Southern Tanzania · 2 days · Tanzania Safaris

3 Days Nyerere NP (Boat and Game Drive)

Overview
Itinerary
Activities
Included
Best Time
FAQ
From$650.00
01

Safari Overview

3days
Duration
50,000km -
Nyerere NP - Africa's Largest
Rufijiboat
River Safari Included
Walkingsafari
Guided Bush Walk
$650+
From / person
Rufiji River boat trip Nyerere
Evening: Rufiji River Boat Safari
Hippos - Crocodiles - River birds - Sunset
Nyerere game drive wildlife
Full Day Game Drive
Lion - Elephant - Giraffe - Buffalo - Cheetah
Walking safari Nyerere Selous
Morning: Walking Safari
Guided bush walk - Track wildlife - On foot in Africa
Nyerere National Park Rufiji River

The Nyerere National Park, covering 50,000 square km, is among the largest protected area in Africa and relatively undisturbed by humans. Selous is rich in elephant, cheetah, giraffe, hippo’s crocodile, lions and many other species. The reserve also has an exceptionally high variety of habitats including Miombo woodlands, enjoy game drive and boat safari at the park

One of Africa's Last True Wilderness Areas

Nyerere National Park is one of the least-visited major wildlife destinations in Africa relative to its size and wildlife abundance. This means truly private game drives, uncrowded river boat trips, and the sense of being in genuine, undiscovered wilderness - an experience that is becoming harder to find elsewhere in Africa.

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Daily Itinerary

Day1
Dar es Salaam to Nyerere NP/Boat Trip
Pickup 8:00am, Dar es Salaam Lunch stop in Kibiti Rufiji River arrival Evening boat trip

Morning pickup from airport or hotel in Dar es Salaam at 8:00 am and drive to Nyerere National Park with lunches stop at restaurant in Kibiti, take a short break then proceed with the drive, arrive in afternoon and check in at the camp, then leave for evening boat drive at Rufiji river. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight at Selous Safari Lodge

Guide's Tip: The Rufiji boat trip is most rewarding in the golden hour before sunset - bring a camera with a telephoto lens for crocodile and bird shots.
Accommodation Selous Safari Lodge Nyerere National Park area
Exterior of Selous Safari Lodge in Nyerere National Park area
Day2
Selous Game Drive.
Dawn departure game drive Predator searches Bush picnic lunch Vast miombo wilderness

After breakfast from the camp with packed lunches enjoys game drive inside the park expect to see large number of animals like lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hyena and etc. You will also see a large variety of birds, wonderful scenery with varied topography including wetlands, dry grassland, light acacia forest and higher ground with vast views of far-off mountains. During afternoon you will take your lunch and have some rest before proceeds with the game drive and overnight at Selous Safari Lodge

Guide's Tip: Ask your guide about recent wild dog sightings before the day's drive - pack leaders are tracked by the lodge's guide network.
Accommodation Selous Safari Lodge Nyerere National Park area
Exterior of Selous Safari Lodge in Nyerere National Park area
Day3
Walking Safari and Depart to Dar es Salaam
Early morning bush walk Track wildlife on foot Ground-level perspective Afternoon return to Dar

Leave for early morning walking safari in Selous Forest accompanied by guide, meat bushman, experience various activities then return for breakfast and get prepared for returning to Dar es Salaam with packed lunches

Walking Safari - What Makes It Different
Guide's Tip: Walking safaris are most rewarding in the early morning before the heat builds and wildlife activity slows.
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Three Safari Experiences - What Each Offers

"Nyerere is not just a park - it is a continent-within-a-continent, a wilderness so vast and so untamed that it reminds you what Africa looked like before the rest of the world arrived." - LuiTours Guide Team, on Nyerere National Park
Activity When What You'll Experience Unique Value
Rufiji River Boat Trip Day 1 - evening Hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, fish eagle, storks, herons, African skimmer, spectacular sunset Eye-level wildlife encounter; completely different perspective from vehicle drives; magnificent light
Full Day Game Drive Day 2 - full day Lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hyena, cheetah; possible wild dog; vast miombo landscapes Full exploration of Africa's largest protected area; uncrowded; truly remote wilderness feel
Walking Safari Day 3 - morning Animal tracks, bird calls, plants, insects, ground-level bush experience; occasional wildlife encounters Unique to southern Tanzania; not available in northern parks; changes your entire perception of Africa

Wildlife commonly encountered in Nyerere National Park:

African Lion African Elephant Hippopotamus Nile Crocodile African Wild Dog Masai Giraffe Cape Buffalo Wildebeest Burchell's Zebra Cheetah Leopard Spotted Hyena Sable Antelope Fish Eagle 500+ Bird Species

From Price

Minimum price only, based on 2 people sharing. Final pricing depends on season, availability and requested customizations.

