Nyerere National Park was gazetted in 2019 from the northern reaches of the Selous Game Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness that ranks among the oldest and largest protected areas in Africa. At nearly 31,000 square kilometres it is a landscape on a scale that is hard to grasp: open savannah, borassus palm stands, groundwater forest and, threading through all of it, the mighty Rufiji River. The Rufiji is what sets this park apart. It fans out into a maze of channels, sandbanks and lakes — Tagalala, Manze, Nzerakera — that support crocodiles and hippo in extraordinary density and turn the safari into something rare in East Africa: a boat safari, drifting past drinking elephant and thousands of waterbirds as the sun sinks over the water. On land the park holds big herds of elephant and buffalo, good numbers of lion and leopard, greater kudu and sable, and one of the continent's most important strongholds for the endangered African wild dog. Because access is by light aircraft and camps are few, the wilderness feels enormous and almost private. Walking safaris, fly-camping and river cruises combine here into a slower, wilder, more sensory kind of safari — the antidote to the busy north.
We put you on the water — because the Rufiji is where this wilderness reveals itself. Our river camps blend boat safaris, walking and drives so you meet the Selous from every angle, in a wilderness so vast you rarely see another soul.
At a glance, Nyerere National Park (Selous) spans 30,893 km², big herds & great predators, protected since 2019 — and the best time to be here is typically June – October.
Rufiji River Boat Safari
The park's defining experience — drifting the Rufiji's channels and lakes at water level, eye to eye with hippo, crocodiles basking on sandbanks and elephant coming down to drink. Waterbirds crowd the margins and the light on the river at dusk is unforgettable.
- Boat & skipper
- Expert guide
- Cold drinks
- Golden-hour timing
Why Go
- Cruise the Rufiji River on a boat safari — a signature found in few African parks
- Drift past hippo pods, crocodiles and drinking elephants at golden hour
- Explore one of Africa's largest wildernesses, carved from the historic Selous
- Look for endangered African wild dog in a vital breeding stronghold
- Walk the bush and fly-camp under the stars far from any road
- Fish or picnic on the palm-fringed lakes of the Rufiji system
What You'll See
Of the Big Five you can expect African Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Cape Buffalo here. Here is what the guiding team looks for on a typical few days in the bush.
African Elephant. Big herds along the river and across the palm country
Lion. Strong prides across the open savannah and lake margins
Leopard. In the riverine forest and denser woodland
Cape Buffalo. Very large herds throughout the wilderness
African Wild Dog. One of Africa's most important strongholds for the species
Hippopotamus. In exceptional density throughout the Rufiji lakes and channels
Nile Crocodile. Basking on every sandbank of the Rufiji system
Masai Giraffe. Browsing the acacia and borassus palm country
Safari Experiences
Rufiji River Boat Safari
2–3 hours · Boat Safari
The park's defining experience — drifting the Rufiji's channels and lakes at water level, eye to eye with hippo, crocodiles basking on sandbanks and elephant coming down to drink. Waterbirds crowd the margins and the light on the river at dusk is unforgettable.
Best for: Couples, Photography, First-time & repeat.
Big-Game Drive
3–5 hours · Game Drive
Across the open savannah and palm country, drives turn up big elephant and buffalo herds, lion prides, leopard in the woodland and — with luck — wild dog on the hunt. The scale of the park means every drive feels like an expedition.
Best for: Big cats, Photography, Wildlife.
Guided Walking Safari
2–4 hours · Walking
The Selous pioneered the walking safari in Tanzania, and the tradition lives on. With an armed ranger you leave the vehicle behind to track big game on foot and read the wilderness at its own pace.
Best for: Adventure, Active travellers, Small groups.
Sunset Boat Cruise
1.5 hours · Boat Safari
As the day cools, glide out onto a lake or river bend with a sundowner while fish eagles call and the sky burns above the borassus palms. The most romantic hour in the southern wilderness.
Best for: Couples, Honeymoon, Relaxation.
