Read 15 traveller reviews of Selinda Camp

Selinda Camp is situated in The Selinda Private Reserve which protects 1,350km² of northern Botswana, including the Selinda Spillway: a vital ancient watercourse (now usually dry) that links the Okavango with the Linyanti. Here you will find the game-rich floodplains and the famous Zibalianja Lagoon.

The camp is partly owned by renowned filmmakers Derek and Beverley Joubert – and their influence can be seen in the gallery of Beverley's photographs; guests can browse through these, and even buy copies if the mood takes them. Selinda Camp is able to organise for these to be shipped anywhere in the world.

The area around Selinda Camp is beautiful and varied - wide dry grasslands dotted with small 'islands' of palm forest cover the area as far as the eye can see. It's a picturesque, open environment and guests can spot game a long way off. It's perfect for following predators like wild dogs on hunting sorties – which we've done in the past when visiting here.

Expert Africa's been visiting Selinda Reserve, and Selinda Camp, for many years now; we first came here in the early 1990s – so it has long been a favourite of ours. In the last few years, we've seen major changes here. The camp has been completely renovated and rebuilt – and is now much, much more luxurious.

Whilst we're sad to see a reasonably-priced camp in Botswana become much more expensive … the guiding and game are still excellent here. On Expert Africa's last visit, in May 2008, we had some great sightings of wild dog relaxing at the edge of the spillway – and jumping up in alarm when a crocodile dashed into the water straight between them!

The main lounge and dining room area of Selinda Camp is now quite vast, with and open feel and panoramic views over the surrounding area. Most of the rooms also have lovely views over the waterway which runs adjacent to the camp. (Read more about the rooms at Selinda Camp here... )

Activities concentrate on morning and evening game drives – water activities are not offered, but short guided walks can be arranged.

We were impressed with our guide Humphrey, who had a great understanding of the area and a lovely manner. He found us the wild dogs!

Unfortunately we were less impressed with Gordon, another of Selinda's guides. His positioning of the vehicle wasn't good, and during one evening drive he drove straight past a gorgeous sundowner spot (ignoring our pleas to stop there), and instead stopped for sun-downers drinks at the top of a distant anthill – where he could get reception for his mobile phone!

In conclusion ... Selinda Camp is a very beautiful camp, in a superb area for game. We felt that the guiding on our recent visit was variable – one great guide and one poor one during our visit – as was the food. That said, it's early days since the camps has been refurbished, and we're optimistic that the guiding and food will improve; we realise that they have a long way to go to match the high cost levels of the camp.

P.S.
About a week after we posted this report, above, the issue of Gordon's guiding, and mobile phone use, was taken up very directly with him by Selinda's managers. They assure us that Selinda is striving for the highest standards, and so we can be sure that nothing like this will ever happen to any guest again.

Click on a link for more details of:
Tented Chalet at Selinda Camp

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 9

Season: Open Year Round

Ideal length of stay: 3 nights – although often it is combined with its sister-camp, Zibalianja.

Central facilities: The main dining and lounge area has been rebuilt in the last few years – it's certainly impressive! Compared to the old lodge, this area at Selinda Camp is now vast in size. It has been constructed from wood and thatch - with a lovely viewing deck and relaxing lounge area, with plenty of comfy sofas. The dining room also forms part of Selinda's main area and has unusual semicircular shaped tables which are pushed together in the evenings to form a large circular dining- table – very sociable! The fire pit area at Selinda Camp remains as it used to be, and breakfast is still served around the fire, before your early morning game drive. Behind the lodge you will find a well-stocked curio shop, and above this a gallery showing Beverley's photographs. Guests can view and purchase these if they like. Selinda Camp also a small circular splash pool, complete with fountain – but it's quite small and was rather green and murky when we last visited!

Geographics

Location: Kwando-Linyanti area, Botswana

Directions: Fly-in and transfer which takes approximately half an hour, or you may arrive by road transfer only if staying at a nearby lodge such as Zibalianja.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Owned by Linyanti Explorations (which is run by Derek and Beverly Joubert and Ian Kharma, the newly inaugurated President of Botswana).

Staff: Camp Managers – Ishmal and Julia Guide: Humphrey and Gordon Chef: Moyoba

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: On our last visit to the camp in May 2008, we found the food to be of a fair standard, although it wasn't at the level that we'd expect given the high cost level of Selinda. Meals follow a usual safari-camp format, with an early breakfast served around the fire before your morning game drive, a brunch on your return, tea and snacks at about 4.00, and a full three-course evening meal at around 8pm (but really depending upon when you return from your game drive). At dinner, you are offered a choice of two main courses, and the camp can cater to vegetarians and any special requests, provided that advance notice is given. On our first night we were offered a choice of either fish or beef fillet, served with potatoes and a selection of vegetables. Our second dinner was a starter of parsnip soup followed by either roast chicken or roast lamb – both of which were unfortunately quite dry, and were accompanied by brown rice and ratatouille vegetables. The dessert was said to be a crème brûlée, but we did not expect the added ingredient of desiccated coconut! We had one brunch during our time spent at Selinda, and this was a selection of fishcakes served with a good selection of salads including a pasta and three bean salad, fresh bread and a cooked breakfast option.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: Room service is not available – this is a safari camp!

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits and a limited selection of (usually) South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

Special interests

Birdwatching: Selinda overlooks a picturesque channel, so a variety of bird species can be viewed from the camp. On our last visit, our bird-list included wattled crane, painted snipe, swamp boubou, brown firefinch, carmine bee-eater, bateleur, eagle owl, ground hornbill, secretary bird, hammerkop, slaty and black egret, rufous-bellied heron, martial and tawny eagle. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Botswana

Photographic: As Selinda Lodge is partly owned by Derek and Beverley Joubert, renowned film-makers and photographers, the emphasis here is on photography. Private vehicles (specially-adapted for photographers) and guides can be organised for very keen photographers. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for photographic in Botswana

Wildlife: As well as the good birding, other notables include honey badger, aardwolf, lion, cheetah, elephant, serval, genet, giraffe and leopard. Wild dogs have also been denning in this area for the last 6 years. Huge migratory herds of elephant can also be seen here towards the end of the dry season (Sept-Oct). - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Botswana

Children

Attitude towards children: Generally children over 12 years are welcome but please take into account the restrictions below.

Age restrictions: Children of 12 years of age and over are accepted. Selinda may accept ages 8-12 if the whole camp is booked out but this must be requested in advance.

Activities: No special activities.

Equipment: No special equipment is provided.

Generally recommended for children: Yes, for children of over 12 years of age.

Notes: Selinda Camp is very open with dangerous wildlife walking through the camp, so children will need constant and close supervision by adults.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact. There is no mobile reception, no direct phone or fax and no email – this is the bush! Radio contact can be made with Maun in the event of an emergency.

TV & radio: No television or radio, this is the bush!

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: All camp managers are first-aid trained and a comprehensive first-aid kit is kept at camp.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Because of the Okavango's large population of dangerous game, and the fact that Selinda Camp is unfenced, guests are escorted to their rooms after dark. Alarms, sirens or whistles are provided in the rooms in case of an emergency.

Fire safety: There are extinguishers on the balconies of all rooms.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included, save for the washing of underwear. Washing powder is provided in the bathrooms for this purpose.

Money: No exchange facilities are offered. There are safe deposit boxes in the rooms.

Accepted payment: Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. Diners and Amex are not. No commission is charged on credit card transactions. Rand, £, $, Euros and Botswana Pula are accepted.

^ Top of page