THE SELOUS GAME PARK
The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas on planet with a surface area of 45 thousand sq. km. Its name comes from Frederick Courtney Selous, the most famous white hunter in Africa. In this Game Reserve about 750 thousand mammals live including elephants, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles and wild dogs. If you are lucky you will also meet families of lions, leopards and also some cheetahs. More than 440 species of birds will charm birdwatching lovers.
It ‘s 'an uninhabited land, with no trace of human interference with the environment, where is concentrated the largest population of mammals in Africa. Together with the Mikumi National Park it is one of the UNESCO's World Heritage .
The Selous is a tremendous opportunity for visitors looking for something more than a classic safari: in addition to the traditional game drives in 4x4 vehicles you will experience the best boat safaris and also walking safaris allowed, of course accompanied by a skilled ranger. The reserve is crossed by three rivers: the Rufiji, the biggest river in Tanzania that creates very suggestive panoramas, the Beho Beho and the Ruaha River. These two main water suppliers create channels, small islands and marshes. Speaking about interesting spots not to be missed: the Stiegler's Gorge, 100 meters deep, is simply extraordinary!!
During the dry season (from July to October) you can witness a unique event in the world: the great elephants' migration, one of the most important in Africa, moving from The Selous to the Niassa Game Reserve in Mozambique.
MAFIA ISLAND
Mafia Island is located at about a 40-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, in the beautiful Indian Ocean. The island, one of the largest of the archipelago, is about 70 kilometers long.
It's the perfect place to relax and rest, you will not find malls or clubs but if you are looking for unspoiled areas outside the chaotic social life, that is the place you have been dreaming about for long! Tourist facilities are strongly involved to preservation of the natural heritage. The WWF is keeping the situation closely monitored, especially for what the study of rare turtles at risk of extinction is concerned.
The best time to visit the island of Mafia goes from October to mid-March (highly recommended also for diving), before the rainy season. From April to June rains can be so heavy that all the resorts close. From the end of July days get warmer and up to mid-October, it is the best time of the year to whale watching (very good opportunities to see the humpback whales).
This island is not listed among the most popular and richest archaeological sites in the world, however in Chole Bay (an ancient port of the island), you can explore the ruins of ancient Arab settlements dating back to the twelfth century as well as in Juani Island where the ruins of the city of Kua, a mysterious village with unknown origins, were discovered.
For those who prefer 'land' excursions on the island, hiking to the lighthouse at Ras Mkumbi is an option as well as visiting the Forest of Mlola, and the nice bay of Chuvia in the nearby.
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