Nyerere National Park
- Rate : $2220 to $2220
- Best time : June to October
- High season : June to October
Overview
It is now the largest National Park in Africa, Nyerere National Park formerly Matambwe, is a newly established Park that is bordering on what is known as the great Selous Game Reserve. The park’s name is given in honor of the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the nation’s founder. The park was established in the year 2019.
Why visit Nyerere National Park;
A wildlife paradise;
Nyerere national park is characterized by its woodlands and the meandering great Rufiji River forming a number of streams and channels. No open savannahs here as the area is dominated by Miombo woodland but you will love traveling across the narrow, marshy, and bumpy tracks that lead you to pods of hippos, a hundred flowering trees, and concentrations of crocodiles, elephants, antelopes, wild dogs, and lions.
Nyerere national park hosts over 400 species of multi-colored birds and mammals and insects as you move through tall dense bushes, palms, and furtive paths.
The mighty Rufiji River;
This is the longest and largest river in Tanzania. Formed by the union of the Kilombero and the Luwegu rivers, it flows for about 175 mi northeast and east to enter the Indian Ocean opposite Mafia island. River Rufiji is famous for hosting a large population of hippos and large crocodiles in Africa.
Best Time to Visit Nyerere National Park;
The best time to visit Nyerere National Park is June to October which also ranks as the high season. Wildlife is much easier to watch during the dry season when the animals gather at water points as well as the presence of thinner vegetation.
Also, from June to October most of Tanzania’s visitors are aiming for the Northern safari circuit and this makes the Southern circuit to be less crowded. Visiting Nyerere national park at this time will give you the best African experience ever.
Things to Do at Nyerere National Parks;
Walking Safari;
Walking Safari will give you a close feel for the African wilderness areas. It normally starts early in the morning, with the guidance of a professional and armed ranger. The activity will take 2 hours before you meet the driver at the reserve gate. Walking safari offers a good chance of experiencing African wild animals such as giraffes, zebra, and elephants and good birding even close.
Game Drive;
Nyerere national park is famous for hosting large groups of mammals and birds. Mammal species commonly seen in the area are lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, bush-bucks, impalas, elands, baboons, zebras, and greater kudus. This makes it the best spot for the game drive.
Boat Safari;
This is one of the best activities to explore Nyerere National park in a unique way. It is performed on the Almighty Rufiji River which connects to the Indian Ocean. The boat safari will bring you close to the hippos and crocodiles which are in good numbers in Nyerere. Also, over 350 bird species have been recorded in the area and this will give you a good bird-watching experience.
Cultural Tour;
The cultural tour is performed in the village where your camp will be located. The tour will start from the camp, into the village. The guide will show you the mud huts and request one of the villagers to permit you to view the hut from inside.
Getting to Nyerere National Park;
Most safaris to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous GR) are fly-in packages from Dar es Salaam. Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) just outside Dar es Salaam is the main international airport and entry to the country. We will pick you up and handle all further arrangements.
Nyerere NP is often visited as a safari extension to a beach holiday on Zanzibar Island, or one of the beaches around Dar es Salaam. To accommodate this, there are daily scheduled flights from either departure point to Nyerere and Ruaha. Flights from Arusha town, the base for the northern safari circuit, are also available.
Another option is to drive to Nyerere NP from Dar es Salaam on a road safari, but the trip is bumpy and uncomfortable and will take a full day. Time permitting, there is the option of a stopover at Mikumi National Park to break up the trip.
Experience Tanzania Safaris
- 5-Day Experience Luxury Tanzania Wildlife Safari
- Northern, Tanzania
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
