Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is the largest national park in Africa, covering over 55,000 km² — an area four times the size of the Serengeti and larger than Switzerland. Located in southeastern Tanzania, it spans nearly 5% of the country’s total land area and stretches across multiple regions, offering diverse and dramatic landscapes, from hot volcanic springs and vast plains to networks of lakes and channels fed by the Rufiji and Great Ruaha Rivers.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Tanzania’s most pristine and historic wildlife sanctuaries, originally named after British explorer Frederick Selous, who died in the area during World War I. Despite its fame, the park remains an untouched gem of African wilderness, offering raw and authentic safari experiences.

Wildlife and Biodiversity
Nyerere National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts:

Elephants: Home to 70% of Tanzania’s elephant population (approx. 60,000).

Buffalo: Over 160,000 roam the park.

Hippos: Around 40,000 inhabit the river systems.

Lions: Approximately 5,000 across the reserve.

Wild Dogs: One of the few strongholds for these endangered predators.

Rare Species: Black rhino, Nyasaland gnu, Greater kudu, sable antelope, and eland.

Birds: Over 350 recorded species including the Bateleur eagle, African snipe, crested lark, kingfishers, and Southern Ground hornbill.

Reptiles: Crocodiles, snakes, and lizards add to the diversity.

Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit:

June to November – Best for game viewing during the dry season.

January to April – Ideal for bird watching; lush scenery during the rainy season.

Climate: Tropical, hot, and humid year-round.

Temperatures: 13°C to 40°C

Rainfall:

750 mm (east) to 1,250 mm (west) annually.

Altitude:

Ranges from 100m to 1,200m above sea level.