Why We Love Selous (Nyerere)

Africa’s largest wildlife reserve is wilder, quieter, and more immersive than anything you’ve experienced.

If you dream of safaris without traffic jams, where hippos snort from the river and lion tracks cross your morning path — welcome to Nyerere National Park. Formerly part of the legendary Selous Game Reserve, this vast, untamed wilderness is still one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets.

🌍 A wilderness on a grand scale

Covering over 30,000 km², Nyerere is nearly four times the size of the Serengeti. And yet… it feels empty. In the best possible way. The landscape shifts from wide-open floodplains and grassy savannahs to palm-fringed lakes and dense miombo forests.

It’s a place where wildlife roams freely — and humans are just quiet observers.

🦁 Wildlife, wild and free

Nyerere is home to East Africa’s highest concentration of wildlife, but don’t expect to tick animals off a list. Here, sightings feel earned and magical — lions in the shade, buffalo herds by the river, wild dogs trotting along the track.

• Lions, leopards, hyenas, and rare African wild dogs
• Elephants, giraffes, zebras, and big herds of buffalo
• Hippos and crocodiles crowding the Rufiji River
• Over 400 bird species — including bee-eaters, kingfishers, and fish eagles

🚤 Not just game drives

What makes Nyerere special? It’s the freedom to explore differently:

• Boat safaris on the Rufiji River — glide past crocodiles and hippos as birds dive for fish
• Walking safaris — track animals on foot with expert rangers
• Fly-camping — sleep under the stars in complete solitude

This isn’t just a safari — it’s an immersion in nature’s rhythm.

🏕️ Where to stay

Nomadia Travels partners with lodges that keep you close to nature — with comfort, care and a light footprint.

• Africa Safari Selous Lodge: Peacefully located just outside the park, this eco-friendly lodge offers spacious tents and chalets with en-suite bathrooms, a refreshing pool, and warm Tanzanian hospitality. A perfect base for both game drives and boat safaris.

Whether you’re starting your safari here or ending your Southern Circuit with a quiet river sunset, Africa Safari Selous Lodge is the kind of place where you’ll want to stay a little longer.

📅 When to go

• Dry season (June–October): Best for game viewing, as animals gather near water
• Green season (November–April): Lush landscapes, fewer tourists, and incredible birdlife

💛 Why we love it

Selous (Nyerere) reminds us why we travel: to reconnect. To breathe. To feel small in the presence of something greater. It’s raw, real, and rich in silence — a place where nature still leads.

Ready to experience Tanzania’s wildest side?
Explore our Southern Circuit itineraries and discover Selous for yourself → Start planning