06-OCT-2009
Selous, in southern Tanzania, is Africa's largest wildlife reserve, although only a small portion is open to tourism. We chose this area for our four day "safari" experience because both land and water based wildlife viewing is possible and it has relatively few visitors.
The camp where we stayed is completely open to wildlife. Massai staff escort guests to their tents, particularly after dark. This regular animal visitor is called Brian by camp personnel.
03-OCT-2009
The land based viewing was done mostly by four wheel drive vehicle, but we were also able to spend a couple of hours on foot accompanied by an armed park ranger.
Impalas were a common sight.
05-OCT-2009
We chose the dry season to visit Selous because it easier to spot the wildlife. This group of wildebeests was in search of water.
06-OCT-2009
This giraffe was feeding from acacia trees.
06-OCT-2009
Although we saw a large number of zebras, their skittish nature meant that we saw them from a distance or got a rear view.
05-OCT-2009
When you are the king of beasts, however, you aren't too afraid of anything -- even if you are still in training.
05-OCT-2009
We came across many other young animals. The baby elephant was about 10 days old when we saw him.
06-OCT-2009
This is the main track to the camp. The camp's 4WD's were able to go off track and we seldom saw other vehicles.
06-OCT-2009
We were privileged to see the animals, such as this warthog, in their natural environment.
06-OCT-2009
We were quite happy, however, to not run across any animals in the process of killing their dinner. We did see vultures circling and cleaning up the carcasses of previous lion feasts.
05-OCT-2009
Some animals can make relatively easy prey when they need to get to water.
06-OCT-2009
These hunting dogs, in a pack, are capable of taking down antelopes.