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Amazon Lodges
Amazon Lodges
I had always been told that if you wanted to see wildlife do not go to the Amazon. That the jungle was so dense that you could never see the wildlife and that the wildlife was mostly nocturnal. Well, I recently decided to...
"Chocolate, Cowbells & Cable Cars" July 2005 Switzerland & the Itailian Lakes
Planes, trains, motorcoaches, boats, cable cars, gondolas, lake steamer, funicular, cog wheel train and ferry were our modes of transport. We were 62 singles with 124 bags with Adventures For Singles (www.adventuresforsingles.com) who came, who...
Fall Foliage Scenic Drive – Lakes and Leaves Maine
Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the nation, containing over 17 million acres of natural beauty, hikes, and magnificent summer and fall foliage scenic drives.
This scenic drive is through Maine backcountry. A rugged...
New Places to Live and Retire Around the World
Places to Live in the World: Emerging Alternatives From Canada to Europe, Africa to Asia, it's time for a fresh look
By Phillip Townsend The advent of fast Internet communication and inexpensive air travel makes it easier to turn any...
Parador of Cangas De Onis
The 5-star Parador at Cangas De Onis presents a wonderful opportunity to combine extraordinary natural surroundings and a unique cultural experience while staying in a historically significant and aesthetically beautiful hotel.
The Cangas De...
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The Selous And The Rest Of The Animals
So what about the rest of the animals in the Selous, Africa’s biggest game reserve? Other wildlife it is usually delegated, at best, to a footnote at the end of a travel guide. Lumped together as also ran but didn’t quite make the grade. The safari vehicles focused, searching only for the big five; passing by the other spectacular mammals, birds, reptiles and insects; that are fascinating and an essential part of the environment. Big is beautiful is the cry of the safari makers.
The red colobus monkey, is protected by the Selous although the territory lays outside the protected area. Numbers are down to 400 but the situation is improving and if you ask, in advance, for special permission from the Selous management you will be able to get special access to enter this area. An armed ranger will escort you into the forested area where the monkey can easily be observed.
Along the Rufiji River and the surrounding lakes the crocodile is abundant. This is the world’s largest reptile and here in the Selous can grow up to five meters long. They live mainly on fish but will eat small or even large mammals when they come to the river to drink. On land they can lift their entire body off the ground and move at high speed, many humans fall victim to the crocodile where settlements are situated on the banks of the river.
Snakes are very common in the park but most are not poisonous and snakes will avoid humans whenever possible and therefore snake bites are extremely rare. Some of the snakes include green and also black mambas, puff adders, spitting cobras and gaboon vipers. Pythons have been known to catch and
strangle mammals as large as impala and then proceed to swallow them whole.
An unusual way to observe the wildlife is from the river and lakes. The Rufiji River is along wide river and you may be forgiven for thinking here that the lack of water is not an issue in Africa. In the Beho Beho part of the Selous aluminum boats with outboard motors carry passengers on the Lake Tagalala. There is a labyrinth of small channels, swamps and minor lakes in this area. Fishing is allowed, provided a permit is obtained from your camp. Tiger fish, catfish and squeakers are the normal catches. Although every few years visitor from the sea find themselves bagged by a very surprised visitor.This last month a visitor managed to catch a bull shark!
The Selous is a huge reserve and an alternative to the over visited Serengeti. Now with park fees doubling for the Serengeti because the tourist wanting to visit are becoming unsustainable the Selous is the place to visit to get away from the crowds and for a truly out of Africa experience.
About the Author: For a more comprehensive guide to Tanzania and the Selous Game Reserve contact us http://www.betheladventure.co.uk or http://www.aardvark-expeditions.com Using responsible tourism to change lives.
Source: www.isnare.com
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