Beho Beho's site was used for a safari camp as early as 1972; one of the first such sites in the Selous. It has a unique location in the park, sitting high on a hill in an area dotted with baobabs. In 2004 it was virtually rebuilt and completely refurbished using a mix of locally sourced materials and some fantastic furniture from Europe. It is now widely regarded as the best lodge in the Selous. It is the only camp within Selous Game Reserve which is set away from the river – in an area with plenty of game and birdlife as well as very few other visitors.
Beho Beho is furnished with a mix of comfortable sofas, Persian rugs from the owners family home and African carvings. It all results in the feel of an eccentric country home – which is all the more reinforced when you notice the family pictures that sit on the sides in the lounge and the bedrooms.
There are only 8 guest rooms here, all of which are stone and thatch 'bandas' with wonderful views across the valley below. These have been designed to feel cozy - reminiscent of home – as well as very comfortable and spacious.
However, leaving these considerable comforts aside, Beho Beho has risen to be one of the top camps in the Selous Game Reserve due to the superb quality of its guiding. Currently led by Spike Williamson and Sean Lues who were elite guide-trainers in Zimbabwe, the team here has a breadth of knowledge that is hard to match. A drive or walk with a guide from Beho Beho is absolutely fascinating.
Beho Beho's activities include 4x4 safari drives, boat trips on Lake Tagalala, and particularly good walking safaris. The activities usually start at 6am when it is lovely and cool, and last as long as your enthusiasm does. It's quite unusual these days to find a camp where the activities are quite so flexible, and can last quite so long!
When we were last there, a full day safari continued right on until the last light of the afternoon – a very civilized bush-brunch kept us going! However usually a walking safari or 4WD would return to the camp in the late morning for brunch or lunch. The second activity of the day would depart at around 4pm, returning after a sundowner drink in the bush.
There are also some nearby historical sites which the team would be happy to take you to see. These include some World War I trenches where you can still find scattered artifacts, the grave of Frederick Courtney Selous - after whom the park is named – and some lovely hot springs set in a patch of riparian woodland where you might fancy a bit of a swim.
In 2006, Beho Beho began doing super-luxurious 'bush nights' – with a small fly-camp set up for just 2–4 guests. Although costly (an additional £183 per person sharing on top of the normal camp rate!), these rate as one of Africa's most exclusive and stylish camping expeditions!
Ideal length of stay: 4 nights - though increasingly travellers are staying here for 5-6 nights!
Central facilities: The central areas at Beho Beho are open sided and spacious, with plenty of sofas to relax in and admire the view. The soft furnishings such as the Persian rugs from the family home of the owner, are full of character and eccentricity, as is the full-size slate-bedded billiards table.
Slightly down the slope, the swimming pool and its sundeck also command a spectacular view across the valley – and you can often spot game from the veranda. There are a few comfortable loungers as well as a small lounge area under thatch which is great for relaxing out of the heat of the day.
Directions: Fly for 35 minutes into the Selous Game Reserve, where you will land at an airstrip right next to Beho Beho.
Alternatively, it is around a 6-hour drive from Dar – depending on the weather and therefore the state of the roads. If you drive in, the camp insists that during your stay you use Beho beho vehicles and guides.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Independent / Owner Run
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: Beho Beho's breakfast is usually fruit, fresh bread and a full cooked breakfast with eggs of your choice. Lunch is served at around 1pm and is a variety of hot and cold dishes such as fresh salads, Swahili dishes and light curries. Dinner is served in a few different locations in the camp and is a 3-course affair.
When we last stayed at Beho Beho, we found the food outstanding and certainly some of the best in the Selous. There was a real variety of cuisine on offer, and it was deliciously prepared.
Though the food is lovely, we found that one of the best things about dining at Beho Beho was the atmosphere. All the guests and the guides would sit around one large table and enjoy a very sociable evening.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: It is part of the ethos of Beho Beho that there is nothing to pay, so all drinks are included here. This is very welcome, and very unusual for any safari camp. This includes all spirits (imported or not) and all liqueurs and all wines.
The wines served are mid-range, good quality wines – often but not always from South Africa. There is no wine list here, but Expert Africa have never had a complaint about the quality of the wines, despite sending many of our most demanding travellers here over the last few years.
Special interests
Solo Travel: Beho Beho is a very sociable camp; it is like visiting a family home. You are warmly welcomed by the team and very well looked after. With group dining and a friendly atmosphere, there is never a lonely moment.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Solo Travel
Honeymoons: The huge rooms at Beho Beho, romantic canopied double beds, and the sheer comfort of the camp make it popular for honeymooners - and that is quite apart from the excellent bushcraft of its team.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Honeymoons
Birdwatching: The Selous is a good park for travellers who are very keen on birdlife. When we were there we saw a fantastic variety of species including the white-fronted bee-eater, beautiful hoopoe and vibrant red bishop.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Birdwatching
Walking: Beho Beho offers walking safaris - with some of the very best professional walking guides in Africa. You wont find a better way to explore the bush on foot; to realy experience and start to understand some it.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Walking
Wildlife: The wildlife around Beho Beho is good throughout the year, with a healthy lion population and sometimes wild dog as well - though as nomadic animals you can never guarantee when they will be in the area. You are also bound to see an abundance of giraffe, wildebeest and the odd buffalo. Heading out with one of the camps excellent guides is a great wildlife experience; a really fascinating education.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife
Children
Attitude towards children: Beho Beho isn't suitable for children under 12 years of age.
Age restrictions: Children need to be over the age of 12 years.
Activities: There are no special services or activities for children at Beho Beho.
Equipment: There is no special equipment for children at Beho Beho.
Generally recommended for children: Yes – older children if they are mature and responsible
Notes: The camp feels that children are very much the responsibility of the parents whilst they are staying at Beho Beho. Parents should also be aware that this camp is not fenced and wildlife can pass through at any time – children cannot be left unaccompanied.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: Since our last visit, the camp has had a good satellite connection installed, which gives it a satellite phones, for use in emergency and a good internet connection. A PC with web access has been installed a 'study' area under the Eagle's Nest for this purpose – so guests can email, surf the net, Skype, download their pics and put them on a CD Rom etc.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio – this is deepest Africa!
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: There is a first aid kit on site for minor illnesses and injuries. For more serious cases Beho Beho has links with the flying-doctor in Dar es Salaam.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There are guards around the camp and at night you will be escorted to and from your room.
Fire safety: There are fire-extinguishers in all of the rooms and communal areas.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Included
Money: There is no currency exchange at Beho Beho.
Accepted payment: As there are never any extras to pay here, you should never usually need to give them any money. That said, if you were to leave anything (like tips) then they would be most pleased with US$ cash or Tanzanian Shillings.
Beho Beho is a must visit!
Beho Beho is simply first class. It is excellently appointed in all respects and the views from its hillltop location are excellent. The lodges are beautifully appointed with excellent furnishing and ...
Beho Beho review
Probably our most memorable overall camp experience anywhere in Africa. The location and facilities are stunning, and the camp succeeds brilliantly in conveying the feeling of being a guest at a house...
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Beho Beho. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Beho Beho homepage Beho Beho's site is mostly pictures, but they give a fair feel forthe camp. Thereare a few good links and downloadablefactsheets.
