Travel and Leaisure Worlds Best Awards for number 1 tour operator in the world 2024 and number 2 tour operator in the world 2025
We're one of the World's Best Tour Operators!
Voted No.1 in 2024 and No.2 in 2025 by Travel+Leisure
Experiences

What to do in Nyerere National Park

‘The Selous’ or as it’s now known, Nyerere National Park, is the largest reserve in Africa, encompassing terrain that varies from volcanic springs and gaping gorges to open savannah and woodlands. Winding like a shimmering snake through this wild scene is the Rufiji River, making Nyerere Tanzania’s stellar boating safari destination. Look out for boulder-like hippos and lurking crocodiles as you idle by, while the banks attract hordes of elephant, giraffe, buffalo and zebra, followed keenly by Selous lions who are famous for their day-time hunts. You’ll also have the chance to see the park’s impressive cast of animals on game drives (including night excursions) and walking safaris. The most coveted experience is seeing a pack of African painted dogs scampering across the landscape and, if you plan a visit between May and June, watch pups playing just outside their den.

Track Nyerere's wildlife on a game drive

The vast Selous Game Reserve is one of Africa’s largest wilderness areas, and the perfect habitat for the infamous and energetic wild dogs. Even better, time a safari to see the dogs with their puppies at a den site from May to June, where the puppies come out in the mornings and evening to play and feed, providing amazing photographic opportunities. In the drier months between may and October, antelope and other prey species tend to concentrate around the water sources, making this a great time to see other predators, such as lion and leopard, too.

Spot wildlife on a Nyerere National Park walk

The Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and indeed the world. The reserve is named after the famous hunter and military scout who was killed here by a German sniper’s bullet during WW I. Kenyan conservationist Richard Bonham made walking safaris here the gold standard, exploring the place in the 1980s with the most intrepid of clients. Walking in the Selous has always been about a state of mind and not body or the distance covered; it is an opportunity to exercise the senses, to unload the burden of modern contraptions and the yoke of occupational stress.

Take a boat cruise down the Rufiji River

The Rufiji river is the life force of the Selous and it winds its way through valleys and across the floodplains, giving life to the otherwise dry but beautiful Selous wilderness. A boat cruise along the river allows you a ground level perspective of wallowing hippos, cruising crocodiles and a myriad of birds and wildlife as they wander down to the river bank to drink. On your afternoon cruise, make sure to pack a coolbox and then park off on a sand bank to watch the sun set. Perfect!
Where To Go
Pin Icon

Namibrand, Namibia