As the largest reserve in Africa at 55,000 sqkm, Selous can justifiably claim to offer unparalleled wilderness. Located in southern Tanzania, it is home to the largest populations of some of Africa's most sought after game including elephant, lion, wild dog, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and herds of plains game, yet it remains one of the least visited of the great game sanctuaries on the continent.

SELOUS PHOTO GALLERY

For anyone who has struggled to photograph wildlife through a throng of other vehicles or followed a convoy of minibuses through other national parks, the personal experience of the Selous is particularly refreshing. However as the word of this magical reserve speads more visitors are now coming and more lodges are developing so it is wise to visit now before the inevitable throngs arrive.

What makes Selous stand out from many of the other wonderful reserves and parks with which Africa is blessed is the opportunity to take boat safaris and walking safaris. Both options bring you far closer to the natural environment than regular 4x4 game drives and are not generally available in other reserves.
In addition to this the sheer dramatic scale of Selous makes it an outstanding example of untouched African wilderness, and as one of the last refuges of healthy populations of the endangered wild dogs the reserve truly can claim to offer a unique African safari experience.

A walking safari straight from your private campsite in the heart of Selous is one of the most fulfilling safari experiences in Tanzania. Authentic Tanzania selects seasonal campsites in Selous to maximise the game viewing potential whilst ensuring a private safari experience.

Best time to visit:
June-October and December-March. Short rains are expected in November and the long rains usually last from early April-late May. Scheduled flights to Selous are usually suspended from end March to early June.

Getting to Selous

By plane: Air services are available from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar into several airstrips servicing the camps. Scheduled flights cost from/to Dar $140 or Zanzibar $160p.p. Both Coastal Aviation and Zanair have daily scheduled flights to all airstrips. A good cost and time saving possibility is to take the train down to Selous from Dar es Salaam then fly directly out to Zanzibar, thus avoiding returning to Dar to catch a ferry or another flight.

There are also onward flight connections from Selous-Ruaha.

By Scheduled Train:
For just $15 p.p. in a private first class compartment, this is a very affordable way to reach Selous.
The current 2007 schedule departing from TAZARA station Dar es Salaam is Mon 09.00, Tues 15.50 and Fri 15.50.
Kisaki railway station is a 25 minute drive from Sable Mountain Lodge which offers free pick ups and transfers.
The five and a half hour journey shows an interesting view of rural Tanzanian life as well as two hours of free game viewing as the train passes through Selous Game Reserve.
The best option is in by train and fly out, due to the unpredictable schedule of the northbound train.
The southbound train offers cost saving possibilities if intending to explore southern Tanzania. Mangula is a further 2 hours south from Kisaki and is the gateway to Udzungwa Mountains and Mikumi. Makambako is the gateway to the Iringa region and Ruaha whilst Mbeya offers a host of options in the southern highlands.
We can make reservations for train tickets to all these regions from Dar es Salaam.
For those travelling northwards to Dar es Salaam from Zambia and Malawi, the train departs Kipiri Moshi in Zambia as well as Mbeya and Makambako in southern Tanzania, thus making Selous accessable from the southern regions at an affordable rate as well.

By Car:
The Kibiti road from Dar es Salaam to Mtemere gate in eastern Selous takes roughly 6 hours.
Journey time from Dar es Salaam is about seven hours to the westen Matambwe gate. From Morogoro the road through the Uluguru Mountains to Selous passes through spectacular scenery, thick forest and vibrant villages and takes about four hours. The last 50km requires use of a 4x4 car.

Where to stay

Authentic Tanzania offers standard camping safaris and exclusive mobile tented camps in Selous Game Reserve.
Rufiji River Camp, Impala Camp, Selous Safari Camp, Beho Beho Camp and Sand Rivers are all located inside the reserve. Just outside the western boundary is Sable Mountain Lodge and just outside the eastern boundary is Mbega camp.
Please ask for further information on all camps.

Park fees: $50p.p. (N.B. Park fees subject to change in 2007)

Please note the Wildlife Department increased Selous reserve fees on August 05 2007 with no advance warning to tour operators, apologies for the inconvenience and extra expense unfortunately thischange is beyond our control