Enter
Africa's largest protected area uninhabited by man, where Tanzania's
greatest population of elephants wander in an area bigger than Switzerland.
The Selous (pronounced “Seloo”) is considered important
enough to be World Heritage Site, in which the lucky few can experience
a safari in absolutely wild and unspoiled bush.
The park is named after Englishman, Frederick Courtney Selous - conservationist,
hunter, explorer and author, whose adventure books on Africa became
best sellers in Victorian England.
The park varies from rolling grassy woodlands and plains, to rocky
outcrops cut by the Rufiji River - the lifeblood of the park,
whose tributaries form a network of lakes, lagoons and channels. Volcanic
hot springs even burst forth in places. The Rufiji offers a superb
method of game viewing especially during the dry season when animals
congregate.
Animals and aquatic life
Selous contains about one third of all the wild dogs (often called
painted dogs), in the world. Their need to roam vast areas and their
formidable hunting skills have caused many to be shot by farmers,
but here in Selous they have boundless woodlands and savannahs in
which to roam.
Along the Rufiji River, an array of grazing antelopes, crocodiles
and hippos are commonly seen as well as black and white colobus monkeys
in the riverine forests. During the dry season from June to October,
the concentration of animals along the river is astonishing. Linked
to the Rufiji is Lake Tagalala where waterbuck, reedbuck and bushbuck
gather at the water's edge. Magnificent sickle-horned sable and curly-horned
greater kudu tend to keep to the longer grass and wooded shrubby areas.
In the dry season an ancient migration of elephants takes place between
the Selous and Mozambique's Niassa Game Reserves. This is one of the
largest natural trans-boundary eco-systems in Africa and at the last
consensus. It was estimated that 64,400 elephants roam the two parks,
with 84% on the Tanzanian side.
Fierce tiger fish and smooth slippery vandu catfish are caught in
the rivers. The latter is equipped with primitive lungs allowing it
to cross land for short distance in an attempt to find water during
the dry season.
Seasons
The dry season sets in during June to November and is the best time
for game viewing along the rivers. Elephants come out of the bush
at that time and predators are more commonly seen. January to April
is wonderful for birdlife ad lush scenery but many roads become impassable
after heavy rains. December to February is still good for game viewing
but can be rather hot and humid. The safari lodges are usually closed
from March to May.
Selous Specialities
• Rare and endangered Wild Dog
• Boat game viewing
• Fishing
• Thousands of migrating elephants
• Walking safaris
• Huge wilderness
Facts
This massive stretch of land is the 2nd largest game reserve in Africa.
At over 55,000 sq kilometres it is almost four times the size of the
Serengeti. The only human habitations allowed are limited tourist
facilities. Road access is only possible during the dry season and
most visitors fly in from Dar es Salaam by charter aircraft. Safari
lodges are restricted to the top 20 % of the reserve.
