Southeastern Tanzania - Tanzania - page 539

ter of the sea, forming striking patterns and providing habitats for many dozens of bird spe-
cies and passing dolphins.
In the northwestern part of the reserve is Stiegler's Gorge , which averages 100m in
depth, and is named after a Swiss explorer who was killed here by an elephant in 1907.
Although the number of tourists visiting the Selous has increased markedly over the
past decade, as have the number of lodges in the central wildlife-viewing sector along the
Rufiji River, congestion remains low in comparison with Tanzania's northern parks. Other
advantages include the Selous' wilderness backdrop and its fine collection of smaller, at-
mospheric safari camps. From the moment you arrive, the Selous' wealth of wildlife and
its stunning riverine scenery rarely fail to impress. Boat safaris down the Rufiji or on the
reserve's lakes are offered by most of the camps and lodges. Most also organise walking
safaris, usually three-hour hikes near the camps, or further afield, with the night spent at
a fly camp. Both the boat and foot safaris, as well as the chance to explore in open safari
vehicles, can come as a welcome change of pace.
Only the section of the reserve north from the Rufiji River is open for tourism; large
areas of the south have been zoned as hunting concessions, although one tourist camp is
getting under way here.
History
Parts of the reserve were set aside as early as 1896. However, it was not until 1922 that it
was expanded and given its present name (after Frederick Courteney Selous, the British ex-
plorer who was killed in the reserve during WWI). The area continued to be extended over
the next several decades until 1975 when it assumed its current boundaries. In more recent
years, there has been ongoing work to link Selous Game Reserve with the Niassa Reserve
in Mozambique, with the first stages of the project - including establishment of a wildlife
corridor - already under way ( Click here ) .
SELOUS GAME RESERVE FEES
All fees are per 24-hour period and currently payable in US dollars cash, al-
though a credit card only system (using Visa card and similar to that in the
northern parks) is likely to be implemented within the lifetime of this topic.
» Admission US$50/30/free per adult/child six to 16 years/child five and under
» Conservation fee US$25 per person (payable only by those staying at camps
within the Selous boundaries)
» Vehicle fee US$30
» Camping at ordinary campsite US$20/5/free per adult/child six to 15 years/
child five and under