Rufiji Sunset Views & Photography
Golden hour · Photography
The Rufiji at sundown is one of the great photographic scenes in Africa — palms in silhouette, water aflame, elephants crossing the shallows. A drive or boat timed entirely for the light.
Best for: Photography, Couples, Scenery.
Lake Tagalala Exploration
Half day · Boat Safari
Explore the chain of Rufiji lakes, where hippo gather in huge numbers and the birdlife is spectacular. Some camps pair it with a visit to the nearby hot springs for a rare wilderness soak.
Best for: Nature lovers, Birders, Relaxation.
Where to Stay
We hand-pick every camp and lodge we use in Nyerere National Park (Selous). These are the addresses we return to, chosen for their guiding, their location and the way they make the wilderness feel like your own.
Sand Rivers Selous by Nomad ★★★★★
From $1150 per person per night. The pioneering luxury camp of the Selous, perched on the Rufiji with open-fronted suites and the full range of land and water safaris.
- Above the Rufiji River
- Open stone-and-thatch suites
- Pool & private-house option
- Boating, walking & drives
Nomad Tanzania flagship, widely acclaimed
Siwandu ★★★★★
From $900 per person per night. A classic, elegant camp set between the lakes, long regarded as one of the finest bases for Rufiji boat and walking safaris.
- Lakeside tented suites
- Boat & walking safaris
- Shaded palm setting
- Pool
Selous Safari Company
Roho ya Selous by Asilia ★★★★★
From $720 per person per night. A stylish, well-placed camp in the game-rich heart of the park, with easy access to both the lakes and the plains.
- Between Lakes Nzerakera & Manze
- Contemporary tents
- Central game location
- Boat, walk & drive
Asilia Africa
Beho Beho ★★★★★
From $1200 per person per night. A refined hilltop retreat of airy stone bandas catching the breeze above the plains — one of the great names of the Selous.
- Hillside stone bandas
- Cooled by natural breezes
- Historic wilderness setting
- Walking, boating & drives
Relais & Châteaux, iconic Selous property
When to Visit
Dry / Peak (Jun – Oct). Wildlife concentrates on the shrinking river and lakes; superb land and water safaris. Wildlife: peak game & boat safaris; weather 18–33°C, dry.
Late Dry (Oct – Nov). Hot and intense at the water before the short rains arrive. Wildlife: excellent viewing; weather 22–35°C, hot.
Green Season (Dec – Feb). Lush, dramatic and quiet, with fine birding and newborn game. Wildlife: good game & migrant birds; weather 20–32°C, warm.
Long Rains (Mar – May). Wettest months; many camps close and access is limited. Wildlife: lush, dispersed; weather 19–31°C, wet.
Getting There
Most guests fly in from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar — a short 45-minute to one-hour hop to an airstrip inside the park. A road transfer or the historic TAZARA railway from Dar is possible for the adventurous, but the flight is quick, scenic and the standard choice. It combines easily with Ruaha and the Zanzibar coast.
- Dar es Salaam: ~45 minutes by air (Fly-in)
- Zanzibar: ~1 hour by air (Fly-in)
- Ruaha: ~1 hour by air (Fly-in)
Combine It With
The finest journeys rarely stop at one destination. Here is how our specialists most often pair Nyerere National Park (Selous):
- Ruaha National Park — The classic southern-circuit partner — pair Selous river safaris with Ruaha's giant lion prides.
- Mozambique Bazaruto — A short flight to the Indian Ocean for a barefoot island finish after the bush.
- Serengeti Tanzania — Contrast the quiet south with the endless plains and Great Migration of the north.
- Masai Mara Kenya — Extend across the border for the Mara's big-cat action and river crossings.
Plan Your Journey
Every trip we craft to Nyerere National Park (Selous) is private and built around you — your dates, your pace and the wildlife you most want to see. Our specialists have travelled this ground themselves and design each itinerary by hand. Contact our team to begin planning, or explore our Nyerere National Park (Selous) destination guide for more detail.
