Selous Safari Camp is a very plush and luxurious camp, set amongst mixed woodland on the shores of Lake Nzerakera. There are two different communal sections of the camp - North and South, and they use one or both depending on how many guests they have. This is to ensure it never feels crowded or busy. There are 6 rooms in the North Camp and 7 in the South Camp, and both have the same excellent facilities with a similar feel, but slightly different layout.
When we were last at Selous Safari Camp in October 2011 we stayed in the South camp.
The communal bar/lounge area of North Camp is tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished. Large squashy sofas provide perfect areas to relax in the shade after a morning's safari, taking in the view and watching the excellent birdlife which visits the area. A small but well stocked bar is in one corner, and traditional African bao boards are scattered around should you feel like challenging someone to a game!
To the right of this central area is a large shaded swimming pool, which is surrounded by wooden decking with plenty of loungers. Dining usually takes place outside on this decking.
The South Camp is very similar in style, with interesting African art and wooden furniture such as beautiful writing desks. However, the main difference is that the whole of the main area is raised up on stilts - offering lovely views. Dinner is served on a different raised area each evening to add variety. There is another swimming pool here and a separate dining area as well as a small shop selling curios and useful items such as sun-cream. If guests stay in the North Camp they can asked to be driven to the shop in the South Camp.
The bedrooms in both parts of Selous Safari Camp are identical. They're large permanent tents each with a vast bed, stylish ensuite bathrooms and a spacious deck out the back, which is furnished with some comfy seats and a writing desk.
Activities offered at Selous Safari Camp include boat safaris, walking safaris, 4WD safaris and fishing for catfish and tigerfish.
Our view
Selous Safari Camp has a warm, homely feel to it. Rooms and service are of a very high standard without being pretentious,and the excellent service and guiding gives the camp an air of a high quality operation that pays real attention to detail.
Directions: Selous Safari 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
Key personnel
Owner: Property Chain – Selous Safari Company
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality:Breakfast consists of a selection of fresh and dried fruit, cereals, cold meats, yoghurt, muffins and toast. You can also order a cooked breakfast with eggs of your choice plus bacon, sausage, tomato and mushroom. The timings for breakfast are between 7-10am, so that guests can have a flexible start to the day.
A light 2-course lunch is served at 1pm, with fresh salads and breads, followed by a fruit-based dessert. It is perfect for the heat of the day – fresh, tasty and light.
Just before your afternoon activity, at around 3.30, there is afternoon tea which often includes refreshing home-made lemonade and cookies.
Dinner is served at 8pm after a sundowner in the bar and is a 3-course affair. When we last visited in October 2011 we ate chilled tomato soup with condiments for starter, lamb and okra tart with fried risotto balls with cheese and mixed vegetables for main course and amarula and coffee mousse for dessert. All three courses were delicious! Generally, the food is a mix of international cuisine, imaginatively presented and of a high standard.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes – But there are no phones in the rooms so requests have to be made in advance.
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Tea/coffee and filtered water are included but other drinks are extra.
Special interests
Honeymoons: Selous Safari Camp is a small and romantic camp with a lovely setting and luxurious rooms. It is a good option for some indulgence whilst celebrating a special occasion.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for honeymoons in Tanzania
Birdwatching: With a wonderful location right on the river, the bird-watching is great from Selous Safari Camp itself. However head out with one of the knowledgeable guides to see an abundant number of different species. Depending on the time of year, you can spot the European Roller, Hoopoe, African Fish Eagles and Hammerkops amongst others. Around the dining area, there is a bird bath where you may well see masked and sparrow weavers and glossy starlings.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris: The Selous Game Reserve has a good population of wildlife throughout the year. There is always an abundance of giraffe and impala as well as number of lion. The fortunate might see some of the elusive leopard that live in the park as well as the rare wild dog that occasionally move through the area around Selous Safari Camp.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Children
Attitude towards children: Selous Safari Camp are happy to welcome children over the age of 6 years old, however they feel that whilst in camp children are the full responsibility of the parents. A maximum number of 3 children are allowed in camp at the same time.
Age restrictions: Children must be 6 years old. Children must be over 16 years old in order to walk or fly-camp whilst staying at Selous Safari Camp.
Activities: None
Equipment: There is no special equipment, but rooms can be made into triples or quadruples (depending on the size of the room). There are no specific family rooms, but under 12s can sometimes be accommodated in a triple room.
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Notes: Selous Safari Camp is a small place that is happy to have children to visit. Though 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: Solar Power
Communications: For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact. There is however internet available at Selous Safari Camp which costs US$5 for 15 minutes. The camp also has a satellite phone – however this is for camp use and emergencies only.
There is intermittent mobile phone reception, though travellers should note that the use of mobile phones in public areas is not allowed.
TV & radio: There is no TV or radio – this is deepest Africa!
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: There is a first aid kit at Selous Safari Camp for minor injuries and illnesses. For emergencies, the camp has links to the flying doctors in Dar es Salaam which is a 35-minute flight away.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There are around 10 guards on site, as well as Maasai armed with spears and pangas to escort you to and from your room at night. All of the rooms also have whistles, so that if you need help in the night you can call for attention.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in every communal area and room as well as a fire hydrant for the main area. The team also practises fire drills when there are no guests in camp.
Please note the no smoking is allowed on activities, although a suitable spot can be found during a comfort break, if you warn your guide in advance that you may want to smoke.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Laundry is included in the rates at Selous Safari Camp. It is hand washed, sun-dried and ironed with a charcoal iron – so it is not advisable to put any delicates in the wash.
With an all male team and for cultural reasons, ladies need to wash their own underwear. The camp provides washing powder for this.
Money: There is no currency exchange at Selous Safari Camp
Accepted payment: The camp prefers payment for any extras in cash and they accept US$, Tanzanian Shillings, Pounds or Euros.
However they are also able to accept credit card; there is a 5% charge for Visa (the preferred card) Mastercard and Amex. Card details for MasterCard and Amex payments must be given the night before departure.
The camp will also accept travellers' cheques, but not ones from Thomas Cook.
Selous Safari Camp review
Very luxurious camp with excellent cuisine and attentive service that combined a holiday atmosphere with the opportunity to do essentially what you wanted when you wanted - game drive, river trip, esc...
Selous Safari Camp Review
We had a fabulous time here from arrival to departure. Gerald and the team met us at the reception area and gave a comprehensive introduction to the camp, with each member of the team who would be loo...
OK.
We only stayed one night so our opinion may be unreliable. We thought the way the staff were asked to introduce themselves on our arrival was a bit demeaning for them. Some were obviously uncomfortabl...
We want you to understand more about Selous Safari 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 camp This is the camp's hompage, which is worth looking through for more details on Seouls Safari Camp.
