Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tanzania. With 54,600 km², it is the largest game reserve in Africa. The northern part of the reserve was designated Nyerere National Park in 2019.

Most of the reserve remains set aside for game hunting through a number of privately leased hunting concessions, but a section Nyerere National Park is a popular tourist destination. There are several high end lodges and camps mainly situated along the river and lake systems in this area. Rather difficult road access means most visitors arrive by small aircraft from Dar es Salaam, though train access is also possible.

Selous Game Reserve forms part of the vast Selous–Nyerere–Mikumi ecosystem of southern Tanzania, an immense wilderness of miombo woodland, savanna, seasonal wetlands and river valleys. The reserve is internationally important for its ecological diversity and remains part of the UNESCO-listed Selous Game Reserve World Heritage property, inscribed in 1982.

Travelers should be aware that the name Selous Game Reserve is sometimes used loosely for the entire historic protected area. In 2019, roughly 30,000 km² of the former reserve—including much of the Rufiji River area traditionally visited on photographic safaris—was separated to form Nyerere National Park. The remaining Selous Game Reserve covers approximately 20,000 km² and is managed separately by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority. Many older guidebooks and safari businesses still describe attractions now inside Nyerere National Park as being in “the Selous.”

Much of the region is remote and lightly developed. Wildlife viewing is less concentrated than in Tanzania’s northern parks, but the immense scale, low visitor numbers and varied habitats provide a genuine wilderness experience.

The area received formal protection in 1896, when German colonial authorities established an early hunting reserve north of the Rufiji River. Regulated hunting was permitted from 1905, and in 1922 the British colonial administration consolidated and named the protected area Selous Game Reserve.

The reserve was named after Frederick Courteney Selous, a British explorer, hunter, writer and early advocate of wildlife conservation. Selous travelled extensively in southern and eastern Africa and was killed at Beho Beho in 1917 while serving in the East African campaign during the First World War.

The reserve was enlarged substantially during the 20th century and became one of Africa’s largest protected wildernesses. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1982 because of its exceptional habitats, ecological processes and wildlife diversity. Heavy poaching, particularly of elephants and black rhinoceroses, led UNESCO to place the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2014, where it remains.

In 2019, the Tanzanian government divided the historic reserve, converting its northern and central photographic-tourism sector into Nyerere National Park. Selous Game Reserve continues south and west of the new national park, while both protected areas remain ecologically connected within the wider Selous ecosystem.

Selous is a vast, predominantly low-lying wilderness of miombo woodland, open wooded grassland, acacia-covered hills, riverine forest and seasonal wetlands. Broad plains alternate with low ridges, rocky outcrops, swamps and dense thickets, producing considerable variation across the reserve.

Numerous seasonal streams cross the landscape. During the dry season, many become broad channels of pale sand, but heavy rain can transform them rapidly into powerful torrents. UNESCO considers these seasonal sand rivers one of the most distinctive features of the Selous landscape.

The wider ecosystem is shaped by the Rufiji River and its tributaries. In what is now primarily Nyerere National Park, the Rufiji creates floodplains, channels, oxbow lakes and palm-fringed wetlands that attract wildlife during the dry season. Farther from the main waterways, the landscape becomes increasingly dominated by extensive woodland and dry savanna.

Deciduous miombo woodland is the dominant vegetation. These woodlands are interspersed with acacia savanna, wooded grassland, riverine forest, groundwater forest, lowland rainforest, swamps and dense scrub. More than 2,100 plant species have been recorded across the UNESCO property, with additional species likely to occur in its remote southern forests.

The wider Selous ecosystem supports African elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, lions, leopards, cheetahs and black rhinoceroses. It is also an important stronghold for the endangered African wild dog, although sightings require patience because the animals roam across very large territories.

Antelope include sable, greater kudu, eland, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, waterbuck and Nyasa wildebeest. Baboons, vervet monkeys, warthogs, spotted hyenas, jackals and numerous smaller mammals also inhabit the woodland and river valleys.

The ecosystem has exceptionally rich birdlife, with several hundred species recorded. Riverbanks and wetlands support herons, storks, kingfishers, African fish eagles and waterfowl, while miombo specialists, hornbills, rollers, bee-eaters, vultures and other raptors occur in the drier interior.

Selous has a warm to hot tropical climate. The hottest and most humid period generally extends from October through March, while June to August brings cooler and drier conditions, particularly during early mornings and at night.

The main dry season normally lasts from June until October or November. Roads are easier to use during this period, vegetation becomes thinner and wildlife concentrates near rivers, pools and other permanent water sources. Dust can be heavy, and afternoon temperatures remain hot despite cooler mornings.

Most rain falls between November and May, often in short but intense storms. The countryside becomes green, migratory birds arrive and many animals give birth, but seasonal rivers may flood and remote tracks can become muddy or impassable. December through February can still offer good access in many areas, while the heaviest rains are more likely later in the wet season.

