Selous game reserve

Wondering on where to travel to when having a safari to Africa, just look no further because Selous national park in Tanzania has got you covered. Selous national park stands as the largest game reserve in Africa and also the second largest conservation area in Africa covering an area of approximately 50,000 square kilometers. Enjoy a less crowd safari at the park and view a numerous attractions and the unique beauty of the park. Selous National Park was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982 due to its wildlife diversity and undisturbed nature.  Among the numerous attractions at Selous national park include;

The Rufiji River: This is the biggest river in Tanzania and it flows through the Selous reserve. The river makes networks of the water channels, small lakes and swamps thus forming a different water source which attracts a numerous animals like elephants and antelopes. Also, the river is a popular area for boat rides that is an adventurous experience in Selous game reserve.

Bird species: Selous national park is a home to over 440 bird species and these are well sighted along the shores of river Rufiji. A large population of endemic birds and epidemic can be seen at the park including white backed night heron, spur-winged lapwing, palm-nut vulture, African wattled lapwing, brown necked parrot, black winged stilt, brown headed parrot, white fronted bee-eater, pearl-spotted owlet, pel’s fishing owl rare, African spoonbill, broad billed roller and others.

Wildlife: Selous national park is one of the best destinations for where one can enjoy a wildlife safari in Africa to the fullest. This is evidenced in the large number of the mammals hosting the park for example the giant elephants vary with approximately 110,000, about 35,000 zebras, 40,000 hippos, 25,000 impalas and lions ranging in 4,000. Among the other animals include giraffes, spotted hyena, hartebeest, warthog, leopard, reedbuck, Nile crocodiles, and others.

The grave of Fredrick Selous: The game reserve of Selous was named after Fredrick Selous. He was a conservationist, a professional hunter and early British explorer who was killed and buried in Selous game reserve during the World War 1. Get a chance to visit his grave stone found beneath a tamarind tree in the reserve.

Lake Tagalala: This is an oxbow lake which is surrounded by the dying trees drowned especially during the rainy seasons when the water levels are high. During the dry season, Selous game reserve dries up thus the lake attracting numerous wildlife like elephants, zebras, impalas, buffalos. Also the lake draws the attention of the bird species in the reserve making it an amazing haven for birders.

Accommodations in Selous national park.

Selous game reserve has a got a bucket list of accommodations including hotels, camping sites and lodges at all rates that are affordable to every client. Among the accommodations include Selous River camp, Selous great water lodge, Selous king lodge, sable mountain lodge Tanzania, Selous luxury camp Tanzania, Mivumo river lodge, Selous ,Mbuyu safari camp, Selous impala camp, Beho Beho Selous, Jimbiza lodge, Selous riverside safari camp, retreat Selous and others.

The best time to visit the reserve.

The best time to visit Selous game reserve is the dry season that is June to October and this time is ranked as their highest season.

How to get to Selous game reserve.

The travelers and adventurous people willing to visit Selous game reserve have got three modes of transport to choose including Air, road railway transport.

By Air: When one decides to travel by air, he or she should use a charter flight. Fly from Julius Nyerere international airport and catch a flight connecting you to Selous game reserve.

By railway: The other way to access Selous Reserve is by using Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA) which begins in Dar es Salaam and takes you to Matambwe railway through the trails in Tanzania’s wilderness.

By Road: When traveling by road and from Dar es Salaam, there is direct route covering a distance of 240km following the eastern road and the drive takes about 6-7 hours which is almost a half a day journey.