What Is Unique About Selous National Reserve? Selous national reserve is considered to be among the largest protected game reserves on the African continent which covers a total surface area of about 54,600 square kilometers and it was first gazette in 1922 and it was later officially declared as a UNESCO World Heritage due to its rich diversity of the many wildlife species and because of its beautiful nature in the surrounding. Selous national reserve is known to have been named by Frederick Selous Courtney who was known to be a great hunter and an explorer. More so, this national reserve is highly recommended for tourists on their safari because it is twice bigger than Serengeti national park and three times bigger than Kruger national park. Selous national reserve is comprised of a vast wilderness, which surrounded of grassy plains, open woodlands, mountains, savannah grasslands and many others, which act as good natural habitats to many wildlife species.
Selous national reserve is located in the Southern part of Tanzania, it is situated in a distance of about 219 kilometers from the busy city of Dar es salaam, and it only takes tourists a drive of about 4 hours to be able to access the national reserve. More so, Selous national reserve is divided into two sections such as the Northern selous which covers about 5% of the area and tourists should note that hunting activities are prohibited around this area and it is seen as the best spot for photographic safaris and there is the Southern selous which covers a total surface area of about 1,000 square kilometers.
Animals in Selous national reserve.
Selous national reserve is also a perfect destination to visit while on your adventurous safari because it is a home to large numbers of wildlife species that are always available in different spots for tourists to see such as; there are around 145,000 buffalos recorded, 100,000 wildebeests, 4,000 lions, 35000 zebras, 250,000 impalas, large herds of giraffes, 40,000 hippos, waterbucks, bushbucks, leopards, crocodiles, hyenas and large numbers of Lichtenstein’s hartebeests. More so, this national reserve is known to be among the few wildlife sanctuaries within the African continent where one will be able to spot the puku antelopes, sable antelopes and the African wild dogs and many others.
Birds in Selous national reserve.
Selous national reserve is known to be a destination for bird lovers to visit because it has a recorded number of about 445 bird species which are best spotted around the lake areas and some of these include; the brown breasted barbet, the mosque swallow, mangrove king fishers, purple banded sunbird, Von der decken’s hornbill, African skimmer, Layards black headed weavers, a peral spotted owl, freckled nightjars, grey penduline, fish eagle, white-fronted bee-eater, pink backed sand banks, yellow billed stork, trumpeter hornbill, white crowned spur fowl, trumpeter hornbill, malachite kingfishers, white crowned spur winged plovers among others and these birds are classified differently such as; some of them are water birds while the other are migrant species.
Activities to do in Selous National reserve.
While exploring through Selous national reserve on your safari holiday gives you chances to participate into different activities as you create memorable experiences and some of these things include; guided nature walks which involves individuals to walk on foot and this gives them opportunities to get close and encounter with the mother nature as you capture classic views of beauty and serenity of the park while being accompanied with park guides who lead them through different trails, bird watching whereby they are also usually accompanied with birding guides due to the fact they have more knowledge about all the birds in the park. more so, tourists can choose to embark onto game drive safaris which are best done from lakes and river Rufiji and while on these launch trips they get chances to sight see various wildlife species on water like; hippos, crocodiles and many others.
Game drives is also one best way individuals can explore through many different parts of the park however, tourists should note that these drives are normally conducted in different sessions such as; in the morning, afternoon and evening hence giving individuals to go at any time they prefer, they can also go for camping which involves people to sleep outside in the wilderness in their personal tents and under the mosquito nets which help in preventing them from acquiring diseases like malaria, hot air balloon safaris and many others.
Entrance fees to Selous national reserve.
The entrance fees to Selous national reserve were both revised for both adults and children whereby adults are always required to pay USD 50 per day while the children pay about USD 30 per day.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what is unique about selous national reserve and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.
