Top Guide to Selous Game Reserve: Map, Size, Location, Attractions

Selous Game Reserve: Discover Selous Game Reserve (now partly Nyerere National Park) – Africa’s largest game reserve. Boat safaris, wild dogs, luxury lodges, best time to visit, prices & how to get there from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

What is Selous Game Reserve?

The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest protected wildlife areas on earth and the biggest game reserve in Africa. Covering approximately 50,000 km² (larger than Switzerland or Denmark), it is more than four times the size of the Serengeti N.P and almost as large as the entire country of Costa Rica.

Located in southern Tanzania, the reserve stretches across the regions of Morogoro, Lindi, Mtwara, Ruvuma, and Pwani. Its heart is dominated by the mighty Rufiji River, the largest river system in East Africa, which creates a network of lakes, channels, and swamps that make Selous completely unique among African safari destinations.

Although a significant portion of the reserve was re-designated as Nyerere National Park in 2019 (about 30,000 km²), the name “Selous Game Reserve” is still widely used by travelers, tour operators, and even many official sources. The remaining photographic tourism area outside Nyerere is still legally called Selous Game Reserve.

Selous Game Reserve vs Nyerere National Park – Clearing the Confusion

Yes – Selous is now partly called Nyerere National Park. In 2019, Tanzania carved out the most visited central-northern section of the former Selous Game Reserve and upgraded it to full national park status, naming it Nyerere National Park after the country’s founding president, Julius Nyerere.

However:

• The name “Selous Game Reserve” has not disappeared.
• The areas outside the new national park boundaries are still officially Selous Game Reserve.
• Most safari lodges and camps that tourists actually stay in are located inside the new Nyerere National Park sector but continue to market themselves under the globally recognized “Selous” brand.

For travelers: When you search “Selous Game Reserve safari”, you are almost certainly going to the same place that is now also called Nyerere National Park. The wildlife, lodges, and activities remain the same.

Is Selous now Nyerere National Park? Yes and no – think of Nyerere as the “core zone” of the historic Selous.

History and UNESCO World Heritage Status

Established in 1922 and named after the famous British explorer and hunter Frederick Courteney Selous (who was killed in the area during World War I), the reserve was one of the earliest large protected areas in Africa.

In 1982, Selous was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding wilderness value, diverse habitats, and huge populations of elephant, black rhino, and wild dog.

Unfortunately, the site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger between 2014 and 2024 because of severe elephant poaching. Thanks to massive anti-poaching efforts, elephant numbers are now recovering and the danger listing was removed in 2024.

Wildlife in Selous Game Reserve – What You Will See

Selous/Nyerere is home to some of the highest wildlife densities in Africa, yet with a fraction of the visitors of the Serengeti.

Key highlights:

• One of the largest remaining African elephant populations in the world (~25,000–30,000)
• Huge herds of buffalo (over 150,000–200,000)
• Excellent chances of seeing the endangered African wild dog – Selous has one of the healthiest populations left on the continent
• All of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino – although rhino are extremely rare now)
• Over 440 bird species – a paradise for birdwatchers
• Massive hippo and crocodile concentrations along the Rufiji River and Lake Tagalala
• Large prides of lions that specialize in hunting buffalo
• Rare antelope species: Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable, and niwala

Because of the riverine habitat, you see animals in completely different settings compared to the open plains of the Serengeti.

Best Activities in Selous Game Reserve

Selous offers the most diverse safari activities in Tanzania:

1. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River – drift silently past basking crocodiles and hippo pods (unique to southern Tanzania).
2. Walking safaris – one of the few places in Tanzania where multi-day walking safaris with armed guides and fly-camping are still allowed.
3. Classic 4×4 game drives – especially rewarding around the lakes in the dry season.
4. Fly-in safaris – most visitors arrive by light aircraft directly into bush airstrips.
5. Catch-and-release fishing – tigerfish and catfish in the rivers (seasonal).

Best Time to Visit Selous Game Reserve

• Dry season (June – October) – Best wildlife viewing. Animals concentrate around the Rufiji River and lakes. Boat safaris are spectacular. Peak season = higher prices.
• November – mid-March – Short rains and green season. Excellent birding, newborn animals, fewer tourists, lower rates.
• Late March – May – Heavy rains. Many camps close, roads become impassable. Not recommended unless you want total isolation.

Recommended visit duration: Minimum 3 nights, ideally 4–5 nights to enjoy boat, walking, and driving activities.

