| "body"> | | | | their entire body off the ground and move at high |
| So what about the rest of the animals in the | | | | speed, many humans fall victim to the crocodile |
| Selous, Africa's biggest game reserve? Other | | | | where settlements are situated on the banks of |
| wildlife it is usually delegated, at best, to a | | | | the river. |
| footnote at the end of a travel guide. Lumped | | | | Snakes are very common in the park but most |
| together as also ran but didn't quite make the | | | | are not poisonous and snakes will avoid humans |
| grade. The safari vehicles focused, searching only | | | | whenever possible and therefore snake bites are |
| for the big five; passing by the other spectacular | | | | extremely rare. Some of the snakes include |
| mammals, birds, reptiles and insects; that are | | | | green and also black mambas, puff adders, |
| fascinating and an essential part of the | | | | spitting cobras and gaboon vipers. Pythons have |
| environment. Big is beautiful is the cry of the | | | | been known to catch and strangle mammals as |
| safari makers. | | | | large as impala and then proceed to swallow them |
| The red colobus monkey, is protected by the | | | | whole. |
| Selous although the territory lays outside the | | | | An unusual way to observe the wildlife is from |
| protected area. Numbers are down to 400 but | | | | the river and lakes. The Rufiji River is along wide |
| the situation is improving and if you ask, in | | | | river and you may be forgiven for thinking here |
| advance, for special permission from the Selous | | | | that the lack of water is not anissue in Africa. In |
| management you will be able to get special | | | | the Beho Beho part of the Selous aluminum boats |
| access to enter this area. An armed ranger will | | | | with outboard motors carry passengers on the |
| escort you into the forested area where the | | | | Lake Tagalala. There is a labyrinth of small |
| monkey can easily be observed. | | | | channels, swamps and minor lakes in this area. |
| Along the Rufiji River and the surrounding lakes | | | | Fishing is allowed, provided a permit is obtained |
| the crocodile is abundant. This is the world's | | | | from your camp. Tiger fish, catfish and squeakers |
| largest reptile and here in the Selous can grow up | | | | are the normal catches. Although every few |
| to five meters long. They live mainly on fish but | | | | years visitor from the sea find themselves |
| will eat small or even large mammals when they | | | | bagged by a very surprised visitor.This last month |
| come to the river to drink. On land they can lift | | | | a visitor managed to catch a bull shark! |