Selous Game Reserve

Information

At 21,000 mi² (55,000 km²), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is nearly 4 times as large as the Serengeti National Park. Furthermore, because the park is not as well-known as the Serengeti, you are unlikely to encounter more than a few other visitors during your stay. Among the park’s miombo woodlands, grasslands, marshes, and floodplains resides an incredible quantity and quality of wildlife. Commonly seen species include buffalo (whose herds often exceed 1000), lion, leopard, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, greater kudu, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, wild dog, and impala; there is also a small population of black rhino within Selous.

Inhabiting the palm islands, channels and sandbanks of the Rufiji River and its tributaries are high concentrations of crocodile and hippo, while colobus monkeys and fish eagles can be spotted in the riparian forests; Selous features more than 350 other bird species. It’s highly advisable for visitors to explore the Rufiji River by boat; not only do boat tours provide a unique photographic vantage, none of the parks and reserves of the Northern Circuit (e.g. Serengeti, Ngorongoro, etc.) offer boat tours. Fishing and guided walks are also offered.