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· Africa · tanzania · Tanzania

Selous Impala Camp

Author: Didzis Rozenbergs0 COMMENTS

The greatest pride of the black continent is its wild nature. National parks and natural preserves of Tanzania are an attempt to make it more accessible to people, in a safe but enjoyable way. Although some tourists go to excess, spending several weeks in travelling from one preserve to another, some two or three days of safari odyssey is more then enough.
Selous Impala Camp offers ones of the most suitable apartments for enjoying wildlife for an independent traveller. Few hours drive to get from the airport to a guest house, located in Selous Game Reserve territory, is not any different from the safaris, planned for the coming days. Foreigners, avid of extreme emotions, under rangers' supervision in open jeeps are going deeper in into jungle. Almost on every step they meet some giraffe, zebra or wild bore that is making futile efforts to hide. Wild dogs, just through with their hunting, gasping and covered with mud, are lying down under some bushes. But lions, spending in a sleep about 20 hours a day, are lounging in the shadow, relaxing from the heat of the day. Being just some 3 meters from the passing by car, they pay just an apathetic glace to it. More difficult is to notice a jaguar or some other of those big cats, as they prefer higher branches of trees.
Africa is amazing and wonderful; however, the food chain and poaching are merciless. You may pass by animals that are eating some other animals. Here and there are scattered some bones or remains of some animal's carcass, surrounded by vultures. Or a giraffe, caught in a poacher's snare by mischief.
From time to time guides are getting in touch with each other, to find out where the most exotic jewels of Africa have been located. But the lunchtime seems like a dream! A lunch table with taken along meal is laid under a baobab, and now one can relax and watch huge hippos and their grunting offsprings, seeking refreshment in the nearby river.

Selous Impala Camp, located at the branch of Rufiji river, is an excellent place not only for safari rides in jeeps but also boat trips. The safari tents built on a half a meter high sturdy platform (8 altogether) seems more like luxury apartments - redwood furniture, mosquito nets covering windows and spacious beds. Electricity, shower, flush toilet, anything, one might wish. Small number of guests ensures individual attention. An often visitor here is some partly tamed elephant, who has grasped an essential fact that fresh fruit and vegetables are delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Without fuss, it patiently waits until it gets what it wants. Unfortunately every morning in the cam starts with manoeuvring through enormous heaps, left by elephants and hippos, not at all complaining for the lack of appetite. But one can get used to almost anything...
In February it gets dark very early here, and a pitchy darkness is a signal for animals to start their night activities. Nothing can be seen, but what kind of sounds are coming from the jungle!
The houses, scattered in the territory of Selous Impala Camp, are linked by sandy paths that in daytime can be used as much as needed. But from the nightfall they are guarded by hiding in the bushes Masai (African ethnic group), dressed in red and armed with spears. Just call out „Masai!", on your way to dinner, and a jungle guard with a little lamp in his hands will emerge from the bush. Asked, what he would do if some wild animal was about to attack, don't be too surprised to hear a reply - run away! The prevailing philosophy here, as in Africa in the whole, is that life of an animal is more valuable then the one of a human.
Rate for an apartment from 250 USD (for one person)

www.adventurecamps.co.tz

USEFUL INFORMATION

- One of the most comfortable ways to choose a guest house and make a booking is by Coastal Aviation company. It provides not only inland flights but serves also as a tourism agency. You may use flights of this company to get to Selous Impala Camp too.

- Trying to see several preserves by a car is sheer madness. That would require months, as there are no highways in savannah.

- Selous Impala Camp does not offer safari at night, as they avoid to scare animals during their hunt, frightening with bright lights.

- There is a constant, rather strong smell of carrion felt at the camp; in the wild it's unavoidable.

- Cuts in electric supply in Tanzania are pretty often, mostly during nights. It does not seem to be much trouble, however, it might cause some discomfort if electric fans stop working before you fall asleep - it is very hot there (average +35°) and humid.

- A simple digital camera is not sufficient for capturing the best sights and making good quality pictures later.

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.coastal.cc
www.tabasamzanzibar.com

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