Selous Game Reserve Safari – Wildlife, Boat Safaris & Walking Safaris in Tanzania
Selous Game Reserve, also known as Nyerere National Park, is one of the most stunning and scenic national parks in Tanzania, ideal for those seeking an authentic African wilderness experience, free from people. Selous wildlife Reserve is the largest designated wildlife reserve in Africa, encompassing over 54,000 square kilometers. The reserve encompasses expansive grassland plains, mountains, open woodlands, and forests. Selous Game Reserve is named after the renowned hunter and explorer Frederick Selous Courtney.
Founded in 1922, Selous Game Reserve is among the oldest safari parks in Africa and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to its abundant biodiversity and pristine natural environment. In 2019, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) suggested renaming the northern portion of the reserve to Nyerere National Park in honor of Tanzania’s first president, a proposal that was subsequently adopted.
What is the location of Selous Game Reserve?
Selous Game Reserve is situated in the southern region of Tanzania and is included in the southern circuit of Tanzanian safari sites, which also comprises Ruaha National Park and Mikumi National Park. The southern circuit of Tanzania, including the Selous Game Reserve, provides a significant respite from the enormous tourist hordes found in the northern circuit, offering guests exceptional wildlife safari experiences. Selous Game Reserve, also known as Nyerere National Park, is located around 219 kilometers from Dar es Salaam, requiring an estimated four hours of road travel.
Areas of Selous Game Reserve
Due to the extensive area of Selous Game Reserve, also known as Nyerere National Park, the park is segmented into distinct areas. The Selous Game Reserve, situated along the Rufiji River, Tanzania’s largest river, is partitioned into two distinct regions: the northern and southern parts.
The Northern Selous region comprises around 5% of the overall area of the Selous Game Reserve. The northern Selous Game Reserve is an ideal photographic safari destination, where hunting is absolutely prohibited.
The southern sector of the Selous Game Reserve, encompassing the southern section of the Rufiji River, is segmented into multiple hunting blocks, where hunting is permitted.
Wildlife in Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)
The Selous Game Reserve boasts a plethora of species that remains captivating during game drives and other activities within the reserve. Approximately 4,000 lions, 100,000 wildebeests, 145,000 buffaloes, 40,000 hippos, 35,000 zebras, and 250,000 impalas, among numerous others, exist. Additional fauna in Selous Game Reserve including substantial populations of giraffes, Lichtenstein’s hartebeests, leopards, crocodiles, hyenas, elephants, African wild dogs, and sable antelopes, among others.
Birds in Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is home to around 440 bird species residing in its diverse habitats. Notable avian species to observe in Selous Game Reserve include the African Kingfishers, Pink-backed Pelican, Carmine Bee-eater, White-fronted Bee-eater, Palmnut Vultures, Purple-crested Turaco, Yellow-billed Stork, Trumpeter Hornbill, and White-crowned Spur-winged Plovers, among numerous others.
Activities in Selous Game Reserve
Considering the diverse attractions inside Selous Game Reserve, guests embarking on safaris in Tanzania have numerous activities to engage in. Activities in Selous wildlife Reserve encompass walking safaris, wildlife drives, birdwatching, and boat safaris, among others.
What are the entrance fees for Selous Game Reserve?
Accessing the park requires payment of entrance fees. Entrance fees for Selous Game Reserve are charged per individual per day, classified into adults, paying children, non-paying children, and based on residency status. The entrance fees for the Selous Game Reserve in 2023 are as follows:
Adult international non-residents incur a charge of $83 per individual per day, whereas children are charged $24 per individual per day. In addition to park entrance fees, a concession fee of $71 per adult per night and $12 per child per night is required for accommodations in a camp or lodge within Nyerere National Park.
Adult foreign residents incur a charge of $41.30 per person per day, whilst minors are charged $12.00 per child per day. The concession costs for accommodation within the reserve or park are $71 per adult per night and $12 per child per night.
The aforementioned fees include an 18% VAT. An adult is an individual aged 16 years or more, whereas a child is defined as a person aged between 5 and 15 years. Individuals aged 4 years and under are exempt from park fees.
What is the cost of a Selous Game Reserve safari?
The cost of a Selous Game Reserve safari is contingent upon several factors, including travel dates, the number of participants and their ages, hotel type, and the duration of the safari. The average cost of a Selous Game Reserve safari varies from $500 to $1,500 per person per day, contingent upon the aforementioned considerations. Contact us for a meticulously planned Selous Game Reserve tour tailored to your budget by our experienced safari experts.
Directions to Selous Game Reserve
Access to Selous Game Reserve is available via air, road, or train. The journey by car from Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve takes around four hours, potentially including a stop in Mikumi National Park. One can reach Selous Game Reserve by plane from Ruaha National Park in a 90-minute flight, from Dar es Salaam in a 45-minute flight, and even from Zanzibar. One can go by railway via the Tanzania Zambia Railway AZARA from Dar es Salaam.
Accommodation Options in Selous Game Reserve or Nyerere National Park
During a safari tour in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, various accommodations are available according on your budget. Accommodation options in Selous Game Reserve include Siwandu Camp, Lake Manze Camp, Sand River Selous, Beho Beho, and Selous Kinga Lodge, among numerous more.
If you seek a tranquil Tanzania safari package away from the throng, the Selous Game Reserve is an excellent destination. Contact us for a tailored and esteemed safari package in Tanzania.
