Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Southern Circuit (Morogoro)

Tanzania Jun-Oct (dry season)

The largest national park in Tanzania and one of the biggest in Africa, with the Rufiji River at its heart. Its signature activity is a boat safari, which lets you watch hippo, crocodile and waterbirds from the water, and walking safaris are permitted with an armed ranger. Far quieter than the northern circuit.

Country: Tanzania
Region: Southern Circuit (Morogoro)
Best season: Jun-Oct (dry season)
Category: Standard listing

Wildlife highlights

Boat safari on the Rufiji African wild dog Hippo Elephant

Migration timing

Not a migration park. Best game viewing is the dry season (Jun-Oct) when the Rufiji channels concentrate wildlife; boat access reduces in the heavy rains of Mar-May.

What to pack

Light clothing for hot humid days, a swimsuit for boat camps, neutral colours, insect repellent (tsetse and mosquitoes are both present), and a dry bag for boat safaris on the Rufiji.

Park fees

Entrance is roughly US$45-55 per person per 24 hours plus boat/vehicle activity fees, administered by TANATOCA. Boat safaris are priced separately by camps and operators.

Wildlife safety

Nyerere offers boat safaris among hippo and crocodiles — keep hands inside the boat and follow the guide's distances exactly. Walking safaris are armed-ranger only. Wild dogs, lions and buffalo are all present.