Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous)

Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is today one of Africa's largest and most impressive protected areas. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it covers more than 30,000 km², over half of the former Selous Reserve's 54,000 km². This transformation, formalised in 2019, aims to strengthen wildlife protection and promote sustainable tourism in this exceptional region of Tanzania.

The park takes its name from Julius Nyerere, father of independence and the country's first president, deeply committed to nature conservation. Nyerere stands as a tribute to his vision of a Tanzania where human development goes hand in hand with the preservation of ecosystems.

A true sanctuary of biodiversity, Nyerere National Park holds an impressive concentration of wildlife. It is home to more than 75,000 elephants, over 120,000 buffalo, 40,000 hippopotamuses, 4,000 lions, a large population of leopards, and the world's largest population of African wild dogs. Its birdlife is equally remarkable, with more than 400 species recorded, and its flora is highly diverse, with over 2,100 identified plant species.

The Rufiji, Tanzania's largest river, flows through the park, forming a network of lakes, swamps and floodplains that draw abundant wildlife year-round. This spectacular natural setting allows for varied safari experiences — by 4x4, on foot or by boat — offering a rare immersion in the wild.

Still little visited by mass tourism, Nyerere National Park appeals to travellers seeking authenticity, vastness and unforgettable wildlife encounters. It is a prime destination for discovering one of the purest, best-preserved faces of Tanzania.