The Selous Niassa wildlife corridor
The corridor is a strip of land in southern Tanzania that connects the Selous with the Niassa Special Reserve in northern Mozambique. The Ruvuma river marks the border between the two countries. Tracking of elephants has shown movements across that border, which is why the two reserves are seen as one landscape.
It is a conservation idea, not a tourist route. You cannot book a safari across the corridor, and travel advice for the Mozambique side is serious. If you want to see this part of the Selous, Selous safari trips start from the Tanzanian side.
Niassa Reserve, corridor and Selous compared
Three places that are easy to mix up.
| Place | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Niassa Special Reserve (Niassa Reserve) | Northern Mozambique | Protected area of about 42,000 km², managed in cooperation with the Mozambican authority ANAC |
| Selous-Niassa corridor | Southern Tanzania, up to the Ruvuma river | Wildlife link of 160–180 km, or up to 200 km by another definition |
| Selous Game Reserve | South-eastern Tanzania | Reserve of 18,020 km² run by TAWA |
The figures use different definitions, so do not combine them into one total. For most readers, the useful summary is: Niassa is a separate reserve in Mozambique, the corridor is the land between, and the Selous is the Tanzanian end.
Safaris in southern Tanzania
Fly-in trips, boat safaris and day trips sold under the Selous name, with live prices and availability.
Selous Niassa wildlife corridor: the elephants
What tracking has shown.
In 2004, elephants fitted with tracking collars showed that single bulls moved across the border between Tanzania and Mozambique. This shows that the two landscapes belong ecologically together. It does not give you a current migration figure or fixed migration dates.
Nobody can promise that elephants will cross at a given time, and there is no current figure for how many elephants use the corridor. For the elephant counts of the wider ecosystem, see Selous elephants.
Mozambique travel advice
Read this before you plan anything near the border.
Niassa
The UK government currently advises against all travel to the Niassa districts of Mecula and Marrupa. It also mentions deadly attacks inside the Niassa Special Reserve. Do not plan a visit there on the strength of this guide.
Cabo Delgado
The same advice carries wide-ranging warnings for Cabo Delgado province, with named exceptions. Read the current text for the exact areas.
The Tanzanian border area
A US travel advisory names a higher risk on the Mozambique border in Mtwara, including the A19 road. That is not a statement about all of Lindi or about the Selous.
No crossing route for visitors
There is no safari route across the corridor for tourists. Keep your safari in Tanzania. The Rufiji side, with boat trips and game drives, is described in the Nyerere National Park guide.
Why the corridor matters
Connection for wildlife, protection for the landscape.
Animals need room to move between protected areas, and a link between two large reserves gives them that. In 2026 UNESCO asked for an urgent mission to review the populations of elephants, rhinos, wild dogs and hippos in the Selous. The World Heritage page explains the status and the threats.
Terms and how to follow the story
Names and next steps.
Niassa Reserve
This is the short name for the Niassa Special Reserve in Mozambique. It has nothing to do with the Tanzanian Selous Game Reserve apart from the shared landscape.
The Ruvuma river
The Ruvuma marks the border in the south, and the corridor in Tanzania runs up to it. It is the natural reference point on every map of the area.
Wildlife in Tanzania
To see the animals of the landscape, plan your trip in the Tanzanian parks. The Nyerere conservation fee in the 2023/24 tariff was $70 for an adult non-East-African visitor in high season (16 May to 14 March). Check the current amount before you book. More on trips from Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
Check again before any plan
Travel advice for Mozambique changes. Read the current text before you plan anything near the border.
Niassa Reserve and the corridor: frequently asked questions
What is the Selous Niassa corridor?
It is a strip of land in southern Tanzania that links the Selous with the Niassa Special Reserve in Mozambique. Its length is about 160–180 km, or up to 200 km by another definition.
How big is the Niassa Reserve?
The Niassa Special Reserve in northern Mozambique covers about 42,000 km². It is a separate protected area and not part of the Tanzanian Selous.
Can I visit the Niassa Reserve?
UK government travel advice currently advises against all travel to the Niassa districts of Mecula and Marrupa and mentions deadly attacks inside the reserve. Read the current advice before any plan.
Do elephants really cross the border?
In 2004, individual collared bulls were recorded moving between Tanzania and Mozambique. There is no current figure and no fixed migration season.
Can I drive from the Selous to Niassa?
There is no safari route across the corridor for visitors, and the travel advice for the Mozambique side is serious. Plan your safari in Tanzania.
Which river marks the border between Tanzania and Mozambique?
The Ruvuma. The corridor in Tanzania runs up to it.