Named after Englishman Sir Frederick Selous, a famous big game hunter and early conservationist, the Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest faunal reserves in the world. 

 

 A large part of the reserve remains set aside for game hunting through a number of privately leased hunting concessions, but a section of the northern park along the Rufiji River has been designated a photographic zone and is a popular tourist destination.

 

There are several high end lodges and camps mainly situated along the river and lake systems in this area. Easy access by plane from Dar Es Salaam and direct flights to Zanzibar. Interesting places in the park include the Rufiji River, which flows into the Indian Ocean opposite Mafia Island and the Stiegler Gorge, a canyon of 100 metres depth and 100 metres width. 

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Although total wildlife populations are high, the reserve is large and densities of animals are lower than in the more regularly visited northern tourist circuit of Tanzania. Walking safaris are permitted in the Selous, and boat trips on the Rufiji are a popular activity.

 

Selous offers a wide range of lodges and camps that are typically a bit less luxurious (and consequently less expensive) than the lodges and camps in the Northern Circuit. However, the reserve is a lot quieter than the Northern Circuit, in short a cheaper and faster/easier to reach safari destination.