Selous

The Selous Game Reserve, with an area of about 55,000 sq. km, is the largest well-watered wildlife sanctuary in Africa, and one of the largest protected areas in the world. Its size is simply stunning, bigger than Switzerland, un inhabited and little touched by human interfearence. It is perhaps the most pristine wilderness still remaining in Africa, with a wide variety of wildlife habitats, including open grasslands, Acacia and miombo woodlands, swamps and riverine forests in the many tributaries of the mighty Rufiji River which flows through the reserve. Due to its unique ecological importance, it was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1982. Its wildlife is spectacular, The park host the biggest mammal and reptile populations in Africa; buffaloes, elephants, hippos, wild dogs and crocodiles. Other wildlife include the wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, zebra, eland, the greater kudu, sable antelopes, giraffe, baboon, the vervet and blue monkeys, and the black and white colobus monkey which can be seen around the riverine forests moving from tree to tree in families. There is a large population of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs and the spotted hyenas, about 440 species of birds were registered in the park, both resident and migratory birds. Named after Captain Frederick Courtney Selous, a legendary 19th century naturalist, explorer and hunter, Selous Game Reserve was founded in 1905. Situated on the southern part of Tanzania, bordered by Mikumi National Park to the northwest and by Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Kibasira Swamp on the west. The greater part of northern Selous is reserved for photographic safaris, and is one of the most beautiful and rich of animals of the whole ecosystem. Its spectacular wilderness has always satisfied the dreams of many visitors in Africa. Just from the earliest European explorers like Dr. Livingstone and Henry Stanley. The Reserve offers a wider variety of game viewing opportunities to the visitor, including the thrilling experience of a foot safari through the inhabited bushes in the company of an armed Ranger. The many waterways in the Reserve provide an excellent natural setting for boat safaris, game viewing and bird watching. This is in additional to the game drives in 4×4 vehicles which, combined with boat and walking safaris, offers an exciting and richer game viewing itinerary unique in the Selous game reserve. During the long rains, between march and may, some parts of the Selous become impassable and are temporarily closed for game drives.