Selous Game Reserve Tours

S
The Selous Game Reserve is located in Tanzania among the Miombo Woodlands and is approximately 130–500 kilometers south west of Dar es Salaam. The Mikumi National Park, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and the Kilombero Game Controlled Area are all next to the Selous Game Reserve in the northwest. The Kilombero Game Controlled Area is located in the west.

The Selous National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that extends across a total area of 50,000 square kilometers. The park’s terrain features a variety of land types and plant zones across its expanse. Flat, undulating terrain with alluvial basins, projecting inselbergs, and thickets and closed woods cover the majority of the central part of the Selous game reserve. The south area is steep and rocky, while the south western part is home to the Mbarika Mountains, which reach to an elevation of 1300 meters. The south region is covered with forest. The eastern and northern areas of Selous Game Reserve are composed of tree grasslands, which, during the rainy season, are inundated by river Rufji. The western section of Selous Game Reserve is hilly and wooded, with wet lowlands interspersed throughout.

The Selous Game Reserve is home to a wide range of animal and bird species. It is home to the greatest number of elephants on the African continent, with 110,000 individuals, as well as a vast population of lions that is greater than any other area on the African continent. In addition to being home to one of Tanzania’s black rhino populations, the Selous Game Reserve is home to buffaloes, zebras, impalas, giraffes, greater kudus, waterbucks, bushbucks, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, elands, African wild dogs, brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelopes, warthogs, leopards, spotted hyena

Lakes such as Tagalala, Mzizimia, Siwandu, Manze, and Nzelekela may be found inside the Selous Game Reserve, all of which provide a habitat for a diverse array of animal and avian species. In addition, animals are drawn to the Rufji River and its tributaries, particularly during the dry season when the animals travel to the river in search of water to quench their thirst.

There are approximately 400 different species of birds that call the Selous game reserve in Tanzania home. The majority of these birds can be found living along the banks of the lakes and the River Rufji channel. The Selous game reserve is one of the most well-known birding habitats and destinations in Tanzania. The bird population in the Selous game reserve includes migratory bird species that arrive in the reserve between the months of November and April. Some of the birds that can be found in the Selous game reserve are as follows: the spur-winged lapwing, the African wattled lapwing, the white-fronted bee-eater, the Pel’s fishing owl, the African spoonbill, the common-white headed vulture, the pearl-spotted owlet, the white-headed La

An overview of the history of the Selous game reserve

In 1896, on the instructions of Hermann Von Wissmann, the German Governor of Tanganyika, which is now known as Tanzania, the Selous wildlife reserve was initially designated as a protected area. In 1905, the region was classified as a hunting reserve, and in 1922, the reserve’s territory was enlarged. Fredrick Courteney Selous, a British explorer, was killed during the First World War and was buried in the reserve following his death. His burial is now a monument in the reserve and may be visited by visitors to the reserve. The region was given the name Selous game reserve in his honor. As time passed, the reserve’s limits continued to be enlarged up until 1975, when they were finally settled on their current configuration. In 2005, the Selous wildlife reserve was acknowledged as a lion conservation unit. The decision to add the reserve on the list of World Heritage in Danger was made in 2014 and reaffirmed in 2017 owing to the increased poaching and mining of uranium that was taking place in the southern section of the reserve.

game preserve of the Selous

Activities such as safaris at the Selous Game Reserve

Top Selous Game Reserve Tours

Game watching

Game watching in the Selous game reserve is one of the highlights of the safari activities that are provided. The Selous game reserve is home to a wide range of animal species, including the largest population of the uncommon African wild dog, which may be seen while on safari. You will have the opportunity to view a wide variety of animals while remaining in the comfort of your 4×4 vehicle, including zebras, impalas, giraffes, greater kudus, waterbucks, bushbucks, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, elands, African wild dogs, brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelopes, warthogs, leopards, spotted hyenas The banks of the river Rufji are a great location for game viewing since they are frequented by a large number of animals that come to the river to drink water.

