National park · Tanzania
Selous Game Reserve
Visit Selous Game Reserve for a remote wilderness day: take a guided boat safari on the Rufiji River for about 4 h (cost ~TSh 200 000) in the dry season, or join a 2‑day walking safari with a ranger in June–Oct; avoid the rainy months Nov–May when roads flood.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
18,600 km² (7,181 sq mi)7,181 sq mi (18,600 km²)
approximate
Established
1896
Best months
Jun–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Central Tanzania ↗Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa are national parks with separate entry fees; pay through the official park system, not a roadside agent.
- Central Tanzania ↗Tarmac covers the main Dar es Salaam–Morogoro–Dodoma corridor; most park access roads are gravel and slow in the rains.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 18,600 km² (7,181 sq mi)7,181 sq mi (18,600 km²)
- Approximate; the historic reserve was 54 600 km², the current game reserve covers about 18 000 km² after the 2019 split (check).
- Established
- 1896
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Dar es Salaam
Selous Game Reserve spans about 18,000 km² of remote miombo woodland and riverine habitats in southern Tanzania. Managed by the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority, it offers low‑density wildlife viewing, boat safaris on the Rufiji River and ranger‑guided walking safaris on designated trails. Access is limited to 4×4 vehicles or light aircraft, and permits are required for entry and any off‑road activity.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1982Selous Game Reserve World Heritage property.
Size and age
18,600 km² (7,181 sq mi)7,181 sq mi (18,600 km²) · national park since 1896
Approximate; the historic reserve was 54 600 km², the current game reserve covers about 18 000 km² after the 2019 split (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Dar es Salaam.
Why go
- Remote miombo woodland and riverine habitats with low visitor numbers.
- Large mammals such as elephants, hippos, lions and the endangered African wild dog.
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River and guided walking safaris with armed rangers.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanHot, occasional rain; roads may be muddy.
- FebHot, short rains; access difficult.
- MarRain builds, rivers swell.
- AprHeavy rains, many tracks impassable.
- MayPeak wet season, flooding common.
- JunCooler, dry, roads usable.
- JulDry, wildlife concentrates near water.
- AugDry, good visibility, lower heat.
- SepDry, still warm, excellent game viewing.
- OctDry early month, then transition to rains.
- NovStart of rains, some roads muddy.
- DecShort rains, hot days.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African wild dogJun–Oct · Rare; requires patience. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Elephant, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (e.g., kingfishers, eagles)Mar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dar es Salaam
4×4 road via Kingupira (≈288 km (179 mi)) or Miguruwe (≈366 km (227 mi)); rough bush roads after Kibiti.4×4 road via Kingupira (≈179 mi (288 km)) or Miguruwe (≈227 mi (366 km)); rough bush roads after Kibiti.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Dar es Salaam (air)
Charter or scheduled light aircraft to airstrips serving camps (e.g., Mivumo, Selous River).
≈1 h flight + transfers
Open the page →
From Zanzibar
Ferry to Dar es Salaam then road or air as above.
≈8–10 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rufiji River corridor | Boat safaris, fishing, wildlife viewing along the main river. | Guided only; permits required. |
| Walking safari zones | Designated trails near Ulanga and Matandu rivers. | Ranger‑accompanied walks only. |
| Camping sites | Limited official campsites near river banks. | Permit required; often arranged through lodges. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for major features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve entry (TAWA) | Free | person | Fee varies by concession; contact TAWA (check). |
| Boat safari (Rufiji River) | TZS 200,000–300,000 | person | Typical price for a half‑day trip. |
| Walking safari with ranger | TZS 500,000–800,000 | person | Includes permit and ranger guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reserve entry permit permit or guide
Walking safari permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- TZS 200,000–300,000
- TZS 500,000–800,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official Selous Game Reserve website before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- All visitors must have a TAWA entry permit and, for walks, a ranger permit.
- Guides
- Ranger guide required for any walking safari.
- Camping
- Only at authorized campsites; wild camping needs a permit.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
- Wildlife interaction
- Do not approach animals; stay in vehicle unless instructed.
Where to stay
In the park
Mivumo River Lodge
Luxury lodge on the Rufiji River with full board.
In the park
Selous River Camp
Mid‑range camp with tented rooms and river access.
In the park
Selous Wilderness Camp
Small tented camp offering basic facilities.
Near the park
Dar es Salaam
Hotels for pre‑ and post‑reserve stays.
Safety
Roads and rivers high
Wild animal encounters medium
Malaria medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Road access limited to 4×4; no wheelchair‑friendly paths.
- Boat trips have limited boarding assistance; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use authorized operators that follow TAWA conservation rules.
- Carry out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support camps that employ local staff and buy locally sourced food.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Selous Game Reserve?
Entry is managed by TAWA; fees vary by concession and are usually included in a guided package. Contact your operator for the exact amount (check).
What are the best hikes in Selous Game Reserve?
Guided walking safaris on ranger‑approved trails near the Ulanga and Matandu rivers are the main hikes; they require a permit and a ranger guide.
When is the best time to visit Selous Game Reserve?
The dry season from June to October offers the most reliable roads and concentrated wildlife viewing.
Can I camp independently in Selous?
Only at authorized campsites with a permit; wild camping is generally not allowed without TAWA approval.
Do I need a guide for a boat safari?
Yes, boat trips must be run by a licensed operator or lodge guide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Selous Game Reserve
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