Rufiji and Nyerere: Tanzania’s river safari

The park

Nyerere National Park was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve. It is one of the largest national parks in Africa. The Rufiji River runs through it, spreading into a system of lakes, channels and sandbanks that shapes the whole safari.

Most visitors see only the northern section, where the camps are. Even so, it feels very different from the northern circuit: fewer vehicles, fewer lodges and a landscape of palms, lakes and riverine forest.

What makes it different

• Boat safaris. Afternoon trips on the Rufiji and its lakes bring you close to hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants coming down to drink, and fish eagles, kingfishers and carmine bee-eaters on the banks.
• Walking safaris. Guided walks with an armed ranger are part of most stays, focusing on tracks, plants and the smaller life you miss from a vehicle.
• Game drives. Lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and large herds of impala. Nyerere is also one of the best places in Africa to see African wild dogs.
• Night drives, where the camp holds the permit.

When to go

The dry season, June to October, is best. The bush thins, animals gather at the river and lakes, and the roads are good. Many camps close in April and May when the long rains make the area hard to reach. November to March is green and hot, with good birding and fewer visitors.

How it fits a trip

Nyerere is close to the coast, which makes it easy to combine with Zanzibar. A common pattern is three or four nights in Nyerere, a short flight to Zanzibar, and a week on the beach. Travellers on a longer trip add Ruaha for a second, drier southern park.