Nyerere National Park

The Nyerere National Park is a new rocking hit on streets of safaris in Tanzania. The park was established recently 2019 where an extension of 30,893 km2 area was set apart and formed this park from the famous Selous National Park. The largest protected area in Tanzania and Africa at large covering 54,600km2. Nyerere forms the northern section of the reserve and the most catching encounter on the southern circuit.

This park boasts over having the highest concentration of wildlife the park is less visited than other famous parks.  So, animals here are not much exposed to human, remaining as a park naïve to explore. The nature of park is characterized with grassland, typical acacia savannah, lakes and rivers and extensive Miombo forests.

Historically, German Governors of Tanganyika declared Selous a protected wildlife hunting reserve by 1896. Then in 1922, the reserve was named after Frederick Selous, a big game hunter turned wildlife conservationist and has stood as the largest protected area in Africa. And finally, in 2019, the government of Tanzania extended the idea to develop and enhance tourism in Selous and this led to separate the northern part of the reserve to form a new national park to be known as the Nyerere National Park.

Best time to visit Nyerere national park

The dry months are the most recommended as the best time of the year to visit Nyerere National Park is from June to October which is the peak tourist season in Tanzania, this period of the year is dry with remarkable game viewing opportunities as the biggest crowds of animals are usually seen congregating on watering holes.

Wildlife at Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park is home to several species of wildlife among which include lions, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, hippopotamuses, rhinos, antelopes, hyenas, African wolves, and a large number of crocodiles in the Rufiji River. Most notably the park is also known for its prolific population of African Wild Dogs. Nyerere National Park, was home to a large number of elephants but due to poaching, the numbers have dropped somewhat and it is now hoped that converting it to the park makes it helpful to control and minimize poaching.

Things to do at Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park offers a wide range of activities that give visitors opportunities to enjoy its beauty. Some of the most popular activities include game drives, bird watching, walking safaris and boat safaris. The many waterways in the park provide an excellent natural setting for boat safaris, both for big game viewing and bird watching. Tourists visiting Nyerere National Park may book these activities below in advance of their visit to Tanzania.

Game drives

Game drives are the most fascinating adventure to enjoy on a safari, this is the most exciting moment which exposes you to diverse of wildlife. Game drives are available to be done in either morning or afternoon. Visitors at the park have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery as you spot different animal species as they freely wander in the park and congregate around water source such as River Rufji. Some of the animals to look out for include giraffes, zebras, cape buffaloes and many bird species such as African fish eagle among others. Game drives is done with a highly trained and experienced driver guide who take you through the rough terrain to discover the incredible nature, crossing lower river and overcoming steep gullies to cruising over vast open plains.

Cultural visits

Visiting one of the indigenous people who have held to their traditional life. The village visits around Nyerere national park offers an insight about some of the few people who are still one of the few tribes in the world with culture and traditions which are not affected by modernity and technology. The Maasai people are a famous nomadic tribe for their unique way of life, their colorful dressing, and carefully crafted circular bomas huts and can visit have to enter into their traditional community called manyattas. Have that deeper insight into their way of life through interacting with them, participate in herding cattle and goats and be entertained by local dances and drama.

Hot air balloon safaris

Another thrilling and romantic moments at Nyerere National Park is taking a balloon safari. The king of adventure offers visitors an aerial views of the savannah plains of the park. As you fly above in the sky, you will enjoy watching several animals and beautiful landscape of Nyerere national park.

Walking Safari

The guided walking safari bring you closer Mother Nature and all its endowment. This is among the major adventures done when visited Nyerere national park, the safaris offers tourists an opportunity to soak up the sounds, smells and the colors of the bush within the park. On a walk a guide leads you to encounters several animals in the wilderness. Some of the popular encounters include; elephants as they quench their thirsty while drinking at watering hole, also go trek to a kopje’s peak. Walking trails are chosen according to your fitness, the rocky uphill paths for those seeking for more challenges.

Boat safari

Boat safaris in Nyerere national park is one of the amazing ways to explore and enjoy Nyerere national park. The boat safaris take about 2-3hours and can be done either in the morning or in the afternoon, in the morning hours there is a beautiful light unless it is cloudy and in the afternoon there is a great chance of seeing crocodiles because temperatures are higher. The afternoon boat safari offers visitors an opportunity to sail during sunset.