Does anybody know anything about the Utunge block in the Selous? As far as the buffalo, I want to hunt for an old, white faced, worn down horn bull so the spread wouldn't matter. I want to experience the Selous more than hunting for a specific animal. Seeing a lot of different kinds of game is very important. In this area, when do the rains usually start? Thanks for any input.

There's U1, U2, U3 and U4. All are in the north central Selous GR. July = tall grass. Probably too early to hunt even though they do. My estimation: best time for Selous is August 15 to October 15 even though its getting a bit warm in October. Rains start late October to the first part of November. Of course, each year can vary a bit rain timing wise.

Fico Vidale had U1 and U2 for a while but not any longer. I don't know who the operator is there now- these blocks may be in a sublease situation or perhaps held by a local company? U3 was/is Brittingham/TAWICO, a good operator, and they as also had/have the Madaba block adjacent. Luke Samaras has had U4 for years- another good operator.

Thanks Dahav, you are a wealth of information and have been a great help. Now if I can get you in the Nyae Nyae.

Bama,
Are you asking about the block with Lake Utunge at the far North end? I hunted there in Sept. of '16 and the block was listed then as Selous LR3 on the map in camp. Game Trackers Africa had it then. We went late Sept to early Oct. I didn't think the weather was too hot. Nice breeze off the lake and it was certainly cooler than Texas! They still had lots of waterholes to the South, so the buff hadn't begun to congregate around the lake when we were there. Saw lots of buff, though, and I took a good, old white faced gent.
kh

Luke Samaras had the whole of Lake Utunge until some of the SGR blocks got chopped up to give more outfitters a piece of the action and was left with approximately 30% of the west end of the lake.

Currently Luke has LR1, LR2, U4 & MS1

The best time to hunt the Selous as Dahav has already mentioned is the period between mid-August to mid-November and as far as hunting goes, the hotter the better.

Grass burning begins early August and by mid September lush green grass has sprouted most everywhere, attracting game that has been feeding on dry stalks for several months; only the larger waterholes and springs are left and most of the game concentrates in the vicinity of these sources of water.

Buffalo have never been an issue but the quality has dropped over the years. Expect the average hard-bossed bull to fall into the 39" bracket with anything over as a bonus; bagging one over 42" is not as common as it used to be but with time on hand (21 day License) anything is possible.

MS1 (Mswega) produces some Buffalo of class, among other game, again during the right time (Sept/Oct).

Thanks to all who have contributed. AR is still the best place to get information. Thanks again.