SelousAfrica’s largest and oldest game reserve is one of its most scenic wildlife destinations; the Selous is utterly beautiful. The beauty of the park is matched by the quality of a safari here; boating, walking and fly camping compliment standard game driving in thriving wildlife areas. This is an outrageously good safari park and an essential component of any southern circuit itinerary.
The Selous is a superb safari destination, all the better for the ease of getting there and the lack of crowds. The park has the widest diversity of safari activities in the country, offering the boating safaris as well as standard game drives, walking safaris and legendary fly camping trips.
The Northern section of Selous is home to a network of channels and lagoons that run off the Rufiji River. This lush landscape provides a water supply for the region’s game and towards the end of the dry season the concentration of animals around these water sources is phenomenal. It is here, around the river and lakes, that the majority of the camps are based; successfully relying on the animal’s need for water to provide game viewing areas. Selous is in its peak season from July through to the middle of November - this when the dry season is raging and all the game homes in on the few permanent water sources.
The sheer volume of game in the Selous is outstanding with statistics putting most parks in Africa to shame. Elephant, buffalo and lion are ‘arguably’ found in no greater numbers year round anywhere on the planet. But it is the Selous’ reputation as the last true stronghold for African wild dog that draws the enthusiasts.
Selous: Accommodation choices
The Selous’ most famous lodges are Beho Beho, Sand Rivers and the Selous Safari Camp - each staking its own claim to be the finest lodge in the park. Selous Safari Camp is in the best game area, is a beautiful tented camp and offers best value in the park. Beho Beho and Sand Rivers are the best permanent lodges here and are both excellent, although Beho Beho is our favourite of the two.
In recent years, a number of new lodges have emerged and importantly provided great accommodation at more affordable prices. The no-frills Lake Manze Tented Camp is a favourite in the office and shares Selous Safari Camp’s superb game viewing area. Manze’s sister camp Impala offers slightly more luxury and some superb fly camping trips. Rufiji River Camp, is larger and more commercial than the other Selous lodges, but has been recently upgraded and has a good location. The Serena Hotel chain have recently opened two lodges just upstream from Sand Rivers, however, the game area here is not nearly as good, and we believe their commercial approach does not fit in with the more personal atmosphere that has made the park so famous. There are also a number of other camps outside the park, such as Sable Mountain and Selous Riverside, but we believe their locations are simply not worth the saving they may provide.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Selous
We really like Beho Beho, and not just for the luxury! It combines all the elements that make the safari experience memorable, with beautiful views, great game and fantastic guides. In our view, it is easily the best lodge in the park and one of the top 3 in Africa! Selous
Selous Safari Camp is the best luxury tented camp in the Selous and up there with the best in Africa. The camp itself is of top quality and the service and guiding is as good as it gets...needless to say it is in an outstanding game area.
Selous
This camp is exceptional value, located in an incredibly game rich area of the Selous where you can boat, walk and game drive all straight from the camp. This camp is not trying to be something it's not- an excellent authentic no frills safari experience, we really recommend it!
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