Nyerere: The untamed heart of the Southern Tanzania
The national park is captivating the world. Here is how.
TUESDAY January 20, 2026
By Patty Magubira
The Tranquility News Reporter, Tanzania
Nearly twenty years ago, a group of friends returned from the plains of Tanzania with a piece of advice for Anna and Rafael Waskiewicz: Go. You must see it for yourself.
This month, the Norwegian couple finally took that advice, trading the fjords of the north for the sprawling wilderness of Nyerere National Park in southern Tanzania.
For Rafael, an IT professional, the reality far exceeded the two-decade-old recommendation.
“It was a great experience—more than expected,” Anna shared, her eyes still bright from the day’s sightings of the Big Five, alongside pods of hippos and prehistoric-looking crocodiles.
Rafael was equally struck by the human element. “The hospitality is fantastic, with good guides and food. We will definitely come back.”
A natural sanctuary, not a superficial one
The Waskiewiczs are not alone in their discovery. Deep in the park, newlyweds Bouba Dicko and Aisse Marega from France were celebrating their honeymoon.
Having started their journey with the white sands of Zanzibar, they found a different kind of magic in Nyerere’s raw landscape.
“The park is natural, not superficial,” Bouba remarked. “Everyone we met put on a natural smile.”
Aisse, though disappointed to have missed the elusive leopard, saw it as a divine sign to return. “Nyerere should remain this way; nothing should be changed,” she insisted. “We will come back, inshallah, as soon as possible.”
The park’s appeal is also drawing solo travellers like Spiros Kovojsanakis, an architect from Greece.
Making his first trip to Africa, Spiros found himself mesmerised by the simple sight of wildlife in their natural habitat.
“Seeing animals for the first time in my lifetime excited me the most,” he said, already planning a future trip to the Serengeti.
The pulse of the park
Nyerere National Park offers a sensory experience that goes beyond the typical game drive.
At Lake Nzelekela—named after an ancient chief of the Ndengereko people—Captain Simon Ngimba guides tourists through waters teeming with tiger fish, moon fish, and kasa – water turtles.
The experience is exhilarating but requires respect for the environment.
“It is not allowed to touch the water for fear of crocodiles,” Ngimba warns his passengers.
He ensures every visitor is equipped with life jackets and advices on the proper dress code: Light, matte clothing to blend into the surroundings.
Back on land, the cultural heartbeat of the region is becoming a focal point.
Ephraim Mwangomo, Assistant Conservation Commissioner for TANAPA, is working with a Bagamoyo cultural institution to send traditional dances to the park’s lodges, allowing visitors to connect with the heritage of the communities surrounding the wilderness.
A growing reputation
For Shaun O’Driscoll, manager of Fox Safaris’ Rufiji River Camp, the draw of Tanzania is simple: Its people. Having worked across the continent for 11 years, Shaun and his wife chose to settle here.
“Tanzanians are the friendliest in Africa,” he says. “They make you feel like part of the family.”
This warmth, combined with the park’s unique features—such as its famous populations of wild dogs—is driving a surge in tourism.
Even during the traditional low season’, guides like Athuman Mpogo of Uwanda Tours report a significant uptick in visitors to sites like Kalahari, Manze, and Behobeho.
Investing in the future
This boom is supported by significant infrastructure growth. In 2021, Tanzania received $567.25 million from the IMF as part of a COVID-19 response package.
Nyerere National Park has put these funds to direct use, Mwangomo says, transforming the visitor experience through infrastructure, accessibility, and utilities.
The park has constructed new gate complexes, renovated airstrips at Msolwa and Likuyu Sekamaganga, and constructed roughly 400-kilometre new roads.
New power houses and fresh boreholes have been built to ensure a reliable water supply.
As the sun sets over the Rufiji River, it is clear that Nyerere National Park is no longer Tanzania’s best-kept secret.
It is a world-class destination that manages to feel like home, proving that some recommendations are worth waiting for two decades.Ω
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The Tranquility News Reporter/Sub Editor, Tanzania
Patty Magubira is an experienced environmental and business editor whose career started at the Tanzania's state-owned newspaper - The Daily News. He is a man of perfection. Aided by his extensive training as a community forestry expert before joining Tanzania School of Journalism. Magubira had successfully held various key posts in newsrooms, giving him an unmatched connections in media fraternity. Having worked as a bureau chief in Arusha and Mwanza, he managed to build a team work, boosting sales to the highest level ever. He was then promoted to a sub-editor after completing a training in Nairobi, Kenya. His incredible experience, critical thinking and exposure are critical to the quality of any media outlet.
