SELOUS GR
'Africa’s remaining undisturbed wildernesses’
Selous Game Reserve was the largest game reserve in Africa relatively undisturbed by human impact. It was established in year 1922 and gazetted in 1974 by GN. No. 275, later was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in year 1982 due to its wildlife diversity and undisturbed nature.
The name of the reserve is named after Capt. Frederick Courtney Selous, a famous big game hunter and early conservationist, who died in 1917 while fighting against the Germans during World War I. The reserve is found South of Tanzania within two regions of Lindi and Coast covering an area of 50,000 km2.
In July, 2019 a bigger part of the reserve was upgraded to a National Park status forming what we call today - Nyerere National Park (30,000 sq.km).
The remaining part of Selous Game Reserve is located South-East of Tanzania covering an area of 18,000 sq.km within Lindi and Coast Regions. The reserve is yet the largest Game Reserve in Tanzania and relatively undisturbed by human activities.
The reserve is set aside for game hunting through a number of privately leased hunting concessions, but a section of it along the Rufiji, Ulanga and Matandu Rivers is good for photographic tourism for which plans are underway.
The reserve is set aside for game hunting through a number of privately leased hunting concessions, but a section of it along the Rufiji, Ulanga and Matandu Rivers is good for photographic tourism. Other photographic activities includes
- Game drive (day and night)
- Walking safari
- Bird watching
- Boating
- Camping (public and special)
- Hiking
- Biking
- Selous Game Reserve, the largest remaining wilderness game reserve in Tanzania, with relatively undisturbed ecological and biological processes, including a diverse range of wildlife with significant predator/prey relationships;
- With over 58 bird species that were recorded, Selous is a fantastic place to watch birds.
- Harbours significant concentrations of elephants, black rhinoceros, leopards, lion, hippopotamus, crocodiles and largest populations of buffalo in Africa.
- Strong hold of African wild dogs.
- An exceptionally high variety of habitats including Miombo woodlands, open grasslands, riverine forests and swamps, making it a valuable laboratory for on-going ecological and biological processes.
- Great Rufiji, Ulanga and Matandu rivers make Selous Game Reserve to have such a diverse landscape for both boating safaris and sport fishing.
- Meeting point of River Ulanga and Ruaha making up the Rufiji river.
- Lake Utunge, and Kihurumila dam serve for boat safari and sport fishing.
There are few accommodation options, Visitors can stay in the readily available rest house or camp at designated campsites . The other option will be staying in accommodation facilities located in nearby towns.
The climate of the reserve is warm to hot and humid. The period of October through March consists of the warmer months, while June to August are cooler. The Wet season occurs from late November to May. Therefore, best time to visit is during the months of July to November which also ranks as the highest season for game viewing.
By Road:
A road trip from Dar es Salaam to Kingupira (288kms), Dar es Salaam-Miguruwe (366kms) and 145kms from the nearby historical town of Kilwa.
By Air:
A number of scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar landing in different airstrips that can be accessed in the Reserve.
SELOUS GR Gallery
