Wildlife in Nyerere National Park
The variety of wildlife to be seen in Nyerere isn’t quite on a par with Ruaha or Serengeti National Parks, but you’re likely to see big herds of buffalo and elephant. Masai giraffes are very common too. Impalas are abundant, and you’ll see lots of greater kudus with their magnificent spiral horns as well. Nyerere is a stronghold for the rare sable antelope, and one of the main attractions of the park is the chance to encounter wild dogs. Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve) offers great wildlife viewing. The string of lakes along the main circuit is a good place to see unusually large groups of giraffes alongside buffalo, waterbuck, impala, and plains zebras. Opportunistic, hungry lions sometimes wait nearby for animals to drink, and you might be lucky to see a daytime kill.
The Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The dry season, from June to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. Wildlife is easier to spot at this time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Rufiji River and the lakes. Roads become impassable after heavy rain, and most camps close toward the end of the wet season, in April, and reopen at the beginning of June. The best chance to see wild dogs is during their denning season, from June to August.
