Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve

Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve is among its greatest natural treasures and one of the reasons why a traveller should visit Tanzania during their safaris in Africa. Gazetted in 1896 and covering an area of 50,000 km2, Selous is the largest and oldest protected area in Africa. It is noted as even four times bigger than the Serengeti National Park and two and a half times larger than South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Due to its wildlife diversity and undisturbed nature, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Much of the reserve is set aside for trophy hunting, and the best game-viewing areas along the mighty Rufiji River are exclusively set aside for photo tourism. The Rufiji River defines the Tanzania safari experience in Selous with its interconnected lakes and doum palm forests, offering both boat-based and vehicle-based game drives. Only the section of the reserve north of the Rufiji River is open for tourism; large areas of the south are zoned as hunting concessions. The wealth of Selous’ wildlife and its stunning riverine scenery rarely fail to impress. Another draw is the Selous’ relative lack of congestion in comparison with Tanzania’s northern parks.

History of Selous Game Reserve

The area was first designated a protected area in 1896 by the German Governor of Tanganyika, Hermann von Wissmann, and became a hunting reserve in 1905. In 1922, the reserve was expanded and given its present name (after Frederick Courteney Selous), the British explorer who was killed and buried in the reserve during the First World War and whose grave can still be visited.

Safari Attractions

Wildlife

The major tourist attractions in Selous Game Reserve include animals in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania, birdlife in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania, the vegetation in Selous game reserve, river Rufiji in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania, lake Tagalala in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania, Stiegler’s Gorge in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania and Selous Grave in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania

The large mammal populations found here support the claim that the Selous is one of the greatest destinations for a Tanzania Wildlife safari. The reserve contains the largest elephant population (110,000) and more lions (about 4,000) than any other place on the African continent. The Selous also harbours an estimated 35,000 zebras, 25,000 impala, and significant herds of giraffes, greater kudus, waterbucks, bushbucks, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and eland. It is also one of the most important sanctuaries in Africa for the endangered African wild dogs, brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelopes, waterbucks, zebras, reedbucks, warthogs, and puku antelopes. Selous hosts a huge population of crocodiles, hippos, spotted hyenas, and leopards.

Birdlife in Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

With a checklist of 440 species of birds, Selous is a fantastic place for a Tanzania birding safari. The most spectacular bird habitats within this reserve are the lakes and the River Rufiji channels. Starting in November to April, there is a large number of Migratory birds. The most outstanding bird species worth seeing include the Spur-winged lapwing, African wattled lapwing, the White-fronted bee-eater, the Pel’s fishing owl, the African spoonbill, the Common White-headed vulture, Pearl-spotted owlet, White-headed Lapwing, African skimmer, Bohm’s bee-eater, Yellow-billed stork, Pel’s fishing owl, Broad-billed roller, White-fronted plover, Brown-headed parrot, Brown-necked Parrot, Black-winged stilt, Palm-nut vulture, Dickinson’s kestrel, Racket-tailed roller, Thick-billed Cuckoo, White-backed night heron, Carmine bee-eater, as well as the Rock pratincole

On the lakes, you’ll find pink-backed pelicans, African skimmers, and giant kingfishers. The sandbanks are home to carmine and white-fronted bee-eater colonies, whilst pairs of the fish eagle, palm nut vulture, ibises, and palm swifts nest in the Borassus palms. Other water birds found in the Selous include yellow-billed stork, white-crowned and spur-winged plovers, various small waders, pied and malachite kingfishers. Also worth looking out for among a catalogue of egrets and herons are the Malagasy squacco heron, a regular winter visitor, while the elusive Pel’s fishing owl often emerges at dusk to hawk above the water.

The vegetation in the Selous Game Reserve

Generally, the vegetation in the Selous reserve greatly differs. The terrain is dominated by Savanna wooded grasslands, plus deciduous Miombo woodland. While on a Tanzania safari tour to the reserve, you will see thick thorn shrubs as well as groundwater forests along with rocky outcrops that likewise characterize this Reserve.

Miombo woodland: Miombo is the vernacular word for Brachystegia, a genus of tree comprising many tree species, together with Julbernardia species in woodlands. Miombo woodland is classified in the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome (in the World Wide Fund for Nature scheme). Characteristically, the trees shed their leaves for a short period in the dry season to reduce water loss and produce a flush of new leaves just before the onset of the rainy season, with rich gold and red colours masking the underlying chlorophyll, reminiscent of temperate autumn colours.

River Rufiji in Selous Game Reserve

At the heart of the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji, forms a complex network of channels, lakes, and swamps that create one of the most outstanding ecological systems in East Africa. This river also splits the reserve into two different sections: The northern Selous covers only around 5% of the reserve’s total area. No hunting here; this area is best for exclusively to photographic safaris.

