Nyerere

Carved from the legendary Selous landscape, Nyerere protects immense miombo woodland, floodplains and the braided channels of the Rufiji River, which TANAPA calls one of East Africa’s last great wild river systems. Lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles thrive here, often along the riverbanks, and TANAPA counts the park among the best places in Africa to look for African wild dogs, alongside leopards and hyenas.

What sets it apart is how you can explore it: by boat along the river, on foot with an authorised guide, and on classic game drives, with the best light in the early morning and late afternoon. Anti-poaching patrols, collaring and research support the park’s elephants and one of Africa’s key strongholds for wild dogs, and the park works with local communities to share the benefits of tourism.

The park is reached by road from Dar es Salaam through Kibiti and Utete, or from Morogoro and Ifakara, depending on the gate, and four-wheel drive is recommended, especially in the rains. Scheduled and charter flights serve airstrips such as Mtemere and Kiba. Accommodation ranges from special and public campsites to partner lodges and tented camps along the Rufiji River, which also coordinate boat and game-drive activities.