Africa
Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries - History
- Ballooning over the Serengeti
- Katavi National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Mahale Mountains National Park
- Kilimanjaro Treks
- Private Camping Safaris
- Ruaha National Park
- Selous Game Reserve
- Serengeti National Park
- Tarangire National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Walking Safaris
- Zanzibar & the Tanzanian Coast
- Dar es Salaam
- Arusha
- Riding Safaris
Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected tract of wilderness in Africa, home to the continent’s greatest populations of elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, and one of the world’s last remaining concentrations of wild dog and black rhino. There are also more than 450 bird and 2000 plant species to be found here. This 52,000 sq. km of stunning natural diversity has also been designated a World Heritage Site.
The landscape of the Selous is stunningly varied with grassy plains, open woodland and thick forest, whilst stemming from the mighty Rufiji River are myriad channels, lakes and swamps that form one of the most outstanding ecological habitats in East Africa. The many intricate waterways and tributaries attract large herds of elephant and plains game, as well as a mass of water birds. Crocodile and hippo pack the waterways, whilst the reserve boasts Africa’s largest buffalo population, as well as many zebra, impala, Nyassa wildebeest and Liechtenstein’s hartebeest. There are also greater kudu, sable, eland and numerous Masai giraffe, whose southernmost border is the Rufiji River. Lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog are all present in the reserve in varying numbers.
On safari here you enjoy bush walks, game drives by open 4x4 vehicles & boat trips on the Rufiji River.
The Selous, like Ruaha National Park, is a remote area with poor accessibility by road, which has inevitably helped to maintain both the area as a pristine wilderness. Encouraged by the authorities, the emphasis is on low density/high income tourism that has meant that the few camps that have been built are relatively expensive to visit, but generally of a high standard, and by flying in and out you maximize time game viewing on the ground. This allows you to experience a wild world that is fast disappearing and few ever see…Tanzania at its finest.
Our recommended camps and lodges include:
Sand Rivers
Selous Safari Camp & Fly Camping
Beho Beho
Rufiji River Camp
Selous Riverside Camp
Selous Impala Camp
The Retreat
Lukula Camp
