Nyerere National Park ('The Selous')

Nyerere National Park ('The Selous') Safari Trips & Tours

Nyerere National Park ('The Selous')

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Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Feefo

4.9/5 (1007 reviews)

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Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024
A lush and watery wonderland with some of the best boating safaris on the continent.
The largest reserve in Africa, the Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) is a tangled wilderness of volcanic springs and vast gorges; of open savannah and wooded escarpments; of bleached-sand riverbeds and the mighty Rufiji River. With such diversity, the landscape is home to an extraordinary number of mammals, including buffalo, zebra, elephant and an impressive giraffe population. And with lots of food around, predators are also well represented, including the infamous Selous lion with their unique pattern of day-time hunting. With boat trips, walking safaris and night drives all on offer, this is a hidden gem that is well worth discovering.
Things to do

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.

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Best time to visit Nyerere National Park

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january

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

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Based on 200 Feefo Reviews for Tanzania

An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel
Matt
An Incredible Safari Experience Thanks to Timbuktu Travel
October 2026
11 nights in Kenya and Tanzania
We recently returned from an incredible safari through Kenya and Tanzania, and we couldn't be happier with our experience working with Timbuktu Travel. Joanna and her team were wonderful from start to finish. They listened to what we wanted from our safari and designed an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. They helped us prepare for every aspect of the trip, answered our questions along the way, and made sure everything ran seamlessly once we arrived in Africa. From the accommodations and guides to the transfers and overall coordination, everything was exceptionally well organized. We were also celebrating a milestone anniversary, and Joanna and her team went above and beyond to make it special. They arranged anniversary surprises at every stop, including cakes, traditional celebration songs, and even a private dinner. These thoughtful touches made an already amazing trip even more memorable. We also want to recognize Joachim, our private guide for the final four days of our safari. He was friendly, patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and an absolute pleasure to spend time with. He made the final part of our journey particularly enjoyable. The entire experience exceeded our expectations. We saw incredible wildlife, stayed at wonderful camps, and never had to worry about the logistics. Timbuktu took care of everything, allowing us to simply enjoy the adventure. We can't thank Joanna, Joachim, and the entire Timbuktu team enough for creating such an unforgettable experience. We would highly recommend Timbuktu Travel to anyone planning an African safari.

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