game preserve protected by seals

Birding

The Selous Game Reserve is one of the best places in Tanzania to go on a birding safari since it is home to more than 440 different bird species. These birds make their homes on the islands, channels, and sandbanks of river Rufji that are scattered throughout the reserve. Due to the fact that the Selous game reserve is located in a region that is favorable for the migration of avian species from Europe and northern Africa, the reserve begins to host migratory bird species in the month of April. Those who go birding in the Selous game reserve will have the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds, including the African wattled lapwing, white-fronted bee-eater, Pel’s fishing owl, African spoonbill, common-white headed vulture, pearl-spotted owlet, white-headed Lapwing, Bohm’s bee-eater, yellow-billed stork, thick-billed cuckoo, white-backed night heron,

birds that may be found at the Selous Game Reserve

Walking safaris

Walking safaris in the Selous game reserve are conducted by following the magnificent river Rufji on the sandbanks and through the riverine forests that are located on the banks of the river. This experience provides the perfect opportunity to explore the Selous game reserve to its fullest potential. Expect to see lions, giraffes, waterbucks, elephants, and many more as they graze and hippos, crocodiles, as they play in the waters of River Rufji when you are on a walking safari. Walking safaris are done in groups of not more than six people with instruction from an experienced armed safari guide.

Boat safaris

Boat safaris are available on River Rufji and Lake Tagalala, and they are organized by the Selous River camp. The Selous game reserve is one of the few national parks in Tanzania that allows visitors to watch wildlife from the water. There is a choice between a short boat safari and a full day boat safari. The shorter boat safari lasts for two hours and is available twice a day, from seven in the morning until nine in the morning and from four in the afternoon until six in the evening. A full day boat safari lasts for the entirety of a day and is available from ten in the morning until six in the evening. Boat safaris provide the ideal opportunity to enjoy the sights of water animals like crocodiles and hippos, as well as other animals like lions, giraffes, impalas, and waterbucks, as they congregate at water bodies to drink.

Fishing safaris

The Selous wildlife reserve is a fantastic place to go on a fishing safari. The reserve is bisected by the Rufji River, which is home to a variety of fish species that may be caught on fishing safaris. You would be happy and excited to capture fish species such as Rufji Tilapia, Oreochromis Urolepis elephant fish, Marmyrus Longirostris, and many types of catfish such as Heterobrancus catfish on fishing safaris. There are many other fish species as well. When you book a fishing safari with us, you’ll also go on a boat tour to go to the best fishing places.

Cultural tours

A visit to the Mloka village, which is located close to the Selous game reserve and downriver from the Selous River camp, is an essential part of any safari in the Selous game reserve. The Mloka village can be reached on a cultural tour, which gives tourists the chance to have a cultural and local experience by participating in activities such as meeting locals, going to primary schools and markets, and many other activities. Long and short versions of cultural excursions are also available to accommodate the preferences and available time of individual tourists.

Where to get directions to the Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve may be reached by road, plane, or railway, all of which offer reasonably priced transportation options for guests planning to visit the park for a safari. From Dar es Salaam to the Mtemere gate of the Selous Game Reserve, which is located along Kibiti and Mloka, the distance is around 240 kilometers, and it takes about 6 hours to make the drive. Train travel to the Selous Game Reserve takes around four to five hours one way. The train makes one stop at Matambwe before continuing on to the reserve. By way of the sky, visitors may reach the Selous wildlife reserve by daily scheduled chartered flights departing from Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Domestic airlines such as Air Tanzania, Precise Air, Regional air, ZanAir, Safari Air Link, and Coastal Aviation are some of the carriers that operate these routes. Mtemere airport, which serves the Selous Game Reserve, is where visitors arriving by plane will land.

What lodging options are available in the Selous Game Reserve?

Sand river Selous, Jimbiza Lodge, Selous Kulinda camp, Selous Mbega Camp, Selous wilderness camp, Africa safari camp, Selous Ngalawa camp, Selous river camp, The Retreat, Roho ya Selous, Selous Serena camp, Mivumo River Lodge, and a great number of other accommodations can be found in the Selous game reserve. These accommodations were established to provide visitors with a place to stay while visiting the Selous game reserve. Other accommodations in the park.