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MAMO MOUNTAIN TREKS & SAFARIS Ltd
SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
SELOUS GAME RESERVE
AREA: 54.600 Sq. Km.
ALTITUDE: 110 – 1250 Metres
In the South of Tanzania, stretching inland from the coast, lies Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary, the Selous Game Reserve – bigger than Denmark. It lies south of Mikumi, covers 6% of Tanzania’s total area and is 4 times the size of Serengeti. It contains the greatest concentration of big game left on earth. Selous game reserve is internationally famous for its animals. It has the world’s largest number of big game:- Elephant 28,000; Buffaloes 160,000; Rhinos 2,000; Sable antelopes 14,000. There are about 350 species of birdlife which include:- Fisheagle, Secretary bird, King-fisher, Sunbird, Herms, Billstork and Hammerkop.
The climate is tropical, with two rainy seasons; from January – March it is hot with occasional showers. The heaviest rains are between March – May. The best time to visit is from June – October when the weather is cool and dry, the vegetation lush and the animals easy to see.
Selous has the finest virgin bush, unspoilt by time. Although it remains one of the least scientifically researched areas in Africa, some 1700 botanical species have been identified. In the far south, the vastness of the reserve and its general inaccessibility has turned the Selous into a magnificent refuge for animals, birds, insects and reptiles.
Vegetation:
Woodland dominates, particularly the dry and sparse deciduous type known as ‘miombo’ but it is also a land of marshes, green savannah, grassland, acacia, ebony, boabab and shrubs. Facilities offered include: boat safari along the Rufiji River, foot safari, a game drive in 4 Wheel drive vehicle. The tranquility one experiences at the Selous and the wilderness of the atmosphere have no parallel anywhere on earth.
Accommodation:
Three Safari Camps:-
Ø Rufiji River Camp, situated in North Eastern part of Selous, on a high bank overlooking the mighty Rufiji River.
Ø Mbuyu Safari Camp located on the banks of the Rufiji River.
Ø Beho Beho Camp, sits high on “Beho Beho” ridge.
Ø Stieglers Gorge
Accommodation in single, double and family chalets.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
AREA: 13,000 Sq. Km
ALTITUDE: 1000 Metres
Ruaha National Park is one of the unexplored parks in Tanzania with the largest elephant sanctuary. It lies 130Km. West of Iringa. The name Ruaha derives from the great Ruaha River which flows along its entire eastern border creating spectacular gorges and scenery, Hippos, Crocodiles, Turtles and Fish inhabit the river.
Elephants are often to be seen on the banks of the Ruaha River. Lions, Giraffes and other animals can also be found.
The park is also known for its concentration of greater and lesser Kudus, its roan and sable Antelopes, and its rich birdlife. Special photographic blinds have been built at strategic places where wildlife congregates.
The terrain within most of the park is a well wooded, undulating plateau at an average altitude of 915m with mountains in the south and west rising up to 1600m and 1900m above seal level respectively. The Great Ruaha River passes through the park.
The best months for game viewing are July to November.
Accommodation:
Ruaha River Camp, constructed on and around a kopje overlooking the Great Ruaha River.
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
AREA: 1300 Sq. Km.
ALTITUDE: 548 Metres
Although comparatively small in area, Mikumi is rich in wildlife and contains Buffalo, Elephants and Lions. Also found are wildebeests, Zebras, Impalas, Worthogs, Hippos, Cheetahs and Giraffes. Most of the animals can be seen at all seasons within a short drive of Mikumi Wildlife Lodge and in the civinity of Hippo Pool and Mikumi Wildlife Camp. Elephants can be seen throughout the area, and Buffaloes totaling some 3,000 are to be found on the treeless grassland. A family of Hippo lives at Hippo Pool 5km from the park gate.
Vegetation:
The Mkate River Floor plain with its hard ridges, swamps and black clay grassland, the ‘miombo’ woodlands lie on hills of east and west, and the rivers with their fringe of tall trees and dense thickets. The Uhuru (Tanzania-Zambia) Railway line marks the boundary of Mikumi with Selous to the south. The Park has a landing strip for light aircraft.
Accommodation:
Mikumik Wildlife Lodge, curved around a spur overlooking a valley, above a waterhole where animals usually go to quench their thirst.
