In the south of Tanzania stretching inland from the coast, the Selous Game Reserve, with an area of 45 000 sq. km.,is Africa's largest wildlife sanctuary,. The Selous is bigger than Denmark, covers 6% of Tanzania's total area, is 3 times the size of the Serengeti National Park and is the world’s second largest conserved area - Antartica being the largest. It contains on of the greatest concentrations of big game left on earth , including 28,000 Elephant, 160,000 Buffalo, 2,000 Rhino, 14,000 Sable Antelope and is a sanctuary for the rare and endangered African wild (hunting) Dog . The best time to visit is from June-October when the weather is cool and dry, the vegetation lush and the animals easy to see. Selous is the main wildlife sanctuary within the Selous-Niassa ecosystem, which stretches through southern Tanzania and into northern Mozambique. The reserve is named after Fredrick Courtney Selous, the British hunter and writer who served as 'Great White Hunter' to Theodore Roosevelt and was killed during the First World War in the Beho Beho region where his grave may still be seen
Although Selous is vast, only a very small proportion has been developed for Tourism; the Tanzanian Government recognises that its wildlife sanctuaries need to be protected, and this means restricting visitor numbers and development.
The 'tourist' section is concentrated within an area of about 1,000 sq.km. and is very atmospheric, displaying all the grandeur of the African wilderness. The Rufiji River meanders it's way through the miombo woodland, connected by streams to five attractive lakes, which teem with hippo and waterfowl. Game drives along the network of rough roads are reliably rewarding, especially during the dry season around the lakes. Walking Safaris accompanied by an armed ranger are possible here and, if you are staying at any of the lodges or camps it will also be possible to experience a boat safari, either on one of the lakes or along the Rufiji River.
View the wildlife from your tent at Lake Manze Tented Camp
There are about 350 species of birdlife, which include fish eagle, secretary bird, kingfisher, herm, bill stork and hammerkop. Selous has the finest virgin bush, unspoilt by time. Although it remains one of the least scientifically researched areas in Africa, some 1700 botanical species have been identified. In the far south, the vastness of the reserve and its general inaccessibility has turned Selous into a magnificent refuge for animals, birds, insects and reptiles. Although only 40 minutes from Dar es Salaam by air the tranquility of the Selous and the wildness of the atmosphere have few parallels anywhere on earth.
