Ntokou-Pikounda National Park

Nyerere National Park is a large protected area in southern Tanzania established in 2019 from part of the former Selous Game Reserve and named after Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president. It covers extensive riverine, woodland and open savannah habitats centred on the Rufiji River system.

The park is known for boat-based wildlife viewing along the Rufiji River and for populations of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and other large mammals and waterbirds. Tourism in the park focuses on game drives, walking safaris and river safaris from lodges and camps within the park.

The designation converted a portion of the multi-use Selous reserve into a national park to strengthen protection and promote sustainable tourism. Management aims to balance conservation of the Rufiji ecosystem with regulated visitor access.

Nyerere National Park lies in Tanzania’s southern/central belt within and around Morogoro Region, centred on the Rufiji River basin; the park is reached by road and by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam and other regional hubs.

• Best time to visit: Wildlife viewing is generally best in the dry season, when animals concentrate around permanent water sources such as the Rufiji River.
• Access: Access is commonly by road from Dar es Salaam or by small aircraft to game lodges and airstrips serving the park.