LOCATION
300 km from the capital city of Nairobi.
At
twice the size of Denmark, Selous (55,000 sq km) is the second largest
'park' in the world, said to be home to over one million mammals.
Of this vast wilderness only the Beho Beho region, north of the
Rufiji River is open to tourists. The best time is July-ctober,
though precaution needs to be taken since the area is infested with
the Tsetse.
Selous
is renown for its large numbers of Elephant and Rhino, which declined
drastically in the 1980's as a result of poaching, yet now herds
of Elephants are again on the increase. Some 400 species of birdlife
have been recorded including the elusive Eleonora's Falcon. The
real showpiece of the park has to be the Rufiji which flows through
its heart and offers (time and again) the spectacle of large numbers
of Hippo's gallivanting about, whilst Crocodiles bask like disguarded
rough boulders on its banks.
The
Rufiji and its dependant's create the largest river catchment in
East Africa. Highlights include Stiegler's Gorge about 100 m high,
providing a dramatic river bottleneck and 20 km downstream the 5
swampy Lakes that this river system feeds before leaving the reserve.
Here a variety of 'Plains Game' including the rare Sable Antelope,
Greater Kudu and Waterbuck refresh themselves. Hot Sulphur Springs
bubble up at Maji Moto, near Beho Beho - some just cool enough to
swim in! Walking safaris are organised in this reserve, but expect
the wildlife to be shy. Hunting Dog, Spotted Hyena, Lion and Leopard
have been sighted along with Buffalo and Elephant.
The
largest game reserve in Africa - 4 times the size of the Serengeti
. It possesses a diverse landscape from hot volcanic springs, sporadic
lakes, channels from the Great Rhaha and Rufiji rivers. Walking
is permitted (with an armed ranger) which with over 350 species
of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this the most heavenly
sanctuary to explore.
Activites and Special Interests
Take
a cable car across Stieglers Gorge (100 metres deep and 100 metres
wide); bird watching; photography; walking safaris; and fishing
Tiger Fish and Vandu (in the rivers of the Kilombero Game Controlled
Area to the west of the reserve).
Wildlife
Selous is famous for its elephant, hippopotamus and rhino (although
now few remain). The park has a broad range of game: buffalo - the
largest population in Africa; Nyasaland gnu; brindled gnu; hartebeest;
Greater Kudu; sable antelope; eland; reedbuck; bushbuck; waterbuck;
warthog; zebras; giraffe; and wildebeest. Also: lion, leopard, the
spotted hyeana and hunting dog are in abundance; cheetah are rare;
there are over 350 species of bird and reptiles such as crocodiles
and various snakes and lizards.
Accommodation
Mainly
based in the north of the reserve. Stay in the either the Island
Mbuyini luxury tented camp, Richard Bonhams, the Sand River Selous,
the Mbuyu camp, or the Rufiji River Camp. Game drives by vehicle,
boat trips, and long and short walking safaris into the reserve
may be made from these camps and lodges.
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