Selous Game Reserve
Overview
Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest reserve in Africa and a UNESCO Heritage site. Selous Game Reserve covers over 50,000 sq km in size. It is part of the protected area in the southern part of Tanzania.
The name originates from a famous hunter and conservationist called Fredrick Selous. Fredrick died in Beho beho area in Selous in the year 1917, while fighting with the Germans during WWI
The famous river that passes through Selous is River Rufiji which connects into the Indian Ocean. The reserve also has multiple lakes such as Lake Manze, Lake Siwandu, Lake Mtagalala and Lake Zelekela.
Selous Game Reserve also has a hot spring in the Beho Beho area.The animals that you are likely to see in Selous are lion, elephant, hippopotamus, wild dog, zebra, many types of antelope, bird life, giraffe, crocodile, wildebeest, buffalo, hyena and many many more. Selous is also home to almost 3000-4000 lions, and is considered to have half of Tanzania’s elephant population within its boundaries! In addition thereto it is also home to the endangered African wild dog and black rhino. Leopards are also very much at home here and they prefer to live in the Miombo woodlands area.
With its more than 440 species, Selous is also a perfect spot for ornithologists. The most commonly seen species are African spoonbills, white fronted bee-eaters, white headed vultures, African fish eagles, spur-winged lapwings, francolins and many more.
The reserve offers a variety of activities for guest to choose from. In addition to regular game drives, visitors can go on a boat safari or walk in the footsteps of people like Hemingway during a walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger.