The river is the lifeblood of the park and its tributaries form a network of lakes, lagoons and channels that sustain complex ecosystems, complete with several volcanic hot springs. The Rufiji offers a superb method of game viewing especially during the dry season when animals congregate there to gain nourishment. Along the river, an assortment of antelopes, crocodiles and hippos are commonly seen as well as black and white colobus monkeys in the riverine forests. Linked to the Rufiji is Lake Tagalala where waterbuck, reedbuck and bushbuck gather at the water’s edge and Regal sickle-horned sable and curly-horned greater kudu can be spotted in nearby thickets. The reserve is also home to about one third of all the highly endangered wild dogs in the world and over 440 known species of birds have been recorded in this abundant region.
In the dry season (June to October) an ancient migration of elephants takes place between the Selous and Mozambique’s Niassa Game Reserves. This is one of the largest natural trans-boundary eco-systems in Africa and it’s estimated that about 64,400 elephants roam between the two parks. One of the last remaining pristine true wilderness areas in the world, the conservation area allows walking and boating safaris, however no permanent human habitation or permanent structures are permitted. An essential visit on any trip to Tanzania, the Game Reserve is an ideal way to experience the classic African safari.
