Nyerere National Park, originally known as the Selous Game Reserve, is Africa’s largest stand-alone national park spanning a vast area in southern Tanzania. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it usually features on a Southern Circuit safari. A massive wilderness area four times the size of the Serengeti, the Nyerere National Park supports some of the biggest herds left in Africa, an estimated 30,000 elephant and 200,000 buffalo, as well as large herds of plains game call the reserve home. There are plenty of hippo, crocodiles, zebras and giraffe and it is also a terrific area to see rare and endangered African wild dogs (also called painted wolf). A birder's paradise, expect to see a huge number of species, with around 450 birds having been recorded in the park.
Highlights
Discover one of the largest reserves in the world
Witness a huge elephant and buffalo concentration
Immersive boat trips along the Rufiji River
Sensational game viewing, including rare and endangered African wild dog
Home to renowned, ultra-luxury safari camps and lodges
Iconic Activities
4WD Safari
Boat Trip
Guided Walking Safari
Fly Camping
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Nyerere National Park Map
Enriching encounters
ICONIC WILDLIFE
Whether you want to tick the Big Five off your bucket list or seek out specific safari species, our expert guides reveal the typical wildlife sightings to expect in the Nyerere National Park.
Wild Dog
Zebra
Wildebeest
Spotted Hyena
Maasai Giraffe
Lion
Leopard
Hippo
Elephant
Crocodile
Buffalo
African Fish Eagle
Sample itineraries
TRIPS TO INSPIRE
From exhilarating wildlife encounters to out-of-this-world natural wonders, echoes of ancient empires, and rose-gold beaches, every bespoke journey is designed to immerse you in the extraordinary. Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime safari, a milestone celebration, a soul-stirring retreat, or simply looking to travel well and with purpose, these itineraries offer a starting point for what’s possible. As a top tour operator in the world, as recognised by both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveller, we will guide you on how to shape the ultimate expedition.
From remote safari camps to world-class resorts, our selected properties are hand-picked by our experts and endorsed by our guests. Often intimate, always exceptional, we'll choose the perfect lodges, hotels and villas to suit your personal style and interests.
Start your unique journey
HOW TO BOOK
At Mahlatini, we believe in making your journey effortless. Browse our website for inspiration or get in touch with us directly. Whether you already have a dream destination in mind or need some inspiration, our travel experts are here to create your custom itinerary. Serial safari-goer, Indophile or first-time explorer, your adventure starts with a conversation.
Connect
Call us or enquire online. Share your wish list and we’ll start planning your journey.
Customise
Your dedicated travel expert will be in touch within 24 hours to start designing your bespoke itinerary.
Confirm
We won’t stop refining your plans until we get the perfect trip at the best price.
Travel
Receive your Mahlatini travel documents, pack your bags and set off on your trip of a lifetime!
We routinely go the extra mile to ensure that we not only plan the perfect itinerary but ensure that you're in good hands at every stage of your journey. That's why we are especially proud to maintain an overall client satisfaction rating of 98%.
John M Grist, 28th March 2026
holiday to
Tanzania
Fantastic, Aaron and Mahlatini could not have done more from start to finish.
Another flawlessly executed vacation. This is our fourth trip to Africa with Mahlatini and we wouldn’t trust anyone else. We were originally booked to go to Tanzania, Oman and UAE for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the war in Iran began while we were in Tanzania. Given the situation we were forced to pivo…
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4WD Safari
Boat Trip
Guided Walking Safari
Fly Camping
