Description: This untouched uninhabited area is home to the biggest herds of elephant and other wildlife to be found anywhere in the world. The large meandering Rufiji River with its network of channels, connecting lakes and lagoons offers visitors the unique opportunity to go on safari by boat and experience the spectacular concentration of wildlife from an unusual perspective, especially during the dry season when animals congregate.
Game drives and walking excursions are also very rewarding. There are elephant, hippos and rhino (although few now remain). This reserve contains about one third of all the wild dogs (often called painted dogs), in the world.
Location: Southern Tanzania, between Ruaha and Dar es Salaam, usually reached by flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Works nicely with a visit to Ruaha National Park. Can be reached by vehicle from Dar es Salaam and Arusha with long drives. It is also possible to arrive by train from Dar es Salaam.
Things 2 Do: Game Drives, Boat Safaris, Walking Safaris, Fly Camping
Time: Given the distance, spend at least 3 nights. Best during the dry season.
Animals: All the usual: Elephant, Nyassa Wildebeest, Crawshays Zebra, Masai Giraffe, several different antelopes, African Buffalo, Lion, Leopard and primates (Reddish-green Vervet Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Tanzanian Sykes Monkey and Peters’s Angolan Colobus). Tanzania as a whole contains approximately 20% of the overall wild dog population, with Selous having the largest single population in Africa.
Accommodations
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Jimbiza Selous Lodge
Lake Manze
Rufiji River Camp
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Beho Beho
Serena Mivumo River Lodge
The Retreat Selous
Sand Rivers Camp
Selous Impala Camp
Selous Safari Camp
Selous Wildlife Lodge
Selous Wilderness Camp
“I thought it well-run and organized. It is a scary venture, heading into a completely different environment and culture. We never felt lost or abandoned or at any time unsettled or unsafe. And this was entirely because of the on site staff and our guide. This supports the company’s description that while the infrastructure may be managed by folks both in the US and in TZ, the training and support of the staff to care for us and manage our trip was incredible. Even with a minor medical need for antibiotics way in the midst of the Serengeti, our guide was in touch with A2T staff and arranged a stop in at a local remote clinic to get what we needed. We didn’t miss a moment of our adventure and our companion received excellent medical care. We moved around a lot and yet we never had transportation glitches or hotel issues. It was seamless.”