Southern Tanzania luxury safari holiday

Environment

The Selous Game Reserve is at the forefront of conservation in Tanzania. The reserve comprises the largest protected area in Africa and is uninhabited by man. It protects around one third of the world’s endangered wild dog population. Their need to roam vast areas and their formidable hunting skills have caused many to be shot by farmers, but here in Selous they have boundless woodlands and savannahs in which to roam. If you are lucky enough to see wild dogs during your stay in Tanzania, you can help prevent further decline. The Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute aims to conserve the population of wild dog in Tanzania, and by sending your photographs in to them you can help them monitor the dog population.

In the dry season an ancient migration of elephants takes place between the Selous and Mozambique's Niassa Game Reserves. This is one of the largest natural trans-boundary eco-systems in Africa and at the last consensus it was estimated that 64,400 elephants roam the two parks, with 84% on the Tanzanian side. The Selous plays an integral part in protecting this migration pattern. The Selous Rhino Project is currently operating in the reserve and aims to protect breeding herds of black rhino.

The Wild Dog Watch programme also operates in the Ruaha, and a similar programme operates to help monitor and conserve the cheetah population, so by visiting these two parks and participating in these programmes, guests can help conserve the long term future of these fragile animals.

Community

We have suggested Impala Camp for this itinerary. The camp works closely with the local school to ensure that the people of Tanzania see the benefits of tourism, ensuring the long term sustainability of the wildlife. The camp also has some films in Swahili, on environmental and conservation issues which they show to children from the village. Guests at the camp are encouraged to visit the local school and village and many of the guests in camp have helped to fund the development of the village.

In the Ruaha the itinerary takes you to Jongomero Camp. Jongomero Camp is heavily involved in working with the local community, to make sure that the people living near to the Ruaha see the benefits of the tourism. The Jongomero Ruaha Community Project focuses on education of people in the villages near to the park and aims to both improve their lives, and ensure the long term future of the wildlife.