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By Lauren 05 June 2025

Ruaha vs Nyerere: Visiting Tanzania’s southern circuit

Ruaha and Nyerere are the two exceptional national parks that make up Tanzania’s quieter, more remote southern circuit. Below, we compare the best safari experiences and lodges in both destinations to help you decide which park will best suit your next adventure.

Tanzania’s southern circuit is often considered a destination for those who have been on safari before. While they may not carry the world-famous reputation of the Serengeti, both Ruaha and Nyerere offer a safari that is remote, authentic, and gets you away from the crowds. There’s plenty of big game in these parks, and a more diverse range of safari activities, such as boating and walking. Also, the luxury lodges here offer excellent value when compared to the lodges and camps in Tanzania’s popular northern circuit. We consider Ruaha and Nyerere fantastic safari choices, even if it’s your first time in Africa!

The two parks can also be great safari destinations for those who have perhaps ‘box-ticked’ wildlife on a first trip and are looking for rarer and unexpected varieties of species. For others, it’s simply about getting off the beaten track and into a wildlife area that’s much more remote.

For honeymooners, these parks are excellent options too. They are home to beautiful, intimate properties where you’re unlikely to see other vehicles while on game drives – and since you fly directly into the camps, at no point will you feel like you’re on a touristy overland route. The southern parks can also form part of an efficient flying circuit to include Tanzania’s mainland coastal beaches, or idyllic Zanzibar with its satellite islands.

asanja ruaha bush dinner tanzania yellow zebra safaris
Zebra, Selous Impala Camp, Nyerere, Tanzania

Nyerere and Ruaha are very different from one another and complement each other perfectly. Ruaha has a similar climate and topography to northern Tanzania, with its open plains, while Nyerere sits on the coastal plateau so it’s often hotter and more tropical, with many rivers and lakes for boating adventures. So, which of these two stunning places do you choose? The quick answer is that since they both offer unique safari experiences, we would recommend a few days in each. But if you have to choose only one safari destination, we hope the details below will help.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha View Oct 2006
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Covering just over 20,000 square kilometres, this is Tanzania’s largest national park. Scorched red earth, open plains, baobab forests, and sand riverbeds form part of a dramatic scenery that makes Ruaha a place people return to again and again. Flights touch down directly into the landing areas of the lodges – and with only a handful of lodges in a vast area of protected land, the park is a wilderness safari destination that’s hard to beat! The game here is excellent and the area is home to famously large prides of lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, giraffe, hyena, cheetah, and more than 500 species of birds. African wild dog numbers are on the rise. The Mwagusi River has plenty of hippos and crocodiles, and the best time to be in the park is during the dry season (June to October) when the wildlife congregates around the remaining water sources.

Game drives are the most common activity, while walking safaris here are incredible. We can also arrange hot air balloon safaris over the plains at sunrise – a stunning addition to any trip. It’s useful to note that walking safaris generally need to be booked in advance in Ruaha and at a small additional cost due to the need for a park ranger.

Where to stay in Ruaha National Park

Both Ruaha and Nyerere have a fine selection of properties to choose from. There are often ‘free night’ deals, while some companies with properties in both parks offer discounts if you visit both of their camps. Do chat with one of our safari specialists to learn more about our current safari offers and how they can be best used to maximise your trip.

  1. Ikuka – Set high on an escarpment, this family-owned and -run property is intimate and luxurious, with sensational views.
  2. Mdonya Old River – Exceptional value, rustic, and out of the way, this camp enjoys great resident wildlife. This is no-frills safari at its best.
  3. Kigelia – The only truly tented camp, with superb Nomad hospitality, guiding, and private vehicles as standard. Often combined with Sand Rivers in Nyerere.
  4. Jongomero – The original luxury camp in Ruaha, with beautiful design, great food, and an exclusive game-viewing area. A Ruaha classic.
  5. Kichaka – One of the best walking camps in Africa, also offers fly-camping options. Owner-run by phenomenal guide Moli, who resides there 80 per cent of the time and can be requested.

Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve)

Selous Game Reserve landscape, Tanzania safari, Africa
Boat cruise, Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

In total contrast to Ruaha, Nyerere is a lush and tropical region of Tanzania with rivers and lakes, palm trees, rolling hills, and incredibly beautiful scenery. As with your journey into Ruaha, you’d fly directly into the individual camps’ landing areas in the park, making for a really intimate safari. While it is possible for day-trippers to drive in from Dar es Salaam, if you pick your lodge well, you can still enjoy a wild and exclusive experience. Nyerere is theoretically a Big Five destination, although the rhino population is scarce here and you’d be lucky to see just one! However, there are wild dog, elephant, buffalo, lion, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and bountiful numbers of crocodile and hippo in the many water sources. Birdlife in Nyerere is incredible! Endemic species include Ruvu weaver and Bohm’s bee-eater.

The main difference between Ruaha and Nyerere, in terms of activities, is due to the abundance of water in the latter. The boating safaris in Nyerere are first rate, and you should go out on the water at least once during your stay – this could be on one of the lakes located near your camp or on the Rufiji River itself. In addition to the grumpy hippo pods and sunbathing crocodiles that line the shore, there’s plenty of wildlife activity to see from a boat, especially in the dry season (June to October) as animals come to the waterside to drink. Peak viewing season is from late July, and as you enter October it becomes very hot and humid. Walking safaris are possible, and it’s lovely to encounter the smaller insects and plants that are sometimes overlooked in a vehicle. Birdlife among the riverine forests is also plentiful, including big-hitters such as the fish eagle and Pel’s fishing owl.

Suggested lodges in Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve)

  1. Sand Rivers – Prime location right on the river and unique indoor–outdoor rooms, stunning pool. Private vehicle, guide, and bespoke activity plan. Also offers fly camping.
  2. Roho ya Selous – Newest camp in the park, with stunning design, remote location, and game-rich location across the river, making for less traffic.
  3. Siwandu – Great-value luxury, sister camp to Jongomero in Ruaha, offering unique experiences (e.g., lake cruise lunch) as well as great boating, walking, and fishing.
  4. Beho Beho – Legendary lodge, with family-style hosting and superb food, huge cottage suites with plunge pools. Plenty of wildlife comes through camp.
  5. Lake Manze – A charming and rustic ‘off-grid’ experience, an incredibly serene location. A brilliant value property with elephants often wandering through camp.

So, which park do you visit, Ruaha or Nyerere?

This is a personal choice, and you certainly won’t be disappointed whichever you choose. If you want a wider variety of activities, it has to be Nyerere, with its great boating and fishing. However, if boating is not your thing, the blissful remoteness of Ruaha and its stronger wildlife concentrations are the draw! While this park does have the Great Ruaha River, it is not great for boating and there are no water-based activities here.

If budget and time allow, spending some time in both parks is ideal. The game areas pair so well together, offering a varied experience in terms of diversity of landscape, activities, and ecosystems.

Ruaha and Nyerere deliver something entirely different from the famous northern parks of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. They may not have quite the same density of wildlife, but neither do they have the same quantity of visitors. Both southern parks have a stunning diversity of wildlife, and this is what makes them all the more authentic – working slightly harder for your sightings means the reward feels greater. And certainly one of the main attractions is that you will barely see another vehicle. Those who have visited both the north and south of Tanzania tend to fall in love and return to the south!

If you’re keen to travel to Tanzania’s quieter southern circuit, please take a look at our inspiration below – alternatively, do give our experts a call to speak in more detail. A brief chat with someone who has been to both parks is the perfect way to start planning your tailor-made trip to Africa.

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