The Rufiji River, with its lagoons, sandbanks and lakes, and the surrounding forests and woodlands that make up the Selous Game Reserve creates a unique and unusual safari environment. The vast area contained within the reserve boundaries accounts for 5% of the land mass of Tanzania

, and yet all options for tourists are high quality, low-impact lodges that provide a high standard of accommodation. The Selous, at 55000km², is the second biggest conservation area in Africa, the largest game reserve on the continent, and a proclaimed world heritage site. To give scale to these figures, the reserve covers an area more than twice that of Denmark, is bigger than Switzerland and is nearly four times the size of the Serengeti.

The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest areas set aside for wildlife preservation anywhere in the world, although only a small northern portion is allocated for photographic tourism. This is an area that naturally appeals to a photographic lens, as the waterways and plains reflect all the changing colors of the sun and attract numerous fine-feathered water birds and raptors.

The spectrum of wildlife here is diverse, all the more interesting because its southern location attracts a unique combination of East and Southern African wildlife, both resident and migratory, and particularly a curious and colorful assortment of over 440 known species of birds.

The intricate waterways and tributaries of the Rufiji River Delta attract a healthy population of elephant, and are packed full of grunting hippopotami and yawning crocodile that lumber ominously into the water at the first sound of a boat. The banks attract different sized herds of plains game depending on the season, as herds disperse after the rains and then regroup when the water sources concentrate and they are forced to venture into the open to drink, so risking predator attacks with the protection of the crowd.

The scenery is pleasantly varied, with unusually green grasses and tangles of vegetation that inspires a film depleting string of photographic moments with each turn in the path. The river routes are characterized by legions of tall Borassus Palms along the banks that grow up to 25m tall, and leave a tall headless totem when the water courses change direction and they become too thirsty to survive.

Perhaps the most sublime way of exploring the reserve is by boat, meandering through channels and swamps, and exploring hidden lagoons where elephant often come to bathe. Angling in the river for tiger fish and the giant catfish (vundu), which can reach up to 50kg, can be an exciting way to pass an evening, keeping a wary eye open for crocodiles, hippo and lion. In the Beho Beho section of the reserve are the hot springs at Maji Moto (said to be the source of the water used in the Maji Maji Rebellion) which are a a great place to soak away the dust and bruises of overland safari travel, but immersing yourself in the waters of nearby Lake Tagalala is forbidden – because of  big crocodiles!