Destination

Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Africa's Largest Protected Area

About Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Nyerere National Park, formerly the northern section of the Selous Game Reserve, is Africa's largest protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park offers a completely different safari experience from the crowded Northern Circuit — boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris through miombo woodlands, and some of the best wild dog sightings in Africa. Budget travellers benefit from significantly lower park fees than Serengeti or Ngorongoro, and the remote southern camps offer authentic bush camping at a fraction of northern prices. With vast elephant herds, one of Africa's largest wild dog populations, and huge concentrations of hippo and crocodile along the Rufiji, Nyerere delivers big wildlife without the big crowds.

Best time to visit: June to October (dry season); closed March to May during heavy rains

Key Wildlife

African Wild DogElephantHippoCrocodileLionBuffaloSable AntelopeColobus Monkey

Areas & Highlights

01

Rufiji River

Boat safaris past hippo pods and crocodile banks — the park's most iconic and affordable experience.

02

Stiegler's Gorge

A dramatic 100-metre-deep gorge carved by the Rufiji River, offering spectacular viewpoints.

03

Lakes

A chain of ox-bow lakes teeming with birdlife, hippos, and crocodiles. Excellent for photography.

04

Southern Woodlands

Remote miombo woodland with walking safari opportunities and the best wild dog encounter rates.