Nyerere National Park and the Rufiji River wilderness

Nyerere National Park is a vast protected landscape in southern Tanzania, where the Rufiji River passes through floodplains, woodland and riverine habitats. The park covers 30,893 square kilometres and carries the name of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president.

Nyerere National Park shaped by the Rufiji River

The Rufiji is the park’s defining geographical feature. Its broad course divides into channels, reaches wetlands and passes sandbanks lined with palms and trees. Water, grassland and woodland form a connected landscape rather than a single uniform plain.

The river basin also contains oxbow lakes, seasonal floodplains and riverine forest. Boat-based wildlife viewing is associated with these waterways, while game drives cross drier ground covered by savanna and miombo woodland. The combination of land and water gives Nyerere National Park a character distinct from Tanzania’s open-grassland parks.

From Selous Game Reserve to Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park occupies the northern part of the former Selous Game Reserve. The protected area was first established during the colonial period, and the reserve was named after Frederick Courteney Selous, a hunter and explorer.

The national park received its present name in 2019, honouring Julius Nyerere. The wider Selous ecosystem has held World Heritage status since 1982. Its history therefore links colonial conservation, Tanzania’s national story and the continuing protection of a large wildlife landscape.

Wildlife across woodland, wetlands and open country

Nyerere National Park contains habitats for elephants, buffalo, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, lions, leopards and African wild dogs. The Rufiji and its connected waters are central to animals that depend on rivers, lakes and seasonally flooded ground.

Birdlife occupies the same varied setting, from wetland edges and sandbanks to woodland and open savanna. Large mammals may be encountered on land, while boat excursions present a water-level view of crocodiles, hippos and birds. The park’s protected river landscape is central to its identity.

The park lies in southeastern Tanzania and extends across parts of Morogoro, Lindi, Pwani and Ruvuma regions. Its scale places individual rivers, plains and woodland within a much larger ecological setting. The park’s recorded area is 30,893 square kilometres.

Visiting Nyerere National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Nyerere National Park lies in southeastern Tanzania, with access associated with Morogoro and the southern safari circuit. Road approaches include Matemere Gate and Matembwe Gate, while air travel connects safari areas with Dar es Salaam.
• The park’s terrain includes open savanna, miombo woodland, riverbanks, sandbanks, lakes and seasonally flooded plains. Safari activities therefore take place on land and along waterways.
• The Rufiji River and its channels are permanent geographical features of the park. Boat excursions form a distinct part of the landscape’s wildlife experience.
• The official language is Swahili and the national currency is the Tanzanian shilling.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Nyerere National Park

Where is Nyerere National Park?

Nyerere National Park is in southeastern Tanzania, across parts of Morogoro, Lindi, Pwani and Ruvuma regions. The park belongs to the Rufiji River basin and the southern safari circuit.

What can travellers expect during a visit?

Wildlife viewing takes place through land-based safaris and boat excursions. The landscape includes elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, predators, birds, wetlands, woodland and open savanna.

What makes Nyerere National Park distinctive?

The park combines a very large protected area with the Rufiji River’s channels, floodplains, lakes and sandbanks. Its name also connects the former Selous Game Reserve with Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president.