What is it like being a guide in the Selous Game Reserve?

Joseph spills the beans...

Joseph
Joseph
Published on
02 Aug 2018
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Joseph Kayoka Azura Selous Game Reserve

Azura Selous is unfenced, can you tell us what that means?

Without a fence, or physical barrier, the animals are free to roam and create their own pathways through the bush.

For example, our resident hippos have created a ‘hippo highway’ between our camp and the river. That means our guests can observe the natural behaviour of a variety of nocturnal and diurnal animals without even leaving the camp.

Azura Selous Hippo
A hippo lurks in the long grass
Azura Selous Lounge Lower Deck View To River
Deck view at Azura Selous Game Reserve

What are the benefits of being in an unfenced reserve?

The biggest benefit to our guests is that in an unfenced reserve, the animals are not forced to change their natural patterns of behaviour. With more room to roam, they remain wild and don’t come into conflict with humans or look for ways to avoid them.

A safari at Azura Selous Game Reserve is the closest you’ll ever come to experiencing what the first explorers to this area would have encountered over 200 years ago – a vast wilderness of exceptional natural beauty, populated with wild animals.

Azura Selous Walking Safari With Guide
Walking safari in the Selous Game Reserve

What wildlife do guests regularly see at Azura Selous?

We’re fortunate to be located on the banks of the Great Ruaha River and our resident hippos are a real feature of the camp. We also have packs of African wild dogs that den close to the camp and produce the most adorable pups every year. Recently, we’ve had an abundance of leopard sightings which has delighted our guests and resulted in some once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunities.

There are also prides of lions, herds of elephants, towers of giraffe and an abundance of plains game such as kudu, impala and buffalo to see here in the Selous.

Azura Selous Elephant In Front Of A Villa
Wildlife viewing right from the lodge
Azura Selous Wild Dogs On Game Drive
Wild dogs are often spotted here

Are there any experiences that are unique to Azura Selous?

At Azura Selous Game Reserve there are no fixed schedules which means guests can set their own pace. You can do morning and afternoon game drives, half-day game drives and even full-day game drives – it’s entirely up to you.

Besides game drives we also offer boating and walking safaris which let our guests experience different aspects of the bush. On the boat, you can get closer to animals such as hippos and crocodiles, while walking through the bush with a trained guide will give you the opportunity to meet the ‘little five’. Whether you’re an experienced angler, or you’ve never held a fishing rod before, fishing on the banks of the great Ruaha River is lots of fun and a must-do activity for young and old.

Your butler-host not only looks after you during your stay with us, he’s also responsible for setting up your dinner in a different location every night – this is a key part of the whole Azura experience.

Azura Selous Sundowner
Sundowner time

What has been your most memorable animal encounter whilst working here?

It has to be the morning I took a family out on a morning game drive. When I noticed it was getting warmer, and the children had settled down, I knew it was a good time to set up for breakfast in the bush.

I chose a spot with a great view of the river and large shady tree. Before I laid the table, I checked the nearby bush to ensure there were no dangerous animals about. But, as I returned to my guests who were waiting at the vehicle, I spotted a large male leopard lounging in the very tree I thought would provide good shade for our guests.

A ranger never panics, so I calmly made my way back to the Land Rover and asked my guests to get back in the vehicle. Once they were safe I pointed out the leopard to them. They were thrilled with the sighting – even more so when the leopard came down from the tree practically asking us to take his picture.

It’s an encounter I will never forget.

Azura Selous Game Reserve Leopard In A Tree
Leopard resting in a tree
Bush Breakfast At Azura Selous Game Reserve
Bush breakfast

What is your favourite animal?

I’m a real fan of the feisty honey badger. They’re not only tough, they’re smart too and even use tools such as sticks and stones to get what they want.

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Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

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Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

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We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

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Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

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AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

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Stodge

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It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024