Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected game reserve in Africa. Selous Game Reserve covers about 54,600 square kilometers comprising of vast wilderness with forests, grassy plains, open woodlands and mountains all in one beautiful gem in Tanzania. Selous Game Reserve was named after Fredrick Selous Courtney a great hunter and explorer many years ago. Tanzania safaris to Selous Game Reserve are very rewarding, having travellers enjoy extensive game drives in the vast endless plains of Selous Game Reserve.
Selous Game Reserve Size
Selous Game Reserve size is 54,600 square kilometers. Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected area in Africa, allowing very remote and extensive game drives in a true African wilderness. Selous Game Reserve is twice the size of Serengeti National Park and three times the size of Kruger National Park of South Africa.
Selous Game Reserve Location
Selous Game Reserve is located in the southern Tanzania safari circuit offering the best escape from the usual crowd filled northern safari destinations in the northern Tanzania safari circuit, especially Serengeti National Park. Selous Game Reserve is a hidden gem of Tanzania that not so many travellers should look out for while choosing their Tanzania safari destination.
Tourist attractions in Selous Game Reserve
With this vast expanse of wilderness, there are a lot of attractions in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can look out for an amazing Selous Game Reserve safari experience. Below are the various attractions in Selous Game Reserve.
Wildlife in Selous Game Reserve
There are a number of mammals and generally wildlife in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can see while on a Tanzania safari tour. There are approximately 145,000 buffalos, 4,000 lions, 100,000 wildebeests, over 35,000 zebras, 40,000 hippos, among so many other Selous Game Reserve animals like hartebeests, waterbucks, elands, crocodiles, hyenas, impalas and large herds of giraffes. Due to excessive poaching, elephant population has greatly reduced in Selous Game Reserve, but can still be seen while on game drives in Selous Game Reserve by travellers on Selous Safari holidays all throughout the year.
Birds in Selous Game Reserve
Birds in Selous Game Reserve are recorded to be more than 445 species roaming the vast expanse of the reserve. Some of the birds in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can see while on Selous safari holidays include Giant Kingfishers, Pink-backed Pelican, African Skimmer, Fish Eagle, Carmine, Yellow-billed Stork, among so many others.
Things to do in Selous Game Reserve
During Selous safari holidays, there are so many things you can do to appreciate the amazing attractions in Selous Game Reserve and more. Below are some of the best things to do in Selous Game Reserve that shall leave you awed;
Game Drives
Game drives in Selous Game Reserve are conducted all throughout the day in Selous Game Reserve, taking you through amazing trails which see you seeing a variety of animals in Selous Game Reserve.
Walking safaris
Selous safari holidays cannot be complete unless you take on a guided walking safari. Walking safaris is one of the best activities to take part in while on Selous Game Reserve safaris, bringing you up close with the various attractions and little hidden gems of Selous Game Reserve. You shall get an opportunity to come up close with the animals and nature of the reserve.
Birding
Birding in Selous Game Reserve has travellers spotting a wide array of birds in Selous Game Reserve. With well over 400 birds on Selous Game Reserve, birding is definitely one of the best activities in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can do.
Boat Safaris
With the presence of the Rufiji River, boat safaris are one of the most amazing things to do in Selous Game Reserve that travellers can do, all the while enjoying animal viewing of various animals in Selous Game Reserve including crocodiles, hippos, among so many others.
Hot air balloon safaris
With such a large expanse of the reserve, a hot air balloon safari ride is one of the best ways to explore the reserve, allowing you an opportunity to see much more than what you would have seen whilst just driving.
How to get to Selous Game Reserve
To visit Selous Game Reserve one can opt for flying, road drive or even rail use to easily access Selous Game Reserve. By air there are domestic flights that fly to Selous Game Reserve from Ruaha Game Reserve and Dar es Salaam. It is about 90 minute’s flight from Ruaha National Park and about 45 minutes only from Dar es Salaam.
When to visit Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve can be visited any time of the year, as long as you the traveler are available to take part in a Selous Game Reserve Tanzania safari. The best time to visit Selous Game Reserve is in June to October which is the dry season in Selous Game Reserve and the high season of travel in Tanzania attracting a high number of travelers in Tanzania.
Selous Game Reserve Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the things that make any vacation or holiday. Travelers on Selous Game Reserve safaris have a number of lodges and camps that tourists who visit can stay in. the various accommodation in Selous Game Reserve are categorized as luxury, mid-range and budget lodges and camps found both in and around the reserve. Some of the accommodation in Selous Game Reserve that travelers can stay in while on Selous safari holidays include Siwandu Camp, Lake Manze Camp, Sand River Selous, Sable Mountain Lodge, among so many others.
Selous Game Reserve is one of the best Tanzania safari destinations that travelers can visit for amazing Africa safari experiences. If you are looking a true remote safari destination away from the crowds then Selous Game Reserve is your best option, as most travelers opt to visit the very much sought after Serengeti National Park and the northern Tanzania safari circuit destinations. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you create an amazing Tanzania safari tour for an opportunity to visit Selous Game Reserve, and beyond.
