The Selous Game Reserve is located in southern Tanzania and far from the madding crowds of the Serengeti. The 54,600 square kilometer safari area is Africa’s largest game reserve and one of the most beautiful wildlife areas in the world. What’s even more surprising is the park is still undiscovered, so to speak!
The amazing game of the Selous congregates around the numerous sources of water in the reserve, rivers, lakes, pans, and even an inland delta.
The Rufiji River serves as the artery to the park and contributes to the stunning natural features of the park. Our safari in the Selous was enchanting.
The Selous is Africa at it’s finest!
It is not the park for those looking to see thousands of animals, but for those looking to reconnect with the raw wilderness of Africa.
Granted the park was abundant in giraffe and the landscapes were unlike any other park we had been to previously. This is the Africa of old, romantic, stylish, and remote.
Selous Game Reserve Intro
When we landed in the Selous we knew it was a special place in Africa. The massive swath of land has remained remote and untamed. To top it all off we were slated to stay at one of the parks oldest and most renowned lodges. When we walked into Sand Rivers Selous situated on a magnificent spot along the Rufiji River we knew we were in for a treat.
The lodge feels as it’s been set right into the bank as you step down into the main lounge that looks out over pods of grunting hippos. While, our banda, one of only eight, seemed like a tree house lost in time.
We’ll talk more about why Sand Rivers is one of our favorite lodges in Africa later in the post.
Tanzania is one of the best countries in the world to go on safari. It is here wildlife still reigns supreme. It is a country in which a herd of over one million wildebeest is the number one tourist attraction. A herd that also draws a herd of tourists, but a reserve like the Selous still remains undiscovered.
Only about 10% of the reserve is open to photographic safaris and permanent lodges leaving the rest open to big game hunting. These are hunting operations only open to the rich and it is rugged and wild. Opinions on whether big game hunting is ethical or not remain debatable. However, these hunts are big revenue earners for the park with some hunting permits costing more than a one hundred thousand dollars.
If there was one place left in Africa you could find Teddy Roosevelt it’d be the Selous. It is named after his hunting mentor Frederick Courtney Selous, after all.
Our first evening in the Selous we explored the surrounding area in a game viewer. Unlike the smaller and more popular national parks and game reserves the animals of the Selous are dispersed throughout the park and hesitant of vehicles.
We crossed dry river beds and climbed steep terrain littered with rocks. Roads in the Selous are rugged and the few vehicles that do drive around the reserve are free to roam where they please. This is the real Africa here.
Only one animal seemed to be everywhere, the Masai giraffe.
The panache and comedy of a giraffe sticking their head out from behind a bush always puts a smile on our faces. It’s why they’re one of our favorite animals to see on safari.
Wildlife in The Selous Game Reserve
The wildlife in the Selous is unique as it is a blend of both Southern and East African species. Animals here are not as charismatic as their counterparts in small parks and game reserves. Lions and leopards are not habituated at birth to vehicles like some of the private game reserves around Africa.
The reserve has some of the largest populations of game in Tanzania with nearly 120,000 buffalo, 40,000 hippo, and 4,000 lions. The population of lions is likely the largest in the world.
Not to mention it is home to the planet’s largest population of African wild dogs, Africa’s most successful predator.
Best Time To Visit The Selous Game Reserve
It is easiest to spot wildlife in the dry season. During the dry season, animals gather around water points. The decrease in foliage also makes it easier to spot wildlife.
The best time to visit Selous is June to October which is also the high season. Certain areas around the Rufiji River can get rather crowded. Most of the lodges are closed during the low season in the months of March, April, and May.
The best weather is experienced in June to October with little or no rains, whereas the peak of the worst season sets in March and April.
Where to Stay in the Selous
Sand Rivers Selous
The lodge was founded in the 1990s by a legendary guide Richard Bonham. The fantastic camp sits in an amazing spot in the Selous Game Reserve, where the Rufiji River makes a wide curve on its way to the Indian Ocean.
Eight thatched guest bandas, are set on raised wooden platforms that overlook the river. The rooms are open-fronted, low-key and permit the wilderness to drift into the villas. The sounds of the babbling Rufiji river are ever-present while hippos grunt happily along the river banks all day and night.
After, nearly three decades the camp has grown and matured. However, none of the camps original charms seems to have been lost.
Sand Rivers Selous also offers guests the chance to go on game drives, fishing, boat cruises, walking safaris, and fly camping. Fly camping is their signature experience which we recommend for anyone that wants to go camping in Africa in comfort.
Fly Camping At Sand Rivers Selous
The most unique way to experience the bush at Sand Rivers Selous is to immerse yourself in it. Their Fly Camping experience is a surreal night under the stars. Guest arrive after an evening game drive to find a bed and camp prepared on the banks of one of the reserves many lakes.
When we made our way into camp we found a fully prepared camp with a hot shower, long drop toilet, bar, fire, and our bed under a mosquito net. It didn’t take us long to make our way to the fire with a gin and tonic in hand to relax. All while the staff was busy preparing our candlelit dinner table and fire prepared dinner.
After dinner and a hot bucket shower underneath the stars, we settled back down around the fire to listen to the sounds of the bush. A few cracking twigs behind us revealed a curious hyena 15 meters away at our dinner table and grunts let us know that there were hippos only 30 meters ahead of us.
It was only an hour later as we made our way to bed we came face to face with another hyena walking into camp. Close encounters like these are what makes Fly Camping so special.
