Established: 1922
Area: 48,000-sq-km
Location: Southern Tanzania Circuit
Covering 48,000-sq-km of wilderness, Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve. Pronounced as ‘seloo’, the park is named after the great explorer and hunter. Being twice the size of the Serengeti National Park, Selous is crowned as is one of Tanzania’s three World Heritage Sites.
Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji, creates network of channels, lakes and swamps that produce one of the most outstanding ecological systems in East Africa. Woodlands, grasslands and stands of Borassus palm, bisect the Rufiji River.
Selous harbours significant herds of giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, elephant, wild dog, greater kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable and puku antelope. Along with this huge population of hippo, crocodile also call the river their home.
More than 440 bird species of birds are recorded in Selous. Among them the significant are pink-backed pelicans, African skimmers and giant kingfishers, carmine and white-fronted bee-eater colonies whilst pairs of fish eagle, palmnut vulture, ibises yellow-billed stork, white-crowned and spur-winged plovers, various small waders, malachite kingfishers, trumpeter hornbill, purple-crested turaco are the noted.
Game viewing in Selous Game Reserve is good throughout the year.
The dry season (July to October) offers the classic game viewing opportunity as the vast game concentrates around the water resource. January and February offer the best view for birding safaris.
Selous harbours significant herds of giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, elephant, wild dog, greater kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, and sable and puku antelope. Along with this huge population of hippo, crocodile also calls the river their home.
The significant birds present inside the park are the pink-backed pelicans, African skimmers and giant kingfishers, carmine and white-fronted bee-eater colonies whilst pairs of fish eagle, palmnut vulture, ibises yellow-billed stork, white-crowned and spur-winged plovers, various small waders, malachite kingfishers, trumpeter hornbill, purple-crested turaco are the noted.
Boat safaris
Walking safaris
Hiking
Game Drives
Bird Watching
Picnicking
Like other national parks, travelling to Selous Game Reserve is also safe. Although some health concerns are necessary to follow, like mosquito repellent with at least 30% DEET, antimalaria medication and covering the skin during the evening time.
Most importantly you need to follow the instructions of your guide in your whole trip.