About
The Selous Game Reserve sits in southern Tanzania and is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is now known by the name Nyerere National Park, so you may see either name on maps and in travel listings.
The reserve is best understood as wilderness. Much of its land is wild and lightly touched, which makes it a destination for visitors who want wide open country rather than a tightly managed park with many roads and facilities close together.
What a visit offers
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, which give a different view of the wildlife than a land drive, with the river and its banks as the route through the reserve.
- Vast, pristine landscapes, where the scale of the country is the main draw.
- A quieter kind of safari, suited to travellers who value remoteness and space.
Planning your trip
Because the reserve is so large and remote, it works well as a focused stop within a longer journey through Tanzania rather than a quick day trip. Plan your route and allow enough time to move between areas and to enjoy the river. Check current access arrangements and the seasons that suit you before you set out, as conditions in a wilderness area can change.
