Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve and one of favourite game viewing areas in Africa. Covering 50,000 square kilometres, is amongst the largest protected areas in Africa and is relatively undisturbed by human impact

Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve is one of its most scenic wildlife destinations; the Selous is utterly beautiful.  The beauty of the park is matched by the quality of a safari here; boating, walking and fly camping compliment standard game driving in thriving wildlife areas.  This is an outrageously good safari park and an essential component of any southern circuit itinerary.

The Selous is a superb safari destination for both family safaris and African honeymoons, all the better for the ease of getting there and the lack of crowds.  The park has the widest diversity of safari activities in the country, offering the boating safaris as well as standard game drives, walking safaris and legendary fly camping trips.

The Northern section of Selous is home to a network of channels and lagoons that run off the Rufiji River.  This lush landscape provides a water supply for the region’s game and towards the end of the dry season the concentration of animals around these water sources is phenomenal.  It is here, around the river and lakes, that the majority of the camps are based; successfully relying on the animal’s need for water to provide game viewing areas.  Selous is in its peak season from July through to the middle of November – this when the dry season is raging and all the game homes in on the few permanent water sources.

The sheer volume of game in the Selous is outstanding with statistics putting most parks in Africa to shame.  Elephant, buffalo and lion are ‘arguably’ found in no greater numbers year round anywhere on the planet.  But it is the Selous’ reputation as the last true stronghold for African wild dog that draws the enthusiasts.

Rufiji River

In the heart of Selous Game Reserve, the Rufiji River forms a network of channels, lakes and swamps that create one of the most exceptional ecological systems in East Africa. Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji, splits the reserve into two different sections. The northern section of Selous is home to channels and lagoons that run off the Rufiji River. This lush landscape provides a water supply for all the game on the region. At the end of the dry season the concentration of animals around these water sources is phenomenal. A perfect spot for photographic safaris, opposed to the hunting safaris that are allowed in the southern part.

Rhino and wild dog

The abundance of wildlife in Selous is outstanding. Elephant, buffalo and lion are found in no greater numbers year round anywhere in the world. Selous is home to a third of Tanzania’s elephants and is one of the few destinations in Africa to see the endangered wild dog (about 1,300). There is also a significant populations of black rhino and an abundance of crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and bird species. Iconic predators like lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena can be seen hunting or resting after a meal.

Diverse landscapes

With its rivers, plains and lakes, this immense sanctuary gives you a sense of the scale of the African wilderness. The Park has a wide variety of vegetation zones, ranging from open grasslands, wild savannah, acacia trees, swamp and wetlands, riverine forests and Miombo woodlands. This seasonal Miombo woodlands are the dominant vegetation in Selous. More than 2,100 plants have been recorded within the reserve. Experience this scenic African wilderness all by yourself, cause in Selous you don’t have to share the beautiful sightings with lots of other tourists.

Activities

The park has a wide diversity of safari activities, offering the boating safaris as well as standard game drives, walking safaris, fishing and fly camping trips.