Discover the Mighty Selous Game Reserve
Thinking of going on a Selous safari holiday? The choices of safaris to Selous game reserve out there are almost overwhelming, but before you jump onto the nearest airplane shouting, “Show me!” be careful. There is thrill and adventure when things are well planned, but a disaster if they’re mishandled. Our Selous game reserve safari guide will assist you to get the best out of your safari to one of Africa’s greatest game reserves, The Selous.
The unexplored and partly unspoiled Selous game reserve is in a class of its own. With one of East Africa’s most water-rich river, Rufiji, running through the northern part of the reserve, it houses many hippos and huge crocodiles, among others. Roaming elephant populations, the reserve’s famous wild dogs and some of the remaining Black rhinos share in its rivers, hills, and plains. The scenery is simply enchanting, and a wonderful Tanzania wildlife safari destination.
Let’s begin with an introduction of Selous game reserve
The Selous Game Reserve, in remote southeast Tanzania, is the largest protected wildlife reserve in Africa and one of the largest in the world, 4 times the size of the Serengeti and covers 5% of Tanzania’s total area. It is no wonder that statistics of mammals habituating here are more than 100000 buffalo, 40000 hippos, 150000 wildebeest, 5000 zebra, and 50000 impalas.
Selous is more remote, unspoilt and offers a safari equivalent to the old days without the convoy of tourists. It also offers a mix of activities beyond just sitting in a 4X4 vehicle for hours, in addition to a game drive, you can also go on a riverboat safari down the Rufiji or go on a walking safari (hike) with an armed game ranger – if that’s not safari adventure, I don’t know what is!
Where is Selous Game Reserve located?
The Selous game reserve is located in remote southeast Tanzania, 450 km (285 miles) southwest of Dar es Salaam.
How to get to Selous Game reserve
Travellers wishing to go on a Selous safari have 3 modes of transport options to choose from; Flight and road being the most common modes of transport used, however, the Selous game reserve can also be accessed by rail.
By Road: Driving down from Dar es salaam to Selous Game reserve is convenient, affordable and presents you the best opportunity to enjoy a road trip with super views of Tanzania’s countryside, you will have a chance to see the way people live and work within the rural villages. The drive from Dar es Salaam to Selous game reserve, Mtemere gate, is approximately 184 km and takes 5 hours.
By Flight: For visitors who would wish to save on driving time to Selous game reserve, A Selous Safari holidays is best organised by flying from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar – all safari camps have an airstrip for light aircraft so you can reach your lodge easily. There is a number of scheduled flights that operate between Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Selous.
By Rail: For adventure lovers, there is a scheduled train (TAZARA – Tanzania Zambia Railway) that connects Dar es Salaam with Selous game reserve on its way to Zambia. Throughout this journey, you enjoy the beauty of the bushland. The journey takes you four to five hours in a panoramic tour of Tanzania rural landscape. It is usually the most worthwhile way to get to the Selous Game Reserve.
Best time to visit Selous game reserve
The best time to go on a safari to Selous game reserve is during the dry season, from late June – October. During this period, the vegetation is thinner; temperatures are less searing and game cluster around the few waterholes making wildlife easier to spot. Thirsty ungulate herds gather around the available water sources, trailed by predatory wild dogs, hyenas, lions, and leopards.
The Selous can also be visited during the wet season, from October – May, during this period; the scenery is lush and green. During the months of March, April and May, bird watching time is at its peak as the migratory birds are present. However, the roads may be hard to travel due to the rains, and many Selous game reserve safari camps and lodges are closed.
Where to stay in Selous game reserve
Accommodation in the Selous game reserve is mainly based in the north of the reserve, there are safari camps and lodges located inside and outside the reserve, and these cater for safari travellers of all budgets.
For Selous budget accommodation, there is an option of budget camping, or staying at one of the affordable safari lodges or camps such as Selous Jimbiza lodge, Hippo Camp, Selous Ngalawa tented camp, Mloka Safari Lodge, Rufiji river camp.
For Selous mid-range and luxury accommodation, there is a variety of options available such as Siwandu Safari Camp, Selous Wilderness Camp, Selous Riverside Safari Camp, Selous River Camp, Selous Mbuyu Safari Camp, Selous Kinga Lodge, Retreat Selous, Mivumo River, Selous Luxury Camp, Beho Beho Selous.
Activities in Selous Game Reserve
What Selous safari activities can one do? If adventure be your middle name, a Selous game reserve safari will be your first choice of vacation because the restrictions here are close to zero. Due to the fact that it is a game reserve as opposed to a national Park, you can engage in tracking lions by foot, rowing a kayak over some fat hippos, driving under the giraffes or flying above their heads.
Selous safari game drives
In your safari 4×4 vehicle, numerous sunrise and sunset game drives additionally present truly memorable and authentic encounters. The guides know all about the animals’ habits and hangouts, so you can be sure to experience great sightings, whether you are hoping to see lions or leopards in a tree, or photograph a rare African bird.
Selous walking safaris
Go for a morning walking safari in Selous. Here, you will feel Africa underfoot on a guided bush walk with a highly trained game ranger. Selous walking safaris offer an intimate encounter with nature and wildlife, and medicinal and other plants are identified along the way. Rangers also teach walkers to track wildlife in the traditional way, using animal footprints and scat. Walking safaris are generally very well organised and more importantly, very much safety conscious.
Selous boat safaris
Boat safaris in Selous are another type of safari that visitors can enjoy. A lot of camps and lodges in Selous are located close to the Mighty Rufiji River and offer Selous boating trips.
In fact, the most sublime way to explore the reserve is by boat, meandering through channels and swamps, and exploring hidden lagoons. This offers you an unusual view of game. There are sandbanks crowded with huge crocodiles; exposed mud banks under red clouds of carmine bee-eaters, and swampy islands visited by wandering elephants
A Selous boat safari is a lot more different compared to all the other types of safaris in Tanzania. It gives visitors a more relaxing and tranquil experience, yet still entertaining and filled with a lot of thrill and excitement.
Selous balloon safaris
Experience an unforgettable hot air balloon safari over the mighty Selous. A balloon safari in Selous game reserve gives you a lift of a different kind – in a hot air balloon! See the expansive African wilderness as never before; a very different kind of adventure that still puts you in the excitement of the wild.
Selous fishing safaris and hot spring visits
Fishing for tiger fish and the giant catfish which could easily weigh up to 50kg can be an exciting way to pass an evening, keeping a wary eye open for crocodiles, hippos and lions.
There are hot springs at Maji Moto (said to be the source of the water used in the Maji Maji Rebellion) in the Beho Beho section of the reserve, and it’s a great place to soak away the dust of overland safari travel. However, immersing yourself in the waters of nearby Lake Tagalala is not allowed thanks to the massive and hungry crocodiles that live there.
Selous game reserve safari tips
The Selous is an experience that can be combined with Tanzania’s other wildlife areas too; pay a visit to Gombe or Mahale National Parks and you can tick off chimpanzees and forest birds as well. The above are the main attractions and safari activities of the Selous Game Reserve but not the entire so you’ll have to head there to explore the full effect of being in a magical wilderness.
