Nyerere (Selous)
Tanzania's largest national park
Tanzania’s largest national park remains relatively unknown to those outside the country, but the name Selous might ring a bell. In 2019, six reserves were granted national park status simultaneously, with a significant portion of the vast Selous Game Reserve, equivalent in size to Belgium, being rebranded as Nyerere National Park. This stunning expanse is a haven where wild animals roam freely, attracting adventurous travelers in search of thrilling safari experiences. In Nyerere, encounters with lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and even rhinoceroses are not uncommon, offering visitors the opportunity to check off the iconic Big Five of Africa. This colossal reserve represents a precious sanctuary where the pristine wilderness of Africa is safeguarded for generations to come.
Nyerere (Selous)
The vast expanse of Nyerere National Park ensures that visitors can journey for hours on safari without encountering another vehicle, particularly in its remote reaches. Beyond traditional game drives, the park offers alternative safari experiences such as walking safaris and boat safaris along the Rufiji River, Tanzania’s largest river, which nourishes the park’s fertile lands and sustains its abundant wildlife, including a significant population of crocodiles and hippos—approximately 40,000 hippos call the park home, alongside an even larger number of elephants. Birdwatching enthusiasts will delight in the park’s biodiversity, with an impressive 450 species of birds inhabiting its diverse habitats. Whether traversing its roads or exploring its secluded corners, Nyerere beckons adventurers to discover the wonders of East Africa’s largest national park.
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Interesting Facts about Nyerere (Selous)
The park was named after the first president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere. Together with the neighboring Selous Game Reserve (~18,000 sq kilometers/7000 sq miles of protected land has remained under that name after Selous’ larger part was changed into Nyerere NP) it is a designed UNESCO World Heritage Site. This status is based on the conservation of nature in its original state and the high biodiversity of the region. In addition to large populations of elephants, buffalo, lions, and hippos, this vast area – almost 31,000 sq kilometers or 12.000 sq miles – is home to a species diversity of antelope, including the rare Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, roan antelope, and sable antelope. Nyerere Park is considered the last refuge of a large population of African wild dogs. The true spirit of safari can be experienced during walks in the wilderness and, for the most intrepid, during overnight stays in the bush in so-called Fly Camps – tented camps set up right under the open African sky in the lap of nature.