Lodges and camps in Nyerere National Park
There are two kinds of stay. Inside the park there are public and special campsites. Along the Rufiji and in the surrounding area there are lodges and tented camps. Many safari packages use the second kind.
Camps are small and spread out, so where you sleep decides how far you drive and what you see on day one. A camp on a lake in the northern part of the park, for example, puts you close to the water. Before you pick a stay, look at the safari from Dar es Salaam options, because many packages include the beds, the transfer and the park fees in one price.
Our pick: two nights in lodges, by road
Two lodge nights with meals, reached by ferry and road from Zanzibar.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nyerere safaris with a stay
Guided safaris and fly-in trips to Nyerere National Park, many with beds in the park. Live prices and availability.
Nyerere National Park accommodation by type
What each kind of stay involves.
Tented camps along the Rufiji
Camps on the river put you close to the water where the boat safaris run.
Lodges and camps at the lakes
Some camps sit on the lakes of the park. A camp sits on Lake Nzerakera in the northern part of the park. Read the Rufiji River and lakes page for the water system.
Public campsites
Public campsites are inside the park and run by the park authority.
Special campsites
Special or seasonal camping is booked in advance and is priced above public camping.
Hostel and rest house
The tariff also has a hostel for organised groups, booked in advance, and a rest house. Ask about availability before you plan on either.
Accommodation fees on the tariff
Amounts per person and night, before tax. The year is shown for each line.
| Type | Non-East African visitors and residents | East African citizens | Tariff year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public campsite, adult | $30 | TZS 5,000 | 2022/23 |
| Public campsite, child | $5 | TZS 2,500 | 2022/23 |
| Hostel for organised groups, book ahead | $10 | TZS 5,000 | 2022/23 |
| Rest house | $30 | TZS 20,000 | 2022/23 |
| Special or seasonal camping, adult | $60 / $50 | – | 2023/24 |
| Concession fee, adult | $60 / $50 | – | 2023/24 |
Children under 5 camp free. The special camping and concession lines show two amounts, $60 and $50, and the tariff separates July to September from October to June. Check which one applies to your dates. The concession fee is a separate charge and is not added to camping, so do not total the two unless you know which type of stay you booked.
These are older tariff amounts and not current prices. Check the current amount before you book, and ask whether your package already includes it. For most visitors, the practical choice is a tented camp or lodge booked as part of a safari, with the park fees listed on the Nyerere park fees page.
Seasons and opening
Camps do not follow one calendar. Some camps close from mid-March to May, in the long rains, while others stay open or close at other times. Always ask about opening dates when you book.
Pick-up points also differ. Some camps collect guests at Mtemere, others at an airstrip. Settle where you are met before you pay. See Nyerere weather for the seasons.
What to ask before you book a camp
Five questions that save surprises.
What is included?
Ask about beds, meals, drives, boat trips, transfers and park fees. Packages differ.
How do I get there?
Camps reach guests by road from a gate or by plane to an airstrip. See getting there.
Is it open on my dates?
Some camps close for part of the rains.
Can I add a walk or a boat trip?
Ask early, because walking safaris need advance booking and a permit.
Which fees are in the price?
Ask whether the concession fee and the park entry appear as separate lines or sit inside the price.
Nyerere lodges: frequently asked questions
Where can you stay in Nyerere National Park?
In campsites inside the park and in lodges and tented camps along the Rufiji and in the surrounding area.
Are there lodges on the lakes?
Yes. A camp sits on Lake Nzerakera in the northern part of the park.
How much does it cost to camp?
Under the 2022/23 tariff, a public campsite costs $30 per adult and night for non-East African visitors and TZS 5,000 for East African citizens. Check the current amount before you book.
Do the camps close in the rainy season?
Some do. Some camps close from mid-March to May. Others have their own dates, so ask when you book.
Do you recommend a particular lodge?
No. We describe the types of stay and the areas, and we leave the choice of a camp to you and your operator.
Is this the official Nyerere National Park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) or any authority, and it is not connected to any safari operator, airline, lodge or camp.