Safari

3-Day Nyerere National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam, Nyerere National Park, Dar es Salaam

Duration: 3 days · 2 nights
Pace: Moderate
Best season: June – October

your journey

Overview

Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous) is the closest big wilderness to Dar es Salaam, about five hours away by road. This short mid-range safari fits three very different experiences into three days: a boat safari on the Rufiji River, a full day of game driving, and a walk through the bush with an armed ranger.

The Rufiji and its lakes are the heart of the park. Hippos and crocodiles crowd the water, elephants and buffalo come down to drink, and the palm-fringed shores are rich in birds. Away from the river, open woodland holds giraffe, zebra, lion and the African wild dog.

It is an easy trip to add before or after a stay in Dar es Salaam or on Zanzibar.

Who it suits

Travellers with only a few days in Dar es Salaam, business visitors with a free weekend, and anyone who would like to see a quieter park on foot and by boat.

Parks visited

Nyerere National Park

what makes it special

Highlights

A late-afternoon boat safari on the Rufiji River
A full day of game driving in Nyerere
A walking safari with an armed ranger
No flights needed: a road trip from Dar es Salaam

day by day

The itinerary

Your guide collects you from your hotel in Dar es Salaam for the drive south to Nyerere National Park, about five hours away. You stop at Kibiti for lunch, then continue to your camp to check in and rest for a while. In the late afternoon you head out on a boat safari on the Rufiji River, gliding past hippos, crocodiles and wading birds as the light softens. Dinner is back at camp.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge or tented camp in or near Nyerere National ParkMeals: Lunch & dinner

After an early breakfast you spend the whole day exploring the park in a 4x4, across woodland, grassland and the lakes of the Rufiji. Your guide will look for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, lion and, with luck, the African wild dog. You can take a picnic lunch in the park or come back to camp for a hot meal, which your guide will arrange with you in the morning.

Overnight: Mid-range lodge or tented camp in or near Nyerere National ParkMeals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Early in the morning you are driven to the park gate to start a walking safari with an armed ranger, who shows you tracks, plants and the smaller creatures you miss from a vehicle. Your guide agrees the start time with you the day before. After the walk you return to camp to check out, then drive back to Dar es Salaam, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Safari ends in Dar es SalaamMeals: Breakfast & lunch

in pictures

Gallery

the price

What is included

Included

Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
Full board at the safari lodge or camp
4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide
Game drives as listed in the itinerary
National park entrance fees
A boat safari and a walking safari with an armed ranger
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Dar es Salaam

Not included

International flights
Tanzania visa fee
Travel and personal accident insurance
Activities and excursions not listed in the itinerary
Drinks, laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses
Tips for your guide and hotel staff

Prices

Price on request

before you ask

Common questions

You can go on safari here all year. The dry season from June to October is the easiest time for game viewing, because animals gather near rivers and the grass is short, but it is also the busiest. From November to May the parks are green, quieter and excellent for birds, with short rains around November and the long rains in April and May. Where the wildebeest migration is depends on the month, so tell us your dates and we will plan the route around them.

Our safaris use 4x4 safari vehicles with a pop-up roof, so you can stand up for game viewing and photography. On a private safari the vehicle and driver-guide are yours alone for the whole trip.

Each tour page lists exactly what is included and excluded. On our northern circuit safaris, such as the 7-day Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire trip, national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance fees are included. If you are not sure, ask your specialist before you book.

Yes. Every itinerary on this site is a starting point. We can add or remove days, swap parks, or change the accommodation to suit your budget, and your specialist will send you a revised plan and quote.

Bring light, neutral-coloured clothes, a warm layer for early mornings and for the Ngorongoro Crater rim, which is cold at night, comfortable shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards make a big difference. Soft bags pack into safari vehicles more easily than hard suitcases.

Most visitors need a visa. Apply online in good time through the official Tanzania Immigration website at eservices.immigration.go.tz, and do not use unofficial agents. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival. Requirements differ by nationality, so check the official site for your country.

Yes. Scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam to the park's airstrips take about 45 minutes. Flying costs more but gives you extra time in the park; ask your specialist.

Enquire

Ask about this itinerary

Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.

Your journey

Price on request

3 days · 2 nights