Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve : Previously Africa’s largest protected area, the reserve has been divided into Nyerenyere National Park and the Selous wildlife reserve, whose size has been reduced to nearly half of its original size. The reserve is located in southern Tanzania, along the southern Tanzania safari circuit, and provides the finest retreat from the massive tourist throngs that may be found in northern safari locations such as the Serengeti, while also providing an unforgettable wildlife experience. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 because of its diverse species and unspoiled natural environment. The African bush elephant, black rhino, hippopotamus, African lion, East African wild dog, Cape buffaloes, Maasai giraffe, Plains zebra, and Nile crocodile are among the savannah’s rich species.
HOW TO GET THERE
In Tanzania, the Selous wildlife reserve is accessible via three modes of transportation: air, road, and rail transport.
By Road transport
By road, there are two primary routes to Selous game reserve: one is the Kibiti road, and the other is the Morogoro road. Both of these routes are fine, but they differ in several ways.
The Selous Game Reserve can be reached by road safari, although there is a direct route from Dar es Salaam that spans a distance of 240 kilometers (149 miles) and follows the eastern road. The journey is difficult and long, taking between 6 and 7 hours, or about half a day. This route will take you via Kibiti and Mloka before arriving at Mtemere Gate, where you will be able to enter the park.
A route leading from Morongoro can also take you to the spectacular outlines of Sable Mountain Lodge and, in the distance, the Uluguru Mountains. Taking the access road from Dar es Salaam would be a great way to see the Tanzania countryside, which is filled with tall palm trees and green grassland in the higher parts.
By railway transport.
The TAZARA is another option for getting into the Selous Reserve (Tanzania-Zambia Railway). It starts in Dar es Salaam and takes you on a journey through Tanzania’s bush, culminating at the Matambwe railway station. This excursion will take 4–5 hours and will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the beautiful countryside.
By Air Transport:
The third option for getting to Selous Game Reserve is to take a charter flight. This is the easiest and fastest method to get to Selous Game Reserve, but it is also the most expensive. Several departing flights connect Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha, landing at various lodgings or public access airstrips across the reserve. Most tourists who come to Tanzania on a safari fly through Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), where they can easily connect to a flight to Selous. The Selous and the nearby Ruaha national parks are served by these scheduled flights.
WHEN TO VISIT SELOUS GAME RESERVE
The optimum time to visit Selous Game Reserve is during the dry season, which runs from June to October and coincides with Tanzania’s high tourist season. This is the best season to visit the Selous game reserve because the roads are in good condition and the habitats or shrubs are short and easy to see. The Selous, as a classic dry park, offers exceptional game viewing possibilities, which improve as the dry season progresses. The ideal period to see animals is from July to October. However, this does not indicate that game viewing is not possible at other times of the year.
During the dry season, animals congregate near water sources, and the vegetation is often sparse during this time of year. Wildlife viewing in the Selous game reserve is ideal during this season since the animals congregate near the waterholes and rivers, making it easier to see them.
THINGS TO DO IN SELOUS GAME RESERVE
During your Selous Safari holiday, you can participate in a variety of tourist activities that will undoubtedly provide you with a very unique experience while in this one of the best African wildernesses, including:
Walking Safaris
A safari in the Selous would be incomplete without participating in one of the guided walking tours offered here. You will get the opportunity to have up-close contact with Mother Nature while appreciating the beauty and tranquillity of this secluded yet magnificent reserve. You will also have the ability to view and see animals in their natural habitats and up close. A park ranger will be assigned to you to safeguard your safety by protecting you from potentially harmful animals.
Birding
The Selous wildlife reserve is home to almost 400 different bird species, so bird watchers will not be disappointed while visiting the Selous. These guided tours will allow you to see a variety of species such as giant kingfishers, pink-backed pelicans, African skimmer, white-fronted bee-eater, fish eagle, carmine, ibises, white-crowned spur-winged plovers, palmnut vultures, purple-crested turaco, yellow-billed stork, trumpeter hornbill, and malachite kingfishers.
Boating
Boat safaris in the Selous provide visitors with the opportunity to explore the numerous water channels in the Selous, including lakes, the Rufiji River, and smaller channels, where they can witness a variety of water-loving creatures such as hippos, birds, and crocodiles.
Game Drives
Early morning game drives, late afternoon game drives, and even night game drives can be arranged. In the Selous game reserve, game drives are always done in open-top safari cars to provide tourists with the best possible views of the animals. The park ranger guides are quite informed about resource interpretation and will direct you to the best places to see the animals.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Only the renowned Serengeti National Park, located on the northern safari circuit, and the vast Selous Reserve, located in the southern part of the country, offer visitors an aerial view of the plains below while marveling at the various wild animals in the reserve. It is one of the best adventures conducted early in the morning just before or during the sun rises.
WHAT TO SEE IN SELOUS GAME RESERVE/ TOURISM ATTRACTION
The River Rufiji
The Rufiji River, Tanzania’s largest river, passes through the Selous Reserve, providing a major source of water for wildlife and replenishing the reserve’s habitats. As a result, a variety of water sources emerge, attracting vast groups of wild animals such as elephant herds and antelopes, particularly during the dry season. This river is also known for its exciting boat rides, which can be enjoyed while on a Tanzania safari in the Selous.
Selous Game Reserve Birds
The Selous is home to around 440 bird species, the majority of which may be found along the Rufiji River and lakeshores. From November through April, a great number of migrating birds travel to the area, making this the finest season for birdwatching in Selous. White-backed night heron, Spur-winged lapwing, Palm-nut vulture, African wattled lapwing, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted plover, Pearl-spotted owlet, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted plover, White-fronted plover, White-fronted plover, White-fronted plover, White-fronted plover, White-fronted plover, White-fronted pl’s owl is a fishing owl. African spoonbill, Pel’s fishing owl, Pel’s fishing owl, Broad-billed roller, White-headed vulture, African skimmer, Yellow-billed stork, Bohm’s bee-eater, and a variety of other birds are among them.
The wild animals in Selous Game Reserve
The Selous game reserves are one of the top places in Africa to go on a wildlife safari. The Selous has the highest concentration of elephants, zebras, hippos, buffaloes, and lions in Africa, with roughly 4,000 lions. Rhinos, Nyasaland gnus, sable antelope, eland, greater kudu, waterbuck, hartebeest, giraffe, reedbuck, warthog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, and hunting dogs are among the other animals.
Because animal viewing is one of the most popular tourist activities in Selous, the reserve offers a variety of game-viewing safari activities. A variety of trips are available by boat, vehicle, or foot. Boat safaris, for example, allow you to travel slowly along rivers and waterways, passing through bird and animal habitats and allowing you to see species such as hippos and crocodiles up close.
The Unique Vegetation of Selous
In general, as compared to the rest of Tanzania, the Selous game reserve has a unique vegetative cover. Its extensive areas are dominated by the deciduous Miombo woodland and forested savanna grasslands. On the other hand, rock outcrops, thick thorny plants, and vast water woods are all part of the Selous’ unique vegetation.
WHERE TO STAY IN SELOUS GAME RESERVE-ACCOMMODATION
Primarily of superior quality Accommodation in Selous is centered on the game reserve’s northern area. The Sand River Selous, a magnificent tented camp on the island of Mbuyini, the Selous Mbuyu Safari Camp, Richard Bonhams, or the Rufiji River Camp, are among the places to beautify place/ accommodation to spend your night in Selous. Many of these establishments provide exciting Selous activities such as game drives, long and short-guided nature hikes, and boat cruises. Because the Selous is a classic dry season, it is also home to some of Tanzania’s best campgrounds.