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. The name means “breeze”, and the camp's position captures the cooling winds. 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. The bandas 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. 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 at Beho Beho a full day safari continued right on until the last light of the afternoon – a very civilized bush-brunch keeping you 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 who was killed in action here – 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 bush 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!
Arriving at Beho Beho, you can be sure of a warm welcome, and a friendly atmosphere which allows you to relax straight away.
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 along 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.
Near the bar, there is an interesting library with old maps and prints, and many historical artifacts found on the nearby World War 1 battlefield.
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, unless you are out on an early activity, when sandwiches will be provided to allow you to make the most of your day.
Lunch is served at around 1pm and is a variety of hot and cold dishes such as fresh salads, Swahili dishes and light curries. On our last visit, lunch included pasta salad, salad nicoise, BBQ ribs, followed by fruit platter.
Dinner is served in a few different locations in the camp and is a 3-course affair. Dishes included lobster bisque, followed by roast lamb, with a variety of interesting vegetable side dishes, and berry meringue for dessert. On another occasion, dinner was by the pool and included melon with parma ham, barbecued kingfish kebabs with peanut sauce as a main, followed by pears poached in red wine
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: Drinks are included at Beho Beho.
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 in Tanzania
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 in Tanzania
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, a bat hawk, crested guinea fowl and vibrant red bishop.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Tanzania
Walking safaris: 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 walking safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris: 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 safaris in Tanzania
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.
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. Two walking guides have had advanced first aid training.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There are guards around the camp and at night you will be escorted to and from your room in the evening.
Fire safety: There are fire-extinguishers in all of the rooms and communal areas. There is an emergency horn in each of the bandas.
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Included, although, as in most camps, underwear is not accepted. Washing powder is supplied in the bathrooms.
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 part with any money. That said, if you were to leave anything (like tips) then they would be most pleased with US$ or Tanzanian Shillings.
repeat trip better than the first
Beho Beho is like our African family. The guides and staff are simply exceptional . We were in Banda 5, the "honeymoon suite" with a spectacular new outdoor bathtub.
Beho Beho lives up to its reputation
We had great expectations of Beho Beho and these were fully met. The Selous combined perfectly with Ruaha, providing different and contrasting scenery and excellent game viewing, while maintaining the...
EPIC!
If there ever was a "once"... this would be it. A once in a lifetime holiday, in a once in a lifetime location, with amazing scenery, wildlife and importantly fantastic characters. Attenti...
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 for the camp. There are a few good links and downloadable factsheets.
