Exploring the hidden beauty of Selous Game Reserve

Exploring the hidden beauty of Selous Game Reserve

Exploring the hidden beauty of Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve, now partially designed as Nyerere National Park, is a protected wilderness area located in southern Tanzania, east Africa.  The reserve covers an area of approximately 50,000 square kilomates, with additional buffer zones, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to its exceptional biodiversity and vast, unspoiled natural landscapes, including expansive grasslands and miombo woodlands.

This remarkable park is home to some of Africa’s largest and most iconic species, many of which are vulnerable or endangered. Notable inhabitants include bush elephants, black rhinoceros, hippopotami, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, pained dogs, cape buffalo, Masai giraffes, plain zebras, white-bearded gnu and the giant Nile crocodiles.

To protect the fragile ecosystems and wildlife within the park, human habitation is strictly prohibited. All visitors entering and leaving the reserve are logged and monitored by the Wildlife Division of the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, ensuring the preservation of this invaluable natural heritage.

History

The area was first established as a protected zone in 1896 by Herman Von Wissmann, the German Governor of Tanganyika, and was designated a hunting reserve in 1905. it was named after Frederick Selous, a renowned big game hunter and early conservationist, who strategically died fighting against the Germans in Beho Beho during World War I in 1917. Additionally, Scottish explorer and cartographer Keith Johnston lost his life in Beho Beho in 1879 while leading a Royal Geographical Society expedition to Africa’s Great Lakes alongside Joseph Thomson.

Since 2005, this protected area has been recognized as a Lion Conservation Unit. Recently, a boundary adjustment has been approved to allow for the exploration of Uranium deposits, a decision backed by UNESCO but met with significant backlash from environmentalists and organizations like Uranium-Network and Rainforest Rescue.

 Tanzania’s present late John Magufuli during his rule has also sanctioned the contribution of the Stiegler’s Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station, which is expected to generate 2,115MW over the Rufiji River. This project aims to more than triple Tanzania’s current hydropower capacity of 562 megawatts and commenced on July 26, 2019, with a completion target of 2022. However, the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has criticized the Tanzanian government for neglecting the potential impact of flooding nearly 1,000 km² of land on both local communities and the region’s biodiversity, as many people rely on the river for fishing and agriculture.

While certain areas of the Selous remain pristine wilderness, historical accounts indicate that the Germans did not map the Rufiji Floodplains. And expeditions led by the Lt. E. William Boville in 1917 described this region as “uninhabitable.”

Tourist Attractions in Selous Game Reserve

Rufiji River

The Rufiji River, the largest river in Tanzania, meanders through the Selous Reserve, creating an intricate network of swamps, waterways, and small lakes. This diverse landscape provides an array of water sources that attract a vast amount of wildlife. Such animals include large herds of Elephants and antelopes, particularly during the dry season. The river Sial is famous for its exhalating boar rides, and boat cruises a unique chance to experience the stunning beauty and wildlife of Selous during your Tanzania safaris. Notably, the mighty Rufiji River divides the reserve into two primary sections; the northern sector which focuses on photographic safaris, and the southern sector designated for hunting blocks.

Exploring the hidden beauty of Selous Game Reserve
Boat Cruise safaris in Selous Game Reserve

Bird in Selous

The Selous Reserve is a haven for birdwatchers, hosting over 440 species of birds. Many of these can be spotted along the banks of the Rufiji River and the shores of the various lakes. From November to April, the reserves become a temporary home for numerous migratory birds, making this period the ideal time for birding enthusiasts. among the remarkable bird species found in the area the White-backed night heron, Spur-winged lapwing, Palm-nut vulture, African wattled lapwing, Brown-necked Parrot, White-headed Lapwing, Black-winged stilt, Brown-headed parrot, White-fronted bee-eater, White-fronted plover, Pearl-spotted owlet, Pel’s fishing owl Rare, Pel’s fishing owl, African spoonbill and Broad-billed roller among others.

Wildlife in Selous Game Reserve

When examining the diverse range of large mammals in the Selous Game Reserve. It becomes clear why this destination is celebrated as one of Africa’s premier wildlife safari destinations. Selous Game Reserve is home to the largest concentration of elephants, with approximately 110,00 individuals recorded. The reserve also boasts around 35,000 zebras, 40,000 hippos and 150,00 buffalos, alongside an impressive population of about 4,000 lions- the highest concentration in Africa, other notable species include rhinos, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelopes, eland, greater kudu, waterbucks, hartebeest, giraffes, reedbuck, warthogs, spotted hyenas, leopards, and wild gods among others.

Wildlife viewing is the main highlight of any safari in Selous Game Reserve. Visitors can choose from a variety of safari activities. Options include boat safaris, game drives on safari vehicles and walking safaris. For example, boat safaris provide a tranquil experience along the rivers and water channels, offering up-close encounters with animals such as hippos and crocodiles. Many lodges also offer guided nature walks for tourists, offering excellent opportunities to observe large mammals like leopards, lions, hippos, and elephants.

The ideal time for game viewing in Selous Game Reserve is towards the end of the dry season, when wildlife congregates around the remaining water sources, inkling the park’s five lakes.

The unique vegetation

The Selous Game Reserve boasts a distinctive vegetation cover that sets it apart from the rest of Tanzania. Its expensive landscapes are primarily characterized by wooded savannah grasslands and deciduous miombo forests. Additionally, the reserve features rocky outcrops, dense thorny shrubs, and impressive riverine woodlands, all contributing to its unique ecological diversity.

Tourist activities to do at Selous Game Reserve

Game drives

As the largest game reserve in Africa, Selous Game Reserve offers exceptional game-driving opportunities.  The reserve is home to a wide range of wildlife species. During your game drive safaris, you will have the chance to encounter wildlife such as lions, wild dogs, bushbucks, impales, leopards, elephants’ zebras, greater kudu and baboons among others, this amazing activity is a guided safari conducted on a well equipped 4×4 vehicles. Game drives in the reserve start from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the best game viewing typically occurring before 11:00 AM and after 3:00 PM, when the sun’s intensity lessens.

Walking safaris

  For a more personal connection with Africa’s wilderness, consider a walking safari, which begins in the morning led by an armed ranger. This 2-hour excursion offers a unique opportunity to spot wildlife such as a good chance of seeing giraffes, zebra, elephants, and a diverse range of birds. Additionally, the walking safaris in the reserve also allow you to observe the little Five of the reserve including ant-lion, elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, rhino beetle, and leopard tortoise. Walking safaris in the reserve start at 7:00 AM from the Mtemere Gate leading visitors to diverse tracks, stunning plants, and waterbodies.

Boat safaris

One of the most popular activities at Selous Game Reserve is the boat safaris. This activity takes place on the magnificent Rufiji River, flowing towards the Indian Ocean.  During this exhilarating experience, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including hippos and crocodiles. The reserve is home to approximately 350 bird species residing typically in the Miombo woodlands, making the avian life along the Rufiji swampland especially noteworthy.

Boar safaris in this reserve typically start around 4:00 pm, allowing visitors to observe both animals and birdlife as the sun begins to set- a truly captivating experience that evokes a serene tranquillity on the rover.

Cultural tours

The cultural tour is performed in the village where the camp is located. The village is called Mwaseni Village, which has local mud-hut houses, schools, shops, etc. The tour will start from the camp, hiking using the inner alleys into the village. The guide will show you the mud huts and request one of the villagers to permit you to view the hut from inside. During your cultural tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit the government schools. You may also witness villages engaged in a daily activity such as fetching water, African-style grinding, and many others.

book a gorilla safari