Safari to Afirca's Biggest Game Reserve Selous

This year Eid and Nanae Nane (Nane Nane is 8/8 - It is a public holiday in Tanzania) holidays fell together creating a 4 day long weekend. We and our friends planned to go to Selous Game Reserve during this holiday. After checking many options we decided to stay at Selous Mbuyu safari camp which is located inside the reserve and is 50km from the Mtemere gate.

8th August

On this lovely morning we started out journey from Dar es Salaam at 5:30am. Eclips Hotels had arranged a coaster bus to travel up to Kibiti. Even though we came across different obstacles on our way, we reached to Kibiti by 11:30am. At Kibiti we spent about 30 minutes for tea. Then we were transferred to safari vehicles. While enjoying the rural view on our way, we headed to Mtemere gate. We reached there by 2:00pm. After all the paper work at the gate we headed to the camp while enjoying the beautiful landscapes in the reserve.

Location : 237km from Dar es Salaam to the Selouse Game reserve Mtemere Gate. 


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Around 3:00pm we reached to the Mbuyu camp. Manager and Chef of the camp Mr. Singh warmly welcomed us and took us around the beautiful camp. Location of the camp is superb. It was in the rifigi river bank and we were able to see many wild animals just staying at the camp.  Next we were shown our tented rooms. After having a small meal we left the camp for the first day game drive. We were lucky enough to see some lionesses with a kill. When sun went down we returned to the camp.

Food was served at the restaurant at 7:30. After having the food we went back to our bandas to have a good night sleep. 

Here are some images captured in the first day (Click on image to view in full size)



9th August

With birds weak up call we got up and got ready to go for the second day morning game viewing session. After having breakfast we left the camp around 8:00 am. Wonderful day for photography! Cloudy and good light till mid day! In our morning drive we saw and photographed different wild animals and birds in the reserve.

Amazing day! We were able to see a scene of mating lion. First time in my life!

After spending about 4 hours in the bush we return to the camp for lunch.

We began our evening drive at 4:00pm. Within few minutes drive we were able to see a pair of hippo slowly came out from the bush and going to the water. The pair was accompanied by little egret.

What a lovely scene!!


During our game drive I captured spectacular wildlife images with my Sigma 50-500mm lens.

While enjoying the African sunset we returned to the camp. After arrive to the camp we freshed up and had a rest till dinner. Dinner was served at about 8:00pm. We went to bed thinking about the beauty of nature.

Here are some images captured in the second day (Click on image to view in full size),



10th August

Last day of our Safari! After the breakfast we headed to a lake for a boat safari. Birds and Corco day! We saw them very closely. After spending 30 minutes in waters we headed back to camp to pack our things to leave.


So sad! We had to leave the camp and Great Selous Game reserve!

With packed lunch we left the camp around 12:30. In the middle of our way to kibiti we got a flat tire. While the tire was changed we had time to talk to some people in the area and drink madaf  (Coconut water is called madaf in Swahili). By 3:00pm we reached kibiti junction. After spending about 20 minutes there we were transferred to the bus to go back to the Dar es Salaam. We reached Dar by 8:00pm.

That is the end of our great safari.

I still remember the quote displayed in the camp :

"Everything has its own beauty but not everyone sees it"

Try to see the beauty of what you see in this wonderful world. Let’s protect our world for the next generation.