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5-Day Nyerere (Selous) Safari Tours

4.4/5  –  102 Nyerere Reviews

You’ll fall in love with Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve) on your 5-day safari. It really is one of East Africa’s most rewarding parks. It has abundant water, picturesque landscapes and incredible wildlife, and 5 days here will allow you to get to know the park and its wildlife. You should also have plenty of time to relax, and there may even be enough time left over to visit another nearby park. Before you move on, there’s so much to enjoy in Nyerere itself, including fantastic game drives and excellent accommodation. And don’t miss the specialty of a trip here: a sunset boat ride out onto the waters of the Rufiji River.

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1-20 of 25 Nyerere National Park 5-day trips, itineraries, holidays, packages & vacations

5 Questions About 5-Day Nyerere (Selous) Safaris

 
 

5 Questions About 5-Day Nyerere (Selous) Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Which other parks can I visit on a 5-day Nyerere (Selous) safari?

“Many travelers are quite happy to spend 5 days in Nyerere without going anywhere else. The park certainly has enough to keep you busy and engaged for the whole time. But if you’re in the area, there are some other options to consider. Mikumi National Park is not far away from Nyerere, to the northwest, and it’s a brilliant park to visit. Its vast floodplains (low-lying grounds bordering bodies of water, which experience periods of flooding) and waterholes play host to big herds of elephant and buffalo, and predators such as big cats can possibly be seen. Another option is Udzungwa Mountains National Park, one of Tanzania’s greenest and most rewarding hiking and birding destinations. Given that it’s possible to fly from Nyerere to just about anywhere else in Tanzania and be there within a couple of hours, that may open up other possible parks farther afield. That said, it could mean rushing and trying to do too much in the short space of time you have available.”

1

What type of accommodation is available on a Nyerere trip?

“Nyerere has terrific accommodation, some of which lies within the park boundaries, with even more just outside the park’s eastern Mtemere Gate. There’s plenty of choice both within and outside the park, with one exception: there’s very little for budget travelers inside the park. Most of the accommodation within the park is in the form of tented camps, which cater mostly to mid-range and luxury travelers. Most of these camps lie close to the water, either by the lakes for which Nyerere is famous or along the banks of the Rufiji River, and some have water views from the tents. The safari tents themselves are often large and luxurious, with mosquito nets, en suite bathrooms, writing desks, wooden floors and other furnishings, as well as ample private terraces from which to enjoy the view. The camps usually have a bar, restaurant, lounge area and possibly a swimming pool. Outside the park, there are numerous options in the forest along the banks of the Rufiji River. Many have fine sunset views, most have a bar, restaurant and swimming pool, and they’re only a short drive from the park entrance. These places have a mix of camping areas (with shared showers and toilets), rooms and safari tents. Keep an eye open for elephants, monkeys and African wild dogs wandering through camp.”

2

What is the best time of the year for a Nyerere safari?

“The best time to go on a 5-day Nyerere safari is from June to October. Because this period coincides with the Dry season, you can look forward to fine weather and mild temperatures (if a little cool at night). As rains are unlikely, the park’s unpaved tracks have a higher chance of being in good condition, making getting around easier. Later in the Dry season, particularly in September and October, animals are also more likely to draw near to known water sources, making it easier for you to find them. If you’re traveling in November and December, these can also be good months. This is the time of the short rains, so brief, intense thunderstorms are possible, but they shouldn’t disrupt your safari too much. The same can’t be said for the long rains, which usually fall from March to May. If you’re here to see as many birds as possible (Nyerere has recorded more than 440 different kinds), migratory species arrive in large numbers from Europe, southern Asia and North Africa around November, and they usually stay until April.”

3

Can I combine a 5-day Nyerere safari with a beach holiday?

“It is definitely possible to combine your 5-day Nyerere safari with time on the beach. Tanzania is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, but it’s so much more than that. In fact combining beach and safari on one trip is one of the best things you can do in Tanzania, because it gives you a much broader experience of what this wonderful country has to offer. Logistically it’s as easy to do as asking your safari tour operator to make the arrangements. This is a common combination, and operators should be able to present you with a number of options. These might include Zanzibar, Pemba or any of the other beach areas along Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline. The journey will usually involve flying between the coast and the airstrip located just outside the eastern Mtemere Gate of Nyerere.”

4

How much will this safari cost?

“No two safaris will ever cost the same, as there are so many variables to factor in. As a broad starting point, however, expect a budget camping safari (on which you might be expected to help with cooking, cleaning and setting up the tents) to start at around US$100 to US$150 per person per day. If you’re looking for a high-end luxury safari, the per-person-per-day cost could go beyond US$500. Accommodation is obviously a major variable: the more you’re willing to pay, the more comfort and luxury you’ll enjoy. When you go is another consideration. High season runs from June to October, and this is when expensive high-season prices apply. These can be double the low-season prices. Also part of the mix is the type of safari you go on. A private safari, where you have your own guide, driver and vehicles, is more expensive than a group or self-drive safari. Fixed costs that you will need to take into account include park entrance fees (US$50/25 per adult/child per day) and the cost of any air transfers (as high as US$300 per person return). These costs aren’t always included in the safari price quoted by some operators, so always ask.”

5

Nyerere Reviews

4.4/5 102 Reviews
Expert
Gemma Pitcher  –  
Australia AU

Gemma authored several Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

My Top Tip for Tanzania
5/5

Nyerere (Selous) National Park is my favourite game area in Tanzania, and possibly the whole of Africa. The landscape, with its emerald-green swamplands, dead trees submerged in water and shaggy-topped palms, is ravishingly beautiful. You...

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Expert
Sue Watt  –  
United Kingdom UK

Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.

True Wilderness – and wild dogs
5/5

If you’re after a true wilderness sensation that goes beyond the confines of a Land Cruiser, then come to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). A vast chunk of Nyerere, most of the land south of the Rufiji River, is sadly...

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Idris Farza  –  
France FR
Reviewed: Aug 26, 2024
5/5

Nyerere National Park is very large. Wildlife is very present there. You can see many animals (elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, etc.). However, the BIG 5 will be more difficult to see. Already because of the size of the park, so you...

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Harald Schulz  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Mar 18, 2024
4/5

It were not the big five but maybe in the other national parks. We were in the wrong national park to see them. This were the first safari and visit in Tansania .It was a great visit in this national park and we saw many another animals. ...

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Danielle  –  
Israel IL
Reviewed: Oct 7, 2023
5/5

Not every animal chose to appear for us, but we were able to get close to an incredibly diverse range of animals and birds. Our guide was highly professional and knowledgeable and really enhanced our understanding of what we were seeing.

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Andros Belfonte  –  
Trinidad and Tobago TT
Reviewed: Jul 14, 2023
5/5

I was able to see 3 of the Big 5. Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard. Didn't see any lions on the day but they are around sometimes. No rhinos on this park. It was a magnificent 3 day experience with a lot of wildlife. The tour guide was...

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