How to plan the best safari in Africa to Tanzania’s Selous game reserve : The Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa’s biggest game reserves, occupies over 30,000 square kilometers in southeast Tanzania is one of the best place to explore when looking for authentic African safari experience. Although the area was officially classified as a protected area by the German Governor of Tanganyika, Hermann von Weismann, in 1896, its astounding biological richness and unaltered natural vistas have seen it inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Selous Game Reserve is not the easiest place to reach on a Tanzania safari by road, but it is well-served by planes and can even be reached by rail. It is a fantastic choice for individuals who wish to see several parks on their Tanzania safari tour because it is a component of the Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit, which also includes the Ruaha National Park, the Mikumi National Park, and the Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
The Selous game reserve is one of the attractions that offers the best safari experience in Tanzania and all of Africa, and visiting it makes your safari experience exceptional and unforgettable. It may not be as well-known as the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Tarangire National Park, or the Kilimanjaro National Park, but it is just as good.
Selous has been referred to as one of the best-preserved African wildernesses and is not to be missed because of the enormous quantity of animals there. Here are a few reasons to think about the Selous Game Reserve for your next Tanzania safari, especially if you’ve already been on the Northern safari Circuit or wish to avoid the crowds, How to plan the best safari in Africa to Tanzania’s Selous game reserve.
WHAT ANIMALS CAN YOU SEE IN THE SELOUS GAME RESERVE?
The Selous Game Reserve is a breathtaking natural location that includes large Miombo woods, ponds, and savannahs covered in Acacia trees. The Rufiji River is where much of the wildlife activity happens, and the stunning, 100-meter-deep Stigler Gorge is another popular tourist destination. Despite having some of the lowest densities of any reserves, Selous is home to some of Africa’s greatest populations of species.
The Selous Game Reserve is home to one of the greatest populations of lions in Africa, as well as enormous numbers of hippos and between 120,000 and 150,000 buffalo. Additionally, it sustains good populations of Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, eland, giraffe, greater kudu, waterbuck, and wildebeest, in addition to zebra, impala, and wildebeest.
The reserve is also regarded as a crucial refuge for the critically endangered African wild dog, in addition to sable and puku antelope. With the addition of spotted hyena, leopard, black rhino, and Nile crocodile, it is understandable why Selous is well-known among those who enjoy going on safari. Approximately 109,000 elephants formerly lived in the park (at the time, this was the greatest population in the world), but due to poaching, there are now just about 13,000 left.
In addition to its fauna, the Selous Game Reserve is home to over 440 different species of birds. On the lakes and rivers, keep a watch out for African skimmers, huge kingfishers, yellow-billed storks, spur-winged plovers, and fish eagles. During the winter, the Malagasy squacco heron frequently visits, and in the forested sections, trumpeter hornbills and purple-crested turacos can be observed, How to plan the best safari in Africa to Tanzania’s Selous game reserve.
The Selous Game Reserve is mostly explored by daytime game drives (night safaris are not permitted), with the majority of operators leaving in the early morning and late afternoon when the wildlife is most active. Incredibly popular, boat safaris through the lakes and rivers let you get up close to wildlife like crocodiles and hippos.
The majority of the lodges also provide walking safaris, which are a distinctive opportunity to see a variety of birds and large animals. Another unique option to see Selous is on a fly camping excursion, when you’ll be served a bush dinner and spend the night at a makeshift camp beneath the stars. Even though there are wild creatures all around you, you will always be escorted by an armed scout to assure your protection. This may sound frightening to some.
HOW TO GET TO THE SELOUS GAME RESERVE
The major entry point for most visitors to the Selous Game Reserve is the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. From here, it takes a whole day to go via winding, dusty roads; to break up the trip, several safari companies include a stop in Mikumi National Park. You may observe how Tanzanian rural villages function by traveling through Morogoro, which is surrounded by the gorgeous Uluguru Mountains.
Although there are regular scheduled flights from Zanzibar Island to Selous, most tourists choose to fly in from Dar es Salaam or visit the game reserve after a beach vacation there. If you want to visit the Selous Game Reserve along with Tanzania’s Northern safari Circuit or the Serengeti great wildebeest migration, you may also arrange a flight from Arusha or the Serengeti.
The other route is to take the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) from Dar es Salaam to Matambwe, which is located north of the Selous Game Reserve and south of the Mikumi National Park’s entrance. Without the road’s jolts, it’s a beautiful opportunity to see Tanzania’s bush while also getting to know the locals.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE SELOUS GAME RESERVE
The dry season, which runs from June to October, is the ideal time to explore the Selous Game Reserve. Because it congregates around scarce water sources and there is less foliage during this time, it is much simpler to detect wildlife. It’s the perfect time to go on safari since the skies are clear and sunny and because there are a lot fewer mosquitoes (and a reduced chance of catching malaria).
Additionally, it corresponds with the busiest time of year for tourists, when the Rufiji River neighborhood can get busy. Despite the low humidity and comfortable temperatures, visitors should be advised that it can be rather dusty during this time, How to plan the best safari in Africa to Tanzania’s Selous game reserve.
The first rains starts to fall in October, turning the landscapes a lush green. The best time to go bird viewing in the Selous Game Reserve is during the rainy season, when migrating birds swarm to the wetlands and many lodges offer steep discounts.
It’s vital to keep in mind that during the months of March, April, and May, when the greatest rains fall, many lodges completely close and certain routes become quite muddy. While some animals start leaving their feeding sites for regions that are more productive, if you pick your lodge or camp wisely, you might be treated to some amazing wildlife experiences during the “wet”.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE SELOUS GAME RESERVE
There are many possibilities for individuals looking to go on a luxury safari in Tanzania. Most of them are located in the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve. You can take part in daily wildlife drives, boat safaris, and both short and long walking safaris, in addition to luxurious accommodations with all the latest luxuries.
You can go for days on a private safari in Tanzania without seeing another vehicle because the lodges and camps in the western part of the Selous Game Reserve are much dispersed. Alternatively, select one of the lodges and camps in the reserve’s east, which is renowned for its lion and wildcat sightings.
“Want to arrange a safari trip to the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania? Get in touch with us at Focus East Africa Tours right away. Focus East Africa Tours is an experienced Tanzania local tour company that provides unforgettable safari experiences to all famous Tanzania attractions such as Kilimanjaro National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, Zanzibar Island, and the Selous Game Reserve, to name a few”
