Selous game reserve.

Selous game reserve also known as Nyerere National Park is the well-known and then thrilling safari location in Tanzania situated among the Miombo woodlands and located at a distance of around 130 to 500 kilometers south west of Dar-es-salaam. The Selous game reserve has borders with Mikumi national park and Udzungwa Mountains national park in the northwest and Kilombero game-controlled area in the west. Selous National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it covers an area of 50, 000 square kilometers. There are various tenure and flora zones within the park’s area. The middle part of Selous Game Reserve is a level, slightly undulating area with alluvial valleys, inselbergs that rise out, and thickets and closed forests. The south is characterised by forests, hills, and difficult terrain. The 1300 meter-high Mbarika Mountains are located in the south west of the park. The west side of the Selous Game Reserve is characterised by mountains and forests with wet plains between them. The east and north are tree grasslands that get flooded by river Rufiji during the rainy season.

Attractions in Selous Game Reserve.

Animal species.

Therefore, if we consider the amount of big animals variety living in the Selous, then I am sure that you will be in agreement with the majority of tourists that this is one of the finest wildlife safari locations in Africa. Among the animals, there are as many as 110, 000 elephants in the Selous, then 35, 000 zebras, 40, 000 hippos, 25, 000 impalas, 150, 000 buffalos, and about 4, 000 lions, which is the largest number of any animal in Africa. Since wildlife watching is one of the most popular tourist activities in Selous, the reserve offers a plethora of game viewing safari options. Trips can be taken by boat, vehicle, or on foot. For instance, boat safaris enable you to softly drift on rivers and water channels surrounded by birds and animals’ habitats, thus giving you closer views of wildlife like hippos and crocodiles. Animals in the Selous can be best seen at the end of the dry season when many large animals come together at the few remaining water sources, such as the five lakes.

Rufiji River.

The longest river in Tanzania, Rufiji, passes through the Selous reserve and thus forms a large system of swamps, water channels, and tiny “lakes.” This then provides a variety of water sources that attract a large number of wild animals, especially big herds of Elephants and antelopes during the dry season. This river is also known for the thrilling boat trips that you can take on it while on a Tanzania safari in Selous.

Bird species.

The total number of bird species in Selous is over 440, and among the best spots to see them are the river Rufiji and the other lakes. Migratory birds come to the park from November to April. Thus, this is the best time for birding in Selous. Some of the bird species that can be spotted in the park includes; White-backed night heron, Spur-winged lapwing, Palm-nut vulture, Brown-headed parrot, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted plover, Pearl-spotted owlet, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted Pel’s fishing owl is a unique bird, and so are the African spoonbill, the Broad-billed roller, White-headed vulture, African skimmer, Yellow-billed stork, Bohm’s bee-eater, and many more.

Things to do in Selous Game Reserve.

Game drives.

Game viewing in Selous game reserve remains one of the most fascinating safari activities to do in the reserve. The reserve is habitat to a multitude of animal species; hence, the largest population of the rare African wild dog spotted during such a safari experience. You can view animals like zebras, impalas, giraffes, greater kudus, waterbucks, bushbucks, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, elands, African wild dogs, brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelopes, warthogs, leopards, spotted hyenas, crocodiles, and many more while relaxing in your 4X4 vehicle. Additionally, the banks of the Rufiji River are a perfect place for spotting animals as a lot of them come there to drink water.

Birdwatching.

Selous Game Reserve is undoubtedly one of the best safari destinations to embark on a bird watching safari in Tanzania. Over 440 bird species inhabit the islands, channels, sandbanks of river Rufiji, and lagoons within this exceptional game reserve. It is a fact that the Selous game reserve is a sanctuary not only for local birds but also for migratory bird species such as those from Europe and northern Africa, which it starts to receive from the month of April.
Bird watching safari in Selous game reserve would expose you to bird species such as African wattled lapwing, white-fronted bee-eater, Pel’s fishing owl, African spoonbill, common-white headed vulture, pearl-spotted owlet, white-headed Lapwing, Bohm’s bee-eater, yellow-billed stork, thick-billed cuckoo, white-backed night heron, carmine bee-eater, rock pratincole, giant kingfishers, spur-winged plovers and many more.

Walking safaris.

Experience the walking safaris adventure on the Selous game reserve where walking safaris are available along the river Rufiji following the sandbanks and through the riverine woods on the river banks, such an adventure remains an excellent opportunity to be able to explore the Selous game reserve in its entirety. Walking safaris only accommodate a maximum of six people who are led by a professional, licensed and armed safari guide. If you are on this safari, you might be lucky to witness the lions, giraffes, waterbucks, elephants, and other animals as they feed as well as hippopotamus, crocodiles, and other animals splashing in the River Rufiji.

Boat safaris.

Selous game reserve is one of the very few safari locations in Tanzania where people can have a look at the world’s creatures from the water. Selous River camp works on setting up a boat cruise on River Rufiji and Lake Tagalala to allow people to watch the animals from the water. Short boat safaris and full-day boat safaris are both available. Two-hour short boat safaris are run twice a day which are great for watching animals like crocodiles, hippos, and lions, giraffes, impalas, and waterbucks coming to drink water, last from 10 am to 6 pm.

Fishing safaris.

Selous game reserve is a brilliant location for a fishing safari. The Rufiji River is located within the reserve and is the habitat for many different fish species available for fishing safaris. You may hook Rufiji Tilapia, Oreochromis Urolepis elephant fish, Marmyrus Longirostris, catfish like Heterobrancus catfish, and many other species of fish on fishing safaris. A boat cruise around the place is a part of fishing safaris to access the fishing spots.

Cultural tours.

A trip to the Selous Game Reserve would not be complete without a visit to Mloka village that is barely a stone’s throw from the park and down river from Selous River camp. On a cultural tour, tourists interact with the locals, visit primary schools, markets, and do a lot more to get a sense of the culture and way of life there. Cultural trips can be as long or as short as a tourist desire and is convenient for the time he has at his disposal.

The best time to visit Selous game reserve.

For the best time for game viewing, the dry season (June October) is definitely the best time to tour Selous Game Reserve. With decreasing water sources, the wildlife will be gathering by the river Rufiji and its lakes, which will make it easier for you to spot them. This time also offers cool temperatures and little dust, which is perfect for game drives, boat safaris and walking safaris. Bird watchers however, will benefit more from the wet season (from November to May).

Where to stay in Selous Game Reserve.

Visitors to Selous game reserve have a wide range of places to stay while visiting the reserve, with a variety of accommodations available in the reserve. There are three broad categories of accommodations in the reserve: budget accommodations, mid-range accommodations, and luxury accommodations. Some of the places visitors can choose to stay include Sand River selous, Jimbiza Lodge, Selous kulinda camp.  Selous wilderness camp, Africa safari camp, selous ngalawa cam, selous river cam, retreat, Roho ya selous, selous serena cam, mivumo river lodge, and many other places.