Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest reserve in Africa and a UNESCO Heritage site. Selous Game Reserve covers over 50,000 sq km in size. It is part of the protected area in the southern part of Tanzania.

Let us discuss the Activities that are available in Selous Game Reserve:

Boat Safari

Boat safari is one of the famous four (4) activities performed in Selous Game Reserve. It is performed on the Almighty Rufiji River that connects into the Indian Ocean.

You will encounter hippos and crocodiles in good numbers. Some 350 bird species have been recorded in the Selous Game Reserve. These are typical of miombo woodlands, and the bird life supported by Rufiji swampland is of particular interest.

The Boat safari starts around 1600 hours from the camp where, you can watch the animals and bird life. This safari will continue until the sunset. The heavenly sunset will make you feel out of this world with the tranquility of the river.

You can perform half day boat safari for around 2.5 to 3 hours (as discussed above) or a full day boat safari that starts around 0600 hours and lasts for around 6 to 8 hours; wherein, you will return to the camp after lunch at the sand banks of River Rufiji.Next week, we will post description about Walking safari.

Walking Safari

Walking safari will give you a particularly intimate feel for the African wilds. It starts in the morning with a guidance of an armed ranger, takes 2 hours before you meet the driver at the reserve gate. Walking safari offer a good chance of seeing giraffe, zebra, elephant and good birding.

It specifically allows for viewing ‘small five’ or ‘little five’animals of the reserve such as ant-lion, elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, rhino beetle and leopard tortoise.

It starts at 0700 hours from the Mtemere Gate, walking inward with an armed ranger leading the group.

Game Drive

The Selous Game Reserve is the largest in Africa, covering 54,600 square kilometer. The reserve gets its name from the hunter and explorer Frederick Courtney Selous. He was killed here during World War 1. Selous is famous for elephants. Other species commonly seen are lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, bush-bucks, impalas, elands, baboons,zebras and greater kudus. It was originally set aside as a hunting area where animals are abundant but more shy then the Northern Parks. Excursion by Safari prepared (4×4) vehicle will permit you to have good photographic opportunities and the chance to explore different sections of vast park.

The gates of Selous Game Reserve are open from 0600 to 1800 hours. Therefore, the best game can be found before 1100 hours and after 1500 hours, when the sun is not at its peak.\

Cultural Tour

The cultural tour is performed in the village where, the camp is located. The village is called Mwaseni Village, which has local mud-hut houses, schools, shops, etc. The tour will start from the camp, hiking using the inner alleys into the village. The guide will show you the mud-huts and request one of the villager to permit to view the hut from inside.

You will also visit the government schools. It is preferable to take some gifts for the students such as stationery or candies.

If you are lucky, you might see villagers performing their daily activities such as fetching water, African style grinding and many others.