The Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve and one of our favorite places to observe wildlife. It is situated in southern Tanzania, far away from the crowds that are so prevalent in other parts of the country. This is a true gem that has been hidden! The rivers and lakes of the Selous are the park’s lifeblood, and they are home to some of the most incredible animals in the world, including as elephants, wild dogs, buffalo, hippopotamus, crocodiles, and lion prides that are truly remarkable.

It is possible that you have realized that we are major admirers of safaris in the Selous. The fact of the matter is that this park is so enormous that it is difficult to count its game, and that is precisely what we like about it. Selous is a wilderness in Africa that has not been affected by human activity, but it is nevertheless easily accessible from Dar and Zanzibar.

The Selous is not only an incredible destination for safari enthusiasts with years of experience, but it also provides an incredible introduction to the natural beauty of Africa. In comparison to the other Tanzanian safari parks, the Selous provides the most diverse selection of safari activities.

It is home to some of the most memorable walking safaris, boat safaris, and fly camping expeditions ever experienced in Africa. Within the context of Tanzanian parks, the watercraft safaris in particular are what truly differentiate this reserve from others. The fact that the Selous is far less crowded with tourists than the majority of the rest of the country is simply one more thing that contributes to the attraction of the Selous.

Accommodations inside the Selous Game Reserve

There are three of the top camps in Tanzania that can be found in the Selous, and a couple of them would even go so far as to proclaim themselves to be the best in all of Africa. Both Beho Beho and Sand Rivers are remarkable lodges that provide all of the activities that have made the Selous region famous. Additionally, they are home to some of the best guiding teams in the region. At a price that makes it one of the greatest value camps in Africa, Siwandu, which was once known as Selous Safari Camp, is a wonderful tented camp to stay in.

It is located in what is considered to be the best game section of the park. Lake Manze is a terrific little adventure camp that enjoys a reputation for being on an elephant highway. It is located in close proximity to Siwandu and is known for its lack of frills. Although it is located a bit further away, the sister camp of Manze, Impala, provides a better degree of luxury at a price that is still cheap. The Rufiji River Camp is one of the several camps in the park; if you would like additional information, please contact us.

The Cost of a Safari in the Selous Game Reserve

As a result, the price of a Selous Safari can differ from one camp to the next. Prices typically begin at $400 per person per night and can reach as high as $1,500 per person per night. In general, prices increase from there. If you want to discover a camp that is right for both your style and your budget, the best thing to do is to give us a call, let us know how much money you have available, and we will see what kinds of bargains we can get you into.

Wildlife can be found in the Selous Game Reserve.

Due to the fact that it is home to over 440 different kinds of birds and attracts wildlife from both east and southern Africa, the Selous is a location that should not be missed on a safari in Southern Tanzania. The wildlife in the Selous is particularly interesting because it attracts both resident and migratory species of birds.

At this location, lions are quite powerful, and there are also a significant number of leopards. The park is home to more than fifty percent of the remaining endangered African wild dog population. Additionally, it is home to very good populations of buffalo, giraffe, eland, hyena, sable, hippo, crocodile, kudu, baboon, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hartebeest, colobus, and vervet monkeys, as well as more than four hundred and fifty kinds of birds.

Safari Tours of Selous: Activities to Participate in

The midday game drives that are routinely done are just the beginning. Additionally, the Selous provides some of the most exceptional watercraft safaris in Africa, in addition to some of the most exceptional walking operations on the continent, particularly at Siwandu, Beho Beho, and Sand Rivers Selous. Additionally, there are a lot of operators in this area who offer fly camping tours. These trips include extended walking safaris and mobile camping beneath the stars. Fly camping is an extremely adventurous and romantic choice for a Tanzania honeymoon, but it is not for those who are easily frightened.

Visiting the Selous Game Reserve: When to Go

A great example of a park that is only open during the dry season, Selous is a place where the game gets increasingly better further into the season. The months of July through October are the finest time of year to visit this park since the general concentrations of game are at their highest. However, you should not discount the park at any other time of the year because game watching is excellent in many different places throughout the year. You will need to select your camp with great care throughout the months of January and February since the game will be moving away to more rich feeding areas during those months. The birding that may be done during this time of year is just exceptional.

Additional Reading Regarding the Selous Game Reserve

If you would like some further background information, you can read the Cadogan Guide to Tanzania and Zanzibar – Selous Chapter, which was prepared by one of our directors, Annabel. While we are working hard to make our website as comprehensive as possible, if you would like some additional information, you can read it. It is possible that some of the information may be slightly out of date because the most recent version was released in 2005; but, in general, it is as comprehensive as they come.

We are not only familiar with The Selous.

The Selous is not the only Tanzanian park that we are familiar with and adore; we also have a deep affection for other Tanzanian parks, such as the wild Serengeti, and, well, across the rest of Tanzania… Also, the remainder of Africa is included in this.