Since the creation of Nyerere National Park in 2019, most established photographic-safari camps formerly advertised as being in “Selous” are now inside Nyerere National Park. The remaining Selous Game Reserve lies farther south and east, covering about 18,000 km² in the Coast and Lindi regions. Much of it is divided into controlled hunting concessions, although photographic tourism is possible in selected areas along the Rufiji, Ulanga and Matandu rivers. Visitors should therefore arrange entry directly through the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) or an operator authorized to work in the reserve rather than arriving without a reservation.

TAWA lists two principal approaches from Dar es Salaam:

• approximately 288 km to Kingupira
• approximately 366 km to Miguruwe

Parts of the reserve can also be approached from Kilwa, about 145 km away. Travel times are considerably longer than the distances suggest because the final sections use rough, unpaved roads. A reliable 4×4 vehicle is essential, particularly during or shortly after the rainy season.

There is no useful public transport within the reserve. Buses may reach regional towns, but the onward journey must be arranged with a private driver, lodge, concession operator or TAWA. Carry sufficient fuel, drinking water, food and basic vehicle-recovery equipment, since settlements and services are widely separated.

Light aircraft are the quickest way to reach remote areas. Scheduled and charter flights operate from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha to various airstrips serving the wider reserve ecosystem. The exact airstrip depends on the camp or concession being visited, and transfers must be arranged in advance.

Flights are especially useful during the wet season, when some access roads become muddy or temporarily impassable. Weather and runway conditions may still cause delays, so avoid scheduling a tight international connection immediately after leaving the reserve.

Before booking, confirm whether the accommodation or safari advertised as being in “Selous” is actually inside Selous Game Reserve or neighboring Nyerere National Park, since the two protected areas are under different authorities and require separate entry arrangements.

Entrance fees to the Selous Game Reserve differ depending on if you will be spending the night inside or outside the game reserve. If you will be staying inside the reserve, the entry fees are US$88.50 per adult per day and US$64.90 per child per day. If you will be staying outside the reserve, you only need to pay entry fees when you enter the reserve (i.e. for a safari) the entry fees are US$76.70 per adult per day and US$53.10 per child per day.

The Selous Game Reserve is very remote with limited roads. The drive from Dar es Salaam is about 230km/143mi and takes around six hours. There's good tarmac up to Kibiti, and then bush roads from there for about 100km/62mi (three hours). It is possible to drive to the reserve in the dry season and (with much difficulty) in the wet season, but the road is long and rough. Most visitors will fly to one of several airstrips. Many lodges within the northern photographic zone offer a 'game package' service, that includes pick up, game drives, walks and boat safaris on the Rufiji River.

• The grave of hunter and explorer Frederick Courteney Selous, who was killed in the reserve in 1917.
• Maji moto hot springs, where you can swim in the lower pool.
• A wide variety of wildlife, including: lion, giraffe, buffalo, impala, hippo, elephant, wild dog, crocodile, hyena, wildebeest, leopard, zebra, kudu plus many more and over 440 species of birds.
• The Rufiji River.

• Selous Game Drives: The destinations are quite varied: normally directed towards one or more of the lakes where the animals group to drink.
• Selous Boat Safaris: With a multitude of destinations, ranging from the main course of the river to the many lateral canals and various lakes. The boat trip normally last a half-day, and at least one should be made at sunset. Fishing is also available but must be booked and paid for at the camps.
• Selous Walking Safaris: Perhaps the most exciting activity of all. Selous is one of the very few parks in Tanzania where you can take a safari on your own two feet. You can choose an established trail, or one for your special interest, always of course, accompanied by an armed ranger. It’s a real treasure for the true explorer.
• Cultural Tour of Mloka Village.
• Relaxing by the Rufiji River: There is probably no better way to unwind at the end of a typical Selous day than by sipping a sundowner from the comfort of a camp or lodge with a view out over the Rufiji River.

• ^{[dead link]} Maximillan (1200), Dar es salaam Tanzania, ☏ +255 786694004. 12 hours. Selous game reserve sight seeing, wild animals like wild dogs. Walking safaris and boat safaris. Selous Game Reserve is the World Heritage site where large numbers of elephants, black rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippopotamuses and crocodiles live. Many websites will also say that there are lots of cheetah, but they have only been seen in the reserve a few times in the last 20 years. When looking for jungle Adventure Safaris Tanzania, ecotourism, responsible travel, wildlife viewing tours, photographic safaris African safaris tour, wildlife safaris in Tanzania, choose Selous game reserve. Selous game reserve is offers best wilderness and private safaris for nature enthusiasts. Tsh 1880. 

There are no public restaurants within Selous Game Reserve. The remaining reserve has very limited visitor infrastructure, with only a few accommodation options, a TAWA rest house and designated campsites. Meals must therefore be arranged in advance through the safari operator, concession camp or accommodation handling the visit.

Organized safaris commonly provide full-board catering, including early breakfasts, packed lunches for game drives and simple evening meals at camp. Menus depend on the operator but may combine Tanzanian staples—such as rice, ugali, beans, vegetables, chapati and grilled meat—with basic international dishes.

Campers and self-catering visitors should bring enough food, cooking equipment and emergency provisions for the entire stay. Supplies should be purchased in Dar es Salaam, Kilwa, Liwale or another regional town before entering the reserve. Keep food securely stored, never feed wildlife and remove all rubbish when leaving.

