For those seeking a truly wild, off-the-beaten-path adventure, Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve is the ultimate destination. Spanning over 50,000 square kilometers, Selous is one of the largest protected areas in Africa and offers an authentic, untamed wilderness experience. Despite its size and rich biodiversity, this vast expanse of pristine wilderness remains a hidden gem, far from the bustling crowds that often fill Tanzania’s more popular national parks like the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater.
Selous Game Reserve is a sanctuary of unspoiled landscapes, where nature reigns supreme. Its remoteness and inaccessibility make it a paradise for seasoned travelers who crave solitude and adventure in the heart of the African wilderness. Here, rivers meander through open savannahs, dense woodlands, and swamplands, creating a varied ecosystem that supports a wide range of wildlife. Unlike the more frequented safari parks in northern Tanzania, Selous offers a much quieter, more intimate safari experience.
The reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, including lions, leopards, African wild dogs, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles. With fewer visitors, the game viewing here feels like a private encounter with nature. Whether you're cruising along the Rufiji River, watching hippos laze in the water, or tracking elusive African wild dogs through the bush, the sense of isolation enhances the thrill of the safari.
Selous Game Reserve provides a safari experience unlike any other. The remoteness of the reserve means visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views of Tanzania’s wilderness without the traffic of safari vehicles seen in more popular destinations. In Selous, game drives are often led by highly knowledgeable guides who are passionate about showing you the secrets of the reserve, from hidden waterholes to lesser-known wildlife sightings.
Boat safaris along the Rufiji River offer a unique perspective, allowing travelers to glide past crocodiles, monitor lizards, and bird species in their natural habitats. The river is also a lifeline for the area’s large herds of elephants and buffalos, which can be seen quenching their thirst along the banks. For those looking to immerse themselves further, walking safaris through the bush provide an up-close and personal view of the landscape, heightening the sense of adventure as you track animals on foot.
The lack of crowds makes these safaris feel more intimate and personal. Each sighting is like discovering a hidden treasure, a stark contrast to the busier safari circuits in other parts of Tanzania.
Despite its rich biodiversity and stunning scenery, Selous remains one of Tanzania’s less-visited parks. This can be attributed to its remote location in southern Tanzania and the fact that it has yet to gain the same fame as the Serengeti or Kilimanjaro. But this is precisely what makes Selous such a special destination. It’s a haven for off-the-beaten-path explorers who seek adventure in places less touched by mass tourism.
For travelers seeking a deeper connection with nature, Selous offers a more raw and authentic safari experience. There are no crowds jostling for space at popular viewpoints, no rush to see the “Big Five” in a day. Instead, Selous invites you to slow down, take your time, and experience the wilderness on its terms.
Selous Game Reserve is Tanzania’s best-kept secret, an adventurer’s paradise far removed from the well-worn paths of traditional safaris. Its remoteness and unspoiled beauty offer a rare opportunity to experience Africa as it once was — wild, untamed, and free. If you’re a seasoned traveler looking for a more intimate and immersive safari experience, Selous should be at the top of your list. Venture into this hidden gem, and you’ll discover that the true magic of Tanzania lies not just in its famous parks but in its quieter, lesser-known treasures.
Due to the recent Covid 19 worldwide pandemic, to keep our guests and indeed our staff safe, we have made some changes to Safari By Z that we would like to make you aware. We believe that with careful planning and consideration by our staff and guests we can continue to provide the best hospitality services on safari. For now, this may be our new norm.
New routines:
All our staff have received full training in health and safety-related to the COVID-19 virus and are required to be extra vigilant with their personal hygiene and daily routines.
Health condition of driver-guides will be monitored for not less than a week before being assigned to take clients on safari.
City transfer and safari vehicles will be regularly disinfected before picking up clients, especially the high-touch surfaces and seats.
Our meet and greet teams at airports will still be there to accompany guests into transfer vehicles. While our vehicles are already cleaned between transfers, they will now also be disinfected between each use.
To keep social distancing, safari vehicles with 4-window seats will be redesigned to take only 2 people in the passenger cabin. Safari vehicles with 6-window seats will still be available for families/group of friends wishing to travel together in one vehicle.
The driver-guide will be at hand to oversee guests observe the recommended physical distancing at park entry gates, picnic sites, and while checking in at accommodation facilities.
Each guest will receive their own adventure kit, which includes a Wildlife Guides' Journal, mini fan and hand sanitizers, as well as a pair of binoculars – all in cleaned before each new set of guests
The driver-guide will take necessary personal protection precautions at all times. Guests are encouraged to come with their own masks;
Please be assured that all our selection of partner properties we work with have their strict COVID-19 hygiene practises in place.
Tanzania wasn't Really affected by Covid 19 to the same extent as most other countries, especially those in Europe and South America.
However, we will keep the above measures in place for your peace of mind. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you to the Tanzania for your African safari holiday of a lifetime.
