Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest reserves in Africa and a UNESCO Heritage site and the activities in Selous Game Reserve. Selous Game Reserve covers over 50,000 sq km in size. It is part of the protected area in the southern part of Tanzania.

Let us discuss the Activities in Selous Game Reserve that are available:

Boat Safari

One of the famous four (4) activities performed in Selous Game Reserve is boat safari. Additionally, tourists perform this activity on the Almighty Rufiji River, which connects to the Indian Ocean.

You will encounter hippos and crocodiles in good numbers. Selous Game Reserve has recorded 350 bird species. These are typical of Miombo woodlands, and the bird life supported by Rufiji swampland is of particular interest.

Moreover, the Boat safari starts around 1600 hours from the camp where you can watch the animals and bird life. This safari will continue until the sunset. The heavenly sunset will make you feel out of this world with the tranquility of the river.

You can perform half day boat safari for around 2.5 to 3 hours (as discussed above) or a full-day boat safari that starts around 0600 hours and lasts for around 6 to 8 hours; wherein, you will return to the camp after lunch at the sandbanks of River Rufiji.

Walking Safari

Walking safari will give you a particularly intimate feel for the African wilds. It starts in the morning with the guidance of an armed ranger and takes 2 hours before you meet the driver at the reserve gate. Walking safari offers a good chance of seeing giraffes, zebra, elephants, and good birding.

It specifically allows for viewing ‘small five’ or ‘little five animals of the reserve such as ant-lion, elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, rhino beetle, and leopard tortoise.

It starts at 0700 hours from the Mtemere Gate, walking inward with an armed ranger leading the group.

Game Drive

The Selous Game Reserve is the largest in Africa, covering 54,600 square kilometers. The reserve gets its name from the hunter and explorer Frederick Courtney Selous, who died during World War 1. Selous is famous for elephants. Other species commonly seen are lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, bush-bucks, impalas, elands, baboons, zebras, and greater kudus. Originally set aside as a hunting area where animals are abundant but more shy than the Northern Parks. Excursion by Safari prepared (4×4) vehicle will permit you to have good photographic opportunities and the chance to explore different sections of the vast park.

The gates of Selous Game Reserve are open from 0600 to 1800 hours. Therefore, one can find the best game before 1100 hours and after 1500 hours, when the sun is not at its peak.

Cultural Tour

The cultural tour is performed in the village where the camp is located. The village is called Mwaseni Village, which has local mud-hut houses, schools, shops, etc. The tour will start from the camp, hiking using the inner alleys into the village. The guide will show you the mud huts and request one of the villagers to permit you to view the hut from inside.

You will also visit the government schools. It is preferable to take some gifts for the students such as stationery or candies.

If you are lucky, you might see villagers performing their daily activities such as fetching water, African-style grinding, and many others.