundant with animals and elephant and giraffe are commonly seen, as well as lion, kudu, sable and the rare wild-dog, for which Nyerere is famous. 

Did you know?

• Part of Tanzania’s Southern Circuit, the Nyerere is the perfect addition to trips taking in Ruaha and the beautiful Spice Islands.
• You can visit the grave of the great explorer Frederick Selous who was killed in combat in WW1 and who the reserve was originally named after.
• The Selous was gazetted as the Nyerere National Park in 2019 in honour of the Julius Mwalimu Nyerere who was Tanzania’s first president after independence.
• You can go fishing for catfish and tiger fish in the Rufiji.