How to get to Nyerere National Park

How to get to Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous Game Reserve located in the northern part of Tanzania, this national park is the largest national park in Tanzania and also one also of the world’s largest wildlife protected areas and national parks. The park covers an area of approximately 30,893 square kilometers (11,928 sq mi) and covers a big part of Liwale District in the western Lindi Region, southwest Pwani Region, northeastern Ruvuma Region, and a big part of the eastern Morogoro Region. The part of Selous game reserve is now running hydroelectric power. The park has a great river known as the Rufiji River. Rufiji is Tanzania’s largest river and is home to many crocodiles and hippopotamuses. It is also one of largest mangrove forests in the world located at its delta.

Nyerere National Park has a high level of biodiversity, with the most iconic African species all inhabiting the region in some capacity, including buffaloes, Masai giraffes, lions, leopards, wild dogs, black rhinos, Thomson’s gazelle, spotted hyenas, wildebeest, plain zebras, impalas, as well as many reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates among others. A large number of hippos and Nile crocodiles inhabit the waters of the Rufiji River. Most notably, the park is known for its prolific population of endangered African wild dogs.

How to get into Nyerere National Park

Getting by road

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. In terms of journey time, typically you want to allow for 6 hours for most park entry gates such as Mtemere and Matembwe, and up to 6 to 6.5 hours for gates on the northern side of Selous Game Reserve. Road conditions are poor in places with the last 75 km to the park being on a bumpy gravel road.

Getting by air transport

The park can also be accessed by air. There are daily scheduled flights from either Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar with a flight time of under an hour to a variety of different airstrips in Nyerere. There are several airlines serving this route, some of which include Regional Air, Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link, and Auric Air. All these airlines have a reliable service and credible safety record.

All visitors planning for a fly-in safari to Nyerere National Park need to know which airstrip in Nyerere Park they should use when booking their flights. There are quite a number of them in the park to avoid unnecessary long transfers (which also happens to be rather costly). Some of the most common airstrips include Mtemere, Matambwe, Sumbazi, Kiba, Beho Beho and Siwandu.

Things to do in Nyerere National Park

Wildlife safaris

Embarking on a wildlife safari at Nyerere National Park offers an unforgettable opportunity to observe Tanzania’s diverse fauna. Visitors can navigate through the park’s various ecosystems including woodlands, savannahs, and wetlands to encounter a myriad of species. The park is famous for its incredible hosting a large population of hippopotamuses and crocodiles found in the Rufiji River, making it a significant location for conservation efforts. Beyond the hippopotamuses and crocodiles, Nyerere National Park is home to a variety of wildlife such as lions, cape buffaloes, elephants, leopards, plain zebras, wildebeest, African wild dogs, and several antelopes. Wildlife safaris in the park are conducted in scheduled times that’s to say early morning and evening games safaris. During your wildlife safaris in the park, you will have the chance to spot a variety of these fascinating species including colorful birds and flowering plants. Guided tours whether by vehicles or on foot offer visitors the chance to learn about the animal’s behavior and habitats from experienced guides.

Birding

Nyerere National Park is renowned as a birdwatcher’s paradise and one of the best birding destinations in Tanzania. The park is home to over 450 species of birds including migratory and resident birds. During the birdwatching tours in Nyerere National Park have ample opportunities to spot bird species such as  Great Reed   Warble, Black Sawing, Ethiopian Swallow, Red-Faced Crombec, Yellow-Billed Eremomela, Black-Headed Apalis, Red-Faced Cisticola, Piping Cisticola, Black-Headed Apalis, Yellow-Bellied Hyliota, Rufous-Bellied Tit, Dusky Lark, Western Nicator, Rufous-Napped Lark, Pale Baits, Short-Tailed Baits, Marsh Tchagra, Black-Backed Puffback, Chestnut-Fronted Helmet Shrike, Black-And-White Shrike-Flycatchers,  African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle, Black0winge Stilt, Brown-Headed Parrot, Broad-Billed Roller, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Northern Carmine Bee-Eater, Palm-Nut Vulture, Pearl-Spotted Owlet, Pel’s Fishing-Owl and  Purple-Crested Turaco among others.

Hiking and nature walks

Hiking and nature walks offer the best safari experience to every traveler while on a Tanzania safari in the Nyerere National Park. Hiking and nature walk tours is one way you can explore the hidden gems of the park on foot, allowing visitors to traverse its diverse landscape while observing wildlife and flora at a leisurely pace. The hiking routes vary in difficulty, catering to both seasoned hikers and families seeking a gentle stroll. These guided walks can lead you through the ecological areas, providing fascinating insights into the interdependence of species and the significance of conservation efforts in preserving this unique ecosystem.

Sport Fishing

Sport fishing is one of the most amazing activities in Nyerere National Park. Sport fishing in the national park is normally done in Rufiji River and its tributaries where You will get an opportunity to fish and know the different marine’s species such as Tilapia, Catfish among others. At the serene waters, you can fish to the background music of chirping birds and hippos and crocodiles that grunt as if to cheer you on. You are free to keep your catch to roast, fry, or grill it and enjoy the taste of fresh fish from Tanzania.

Best time to visit Nyerere National Park

The best time to visit Nyere National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October. During this time, the park is at its most vibrant, with lush greenery, abundant wildlife, and clear sunny skies. The lack of rainfall means that animals are most easily spotted as they congregate around water sources, making for some incredible game viewing opportunities.

Accommodation facilities in Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park has a number of friendly and comfortable accommodation facilities to stay at during your Tanzania safari, the accommodation facilities are offered luxury, midrange, and budget levels such as Impala Tented Camp, Kiba Point Safari Lodge, Rufiji River Camp, The Amara Selous, The Retreat Selous, Siwandu Camp, Beho Beho Lodge, Mbuyu Safaris Camp, Sable Mountains Lodge, Lake Manze Tented Camp, and Jimbiza Lodge among others

Contact our trusted tour operators for information and inquiries about how to get to Nyerere National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.