The Rufiji River is not only an attraction for the millions of animals in Selous Game Reserve, but it has also played a huge role in the fortunes of humanity through the centuries. The navigable Rufiji Delta is home to the largest mangrove forests in the world, and it was these forests that allowed the German super battleship, the ‘Konigsberg’, to stay undercover whilst wreaking havoc on British ships in the Indian Ocean during the First World War. It was only the intervention and bush skills of a legendary hunter, JP Pretorius, that finally brought the reign of destruction to an end.

Lake Tagalala in Selous Game Reserve

This oxbow lake, bordered by the skeletons of trees which were drowned as the waters rose, draws elephants and zebras from across the plains during the dry season. These, in turn, attract lions and other predators. The lake is also wonderful for keen birders with many species thriving along its banks. Driving around the lake, cruising its tranquil waters, or bathing in the natural hot springs nearby is among the most thrilling activities for travellers while on safaris in Tanzania.

Selous Grave in Selous Game Reserve

Here lies buried Frederick Courteney Selous, the British explorer, and conservationist who was killed in the Selous during World War I, and after whom Selous Game Reserve is named. Selous was the right-hand man to Cecil John Rhodes in his campaign to annex present-day Zimbabwe to the British Empire, he also achieved brief notoriety in 1899 for speaking out against England’s war on the Boer Republics of South Africa.

He was buried under a tamarind tree near the place of his death, at Beho (northern edge of the Selous game reserve) in today’s Selous Game Reserve. In a modest, flat stone grave, there is a simple bronze plaque reading: “CAPTAIN F.C. SELOUS D.S.O., 25TH ROYAL FUSILIERS, KILLED IN ACTION 4.1.17.”

Game Drives in Selous Game Reserve

Game drives are usually the highlight of Tanzania wildlife tours to Selous. These vehicle safaris are permitted in open safari vehicles, and a self-drive safari is also possible. The Rufiji River, which runs through the middle, from which five lakes formed, is a popular game drive area. Game drives normally start after breakfast. The full-day game drives last for about 8- 9 hours. They are the quintessential Tanzania adventure safari and allow you to see a wide variety of wildlife from the comfort of a 4×4 safari vehicle. Game viewing experiences in the Selous are superb, with large numbers of Giraffe, Hippo, Crocodile, and Elephant as well as the world’s largest population of the rare African Wild Dog.

Driving through the vast wilderness of the Selous accompanied by one of the passionate, knowledgeable guides, you’ll discover the outstanding abundance of wildlife and the beauty of the African bush.

Birding in Selous Game Reserve

With more than 440 bird species inside the park, the Selous is a wonderful place for Tanzania bird-watching safaris. The most eye-catching habitats of birds in this reserve are the islands, channels, sandbanks, plus lagoons, together with mighty River Rufiji. A great way to watch the bird species here is by taking a boat safari. In the cold months, in the morning, you will either go out on a boat safari focusing on the aquatic species or a game drive focusing on woodland and forest-dwelling species. One can see birds, especially raptors and vultures, early morning and late afternoon to sunset.

Walking safaris in Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve is one of the few places where you can do an exciting walking safari in Tanzania, which will bring you up close with Giraffes, gazelles, and even Elephants! An armed Ranger is there to protect you and tell you more about the different trails of animals you will find along the way.

Walking safaris are usually 2-3 hour hikes that generally follow the course of the Rufiji River, sandbanks, and riverine forest. Extremely well executed, Selous walking safaris are perfect for those aiming to dig a little deeper beneath the skin of Africa. Please note that there is a limited window within which to walk in the Selous (June to October,) as the remainder of the year the temperatures soar, making walking uncomfortable.

Boat Safaris in Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve is one of the very few places where travellers on African safaris will view wildlife from the water after the dust and bumpy roads of a game drive. There’s nothing more relaxing than drifting along the river watching the wildlife. You will find the most animals near these water bodies, including large prides of lions (up to 20 members in each pride). Because the terrain is flat and open, the lions tend to congregate here in search of prey. Selous River Camp offers two types of boat safari: short 2-3-hour sunset or dawn boat trips along the Rufiji River outside the reserve (so no entry permit needed), or full-day boat safaris which explore the Rufiji River as well as the lakes of the Selous.

Fishing Trips in Selous Game Reserve

The fishing trips are excellent in the Selous. Large tiger fish occur in the Rufiji River, and numerous happy clients have enjoyed fishing in this pristine environment. The tigerfish is famous for being a fighter with heart, with tools to back it up.  They can bite through 30-pound wire trace with their impressive set of dentures. This particular species is plentiful in the waters around Selous Impala Camp and grows to a size of 15 kilos.

The second species is the catfish. There are four kinds caught; the Heterobrancus Catfish can grow to be monsters 1.5mt long 50kg in weight and you can be at the side of the river starting at your spooled reel in shock, while the fish that you hooked calmly surfaces just for a moment as if to give you a look at what you had foolishly tried to take on, and laughs at you.