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Selous Game Reserve
Rufiji River - Selous Game Reserve
Utalii Travel & Safari Ltd
Biding in Selous Game Reserve
Biding in Selous Game Reserve

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Elephants in Selous Game Reserve

General History: Selous Game Reserve was gazetted in 1905 by the German colonial administration. Seventeen years later, four reserves were combined to establish what is today "The Selous Game Reserve". It was named after Captain Frederic Courtney Selous, who during WWI, was killed and buried within the Game Reserve.
The Sanctuary: The game sanctuary is one of the largest protected areas in the world and runs in almost five regions of Tanzania, Coastal region, Lindi, Mtwara, Morogoro, and Ruvuma covering an area of more than 50, 000 square kilometers. It is located in the south-east of Tanzania. Today Selous game Reserve is the single largest game reserve of Africa, probably in the world.
Geography: The main geographical feature in Selous game Reserve is the Rufiji River and its tributaries the Great Ruaha River and Kilombero River. It is well fed by different rivers, tributaries and streams.
The vegetations in Selous Game Reserve varies remarkably. Savannah wooded grassland and deciduous Miombo woodland dominate most of the reserve. It is also covered by dense thorn bushes and ground water forests as well as rocky outcrops.
Wildlife: Selous Game Reserve contains the world's largest concentrations of elephants and buffalo.  Other animals include leopard and African wild dogs (the reserve has one third of world population of wild dogs), as well as lions. The muddy Rufiji River is full of hippo and Massive crocodiles, variety of bird life: fish eagle, African Skimmer, waders, herons, kingfisher and weavers. Antelopes, white bearded wildebeest and giraffes are commonly seen north side of the river.
Selous Game Reserve Covers 5 percent of Tanzania's land area, though a tourist area has been set aside on the species-rich north bank of the Rufiji River where the widest diversity of the Reserve’s animals exists. Hunting is prohibited in this area. only walking excursions, game drive, river boat safaris  are encouraged. (See Map of Selous Game Reserve)

To View Safari itineraries to Selous Game Reserve and other parts of Tanzania Click Here

Other Safari
9 Days Selous Mikumi Ruaha Budget Safari
Birding in Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve birdlife is largely influenced with the Rufiji River, the huge variety of birds drawn to this area. The river and is natural features, which range from sandbanks, oxbow lakes, lagoons, islands and channels is a magnet for birds and other wildlife. For example, Lake Nzerkela and Tagalala harbors storks, herons, terns and many migrant waders.
A Short Bird Checklist of Selous Game Reserve
Mangrove kingfisher, non-South African lifer – long-tailed fiscal and spotted-flanked barbet, red-faced Crombec, green-capped eremomela, a pearl-spotted owl, red-winged warbler, waders, African skimmers, palm-nut vulture, wattle-eyed flycatchers, Layard’s black-headed weavers, purple-banded sunbird, Dickinson’s kestrel, red-throated twinspot and spotted-flanked barbet, Sterling's barred warbler, grey Penduline-tit, green-capped eremomela, a pearl-spotted owl, Arnot's chat, Von der Decken's hornbill, Bennett's woodpecker, mosque swallow, white helmet-shrikes, red-throated twinspot, brown-breasted barbet, broad-billed roller, freckled nightjar, green-billed coucal, Boehm's bee-eater, red-billed helmetshrike, Livingstone's flycatcher, black cuckoo-shrike, yellow-bellied bulbul, and grey-hooded kingfisher.
Other Activities
There is also an exceptional river rafting safari (we do not operating it)
Game Fishing in Selous Game Reserve; the Rufiji River waters are full of fish, though the fishes to target are the tiger fish and the cat fish. The tiger is a fish that is famous for being a fighter with heart, and having the tools to back it up. This particular species is plentiful in the waters of Selous Game Reserve grows to a size of 15 kilos, 5-10 being the average caught. The second species is the cat fish. These can grow to be monsters; they can grow to be fifty kilos
Game Drive - Selous Game Reserve
Game Drive; this is done by safari vehicle and allows you to explore large area and go far from the camp/lodge. It is more secured from wildlife than the other activities.

"Our safari services range from budget camping to luxury tented lodge/camp combined with fly camping in Selous Game Reserve"
Selous Game Reserve - Boat Safari
 The Rufiji River boat safaris using motor boat, which some how bring you closer to the hippo and crocs, also is a good way of riverside views and Bird watching
Walking Safari - Selous Game Reserve
Guided Walking excursions usually accompanied by an armed ranger; can be arranged for few hours’ short walks or for few days with fly camping. This let you have the feel and experience of the wilderness. It is normally done on the vicinity of the base camp
When to Visit Selous Game Reserve
All year round; but March, April & May to be avoided, December if rains are heavy it should not be considered.
Accommodation in Selous Game Reserve
There are number of lodges, normal camps and luxury tented camps inside and outside the reserve, mostly overlooking the river or ox-bow lakes.
For Safari Booking/Inquiry
 Tel. +255 22 2 772782  
Fax. +255 22 2 773409

Utalii Travel&Safari Ltd Copyright © 2000 - 2013 All rights reserved. Revised: 11 April, 2013