Selous Game Reserve-A special wildlife reserve in Africa

The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest wildlife reserves of the world, covering a total area of 50,000 km² (19,000 sq mi) with additional buffer zones. Noted to be bigger than the Serengeti known for the great wildebeest migration. Selous stands as the largest game reserve in Africa and the second largest conservation area (after Mudumu National Park in Namibia) in Africa situated in southern Tanzania.

The game reserve derives its name from the Englishman Sir Fredrick Selous, a famous big game hunter and early conservationist, who died in 1917 at Beho Beho area of this territory. In 1982, the Selous Game Reserve was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the undisturbed nature and diversity of its wildlife so magnificent for a Tanzania wildlife safari sighting.

The Selous game reserve plays host to over 350 bird species and reptiles, flora consists of about 2000 species of plants.  With a lot of surprises, the largest concentration of elephants (110,000) and the largest populations of buffalo herds on the continent of Africa is known for calling Selous home.

A side from being home to the biggest number of elephants and buffalos, on a Tanzania safari to Selous be ready to meet more wildlife. The hippopotamus, lions, brindled gnu, Nyasaland gnu, sable antelope, eland, greater kudu, waterbuck, hartebeest, zebras, giraffe, reedbuck, warthog, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, hunting dog can be seen.

For sightings of the African bush elephants, black rhinos, East African wild dogs, Cape buffaloes, Masai giraffes, Plain zebras and crocodiles a wildlife safari in Tanzania’s Selous is the best option.

 Current News on Selous Game Reserve

The government of Tanzania is set to implement the construction of a 2,100-Megawatt power plant within the Selous Game Reserve.

The hydropower project is to be set in Stiegler’s Gorge on Rufiji River within Selous Game Reserve.  Energy Minister Medard Kalemani said the government of Tanzania is finalizing the process of securing a contractor to implement the mega hydropower project.

The minister went ahead to say that the process is currently at an advanced stage and, within a short period, the ministry will announce the contractor awarded the tender for the project.

John Magufuli the Tanzanian President also guaranteed international organizations that the hydropower project will improve on the Selous Game Reserve’s eco-system.

The setting up of the hydropower plant is possible because this is one of the best watered protected areas in Africa. Rufiji River, the largest and longest river in Tanzania cuts across the Selous Game Reserve.

The contradiction in this project however is how safe the hydro power plant will be for the wildlife in the park. In one of the wildest areas of the world, introducing a hydropower plant could be of encourage industrial activities ranging from the vibrations, residues and metal hitting within the reserve. After the struggle to control poachers, introducing the hydropower plant could not be the best idea.

The greatest part of a Tanzania tour to Selous Game Reserve, is the boat cruise in the waters of Rufiji river as you sight wildlife. For those who want to have a safari in Tanzania’s Selous what you see there is a vast home to wildlife that seem to be in an old age world.

Safari Tanzania and enjoy the beauty of a game reserve larger than Switzerland, Denmark or Ireland within Tanzania.