Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve

Hermann Von Wissmann started the Selous Game Reserve in 1896. He was a German who served as Tanganyika's governor then. Later in 1905, Selous was made a hunting reserve and was given the name Selous Game Reserve in 1922. They gave the reserve that name to honour Frederic Courtney Selous, a hunter, and friend of Cecil Rodes, who a German sniper shot dead in 1917. His remains were buried in Beho Beho wildlife sanctuary.

Selous Game Reserve started rising in the 1940s and was made a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site in 1982. Come 2019, President Magufuli created another national park in Tanzania. He put the park under TANAPA’S management. He later decided to build a colossal dam to cater for hydroelectricity to the nearby villages. The idea of building the dam has not gone down well with economists and conservationists.

Wildlife found in Selous Game Reserve

The wildlife in Selous is among the best if you compare it with other parks in Tanzania. You will get to see hippos(40,000), buffalos(150,000), zebras(35,000), and wildebeest(100,000). With that large herd of animals, predators like leopards, crocodiles, hyenas, and lions(4000) hang around to search for prey. Additionally, 50% of African wild dogs live in Selous park. Puku antelopes, black rhinos, more than 440 species of birds, and sable, also inhabit Selous.

How to Get To Selous Game Reserve

The easiest ways to Selous are by air, train, or road. The best method is a plane that departs from Dar es Salaam or Ruaha national park. If you opt to take the Dar es Salaam route, expect to spend 45 minutes by a small aeroplane. If you take the Ruaha route, it takes 90 minutes to reach Selous.

By car, the journey takes four to six hours. The beauty of going by road is the breathtaking scenery a person enjoys. You pass through the Mikumi National park and kill two birds with one stone. Alternatively, you can travel by train. The ideal train line is TAZARA which uses the Dar es Salaam, Zambia route. Here you meet with wildlife on your way, making the trip memorable. However, the train is unreliable because it always comes late.

Best Time To Visit Selous

June to October is good for those who want to see wildlife. It is the dry season in Tanzania, and most wildlife flock to the park to search for food. For bird watching, mid-December to March is the perfect season. This is the mid-dry season when most birds flee to Selous. The Denning period is June to August for those who want to see the wild dog. There are plenty of them in the park. Avoid the rainy seasons, mostly from October to December. Since most roads are rough, you risk getting stuck in the mad.

Activities you Can Do in Selous

When you visit Selous, there are so many activities available. You will get walking, hot air balloon and river rafting safaris, game drives, fishing, and bird watching. Alternatively, you can watch the hippos and crocodiles as they chill, waiting to catch their prey.

Accommodation Available

The park has lodges everywhere. Some eco-hotels bring out the African bush experience. Congestion is not allowed; thus, you can’t get more than 300 visitors in a 50,000 - square-kilometre in Selous park.

Cheaper Options

There are cheaper options you can consider. These are;

Selous Kulinda Camp: It is close to the river and has around fourteen tents, a pool, and a dining deck. You can see the Rufiji river comfortably when you have your meals on the deck. It is not inside the Selous game reserve, but it's away by only 20 minutes.

Lake Manze Tented Camp: It is next to the lake and has twelve tents. It’s a perfect place to enjoy the sundowners while around the bonfire.

Mid-range Lodges

The mid-range lodges available are;

Rufiji River Camp: Just as its name suggests, the Rufiji river camp is around the river. It has 14 tents and suites.

Selous Impala: Selous impala doesn’t cost much. Its amenities are good, and it offers a fly camping option to its visitors.

Luxury Accommodation

Here are some of the high-end accommodations available in Selous.

Siwandu: It is close to Lake Siwanda. It has ten luxurious tents and a pool. Here you enjoy wildlife close to your tent. The experience is breathtaking.

Roho ya Selous: Roho is a Swahili name meaning heart. So the heart of Selous has eight tents plus a pool.

Beho Beho: It is one of the oldest in the Selous game reserve. It doesn’t have any tents but huts. The beauty of this place is that the owners live here. So you feel at home away from home.

Kiba Point: It is a fantastic lodge with four different rooms, and each has a pool. Also, you will get a pool outside that you can share. You can enjoy other activities like fly camping, etc.

Sand Rivers: It has eight cottages, making it a perfect place to enjoy privacy. Also, you can engage in games like fly camping or view the Rufiji River. Here you can spot hippos in the comfort of your cottage.