Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is
one of World Heritage Sites in Tanzania.
The Selous Game
Reserve is one of the largest fauna reserves of the world, located in
the south of Tanzania. Selous game reserve is main wildlife safari
destination in southern circuit in Tanzania. Tourists can make a wildlife tour
of 3 days to explore wildlife species and scenery in Selous game reserve.
Selous Game
Reserve safari, wildlife protected areas in the world, offers Rufiji
River Boat Safari viewing elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, e.t.c In typical
10 days southern circuit safaris Tanzania, Selous is include as main Tanzania
safari place.
Selous Game Reserve - Enjoy a safari to the unique Selous
Game Reserve, a World Heritage Site and has 430 species of birds and
plentiful large game animals. For best African safaris, Selous is first choice
because of real wild habitat of wildlife.
Selous is located in
south-east Tanzania in a remote and little-visited part of the country, the
Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve and covers
more than 5% of Tanzania’s total area. It’s rivers, hills, and plains are home
to roaming elephant populations, the area’s famous wild dogs, and some of the
last black rhino left in the region.
Selous is the largest game reserve in
Africa and contains some of the greatest concentrations of big game left
on earth.
Large numbers of
elephants, black rhinoceroses, cheetahs, giraffes, hippopotamuses and
crocodiles live in this immense sanctuary, which measures 50,000 km2 and
is relatively undisturbed by human impact. The park has a variety of vegetation
zones, ranging from dense thickets to open wooded grasslands.
Selous is almost twice the size of Belgium and
four times larger than the famous Serengeti, covering 5% of Tanzania’s land
area. The reserve contains the largest concentrations of wildlife of any park
in Africa, Tanzania's largest population of elephant as well as large numbers
of hippopotamus, buffalo and wild dog. Other species commonly seen are lion,
bushbuck, impala, giraffe, eland, baboon, zebra, greater kudu, cheetah, and
crocodile live in this immense sanctuary. The number and variety of game is
largely due to its diverse vegetation that includes dense thicket, forest and
open wooded grasslands. Safaris include game drive, walking, bird watching,
crocodile trekking etc....
Accommodation in Selous Game Reserve and Dar es
salaam, varies from budget to luxury. Make sure you book in advance.
Enter Africa's largest
protected area uninhabited by man, where Tanzania's greatest population of
elephants wander in an area bigger than Switzerland! The Selous (pronounced
“Seloo”) is considered important enough to be World Heritage Site, in which the
lucky few can experience a safari in absolutely wild and unspoiled bush.
The park is named after
Englishman, Frederick Courtney Selous - conservationist, hunter, explorer and
author, whose adventure books on Africa became best sellers in Victorian
England.
The Rufiji River Delta
is a striking feature of the game reserve. It connects the Great Ruaha River
with the Rufiji River and not far from the park boundaries empties out into the
Indian Ocean along the Tanzanian Coast. The Rufiji River is the largest water
catchment locations in the region, and as such, is home to a plethora of varied
water and bird life. Along its shores, oppulent hippos sleep languidly in the
mud and sun themselves, mouths wide open, as the river passes by. Crocodiles
are also common along the Rufijii’s riverbanks, their armour plated skins the
only rough edges in the rivers incessant flow. Stiggler’s Gorge, where the
Great Ruaha River meets the Rufiji River, is a breathtaking example of the
diversity and spectacular scenery along the game reserve's waterways.
The Selous is unique among Tanzania’s more renowned preserved areas because it
is a game reserve, not a national park, and therefore a larger range of
activities are permitted. Boating safaris are becoming a popular alternative to
vehicle-based trips, and offer visitors a chance to see the diverse life along
the Rufiji River up close in all its splendour. Hiking safaris and fly camping
are also ideal ways to explore the country and add a bit of adventure to your
African experience.
Wildlife – Wild
animals.
Selous contains about
one third of all the wild dogs (often called painted dogs), in the world. Their
need to roam vast areas and their formidable hunting skills have caused many to
be shot by farmers, but here in Selous they have boundless woodlands and
savannahs in which to roam.
Along the Rufiji River,
an array of grazing antelopes, crocodiles and hippos are commonly seen as well
as black and white colobus monkeys in the riverine forests. During the dry
season from June to October, the concentration of animals along the river is
astonishing. Linked to the Rufii is Lake Tagalala where waterbuck, reedbuck and
bushbuck gather at the water's edge. Magnificent sickle-horned sable and
curly-horned greater kudu tend to keep to the longer grass and wooded shrubby
areas.
In the dry season an
ancient migration of elephants takes place between the Selous and Mozambique's
Niassa Game Reserves. This is one of the largest natural trans-boundary
eco-systems in Africa and at the last consensus it was estimated that 64,400
elephants roam the two parks, with 84% on the Tanzanian side.
Fierce tiger fish and
smooth slippery vandu catfish are caught in the rivers. The latter is equipped
with primitive lungs allowing it to cross land for short distance in an attempt
to find water water during the dry season.
SEASONS
Dry Season: The dry season sets in
during June to November and is the best time for game viewing along the rivers.
Elephants come out of the bush at that time and predators are more commonly
seen.
Rainy Season: January to April is
wonderful for birdlife ad lush scenery but many roads become impassable after
heavy rains. December to February is still good for game viewing but can be
rather hot and humid. The safari lodges are usually closed from March to May.
SELOUS SPECIALITIES
• Rare and endangered Wild Dog
• Boat game viewing
• Fishing
• Thousands of migrating elephants
• Walking safaris
• Huge wilderness
Selous Accomodation:
Accommodation in Selous
Game Reserve
There are number of
lodges, normal camps and luxury tented camps inside and outside the reserve,
mostly overlooking the river or ox-bow lakes.
Getting to selous game
reserve
Fly to Selous game reserve with Coastal Aviation
- Tanzania's Leading Flying Safari Company.
By Air: There are daily schedule flights from Dar es Salaam or
Zanzibar to the Selous Game Reserve and return.
Charter flights can be arranged as well at the Charter Airline
Offices, although at much higher prices.
Rufiji River near the Eastern entrance to the Selous Game
Reserve is called MTEMERE AIRSTRIP.
By Vehicle: An 6 to 8 hour trip from Dar es Salaam via Kibiti to
Mloka and the SELOUS. A 4WD vehicle is a must.
By Train: A 5 to 6 hour trip from Dar es Salaam TAZARA (Tanzania
Zambia Railroad) station to the Kisaki station near the Selous Game Reserve where
you will be picked up by a vehicle:
More information: info@kili-tanzanitesafaris.com
Uploading ....