Overview

Nyerere (Selous) National Park is the largest park in Tanzania. It was formerly known as Selous Game Reserve. It is easily accessible. The distance from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park is about 219 km. It covers an area of about 30,893 sq. km. It is an excellent destination for wildlife viewing in Tanzania. Here are the reasons why you should visit Nyerere (Selous) National Park.

Wildlife

Nyerere (Selous) National Park has the finest collection of wildlife. It is an excellent destination for wildlife viewing. It is among the places that host the Big Five in Africa. You can spot elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, and rhinos. It is home to the Big Nine. This means you can also spot hippos, zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs. Other diverse species in the park are wild dogs, bushbucks, elands, crocodiles, hyenas, vervet monkeys, and wildebeests among others. The dry season is the best time to spot these animals in the park. This is usually between June and October.

Birdlife

Birdlife is a key attraction in Nyerere National Park. It has over 445 species. Different species are spotted in different habitats in the park. African skimmers, pink-backed pelicans, and giant kingfishers are found along the lakes. Palm-nut vultures, fish eagles, bee-eater, and ibises are found along the sandbanks. Other common species are trumpeter hornbill, purple-crested turaco, kingfishers, and yellow-billed stork. Boat safaris in the park are the best for viewing water birds. Resident birds are present across the year. But the best time for watching birds is between November and April. Migratory birds from northern Africa and Europe are many in this season.

Scenery

River Rufiji is a beautiful attraction found in Nyerere National Park. It runs through the park. Areas that surround or touch the river are stunning. They are identified as photographic zones. They are also great spots for viewing hippos and other wild animals.

Climate

The park is mostly hot. Temperatures don’t vary as much. November is the warmest month. Daytime temperatures are around 33.3°C. They drop at night to around 21.4°C. Short rains are experienced between November and December. Long rains are between March and May. The dry season is between June and October. Daytime temperatures are around 28°C. They drop at night to 19°C.

FAQs About Nyerere (Selous) National Park

• Where is Nyerere (Selous) National Park located?

Nyerere (Selous) National Park is along the southern safari circuit. It is in the southern part of Tanzania. The distance from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park is about 219 km. This is a 4-hour drive to the park. Its coordinates are 7.7904° S and 37.8546° E. It is easily accessible by road, railway, or air transport.

• Why visit Nyerere (Selous) National Park?

There are many activities that tourists engage in at Nyerere (Selous) National Park. Game drives are done in the early mornings and late afternoons. Tourists enjoy the sightings of many species of animals. Guided nature walks are common for closer views of mother nature. Boat safaris in River Rufiji and lakes in the park are excellent for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Other common activities in the park are hot-air balloon safaris and fly-camping tours.

• How to get to Nyerere (Selous) National Park?

You can get to Nyerere (Selous) National Park by road, railway, or air transport. From Dar es Salaam to the park, it takes about 4 hours by road. The railway transport is connected to Matambwe Gate. You can also fly to the park using local flights.

• Which is the best time to visit Nyerere (Selous) National Park?

The best time to visit Nyerere (Selous) National Park is between June and October. This is the dry season and is the best for spotting wildlife in the park. While vegetation is thinner, animals gather around water sources. During the wet season, roads may not be passable. Some lodges close between April and May. But watching birds is good in this season.