Read 8 traveller reviews of Selinda Camp

The Selinda Reserve protects 1,350km² of the Selinda Spillway: a vital ancient watercourse (now often dry) that links the Okavango with the Linyanti. Selinda's team are old hands in Botswana, having run excellent small camps here for years. Their guides are some of Botswana's best: informative, enthusiastic and dedicated.

Wide dry grasslands dotted with small 'islands' of palm forest cover the area around the camps. It's a picturesque, open environment. Often you can spot game a long way off, and 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. We loved it for its excellent guiding, great environment and game … and very reasonable prices.

In the last few years, we've seen major changes here. The guiding, environment and game are just as good – but now the physical buildings of the camp have been completely re-built. It's 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 2007, we were lucky and enjoyed lovely sightings of a pair of female lions with five young cubs – although we were unlucky with the dogs this time!

If you'd like to walk more, then consider a two-or three-night Selinda walking trail - which remains a much simpler, and more elemental experience, than the main camp itself, and is still one of the best waling experiences available in Botswana.

Selinda Camp itself stands on the edge of the Selinda Spillway, in this beautiful area of Botswana's Northern Kalahari. The newly-renovated large and luxurious tented rooms have sliding doors onto large balconies, and quite amazing bathrooms.

Whilst the main living area of the lodge 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. For up-to-date pictures of the camp, check out our slide show on the right of this page.

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

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-camps, Selinda Walking Trails and Zibalianja.

Central facilities: The main lodge has recently been rebuilt in the last few years – it's certainly impressive! Compared to the old lodge, it is 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 this 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 remains as it used to be, and breakfast is usually 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 which was still not quite completed when we last visited. We understand that there will be paintings and photos on display which guests can view and purchase if they like. There is 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

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: The food here on our last visit was excellent – in stark contrast to our previous visit, a few years ago. 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 4.30, and a full 3-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.

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 African jacana, 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

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

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: On Request

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.

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