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3 Days Nyerere National Park for Wonderful Game, Walking, & Boat

3 Days Nyerere National Park for Wonderful Game, Walking, & Boat

Safari Overview

Nyerere National Park — covering 30,000 square kilometers and recognized as Africa's largest national park — offers a profoundly different safari experience from Tanzania's famous northern circuit. Here, in the remote southern wilderness, the landscapes are wider, the vegetation denser, the visitor numbers lower, and the range of activities available is simply unmatched by any other park in East Africa. This 3-Day Nyerere safari combines all three of the park's signature experiences: classic 4x4 game drives, a boat safari on the legendary Rufiji River, and a guided walking safari in the miombo woodland. The boat safari is Nyerere's most distinctive offering — a journey along the Rufiji's broad, hippo-filled channels where the river's ancient ecology is visible from water level in a way no game drive can replicate. Wild dogs patrol the riverine woodland; Nile crocodiles that have hunted these banks for decades rest in plain sight; and the scale of the park stretches to an unbroken horizon in every direction. Walking in Nyerere is the most immersive wildlife experience available in Tanzania — on foot, with an armed ranger, tracking animals and reading the landscape in genuine wilderness. A truly extraordinary three-day program for experienced safari travelers. Best time: June to October. Operated by Shammah Wonders Safaris — contact us for a southern Tanzania safari quote
3 Days Nyerere National Park for Wonderful Game, Walking, & Boat Route

Day to day description

Arrival Arrival day

Today you arrive directly at Julius Nyerere International Airport (time and flight to be confirmed) and will be transferred to your pre-safari hotel in Dar Es Salaam. 

Approximate driving time: Less than an hour to the Hotel
Accommodation: Blue Suphire Hotel
Meals included: Dinner.

Arrival day photo 1

Day 1 Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park( Selous) for evening boat tour in Rufiji River

Your adventure begins early at 6:30 AM, when our professional driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Dar es Salaam for a scenic drive to Selous Game Reserve. Upon arrival and check-in, you'll get a chance to relax briefly before heading out on an unforgettable evening boat safari on the Rufiji River, starting at 15:00 .

This two-hour cruise (15:00–17:00) is the perfect way to experience the serenity and wild beauty of the Selous. As the sun begins to set, you’ll glide along the river, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and an astonishing variety of birdlife—with over 350 species, this is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

The Rufiji River offers a spectacular backdrop for photography and peaceful wildlife viewing. Don’t miss the sunset, as it paints the river in golden hues—a truly magical sight. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try your hand at fishing for the fierce tiger fish or the mighty catfish that thrive in these waters.

Approximate driving time: 6 hours from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park( Selous) for evening boat tour in Rufiji River photo 1

Day 2 Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Selous Game Reserve

This is the highlight of your safari—a full day dedicated to exploring the vast and wild landscapes of Selous Game Reserve. After an early breakfast, you'll set off on a full-day game drive, led by our experienced safari guide who will go the extra mile to track and spot wildlife for you.

With a bit of luck, you may encounter some of the reserve’s rare and elusive species, such as African wild dogs, sable antelopes, and even the black rhino. Alongside these, expect to see plenty of Nile crocodiles, hippos, hartebeest, Cape buffalos, and elands, especially around the Rufiji River, where animals often gather.

A delicious picnic lunch with refreshing drinks will be served in a scenic spot within the park, allowing you to soak in the sounds and sights of the African wilderness. After your game drive, return to camp for dinner and a restful overnight stay, accompanied by the peaceful sounds of the wild—perhaps the gentle grunting of hippos nearby.

Our guides are more than just wildlife trackers—they’re storytellers and experts in animal behavior, ready to share fascinating insights that make your experience both exciting and educational.

Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Selous Game Reserve photo 1

Day 3 Sunrise Walking Safari – Return to Dar es Salaam

Begin your morning with a light snack—a cup of tea or coffee paired with homemade biscuits or doughnuts—before heading out at around 6:00–6:30 AM for a sunrise walking safari. Guided by an expert ranger, this 2–3-hour bushwalk offers a unique opportunity to experience the African wilderness on foot.

Unlike game drives, walking safaris allow you to connect more intimately with nature, focusing on the often-overlooked smaller species, animal tracks, plants, and insects, while learning about the delicate ecosystems of the reserve. It's a peaceful and thrilling way to witness the awakening of the bush and appreciate the landscape from a whole new perspective.

After the walk, return to camp for a hearty breakfast before beginning your journey back to Dar es Salaam. You'll be dropped off at your hotel or airport, depending on your schedule, carrying unforgettable memories of your Selous adventure.

Approximate driving time: 6 hours from  Nyerere National Park to Dar es Salaam

Accommodation: None

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

- from US$ 780 per person
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Private and Comfortable Safari Experience

Includes

Meals & accommodation

- Snacks & soft drinks

- Transfer fee

4x4 Land cruiser with pop up roof

Government taxes & VAT

All National Park conservation, park entry, camping, activity or concession fees as applicable 

Experienced English-speaking safari guide.

1 first aid kit per vehicle - In vehicle sanitizer, charging ports (Type G socket)

Excludes

International flights

Alcohol

Laundry & shopping expenses

Optional activities expenses

Extra excursion not listed in itinerary 

Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees