Many times, when you talk about safaris to Africa, South Africa’s Kruger National Park or national parks is what most visitors think of exploring. However, a visit to Selous Game Reserve boasts of its untold wealth of wildlife! Selous Game Reserve is incredibly the largest nature reserve in Africa and one of a few most sought after protected areas by visitors on wildlife safari. It is situated suitably in southern Tanzania and it is undoubtedly a hidden gem. It spans up to 50,000 square kilometers, comprising of mainly the grassy plains, vast woodland, mountains and forests. This nature reserve is 3 times the size of South Africa’s Kruger National Park and twice Serengeti National Park. Remarkably, it features among Tanzania’s 3 World Heritage Sites. It straddles at the heart of Tanzania featuring mainly River Rufiji thus making a complex network of channels, swamps and lakes. The river divides it into two sectors the northern Selous and the southern Selous. This nature reserve became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and wildlife sanctuary in 1905.
A safari to this spectacular nature reserve, rewards travel endeavors with its diverse wildlife species which include among others hippos, crocodiles, lions, wild dogs, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, kudus, water bucks, baboons, giraffes, hyenas, sable, elands, impalas, wildebeest, mongoose, buffaloes and others. About 440 bird species are all confined within this reserve. Its vegetation differs with its terrain is dominated by savanna wooded grasslands and deciduous miombo woodland. You will also find thorn shrubs and ground water forest together with rocky outcrops.
What to do in Selous Game Reserve
The exciting safari activities for you to take part in this conservancy area include River rafting safaris, fishing on Rufiji River as well as bird where you will identify most of the bird speces, game drives or wildlife viewing for you to catch a glimpse at wildlife species such as sable antelope, greater Kudu, water bucks, hartebeest, zebras, giraffes, elands, reedbucks, warthogs, hyenas, lions a mention but a few. Walking tours which gets you the best of unique experiences. Birding tours for you to spot out birds like white headed lapwing, pearl spotted owlet, African skimmer, Bohm’s bee-eaters, yellow billed stork, broad billed rollers, Brown necked parrot, brown headed parrot, palm nut vulture, Pel’s fishing owl, Dickson’s kestrel, thick billed cuckoo, white backed night heron, carmine bee-eater, racket tailed roller,white headed vultures, mangrove kingfisher, Von der Decken’s hornbill, purple banded sunbirds, grey pendulin tit, red throated twin spot, waders, freckled nightjar, long tailed fiscal, sterling’s barred warblers, red faced crombec, red billed helmet shrike, green capped eremomela, black cuckoo shrike, Livingstone’s flycatcher, African spoonbill and many others. For excellent birding tour, this reserve is best explored in April when there are many migratory birds.
Where to spend a night in Selous Game Reserve
This conservancy area features 3 incredible camps in Tanzania. For your overnight stay, notable areas for you to book include Rufiji River Camp, Selous Butembo Lodge, Selous Ngalawa Camp, Serena Mivumo River lodge, Selous Serena Camp and many others
When to visit Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve can be perfectly explored from June to October and this is also regarded as the peak or highest season. The low season occurs within March, April and May. Wildlife tours are ideal from June to October.
How to get to Selous Game Reserve
This spectacular nature reserve is reachable by road and air. Flights can take you up to Dar-es-salaam where you can still take a flight to Selous game reserve. Or take a flight at Arusha, Zanzibar and other areas.
In conclusion, Selous game reserve is that one exceptional wilderness area that is worth discovering its hidden treasures.
