Selous Private Camp is immediately next to its larger sister the Selous Safari Camp and is very similar in style and feel, though a little more exclusive. With only 4 rooms, there are fewer guests using the lounge and pool area and the dining room is also much quieter.
The rooms at the Private Camp are exactly the same as the main camp in size and style. They are also elegant and spacious, with an open-plan bedroom, leading onto a bathroom which has views over the river. The lounge and bar are open-sided and under thatch, whilst dining takes place around the adjacent pool.
Safari activities at Selous Private Camp focus on game drives and boat trips with knowledgeable guides – there are all shared with the visitors staying at Selous Safari Camp.
There are a few walking trails around the camp, though for those wishing to do lots of walking safaris it might be worth considering a few days fly-camping to avoid repetition - the safari guides tend to use only a few regular routes.
When we last visited, walking safaris began at 6:30am, and returned at about 10am – thus avoiding the midday heat. Boat and 4WD safaris started later, at around 08:00 – with breakfast beforehand. The safaris then last until about midday (depending on what you find), when you return to camp in good time for lunch at 1pm.
There's then time to take a siesta or relax for a few hours, before the afternoon safari starts at 4pm. It usually returns to camp around sunset.
Central facilities: Selous Private Camp has a small and intimate lounge and dining area which is open sided and under thatch. There are some large comfortable cream sofas as well as some wooden armchairs with cushions for the seat and back. All of the soft furnishings use natural coloured fabrics, which combined with lots of beautiful carvings give a rustic African feel.
This area then extends to a small open air section where the swimming pool is situated. Around the pool is plenty of shade and some comfortable looking loungers – a perfect place to relax after a morning out on safari.
The guests here are welcome to visit and use the facilities of the main camp, however guests from Selous Safari Camp are not permitted to visit the Private Camp.
Directions: Selous Private Camp can be accessed by fly-in and transfer – the Selous is a 35-minute flight from Dar es Salaam and then the camp is only a 5-minute drive from the airstrip. Alternatively, it is around a 6-hour drive from Dar – depending on the weather and therefore the state of the roads.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: Breakfast consists of fruit, cereals, toast and then eggs of your choice. The timings for breakfast are between 7-10am, so that guests can have a flexible start to the day. Lunch is then served at 1pm and is 3 courses with a light starter, main and desert. Dinner is served at 8pm after a sundowner in the bar and is also a 3-course affair.
Though we did not sample the food at the Private Camp, we did eat at the Selous Safari Camp which uses the same chef for dinner. We would therefore expect the Selous Private Camp to have a mix of tasty international cuisine.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes - however there are no phones in the rooms so this has to be organised in advance.
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Drinks are included
Special interests
Honeymoons: The Selous Private Camp is the smallest and quietest safari lodges in the Selous which makes the service here very personal. It is a relaxing place to spend a few days whilst celebrating a special occasion.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Honeymoons
Birdwatching: The Selous is a wonderful park for those that are interested in seeing a variety of birds. When we were last there we saw a fantastic number of species, including the ground hornbill, hadeda ibis, brown-headed parrot and white-fronted bee-eater.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Birdwatching
Wildlife: Selous is an excellent game reserve with great populations of big game from large herds of elephants and buffalo to lion, leopard and an excellent population of wild dogs. Black rhino are present in very small numbers, but they are rarely seen
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Wildlife
Children
Attitude towards children: The camp are happy to welcome children over the age of 6yrs, however they feel that whilst in camp children are the full responsibility of the parents.
Age restrictions: Children must be 6yrs or over. Children must be over 16yrs in order to walk or fly-camp whilst staying at Selous Private Camp.
Activities: No
Equipment: No
Generally recommended for children: Yes - though they are very much their parents responsibility.
Notes: 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
Communications: For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact. Selous Private Camp has a satellite phone and basic email in the office – however these are for camp use and emergencies only.
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 at Selous Private Camp for minor injuries and illnesses. For emergencies, the camp has links to the flying doctors in Dar es Salaam which is a 35-minute flight away.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There are around guards on site 24hrs a day as well as Maasai armed with spears and pangas to escort you to and from your room at night. All of the rooms also have whistles, so that if you need help in the night you can call for attention.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the communal areas
Extras
Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: Included – though hand washed, sun-dried and ironed with a charcoal iron. It is not advisable to put any delicates in the wash at Selous Private Camp.
Money: There is no currency exchange at Selous Private Camp.
Accepted payment: The camp prefers payment for any extras in cash and they accept US$, Tanzanian Shillings, Pounds or Euros. However they are also able to accept travellers cheques, visa, and matercard. They cannot except American Express.
We want you to understand more about Selous Private Camp. 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.
Homepage for Private Camp See here for more detals of the camp - on the central website of Selous Safari Company.
