Selous Walking Safaris

This is without a doubt one of the best wildlife experiences in Tanzania. Over a period of 5 days you explore the northern area of the Selous on foot and by river - in big game country throughout. The Selous is a game reserve and therefore governed by a different set of rules to the national parks. As a result, extensive walking is allowed and this is one of the most rewarding places to get out on foot.

These safaris are organised by {Sand Rivers} and are accompanied by extremely competent, well trained armed guides. In the northern area of the Selous Game Reserve there is a rich variety of terrain from the impressive Rufiji River, almost a mile wide at the base camp where you'll spend your first night, through mosaic scrub and Miombo woodland into grass plains and ox bow lakes connected by sand rivers and areas of impenetrable thick bush.

The flycamps are refreshingly simple but underpinned by a quality and style that definitely enhances the elemental nature of the whole experience. Comfortable bedrolls on the sand within mosquito nets are great, but crisp sheets, thick towels and a hot bucket shower slung under a tree somehow make them that much greater still. With good simple food and cool drinks on tap, the small cheerful team in the background strike the perfect balance between unadorned simplicity and providing the bare essentials of life.

Over the years we've led and guided huge numbers of these trips and can't recommend more highly that wonderful moment (usually day 2 or 3) when everyone has finally shrugged off their 1st world defenses, truly relaxes as they hit the rythm of the bush and suddenly realise that they really really don't want the experience to end.

Walking here can be enormously exciting, and as much as anywhere, there are areas of the Selous where walking at a creeping pace pays high dividends. The areas surrounding the lakes are home to large numbers of buffalo, elephant and hippo and a competent guide will often be able to put you in a safe position to watch these animals (as well as many others) at surprisingly close range on foot. Walking to and from boats is something that makes walking safaris in the Selous unique and the contrast in getting into a boat and drifting downstream after 3 hour walking is magnificent.

As well as everything else, fishing quietly from the riverbank or in the lakes is an idyllic way to soak up the atmosphere of the place, perhaps quietly watching game creeping to the waters edge or the excellent birdlife passing overhead, whilst you're hopefully catching supper. That's the sort of multi tasking we can all handle!