Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve Activities view all
Boat Safari Inside The Selous
Birdwatching in the Selous Game Reserve
Game Driving in the Selous Game Reserve
Rufiji River Boat Safari Outside The Selous Game Reserve
Walking Safari Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve has an area of more than 50,000 sq km making it the world's largest conserved area excluding polar regions. Selous is three times bigger than the Serengeti National Park . The reserve is a World Heritage Site and covers almost 6% of Tanzania's land. The Selous takes its name from the famous hunter and conservationist Frederick Courteney Selous who was killed in action in WW1 within the now Selous. His grave lies close to the Beho Beho Hills and can be seen on a gamedrive in that area.
The Selous Game Reserve is home to a high diversity of both large mammal and bird species. The Selous Game Reserve has over 60,000 elephants and 40,000 hippos. The world's largest population of African Hunting Dogs exists in the reserve. Of Tanzania's 1,113 different species of bird, 430 have been positively identified within the Selous Game Reserve .
The photographic tourism section of the Selous is very atmospheric, displaying the grandeur of this incredible African wilderness. The Rufiji River meanders its way through the Miombo woodland and Acacia-Terminalia savanna, connected by streams to five attractive lakes, which teem with hippo, crocodile and waterfowl.
A game drive along the network of rough roads is reliably rewarding, especially during the dry season around the lakes. Whether you are camping in the bush or staying at a lodge it is very easy to arrange a walking safari, where you will have a ranger with you at all times. A boat safari on either the lakes or the Rufiji River is a fantastic opportunity to see the wildlife and thousands birds from a different perspective. When you leave the busier Mtemere region in the east other vehicles are a rare sight and you are just as likely to pass a ranger patrol vehicle as a safari car full of visitors.
Due to its sheer size and the remoteness of the Selous Game Reserve , a minimum of three nights is recommended although one or two nights is also possible. All inclusive fly-in safaris, with game viewing activities operated by the lodges are a popular choice. Should you really want the true Wild Things experience, choose several nights bush camping. The TAZARA Railway (Dar es Salaam to New Kipiri Mposhi in Zambia) passes through the Selous Game Reserve several times a week and is also a great mode of transport.
For more information on visiting the Selous Game Reserve contact us.
Selous Game Reserve Locations view all
Inside the Selous more info ->
There are many lodges and campsites within the Selous Game Reserve, however recent increases in park fees make this a more expensive option. If you are looking for pure quality of experience it is better to stump up the extra cash and stay in the heart of the Selous
Outside Selous Matambwe Gate more info ->
Currently Sable Mountain Lodge is the only lodge outside the reserve by the Northern Matambwe Gate of the Selous Game Reserve. It is a good mid priced option for those clients wishing to keep costs down. Sable is the only lodge serving the Selous Game Reserve that can arrange night drives outside in the buffer zone.
Outside Selous, Mtemere Gate more info ->
There are several lodges and campsite just outside the Selous Game Reserve by Mtemere Gate. For those on a tighter budget this is a good place to spend the some time when visiting Selous. For those on long trips a compromise between some time outside and some inside is a good cost effective option. Here the lodges outside the Selous Game Reserve are located on the banks of the Rufiji River affording excellent birdwatching.
