Selous Safaris
A huge wildlife reserve in South-Central
Tanzania. The Selous is larger than Denmark
and contains the largest concentrations of wildlife
of any park in Africa. This is not a
frequently visited park, but those who come are
rewarded with some of the best game viewing in
Tanzania.
The Selous can best be seen in 4-5 days tour,
covering: game drives, walking safaris, and
boat rides in the Rufiji river delta. Lots of
wildlife: elephants, hippos, buffalos, lion,
leopard, and different types of antelopes, not to
mention bird life. The Selous is very remote
in Southern Tanzania.
Selous Game
Reserve.
The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected
wildlife area in Africa. A UN World Heritage site,
this pristine, uninhabited area is larger that
Switzeland. Only in Serengeti will visitors see a
greater concentration of wildlife. Yet Selous
boasts Tanzania's largest population of elephant as
well as large numbers of buffalo, hippo and wild
dog.
Other species commonly seen are lion, bushbuck,
impala, giraffe, eland, baboon, zebra and greater
kudu. The topography of the park varies from
rolling savannah woodland, grassland pains and
rocky outcrops cut by the Rufiji River and its
tributaries, the Kilomberu and Luwegu, which
together cover the greatest catchment area in East
Africa. The Rufiji, which flows from north to
south, provides the life&endash;blood of the Selous
and sailing or rafting down the river is a superb
method of seeing game, especially during the dry
season between June and October. Crocodiles, hippo,
and an array of grazing antelope can be seen.
Linked to the Rufiji is Lake Tagalala, where
waterbuck, reedbuck and bushbuck gather at the
water's edge. In the long grassland, safari
enthusiasts may get a chance to see rare sable
antelope, greater kudu- or lion. The park gets its
name from the hunter explorer Frederick Courtney
Selous, whose books about his exploits were best
sellers in Victorian England. Walking safaris, game
drives and boat trips are organized. The best time
to visit is during the dry season, when game is
forced from hiding places to the driver to drink.
The waters of the Kilombero Game Controlled Area
are home to the ferocious tiger fish and vandu
catfish, the latter equipped with a primitive set
of lungs which allows it to migrate from one
landlocked pool to another.
To reach the Selous, you can travel:
By road from Dar Es Salaam:
This takes almost 7-8 hours on the road. It is
tiresome but you will have time to observe customs
and cultures of coast people en route.
By Train. (Tazara):
This is the Chinese built railroad from Dar Es
Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. This originates
from Dar Es Salaam and drops of at a place known as
Fuga. Here you will be picked up by
representatives of one of our permanent tented
campsites along the Rufiji River, who will arrange
your safari for the duration. This is one of the
cheapest methods since train fares are cheap.
By Charter Flights:
Expensive but fast. You can fly from
either Kilimanjaro International Airport, or from
Dar Es Salaam.
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