A Typical Day on Safari in the Selous
- 05h30 – Wake up call
- 06h00 – Light bush breakfast
- 06h30 – Depart on morning activity. We recommend doing walking safaris in the morning as after about 9:00 temperatures will get too hot to walk.
- 11h30 – Return from morning activity and get ready for lunch.
- 12:30 – Siesta time! Now is the perfect time to relax, read a book, or jump in the pool
- 15h30 – Afternoon tea and coffee
- 16h00 – Head out on afternoon activity. Usually accompanied with sundowner drinks
- 19h30 – Return from afternoon activity and relax with drinks before dinner.
- 20h00 – Dinner time!
- 22h00 – Sleep! It’s been a long day on safari
Video on The Selous Game Reserve
The Fight For The Selous Game Reserve
In recent years, throughout Africa, the fight is on for what precious wild is left. Poachers have ravaged the elephant population in the park and now the Tanzanian government has announced plans to dam and flood nearly 3% of the park. The proposed dam would flood Stieglers Gorge. A wonderful natural feature you can see me fishing in the included video above.
At one point more than half of Tanzania’s elephant population lived here, but that is a statistic that is likely no longer. In 2009 it was estimated that 109,000 elephants lived in Tanzania. Fast forward to 2016, the most recent estimate and the elephant population in Tanzania is around 51,000 – nearly a 53% drop in a matter of years. The majority of that loss came from the Selous. With a massive amount of land and a small group of rangers to protect the park poaching has been rampant.
In fact, in all of our time in Selous, we saw one elephant. It was a young bull elephant an animal that is usually charismatic. However, upon seeing our game viewer he disappeared fast into the thick bush, terrified of humans. It was a telling moment of the state of elephants in the Selous.
Book A Safari in Tanzania
Traditionally if you wanted to book a safari you’d have to go to a travel agent and have them book your safari for you. They made suggestions for camps and lodges then presented you with a large bill. Most of the industry still operates in this fashion.
However, Timbuktu is a new platform that allows you to select the lodges you’d like and see the pricing per day that way you can select the best itinerary for yourself. They will then contact the lodges and help you through booking your safari. With experts on staff, they can also provide suggestions and arrange the little details much like a travel agent.
Check Out Some Lodges in Tanzania
Kilindi Zanzibar
The pavilions at Kilindi are one of a kind, designed tastefully with minimalistic flair. Each “room” has three circle pavilions that open up to the tranquility of the Indian ocean. There is the main bedroom, open-air bathroom, and then a private lounging deck. In each setting, you are completely at one with the Zanzibar nature.
There are two pools in each of the villas. An upper pool extends right off the main room, and a lower larger pool for a little more space and sunbathing. The pools are private which is just what is needed for a relaxing couples holiday on Zanzibar.
Kigelia Ruaha Camp
Kigelia Camp is located along a dry river bed beneath Kigelia Africana trees. Each of the six tents is the perfect size for two people to enjoy comfortable beds and an outdoor seating area.
It’s worth noting that there is also a family tent for children above 12 to enjoy with their parents. Each tent has a flush toilet and a classic outdoor bucket shower. All in an effort to preserve water a precious resource in the park.
Staying in these tents allows guests to connect with the wild. Falling asleep to the sounds of hyenas and lions in the night is a memory never to be forgotten
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
There are only a handful of lodges that are on the rim of the crater and we were lucky enough to stay at one of them – the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. The stone hotel blended well into the crater’s edge while the atmosphere of the lodge was relaxing and intimate.
We enjoyed the main lounge which featured communal fireplaces and great views of the crater with floor to ceiling windows. The focus of the property is obviously the crater. With numerous balconies around the property ensuring a serene spot to relax and enjoy afternoon tea or sundowners.
What to Pack For Tanzania?
There are a few things that one should pack for an African Safari. We help you create your safari packing list and share some of our favorite safari products.
Travel Insurance
We don’t travel without travel insurance and neither should you. You never know what can happen in a foreign country and it’s best to be prepared. World Nomads provides good short term coverage.
SafetyWing is perfect for digital nomads. See our full review here!
Travel Water Bottle
Plastic pollution is a problem in Africa so it’s best not to contribute to the problem of buying plastic water bottles everywhere. The tap water in Tanzania is generally not safe to drink, but a water purifier, like the Grayl waterbottle, works well!
However, we also love filtered water bottles in areas we’re uncertain of the water supply. Read more about our favorite water bottle for travel in our post.
Camera Gear
You’ll want a camera to capture all that wildlife you’ll be seeing.
Safari Hat
A good hat is both stylish and functional. In peak dry season there is little to provide shade, UV rays are intense and can easily burn the unsuspecting traveler. Check out our full break down of the best safari hats here!
Safari Bag
A great daypack for travel is a solid idea to throw your stuff in for game drives and bush flights. Or you could try out a safari backpack.
Safari Pants
Lightweight pants that are made from synthetic material are tremendous to have in your pack. It’s what we wear most days when traveling around Africa as they’re comfortable, antibacterial, and protect our legs from mosquitos (malaria).
We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors. What’s great is they’re useful beyond Africa as they are a travel staple and we pack a pair everywhere we travel.
Safari Shirt
You’ll want a safari shirt while on safari. They are lightweight and keep the bugs away. Plus they look ideal in photos and blend into the environment around you!
