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Destinations · Tanzania

Nyerere National Park: Wild Dog, Rufiji River, and Southern Tanzania

A lesser-known alternative to the Northern Circuit with wild dog, Big Five, and boat safaris.

Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve) is a rich, wild, and low-density park in southern Tanzania. It combines walking safaris, boat safaris along the Rufiji River, and excellent wild dog populations for a very different safari rhythm.

6 min

A wilder, quieter alternative

A rich ecosystem plays home to a wide variety of wildlife and an array of bird species. Exciting activities allow for a different pace of safari — exploring waterways by boat, and seasonal wetlands on foot.

It's a lesser-known destination and therefore less crowded than the popular northern parks, which gives it a wilder, more private atmosphere. The park is home to many species, including a good population of wild dogs and the Big 5, which reside in the Miombo woodlands and marshy floodplains.

Uncrowded game drives

Discover the wonders of Nyerere National Park and witness its majestic herbivores and predators up close in spacious, open-sided seven-seater game vehicles. Canvas roofs, power points, and fridges provide all the amenities for a comfortable wilderness adventure for as long as you please.

Even in peak season, you'll often go long stretches without seeing another vehicle — the opposite of the Serengeti's busiest corners.

Wildlife, walking, and boat safaris

Nyerere is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. It boasts a rich ecosystem where elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, and possibly the largest population of rare African wild dogs thrive. The Rufiji River enriches the habitat, supporting a plethora of bird and aquatic species.

Walking safaris allow you to explore wildlife on foot and learn to read animal tracks and droppings while observing smaller creatures (ants, butterflies). You may even encounter larger animals at close distance. Boat safaris on the Rufiji deliver a completely different angle on hippos, crocodiles, and riverine birdlife.

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