How to Get to Selous Game Reserve

Location & Distance from Dar es Salaam:

Selous is approximately 220–250 km west-southwest of Dar es Salaam as the crow flies (about 4–6 hours by road in dry season, longer in wet season).

Options:

1. Fly (recommended)
   Daily scheduled flights or private charters from Dar es Salaam (45–60 min), Arusha (90 min), or Zanzibar (70 min). Four main airstrips: Siwandu, Kiba, Mtemere, and Beho Beho.
2. Drive
   Possible but long and rough (6–10 hours from Dar). Usually only chosen for budget overland trips or self-drive adventurers.
3. Train + transfer
   The TAZARA railway from Dar es Salaam to Kisaki or Fuga, then 4×4 transfer (rarely used by tourists).

Most luxury travelers choose the fly-in option.

Where to Stay – Best Selous Game Reserve Accommodation (2025/2026)

Luxury Lodges & Camps

• Sand Rivers Selous
• Siwandu Camp
• Roho ya Selous (Asilia)
• Jabali Ridge (Asilia)
• Serena Mivumo River Lodge

Mid-range Tented Camps

• Rufiji River Camp
• Selous River Camp
• Lake Manze Camp
• Selous Kulinda Camp

Budget / Eco Camps

• Selous Mapumziko Camp
• Africa Safari Camp Selous

Almost all accommodation is located along the Rufiji River or the lake system for the best game viewing and boat safari access.

Selous Safari Packages & Costs (Examples 2025/2026)

• 3-day fly-in Selous safari – US$ 1,650–2,800 pp
• 4-day Selous & Mikumi combo – US$ 2,200–3,500 pp
• 6-day Southern Circuit (Selous + Ruaha) – US$ 4,200–7,500 pp
• 10-day Ultimate Southern Tanzania (Selous + Ruaha + Nyerere extensions) – US$ 8,000–15,000+ pp (luxury)

Prices include flights, park fees, full-board accommodation, activities, and transfers.

Nyerere National Park / Selous Entrance Fees (2025/2026)

• Foreign non-residents: US$ 82 per adult per 24h (including the new US$ 30 Nyerere infrastructure fee)
• Walking safari permit: extra US$ 50 pp per activity
• Boat safari permit: extra US$ 30 pp
• Children 5–15 years: 50% discount

Why Choose Selous Over Serengeti or Ngorongoro?

Feature	Selous/Nyerere	Serengeti/Ngorongoro
Crowd levels	Very low	High to extremely high
Big Five	Yes (rhino very rare)	Yes
Wild dogs	Excellent chances	Rare
Boat safaris	Yes	No
Walking safaris	Multi-day possible	Very restricted
Size	50,000 km²	Serengeti 14,750 km²
Landscape	Rivers, lakes, swamps, miombo woodland	Mostly open plains & crater
Price (per day)	Similar or cheaper in shoulder season	Generally higher

In short: If you want raw African wilderness without the crowds, Selous is better than Serengeti for many experienced travelers.

Conservation Challenges and Hope

Between 2009 and 2016, Selous lost approximately 90% of its elephants to ivory poaching. Thanks to Operation Tokomeza and later massive government and NGO interventions (including Frankfurt Zoological Society and new anti-poaching units), the decline has been halted and numbers are now increasing again. Wild dog and lion populations remain healthy.

FAQs about Selous Game Reserve

Is Selous Game Reserve worth visiting?

Absolutely – especially if you want an authentic, uncrowded African safari with unique boat and walking experiences.

Can you see the Big Five in Selous?

Yes, except black rhino which are functionally extinct in the tourist area.

Is Selous good for families?

Many lodges are family-friendly, but walking safaris have a minimum age (usually 12–16). Boat and game drives are fine for kids 6+.

Is Selous safe?

Yes – Tanzania is one of the safest countries in Africa for tourists, and the reserve has professional guides and rangers.

How many days do you need in Selous?

3 nights minimum, 4–5 nights ideal.

Final Thoughts – Book Your Selous Safari Today

Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park) remains one of the last true wilderness frontiers in Africa. If you’re looking for huge elephant herds, packs of wild dogs, romantic sunsets from a boat on the Rufiji River, and the feeling that you have the bush almost to yourself – this is the place.

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Contact us for the latest 2025–2026 Selous safari prices, customized itineraries, or to secure your spot at the best luxury camps before they fill up.

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