When you think of Tanzania and safaris most people naturally think about the world famous Serengeti. But did you know that the less well known southern safari circuit in Tanzania also offers world class game viewing and even better, far fewer people?
The Selous Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in the whole of Africa and covers over 45,000 square kilometres. Most tourists head to the north and the Serengeti and combine this with the other reserves in the north such as Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater . Few tourists head further south to explore the Selous. Although it is further to travel and access is harder it is most definitely worth the effort as it is both remote and beautiful and full of extraordinary wildlife and scenery.
The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest remaining wilderness areas in Africa, with undisturbed wildlife and habitats. It is very important to the conservation of rare African species as it has a diverse range of wildlife and a great diversity of vegetation types, including rocky acacia-clad hills, ground water forests, swamps, lagoons and lowland rain forest. The area is so vital that it has been protected as a UNESCO world heritage site.
The landscape and wildlife habitat is mainly savannah and woodland with the Rufiji River running through it creating a large, lush, green area with streams and lakes and great grazing. There are plenty of hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds living in the lagoons and river but it also attracts vast numbers of zebra, impala, wildebeest, kudu and eland to drink. Selous is also home to large herds of black rhino, elephant and giraffes as well as the famous buffalo which is one of the Big Five. And where there are large groups of herbivores there are large groups of predators. Selous has a thriving population of lion, cheetah and leopard and is also along with Ruaha home to one of the few surviving populations of the endangered African hunting dog outside southern Africa.
The Rufiji River is the main base for tourism in the area and boat trips are very popular as the electric boats can travel very quietly alongside the animals that live on the riverbanks making for great game viewing. The other means of game viewing is from open four wheel drive vehicles which allow you to get great photos of the animals you see on your game drives. As it is a protected park no human habitation is allowed and only non-permanent structures are allowed in the park so accommodation is very limited – in a good way! It means that you will very rarely come across any other vehicles on your game drives and the remoteness is one of its biggest attractions. Accommodation is kept low key and as environmentally friendly as possible with tented camps offering great facilities and comfort such as private decks and solar powered showers. If you are looking for luxury and style then this is not the place to be but if you are looking for a proper African bush experience in Africa’s largest and most unspoilt game reserve then the Selous is for you.
