Nyerere National Park, formerly called Selous Game Reserve; located in Tanzania, is the largest reserve and protected area in Africa, covering an area of 50,000 square kilometers—larger than Switzerland.
It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to its rich biodiversity. The reserve is characterized by savannah grasslands, volcanic hot springs, diverse landscapes, rivers, lakes, and channels, among other features.
Some parts of Selous Game Reserve remain unexplored due to limited infrastructure. The reserve’s rich biodiversity includes a variety of species with critical predator-prey relationships, which led to its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
The reserve is mostly dominated by miombo woodlands, riverine forests, open grasslands, mountains, rolling landscapes with alluvial valleys, lakes, thickets, lowland forests, swamps, and rivers that support large habitats. However, the main threat to its ecosystem is mining activity around the reserve.
Entry Fee
The entry fee to Selous Game Reserve is USD 50 per person per day for foreign non-residents, with lodges inside the park charging an additional concession fee of USD 25 per person per day. Lodges outside the reserve charge a concession fee of USD 15 per person per day, and children pay USD 30 per day.
History
Selous Game Reserve was first established in 1896 by the German governor of Tanganyika, Hermann von Wissmann, as a protected area, later becoming a hunting reserve in 1905.
It is named after Frederick Courteney Selous, a British conservationist and explorer known for his book A Hunter’s Wanderings in Africa.
Selous served as captain of the 25th Royal Fusiliers and commanded the pursuit of the German guerrilla army in southern Tanzania during World War I. He died near the Beho Beho River while fighting German forces.
Selous first visited Africa in 1871 at the age of 19 as an elephant hunter. Over time, he recognized the impact of hunting on African wildlife and became an advocate for conservation. He collected over 5,000 plant and animal specimens now housed in the Natural History Museum in London.
Since 2005, the reserve has been considered a lion conservation unit. In 2014, UNESCO listed Selous as a World Endangered Heritage Site due to rampant poaching, uranium mining, and the Tanzanian government’s plans to build a dam on the Rufiji River, putting the park’s ecosystem under threat.
Location
Selous Game Reserve is located in the miombo woodlands of southeastern Tanzania, southwest of Dar es Salaam, the capital city. Visitors can combine their trip to Selous with visits to Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Mikumi National Park, which lie northwest of the reserve.
Best Time to Visit
Until recently, accessing Selous Game Reserve during the rainy season was challenging. Although the reserve is now accessible year-round, the best time to visit is during the dry season, when roads are passable, wildlife gathers around water sources, and the vegetation is less dense, making it easier to spot animals.
Travelers visiting during the wet season should use four-wheel-drive vehicles to avoid getting stuck in the mud. The park has several airstrips for those wishing to fly in. The best time for visiting is from June to October.
For birdwatching, Selous is ideal year-round, as migratory birds from Europe and North Africa are present during the low season.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Selous Game Reserve is limited, yet several lodges and camps are available, including Siwandu Camp, Lake Manze Tented Camp, Selous Impala Camp, Rufiji River Camp, Roho ya Selous, Azura Selous, Selous Serena Camp, Maji Moto, Mivumo River Lodge, Sand Rivers Selous, Selous Wilderness Camp, Kiba Point Safari Lodge, Selous Luxury Camp, Sable Mountain Lodge, Selous Kinga Lodge, Selous Great Water Lodge, Retreat Selous, Selous Riverside Safari Camp, Jimbiza Lodge, Amara Selous, and Beho Beho, among others.
Wildlife & Animals
Selous Game Reserve offers various wildlife viewing activities, including game drives, boat cruises, and guided nature walks. The reserve is home to approximately 10,000 elephants, 4,000 lions, 100,000 wildebeests, 120,000 buffaloes, 40,000 hippos, 25,000 impalas, Maasai giraffes, hartebeests, 35,000 zebras, spotted hyenas, crocodiles, African hunting dogs, kudus, black rhinos, cheetahs, waterbucks, brindled gnus, elands, and more. The best wildlife viewing areas are near the great Rufiji River.
Bird-watching
Selous Game Reserve is home to over 440 bird species. Bird enthusiasts can spot species such as the Malagasy squacco heron, trumpeter hornbill, purple-crested turaco, malachite kingfisher, white-fronted bee-eaters, yellow-billed stork, African skimmer, white-backed night heron, rock pratincole, broad-billed roller, black-winged stilt, pearl-spotted owlet, thick-billed cuckoo, northern carmine bee-eater, racket-tailed roller, white-backed vulture, palm-nut vulture, Pel’s fishing owl, brown-headed parrot, Bohm’s bee-eater, carmine bee-eater, pink-backed pelican, white-crowned and spur-winged plovers, trumpeter hornbill, Malagasy squacco heron, Pel’s fishing owl, Dickinson’s kestrel, and brown-necked parrot, among others.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted within the reserve but requires advance booking and payment. Travelers should bring their own fishing gear.
Boat Cruises
Visitors can enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Tagalala within Nyerere National Park. The lake attracts a variety of wildlife and birds, making it a favorite spot in the park. Nearby hot springs offer an authentic wilderness experience.
In conclusion, Nyerere National Park is a must-visit destination in Tanzania for a true African wilderness experience.
