Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park is located in south eastern Tanzania, bordered by Mikumi National Park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the west. With an area of about 30,893sqkm, Nyerere National Park is the largest national park in Africa. The Park was named after the first president of Tanzania, Mr Julius Nyerere (late), in recognition for championing conservation and protection of wildlife in the country. It is also one of the most beautiful and game-rich areas in the ecosystem of Selous Game Reserve, spanning the Rufiji River basin in south-eastern Tanzania. Selous Game Reserve was established in 1922, and in 1982, was named after Frederick Selous Courtney who was a great Hunter and explorer and later declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Nyerere National Park, together with the remaining part of Selous Game Reserve, is considered to be the last stronghold of the African wild dog. In fact, it inhabits a wide range of animals freely roaming that can not be missed out during your safaris. These include; common wildlife include; the wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, eland, the greater kudu, sable antelopes, black rhino, waterbuck, impala, lion, leopard, the spotted hyena, cheetah, baboon, vervet and blue monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey which can be viewed in riverine forests. Besides, there is over 400 birds recorded roaming the different vegetation cover of the park together with migratory birds that can be spotted from November throughout April.
Attractions and activities
Walking safaris
A walking safari through Nyerere is organized in the offbeat tracks where most of the animals that are considered to be dangerous are not found. It is normally organized during the morning hours and late afternoon during the dry season and this is because the morning and late afternoon the heat is a little bit bearable. You will be given some guidelines by the tour guide that you should follow so that you keep safe. An armed ranger will be with you for protection purposes and some of the animals that you will get to see include the elephants, hippos, zebras, etc.
Game drives
Nyerere is the largest reserve in the country and even though it is not as popular as its counterparts in the Northern circuit, it has a large number of animals that can be seen during the game drive. You will be provided with an open roof van for easy viewing of the animals and an experienced tour guide to take you around the park. Some of the animals to spot here include wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, black rhinos, hippos, buffalos, kudus, hyenas, impalas and waterbucks among others. The game drives are best done in the morning before 11 and in the afternoon hours around 3pm when the heat is still bearable.
Hot air balloon
Engage in a hot air balloon ride while in Nyerere and get to see animals from a different point of view. There are only two National parks that offer the hot air balloon ride and the first one is the Serengeti National Park which is found in the Northern Circuit and the Nyerere National Park in the southern circuit. The hot air balloon ride is carried out very early in the morning in and you get to see the animals, birds, landscape and the sunrise from above.
Fishing
A fishing safari in Nyerere is a perfect way to relax while on a safari in Selous. Fishing is mostly carried out at the Rufiji River although you can also go to the smaller channels and swamps within the park. However, the fish captured is supposed to be put back into the water and with the help of a tour guide your trip will be worth it. You will be provided with fishing equipment at a small fee and with your fishing rod, bait and life jacket, you will be ready to start your fishing expedition in the Nyerere National Park.
Boat trips
There are two types of boat safaris offered while at Nyerere National Park and depending on the length of your safari, you can opt for any of them. These include; the short 2–3-hour sunset or dawn boat safari trips along the Rufiji River outside the reserve and a full day boat safaris which explore the Rufiji River as well as the lakes of the Selous. The short boat safari can be done in the morning or in the afternoon and in both you are able to enjoy wildlife and nature while on the boat. However, a full day boat safari is a more in-depth exploration up the vast Rufiji River and into the Selous Game Reserve’s lakes. During a boat safari, there is a great chance of spotting the hippos, crocodiles and plentiful of different bird species such as the African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, African Skimmer and Boehm’s Bee-Eater. Monkeys (Blue Monkey, Savannah Baboon and Black and White Colobus Monkey) are often spotted in the trees along the banks of the river as well as Nile Monitor Lizards.