Package From Price
Price for 2 People From $650.00 per person
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What's Included

Included in Your Price

Park fees
Meals during safari
Game drive activities
Government taxes
Accommodations
Mineral bottled drinking water.
Land cruiser for game drive
English professional speaking guide

Not Included

Flights (International)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Tips for safari guide
Optional activities
Visa fees
Meals while in Hotel
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc
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Best Time to Visit

Nyerere National Park offers good wildlife viewing year-round. The dry season (June - October) is generally considered peak season - wildlife concentrates around the Rufiji River and its tributaries, the vegetation is less dense, and both game drives and the boat trip produce the most sightings. The boat trip operates year-round. Walking safaris are available in all months. The green season (November - May) brings lush scenery, excellent birding, and lower prices - though some areas may be less accessible after heavy rains.

Jan
Good
Feb
Good
Mar
OK
Apr
Wet
May
Good
Jun
Peak
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
Sep
Peak
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Good
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - walking safaris in Nyerere are conducted by highly trained professional guides accompanied by an armed and qualified ranger whose primary role is the safety of the group. Guides brief guests thoroughly before the walk on proper conduct, positioning, and what to do if large animals are encountered. The protocols used have an excellent safety record. Walking safaris are a normal and well-established safari activity in Tanzania's southern parks, and the experience is designed to be both exhilarating and completely safe when conducted by qualified professionals.
Both are exceptional river boat trips, but they are very different experiences. The Rufiji River is much larger and more remote - the boat trip covers a wider river through deeper wilderness, with larger hippo populations, more crocodile density, and a greater sense of total immersion in untracked Africa. The Wami River in Saadani is more accessible from Dar es Salaam and combines beautifully with the beach experience unique to that park. Both are among Tanzania's finest boat safari experiences - the Rufiji is generally considered the more dramatic of the two.
African wild dog sightings in Nyerere are possible but not guaranteed - they are present in the reserve and our guides track pack movements through the guide network, but they range over enormous distances and sightings depend heavily on timing and luck. We would estimate the probability at roughly 20-30% on a 3-day visit, which is actually high by East African standards given how rare this animal is across the continent. If wild dog is your priority species, we recommend a 4-day Nyerere itinerary for a better probability, or asking us about the current pack locations at the time of your booking.
Nyerere National Park is approximately 4-5 hours by road from central Dar es Salaam, with a lunch stop in Kibiti. The drive south passes through Tanzania's coastal hinterland along reasonably good roads. The journey is included in the safari price and is a comfortable drive with interesting scenery. Flying options are also available (via charter flight from Dar es Salaam to the airstrips within the reserve) for guests who prefer to minimise travel time - contact us for fly-in safari pricing.
The walking safari includes your professional guide, an armed ranger escort, all park fees associated with the activity, water, and a full briefing before departure. The walk lasts approximately 2-3 hours and operates in the Selous Forest adjacent to the lodge area. The walking safari is conducted entirely on foot through genuine African bush - not on a prepared trail - and the experience and sightings vary significantly based on conditions and wildlife present on the day. After the walk you return to the lodge for breakfast before beginning the return journey to Dar es Salaam.
Africa's Largest Reserve - Three Safari Experiences

Book the 3-Day Nyerere NP Safari -
Boat Trip, Game Drive & Walking Safari

The Rufiji River at sunset, one of Africa's largest wilderness game drives, and a guided walking safari in the Selous Forest - three completely different ways of experiencing one of the continent's last great wild places. Get your personalised quote within 2 hours with no booking fees.

Rufiji boat trip
Walking safari included
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