ABOUT: NPM-DVD-149 - The Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania is a nature reserve of the superlative and as well as being both the oldest and largest game reserve in Africa it is a world of natural beauty and exotic wildlife. Much of Selous is crossed by the Rufuji River and its tributaries and although the region has a relatively small amount of rainfall each year the Rufuji contains more water than most other rivers in East Africa. Prior to the establishment of the game reserve this area was a paradise for hunters and poachers as is evident by the many hunting trophies that are on show in the Mbega Camp. Specially equipped four wheel drive vehicles are used for travelling across the savannah. Almost all of the Selous Game Reserve's camps offer various tours. However, despite its size and beautiful landscape, compared to many other African nature parks Selous is little known on the tourist trail. For those on safari the river provides many opportunities to observe all kinds of animals as all of the reservation's wildlife depend on water for survival and sometimes the river banks are like a veritable Noah's Ark. Around forty thousand hippopotamuses populate the waters of the Selous Game Reserve that is also a habitat for much bird life. More than four hundred varieties have been counted including some rare species that are almost close to extinction. The Selous Game Reserve is rightly referred to as "a nature reserve of the superlative." It is a world full of natural beauty whose spectacular originality has managed to survive right up to the present day.