Nyerere national park is the largest national park in Tanzania found in the spanning the Rufiji River basin in Southeastern Tanzania bordered by Mikumi national park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the West. The Park is the world’s largest wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Nyerere national park covers an area of 30,893 km2 (11,928 sq. mi) and covers the big park of Liwale district in Western Lindi Region, south west Pwani Region, north eastern Ruvuma Region and a big part of south eastern Morogoro Region. The park has been established in the year 2019.
The name of the park is given in honor of the founder of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere. With its largest wilderness area in Africa, Nyerere national park has relatively undisturbed ecological and biological processes, including diverse range of wildlife with significant predator and prey relationships. Nyerere national park has grassland, typical Acacia savannah, lakes, rivers and extensive Miombo forests to thrill while on Tanzania Safaris Tours.
Attractions in Nyerere national park.
Wildlife.
The park has an unprecedented amount of animal species, in the park over a half of all the Tanzanian elephants are living in the park, other animal species in the park includes the buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, Hyena, Lion, giraffe, Hartebeest, Rhino, Leopard, zebra wild dogs and many others.
Bird species.
The park is an excellent birding safari, with over 440 species of birds recorded, the most conspicuous birdlife is attracted to the sandbanks, lagoons, islands and channels along the Rufiji River. The common birds in the park includes the yellow-billed storks, African skimmer, Brown-headed parrot, Brown-necked parrot, Dickinson’s kestrel, kingfishers, lapwings, Thick-billed cuckoo, White-backed night heron, White-backed vulture, colorful bee-eaters while the Fish eagle and palm-nut vulture can be found perched high in the trees and skimmers can be seen flying across the water, in the park then the migratory birds can be present from November to April.
The Rufiji River, Myriad oxbows, delta and lakes.
The Rufiji is East Africa’s largest river, it flows through the northern part of the park and this river which is slow moving and wide, has created a number of oxbow lakes in its northern flood plains, and they create a beautiful landscape of plains and woodlands interspersed with expanses of water. The Rufiji with its rewon population of hippo and crocodile flows to Indian Ocean, so the river has been designated as a photographic zone and is a popular for tourists. Rufiji River also has its tributaries like the Beho Beho, Simbazi.
Hills/ Mountains.
The park has the hill/ mountains or inselbergs dot the landscapes like the Beho Beho Hill, Nyamambi Hill, Mau hill, Fuga hill, Namkwere hill, Kipalala hill, Mtudussi hill, Kinyanguru hill, these are attracted by the guests and they give a clear view of the park’s features to the guests.
Grave of Frederic Selous.
Grave of Frederic Selous is also among the major attraction in the park, that is Selous was a British conservationist and a soldier who killed at the battle of Beho Beho in 1917, the Selous Game Reserve was named in his honor the current the Park.
Lakes.
Nyerere National Park has lakes like the Lake Nzerakare and Tagalala which are also the attraction in the park as well as the habitat of the park’s wildlife like the bird species.
Continent Largest Population of Elephants.
The park has the largest concentration of elephants on the continent has been known for taking home in this park, with half of all Tanzanian elephants living here. The elephants are intelligent, social and familial animals, and despite the threat it attracts due to ivory, the great news is that numbers are up in Nyerere over the last couple of years, the African elephants are the world’s largest land animals weighing up to (6.6 tons)
Activities done in Nyerere National Park.
Boat safari.
The park can make the most beautiful and amazing boat safaris on the map canals and lakes in the park, during the boat safari there is always a good chance for you to spot the hippos, crocodiles and other animal species without forgetting the bird species. Boat safari takes about 2 hours and it can be done in the morning or in the afternoon.
Bird watching.
Nyerere National Park is the excellent birding tour in Tanzania with over 440 species of birds recorded, the tourists during the bird watching can spot bird species like the Pelicans, Gonoreks, Fly Catchers, Wablers, Shoe-bill, and Pin tailed Whydahs and many more.
Fishing.
