Nyerere National Park
“The Land of the Mighty Rufiji”
This is Africa’s Largest National Park! The Park with a staggering size of 30,893km2 host one of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife. The area is larger than 70 countries in the world and is estimated to be twice the size of Costa Rica (Central America) and about twice the size of Belgium (Europe). Much of the area is in a wild state without being altered by human activities. The part of Selous game reserve is now running hydroelectric power. The park has a great river known as Rufiji River. Rufiji is Tanzania’s largest river and is home to many crocodiles and hippopotamuses. It is also one of the largest mangrove forests in the world located at its delta.
The collection of wildlife both in diversity and abundance is just remarkable! Visitors to this vast sanctuary will be able to see the astounding volume of wildlife both rare and common species.
The park host the famous ‘’Big Five’’ and some rare species of antelopes like Roan Antelope, Brindled Gnu, Lichtenstein hartebeest, roan, and sable antelopes, Kudu etc.!
Climate
The Park experiences bimodal rainfall season and the short rains fall in November and December and are followed by a partial drying out in January and February. Thereafter, the long rains follow ending in early May. It is located at an altitude between 100 and 400 meters with annual average rainfall.
Getting there
You can access the park by road or air
Road: From Dar es, Salaam to Nyerere National Park is about 250km via Kibiti
Air: There are regular flights from Dar es salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha to a number of small airstrips in the Park.
Attractions
Nyerere National Park has numerous attractions that visitors to the place can enjoy. Some of the best attractions in the Park include the ability to see the big Five, Large concentrations of elephants, and Hippos. The Rufiji River is full of abundant wildlife, the largest population of African wild dogs to mention but a few. The Park also has beautiful and scenic landscapes that add to the beauty of this majestic place.
The Rufiji is East Africa’s largest river. It flows through the northern part of the Park, and this river which is slow-moving and wide, has created a number of oxbow lakes in its northern flood plains, and they create a beautiful landscape of plains and woodlands interspersed with expanses of water.
The might Rufiji with its renowned population of hippos and crocodiles flows to the Indian Ocean. The river has been designated as a photographic zone and is popular for tourists.
Large Populations of African Wild dogs
In Nyerere African Hunting Dogs are thriving, unlike most of those elsewhere on the continent. In fact, the park has the last true stronghold for African hunting dogs in Africa. While this species is highly dangerous, it is in few areas. Nyerere gives visitors a chance to see them.
Highest Concentration of Hippos and Crocodile
Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park is home to plenty of hippos and Nile crocodiles.
Diverse birdlife
In Nyerere National Park, bird life is diverse and abundant. More than 440 species of birds are available. These species are in sandbanks, oxbow lakes and channels are home to these species. The rare species of Pel’s fishing owls and white backed heron which live in the wooded section of the riverbank
Continent Largest Population of Elephants
The largest concentration of elephants on the continent is in this park.
Rare Species of Antelopes
Apart from being very famous for elephants, rhinos and hippopotamus, Nyerere has also a vast range of game including: brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelope, eland, greater kudu, waterbuck, hartebeest, zebras, giraffe, reedbuck, warthog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, and hunting dogs, in addition to the largest populations of buffalo in Africa
Tourism Activities
Nyerere National Park has some of the activities that give visitors opportunities to enjoy its beauty. The Park will give opportunities to do walking safaris, Game Viewing by vehicles as well as Unforgettable boat trips along the mighty Rufiji.