Many safari businesses still use “Selous” when referring to camps in neighboring Nyerere National Park. Confirm the exact location before booking, as restaurants and established photographic-tourism camps advertised for the historic Selous area may now lie within Nyerere rather than the present game reserve.

There are no public bars in Selous Game Reserve. Water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages may be available through individual camps or safari operators, but visitors should confirm what is included before arrival.

Carry a generous supply of safe drinking water, particularly for long game drives or camping. Do not drink untreated water from the Rufiji, Ulanga or Matandu rivers, lakes, dams or seasonal streams. Water taken from natural sources must be boiled, filtered or chemically treated before use.

Some fully catered camps may stock Tanzanian beer, wine and basic spirits, though choice can be limited and prices may be high because supplies must be transported over long distances. Visitors with particular preferences should arrange them with the operator beforehand rather than expecting to purchase drinks inside the reserve.

Avoid alcohol before driving, boating, walking safaris or sport fishing. Selous is remote, roads are rough and access to emergency assistance may be limited, so remaining hydrated and alert is essential.

There is a wide range of lodges and camps, both within the Selous Game Reserve and just outside its borders, catering for all budgets.

Top of the list is the upmarket Mivumo River Lodge, on the banks of the Rufiji River the lodge offers top service, spacious and luxurious rooms with private balconies. Game drives, boat and walking safaris are all available from the lodge.

Another popular choice is the Selous River Camp. Nestled high on the river bank, within woodland alongside the game reserve, the camp offers a choice of mid-range accommodation and a whole range of safaris.

Selous Wilderness Camp is a small permanent tented camp on the banks of the Rufiji River.

It is possible to camp inside the Selous Game Reserve, though permits can be difficult to arrange without the assistance of one of the lodges.

Selous River Camp has a small campsite.

Selous Game Reserve is exceptionally remote, with limited roads, communications, accommodation and medical assistance. Visits should be arranged through TAWA or an authorized safari operator, with the exact route, concession, permits and emergency arrangements confirmed before departure. Much of the reserve is managed in controlled tourism and hunting blocks, so do not enter unfamiliar areas or follow unofficial tracks without authorization.

Wildlife includes elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and other potentially dangerous animals. Remain inside the vehicle unless a guide or ranger identifies an authorized place to leave it. Never approach animals, block an elephant’s route, walk near riverbanks alone or stand between a hippopotamus and the water.

Take particular care around the Rufiji, Ulanga and Matandu rivers, where crocodiles and hippos occur. Do not swim, wade, collect untreated water or camp immediately beside the water. Boat trips and sport-fishing excursions should be undertaken only with licensed operators familiar with currents, submerged obstacles and wildlife. TAWA identifies these waterways as important locations for regulated photographic tourism and sport fishing.

Roads can be rough, poorly marked and difficult to use after rain. Travel with a reliable 4×4, preferably in a convoy or with an experienced driver. Carry extra fuel, drinking water, food, two spare tyres, recovery equipment, a first-aid kit and offline navigation. Seasonal rains from roughly November to May may flood sand rivers or make remote tracks temporarily impassable.

Mosquitoes and other biting insects are common. Use repellent, wear long clothing after sunset, sleep beneath a net and seek medical advice about malaria prevention before travelling. Carry all prescription medicines and insurance covering emergency evacuation, since advanced treatment may require transport to Dar es Salaam.

Mobile reception is unreliable or absent across much of the reserve. Inform the operator or TAWA station of the planned route and expected return time, and consider carrying a satellite communicator. Tanzania’s general emergency number is 112, but assistance may take considerable time to reach isolated areas.

Crime is uncommon within the reserve, but normal precautions apply while travelling through towns and transport hubs. Avoid driving after dark, keep valuables concealed and check current national travel advice before departure, since security conditions and access arrangements can change.

• Nyerere National Park — The most natural continuation. Created from the northern and central parts of the historic Selous reserve, it contains the better-developed photographic-safari area around the Rufiji River, with game drives, boat safaris and guided walks.
• Mikumi National Park — A more accessible savanna park and part of the wider Selous–Mikumi ecosystem. Its open Mkata plains make elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and predators comparatively easy to locate.
• Kilwa Masoko, Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara — Continue east toward the Indian Ocean to explore Swahili ruins, coastal history and nearby beaches. Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara form a UNESCO World Heritage site and provide a strong cultural contrast to the reserve’s wilderness.
• Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s main transport hub, with international flights, accommodation, restaurants and connections to Zanzibar, Mafia Island and other parts of the country. Many road and air journeys into the Selous region begin or end here.
• Ruaha National Park — Continue northwest for rugged scenery, miombo woodland, the Great Ruaha River and excellent elephant, lion and antelope viewing. It combines well with Selous or Nyerere as part of a longer southern Tanzania safari.

• Mafia Island — Head to the coast for coral reefs, diving, snorkelling, dhow excursions and seasonal marine wildlife. Connections are normally made through Dar es Salaam or regional coastal airstrips.