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Selous Game Reserve
Located in south-east Tanzania in a remote and little-visited part
of the country, the Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest
protected wildlife reserve and covers more than 5% of Tanzania’s
total area. It’s rivers, hills, and plains are home to roaming
elephant populations, the area’s famous wild dogs, and some of the
last black rhino left in the region. Due to its remote location, and
because it is most easily accessible only by small aircraft, the
Selous Game Reserve has remained one of the untouched gems of
Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves, and offers visitors a
chance to see a wild and expansive Africa far from paved roads and
curio shops.
One of the more historic protected areas in Tanzania, the Selous
Game Reserve was named after Frederick Courteney Selous, a British
explorer and hunter in East Africa who wrote a book about the region
and his travels, and was tragically killed in land now named after
him during the First World War. In 1905, when few people in East
Africa thought of land conservation and the preservation of wildlife
for posterity, portions of the area were earmarked for a hunting
reserve. In 1922, the land area was increased and named after
Frederick Selous. From then until 1975, when the current boundaries
were delineated, the Selous Game Reserve increased steadily in
allocated land. These days, tourists flock to the north of the
reserve, while large portions of the south are still reserved for
hunting.
The Rufigi River Delta is a striking feature of the game reserve. It
connects the Great Ruaha River with the Rufigi River and not far
from the park boundaries empties out into the Indian Ocean along the
Tanzanian Coast. The Rufigi River is the largest water catchment
locations in the region, and as such, is home to a plethora of
varied water and bird life. Along its shores, oppulent hippos sleep
languidly in the mud and sun themselves, mouths wide open, as the
river passes by. Crocodiles are also common along the Rufigi’s
riverbanks, their armour plated skins the only rough edges in the
rivers incessant flow. Stiggler’s Gorge, where the Great Ruaha River
meets the Rufiji River, is a breathtaking example of the diversity
and spectacular scenery along the game reserve's waterways.
The Selous is unique among Tanzania’s more renowned preserved areas
because it is a game reserve, not a national park, and therefore a
larger range of activities are permitted. Boating safaris are
becoming a popular alternative to vehicle-based trips, and offer
visitors a chance to see the diverse life along the Rufigi River up
close in all its splendour. Hiking safaris and fly camping are also
ideal ways to explore the country and add a bit of adventure to your
African experience.
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