Fishing activity is also a great activity done in the Nyerere national park, here the tourists carry out fishing in Rufiji River especially by catching the catfish, also catch and release fishing takes place too, the activity can be led by the experienced fishermen in the park.
Walking Safaris and Nature Hikes.
Guided walking safaris inside Nyerere national park will give you an opportunity to enjoy an up-close encounter with the mother nature as you appreciate the natural beauty and serenity of this remote but beautiful park as well viewing many animal species like the elephants, lions, zebras, hyena and many others and also the bird species can be spotted during the walking safaris.
Bush meals and Sundowners.
Nyerere national park facilities the beautiful wilderness thus giving you the excellency opportunities to enjoy a sundowner at ascenic spot or having a romantic candlelit dinner in the bush, here most of the families, individuals travelers or even corporate groups may have their own preferences for experiences they wish to enjoy during their trip to Nyerere national park.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris.
Nyerere national park provides and allows the most thrilling and romantic once in a lifetime experience, the Balloon safaris which takes place at dawn are costly yet just so worth the price, the hot air Balloon safari enables you to view the entire park wildlife which gives you unforgettable experience in your visit.
Village Visit.
During your visit in the Park, there is the experience of a traditional village visit and during the visit you get a glimpse into a unique way of life of the local and famous nomadic tribe in the East Africa and associating, dancing with them.
Game Driving.
Game driving in Nyerere National park is the best activity to the tourists in that the tourists can be able to explore various animal species in the park like the elephants, lions, hyenas, zebras, buffalos, wild dogs and many others, also the tourists can view the animals around water sources like River Rufiji such as crocodiles, hippos and as well the bird species. The tourists can be in their 4×4 wheel cars as they are get closer to the animal species in the park during game viewing. Game drive in Nyerere national park is done in the morning and late afternoon.
Best time to visit Nyerere National Park.
Nyerere National Park is best to visit from late June to October, it is dry season and wildlife is easier to spot since animals gather at water sources and vegetation is thinner, the scenery is lush and green in the wet season, from October to May, but afternoons can be unbearably.
Where to stay in Nyerere National Park.
Nyerere national park provides the most comfortable accommodation facilities to the guests who come to visit the park, the park has camping sites ranging in Special and public campsites the examples of camps in Nyerere includes the Beho Beho camp, Lake Manze T Camp, Serena Tented camp, Azura Tented camp, Selous camp and many others, not only camps the park has got other accommodation facilities ranging from Budget, Mid-range, Luxury accommodations like the Serena Mivumo River lodge, Rufiji River Lodge, Sand Rivers Selous , Nyerere Famous Lodges, Nomad Tanzania, Azura Selous and many more.
Entrance fees of Nyerere National Park.
| Category | PEAK SEASON (16th May -14th March) | LOW SEASON (15th March -15th May) | ||||
| EA (Tshs) | Non EA Citizen(USD) | Expatriate/ Residents (USD) | EA (Tshs) | Non EA Citizen (USD) | Expatriate / Residents(USD) | |
| Of above the age of 16 years | 10,000 | 70 | 35 | 10,000 | 60 | 30 |
| Between the age of 5 to 15 years | 2000 | 20 | 10 | 2000 | 20 | 10 |
| Children below the age of 5 years | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
How to get to Nyerere National Park.
Nyerere National Park can be accessed by both the road and Flight means of transport from Dar es Salaam to the park.
By Road transport.
Nyerere National Park can be accessed by road safari from either Dar es Salaam or Arusha, the road distance varies from 184 km to 230 km depending on which gate or entry point of Nyerere National Park you want to access.
By Flight transport.
There are daily scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Nyerere National Park that stop at several airstrips per flight. Additionally there are several airlines that serve this route including Reginal Air, Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link and Auric Air, the nearest international airport to Nyerere National Park is the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, a flying distance is of one hour.
Nyerere National Park is the largest national and game reserve in Africa, its large populations of elephants and buffalos from the characteristic Rufiji River, you can see the natural behavior of the animals up close sailing among the hippos, crocodiles as well as the many birds.
