Covering an area of 30,893 square kilometers spanning the major portion of Liwale District in western Lindi Region, Nyerere National Park formerly the northern section of Selous Game Reserve is the biggest national park in the world and one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Once in a lifetime, Nyerere national park is a very fulfilling Tanzania safari trip from Dar es Salaam; the area is also rather easily accessible. From Dar es Salaam, the closest point of access to the park is 230 kilometers. The entrance gate one intends to utilize to reach the park determines, however, the distance from Dar es Salaam.
Road conditions in some areas with the remaining 75 kilometers to the park are not very good; a road drive to Nyerere national from Dar es Salaam takes roughly five hours to the one of the nearer access gates of the park.
Another way to reach the park apart from driving is by flying. With about one hour’s flight from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam to various airstrips serving the park, flying is the most common and practical means of getting to the park.
The details on road and plane travel to the park from Dar es Salaam are below.
How to reach Nyerere National Park’s wild habitat?
Road from Dar Es Salaam to Nyerere National Park
Nyerere national park is reachable on road from either Dar es Salaam or Arusha for visitors on a Tanzania safari; the road is routinely paved and in good shape, but it can be difficult to negotiate during the main rainy season, April and May. The route from Dar es Salaam runs 184 kilometers to 230 kilometers depending on the gate or entrance you wish to utilize to reach the park; the travel takes
About six hours to get most of the park gates, including Mtemere and Matembwe; about six to six.5 hours to get gates located on the northern side of Selous wildlife reserve
From Dar es Salaam, the eastern road is followed on a direct path spanning 240 kilometers/149 Miles. This road runs from Kibiti and Mloka to Mtemere gate, from where you will enter the park. The travel is long and difficult, roughly six to seven hours (nearly half a day).
Use an other path that passes through Morogoro Town via Kisaki and Mkuyuni, then access the park using Matambo Gate if you would want to mix the park with other Tanzania game parks including Ruaha national park and Mikumi national park.
Driving hours approximated to Nyerere National Park
From Dar es Salaam to Nyerere Park via Matemere Gate, the drive takes five to five and half hours.
From Dar es Salaam to Nyerere Park across Matembwe Gate, the travel takes about six to seven hours.
Roads’ state
The good news is most of the road leading to the park is actually a tarred road starting with highway A104, B3 and C12, except the last section which is roughly one hour drive. Most clients first worry about the state of the roads before driving to the park during the process of planning their safari.
On some areas, including a few stretches with potholes, the tarmac section of this road is in sub-standard condition, though. The last potion unpaved may be dusty and bumpy, but it just gives your African wildness more adventure.
Safari Car Models
The two main types of vehicles used in safaris in Tanzania and East Africa are the safari Tour minibuses (Tour vans) and the 4X4 Safari Jeeps (Land Cruiser), for most safaris in Tanzania including to Nyerere national park.
Every one of these vehicles has built in, pop-up roof hatches for great game viewing. The driver lifts the pop-up roof hatches on game drives to provide simple, unobstructed views of the field. These cars also feature cooler boxes and UHF Radio calls.
Getting to Nyerere National Park: Wildlife Tours
While some of the tour vans also come with 4X4 capability, albeit with the lack of ground clearance or off road ability that comes with a land cruiser, these two types of vehicles vary in prices. The tour van costs less than the four wheel drive safari jeep. Both kinds of safari vehicles fit a maximum of seven passengers; six is the ideal number; eight is the highest limit with an additional seat included into the vehicle.
Note: There are restrictions on luggage.
flights to NYerère
There are multiple airlines flying from Dar es Salaam to different airstrips serving Nyerere national park; flying is one of the best and most practical means of reaching the area. These flights are daily available and take around one hour.
Most of the flights leaving Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam either fly back to Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Airport after dropping off or collecting passengers from multiple airstrips of Nyerere national park. Should you be arriving from Arusha, you must be at the airport roughly 45 minutes before your departure.
Regional Air, Coastal Aviation, Safari Air Link and Auric Air are the four major airlines flying to Nyerere national park. Every one of these airlines has a good safety record and provides consistent service.
Flight calendar for Nyerere National Park
Depart Dar es Salaam at 10 am and reach Nyerere national park at 11 am in morning flight.
Return morning flight; leave Nyerere national park at 11 am and reach Dar es Salaam at 12pm.
Depart Dar es Salaam 3pm and arrive Nyerere national park at 4pm in afternoon flight.
Retort Flight from Nyerere national park at 4 pm arrives Dar es Salaam at 5 pm.
Air strips to Newer National Park
Together with the surrounding Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere national park is serviced by several airstriks spread over several sections of the two protected areas (reserve and the park). This helps to serve the lodges and camps located close by, so reducing transfer time from the airport to the lodge or camp. Among these airports are
Mtemere is Sumbazi Airport Airstrip Sikandu Beho Beho, an airstrip Kiba airstrip matambo Airstrip used for flights to Newer National Park: AIRCRAFTS
Flying to the park, the kind of aircraft used consists in
From 13-seaters Cessna Caravans to 40 seaters for DeHavilland Dash 7 and 8 aircraft, propeller planes with seating capacity range.
Passengers on these flights are only allowed 15 kg of carry-on and check-in baggage together.
Tanzania Safari — What You Need to Know
Tanzania is one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations, home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha, Selous (Nyerere), Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Mahale Mountains. Each park offers a distinct ecosystem and wildlife experience, making Tanzania ideal for multi-park itineraries.
The country’s crown jewel is the Serengeti — over 14,000 km² of open savannah supporting the world’s largest terrestrial mammal migration. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, circle the Serengeti ecosystem in an annual clockwise journey in search of fresh grass and water.
Tanzania is also home to Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Zanzibar Archipelago — making it possible to combine a classic safari with a mountain climb and a beach extension all in one country.
Recommended Tours: 6 Days Tanzania Wildlife Safari | 5 Days Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
