Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve, now formerly known as Nyerere National Park, is one of the oldest national parks of Tanzania. Selous Game Reserve is a protected reserve, now Nyerere National Park, in the southern part of Tanzania, making one of the southern safari circuit of Tanzania, which travellers can visit for any of their Tanzania safari tour. Selous Game Reserve covers a total area of about 50000 square kilometers, with additional buffer zones all around it. Selous Game Reserve was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982, specifically for the wildlife diversity and undisturbed nature of the reserve.

Selous Game Reserve History

Selous Game Reserve was first designated a protected area in Tanzania in 1896 by the German governor of Tanganyika named Hermann Von Weismann. Selous Game Reserve became a hunting reserve in 1905. Selous Game Reserve got her name from one of the big game hunters and early conservationist Frederick Selous.

Selous Game Reserve Location

Selous Game Reserve is located in the Miombo woodlands of the south eastern part of Tanzania, about 500km southwest of Dar es Salaam. Selous Game Reserve is contagious with Mikumi National Park and Udzungwa Mountains National Park.

Selous Game Reserve Animals

There are a number of animals in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can see while on various activities. The Selous Game Reserve animals can be seen in any of the vegetation in the park. Some of the animals in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can see include the African bush elephant, black rhinos, hippos, cape buffalos, Maasai giraffes, wild dogs, Nile crocodiles, zebras, among so many others. Buffalos in Selous Game Reserve are estimated at more than 150000, with hippos at more than 40000, 35000 zebras, among so many others, other animals in Selous Game Reserve include the Nyasaland gnu, sable antelopes, waterbucks, reedbucks, warthogs, bushbucks, among so many others.

Selous Game Reserve Birds

There are over 440 bird species recorded in Selous Game Reserve, making the reserve one of the best birding safari destinations in Tanzania that travellers can visit for amazing bird watching activities. The lake and rivers, like the Rufiji River, are some of the best places to see the various Selous Game Reserve birds. Some of the Selous Game Reserve birds that can be spotted include the white-fronted bee-eater, the Pel’s fishing owl rare, African spoonbill, Broadbill roller, Dickinson’s kestrel, thick-billed cuckoo, among so many others

Other attractions in Selous Game Reserve include the Rufiji River which flows into the Indian Ocean, acacia savannah, wetlands and extensive Miombo woodlands which all accommodate a good population of animals in Selous Game Reserve

Things to do in Selous Game Reserve/ Selous Game Reserve Activities

Game Drives

Game drives in Selous Game Reserve are usually the highlight of any Selous Game Reserve safari. Game drives have travellers getting on safari vehicles with the company of a guide or self-drive, driving through the various trails and paths, seeing a variety of animals in Selous Game Reserve. Game drives in Selous Game Reserve can be done all throughout the day, and with your packed lunches you could enjoy game drives in Selous Game Reserve till the evening hour, having you see one of the most beautiful sunsets in the wilderness of Africa, in Selous Game Reserve.

Bird Watching

With more than 440 birds in Selous Game Reserve, birding in Selous Game Reserve is one of the best activities in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can do. Selous Game Reserve is a great birding destination, taking travellers through some of the best bird habitants like sandbanks, lagoons, channels, River Rufiji, from where travellers are sure to see more bird species. be sure to use an experienced bird guide and with a guidance of your bird list, you shall tick off all those Selous Game Reserve birds that you shall see while on birding safaris in Selous Game Reserve.

Walking Safaris

Selous Game Reserve is one of the few safari destinations in Tanzania to allow walking safaris. Walking safaris are a great way to appreciate the reserve in-depth and see more, on foot! You shall get an opportunity to get up close with nature and see a number of animals too like zebras, gazelles, antelopes, among so many others. Walking safaris in Selous Game Reserve can take from 2-3 hours, or more or less depending on your preference, taking you through some of the most scenic and beautiful routes. Walking safaris in Selous Game Reserve is done in the presence of an armed ranger guide.

Boat safaris

With a number of lakes and rivers in Selous Game Reserve, boat safaris are another activity that travellers can do while in the reserve. Asides the usual game drives on bumpy routes, travelers get to drift and enjoy cool breeze with boat cruises, with opportunities of spotting a number of attractions in Selous Game Reserve like animals, birds, amazing landscapes, and so much more.

Fishing

Sport fishing in Selous Game Reserve can also be done in the reserve, usually with on a catch and release basis for conservation purposes. There are a number of fish species, especially in the Rufiji River which travellers can catch say the tiger fish, cat fish, among others.

Cultural tours

Cultural tours can also be done in Selous Game Reserve, taking travellers to Mloka Village situated down river from Selous River Camp, giving you an opportunity to learn a thing or two about other cultures, and supporting local communities by buying from them handicrafts.

Getting to Selous Game Reserve

Travellers can get to Selous Game Reserve from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, with flying from say Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport being the best option, to any other nearby airports and airstrips which serve Selous Game Reserve. Road transfers may be quite hectic, though could be a great way to appreciate the countryside.

Best time to visit Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve can be visited any time of the year, throughout the year to enjoy the various activities in Selous Game Reserve. The best time to visit Selous Game Reserve is in the dry season. The dry season in Selous Game Reserve falls in the months of June to October, with the various Selous Game Reserve animals congregating in the few waterholes, rivers and lakes in the reserve, enabling travellers seeing more animals almost at once as they come for a dip or drink. The wet season is also a great time to visit Selous Game Reserve for amazing birding safaris.

Selous Game Reserve Accommodation

There are a number of accommodation in Selous Game Reserve, both inside and outside the reserve, that travellers can stay in while on a Selous Game Reserve safari. Some of the Selous Game Reserve accommodation include Beho Beho Camp, Siwandu Camp, Mivumo River Lodge, Rufiji River Camp, Selous Impala Camp, Selous River Camp,

Selous Game Reserve is one of the best places to visit for a Tanzania safari tour. asides the usual and crowded northern safari circuit destinations including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and others, Selous Game Reserve is a great alternative, especially for travellers after a bit of exclusivity as there are npt so many travellers almost at the same time in the reserve. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you pitch together an amazing Tanzania safari package visiting Selous Game Reserve.