Keys Hotels - Selous Game Reserve

Few parks in Tanzania offer the same quality or intensity of grass roots safari as the Selous Game Reserve. This is a wild country full of wild animals where you can walk, take game drives and river safaris. With its rivers, plains and lakes, the Selous is somewhere you get a powerful sense of the scale of the African wilderness.

The Selous is the largest Game Reserve in Africa, vast remote and wild, this is a dramatic and exciting contrast to other parks in Tanzania in almost every way. The Selous Game Reserve is one of Tanzania's lesser known destinations. This is in stark contrast to its size, around 50,000 sq km - the largest game reserve on the continent and its intriguing diversity.

Groves of tall borassus and doum palms border the many small lakes and channels that flow from the confluence of the Rufiji and Great Ruaha Rivers. Walking is permitted, accompanied by armed rangers, and there is no experience more exciting than encountering truly wild animals at close quarters on foot or from a small boat. Game drives are a great way to explore the reserve.

The Selous boasts one of the world’s largest population of elephant, and some of the last remaining Black Rhino. In addition to this, there are also Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu, Eland, Lion and Leopards to be seen. Hot volcanic springs and more than 350 species of birds and plants species add to this sanctuary’s many attractions.

Central Selous

One of the main attractions of a stay in central Selous is the opportunity to visit the Hot Springs, where a soothing dip in the warm waters is possible. Lake Tagalala offers great bird watching and is also home to large pods of hippo.

Eastern Selous

The eastern Selous is a savannah matrix of shrubs, lakes, acacia and miombo woodland. It is an excellent location for bush camping in the reserve with outstanding wilderness in all directions.

Northern Selous

The Northern part of the Selous is a mixture of miombo woodland, and open areas. Game is plentiful, especially near the lakes where there are numerous hippos and crocodiles on the lake shores amongst a high bird diversity. The lakes are formed by the meanders of the Rufigi River

This area of the Selous is accessed by Matambwe Gate and is close to the Beho Beho Hills. This area makes for excellent game viewing and bird watching safari.

Selous Game Reserve - Mikumi National Park - Ruaha National Park