SELOUS GAME RESERVE || NYERERE NATIONAL PARK

Selous Game Reserve or Nyerere National Park

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

The name originates from a famous hunter and conservationist called Fredrick Selous. Fredrick died in Beho beho area in Selous in the year 1917, while fighting with the Germans during WWI

The famous river that passes through Selous is River Rufiji which connects into the Indian Ocean. It also has multiple lakes such as Lake Manze, Lake Siwandu, Lake Mtagalala and Lake Zelekela.

The reserve also has a hot spring in the Beho Beho area.

It is officially announced on December 2019, part of Selous Game Reserve will be taken over by Tanzania Park Authorities. Reportedly, around 30,000 sq kms will be converted into Nyerere National Park, becoming the largest National Park in Tanzania.

The animals that you are likely to see in Selous are lion, elephant, hippopotamus, wild dog, and zebra. You can also see many types of antelope, bird life, giraffe, crocodile, wildebeest, buffalo, hyena and many many more.

It offers multiple activities such as Boat safari along River Rufiji and Walking safari. The walking safari is performed inside the reserve accompanied by an armed ranger. You can also perform Game drives.

Selous was not as famous as many of the other parks in Tanzania. It has gained publicity just recently.

Ideally, a 3 days safari can be enough in Selous. However, the more days, the merrier as the reserve is huge, you will have more game viewing and spend time in the nature. See below the sample safari itinerary.

For sport fishing lovers, Selous offers sport fishing activities combined with game drives.

Learn more about the activities performed in Selous.

For more information, visit our website or contact us via [email protected]

2 Nights / 3 Days to Selous Game Reserve

Day 1: Dar es Salaam – Selous Game Reserve

Pickup from DSM city center and proceed to Selous Game Reserve with picnic lunch,

Late afternoon, boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River,

Dinner and overnight at Zarafa Tented Camp (L,D).

You will discover the Rufiji River by boat, 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 swamplands is of particular interest.

Day 2: Walking Safari & Game Drive in Selous Game Reserve

After early breakfast, Your day will start with early morning walking safari, followed by game drive with your picnic lunch.

Dinner and overnight at Zarafa Tented Camp (B,L,D).

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.Excursions by 4×4 vehicle will permit you to have good photographic opportunities and the chance to explore different sections of vast park.

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 safaris offer a good chance of seeing giraffe, zebra, elephant, and good birding.