Reviews of Selinda Explorers Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
22 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Selinda Explorers Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa

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"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
Tents are comfortable and again well equipped, though the fans don’t have much effect when temps soar to the mid-30s! Frequent cold showers were very welcome!
Information on the camp is a bit outdated - no more bucket showers and they do take laundry. Plus there are charging points (slow) in the tent but a charging area in the main communal area is better for faster charging of camera batteries, phones etc. Also, wifi in the tents.
Food is delightful – though menus were ‘affected’ by the presence of a Michelin starred chef as one of the guests – who couldn’t resist getting involved in dinner prep in the kitchens (which was a real treat – staff seemed to enjoy his presence too) Again, the ability to order from a choice of main meals (usually meat or fish/vegetarian) was appreciated.
Probably best game viewing of the camps though only marginally – Serval (in daylight!), multiple Lion sightings, Elephants, Wild Dogs, and Leopard plus some good night spotting on drive back to camp – Civet, Spring Hare & a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl devouring a lizard! Another nice touch - only 3 vehicles are allowed at a sighting at any one time – we sense the welfare of animals is taken seriously here.
Sticht proved a diligent and persistent guide in pursuing game and (eventually) birds alike. His knowledge of birds was good but not outstanding - but made up for it by his ability to spot them.
Selinda ais a very chilled camp - you can help yourself to drinks if staff not around. It seemed a very happy camp with lots of laughter in the kitchens. Waiting staff were charming and delightful. There is flexibility on meal timings. And you don’t have to sit communally if that’s your preference.
Overall, a fabulous camp to stay at." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana

Buffalo
1 sighting

Elephant
4 sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
4 sightings

Wild dog
1 sighting

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
1 sighting
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
We travelled there from Lebala by road, again changing vehicles at the "border", which was much better than flying. The Camp has a wonderful location beside the Selinda Spillway. It is small, with only four tents, and has a marvellous atmosphere. We have loved the Linyanti area ever since our first safari in Botswana sixteen years ago; it is wild and open Africa in a nutshell.
Again everything about it was excellent, the tent itself, which now has running water (and so no more bucket showers), the laundry service (which was not there last time and, unusually for Botswana, will take all underwear), the food and the general care and attention. The staff were very friendly, charming and helpful. Once again the Camp was not full. It was explained that October is always a quiet month and that November was going to be busier but it seems that Botswana tourism has not yet fully recovered from the pandemic.
The scenery was varied and very attractive and so was the wildlife. Some of it was very dry and there was a sense that the rains were not far away. They do not use a tracker but our female guide (Oratile, Rati for short) was excellent. There was plenty of plains game and some lovely birds, including a very handsome sub-adult martial eagle.
The highlight was a superb male leopard, who was plainly on the prowl hoping to find some prey. We followed him for quite a while but he was out of luck and in the end just lay down to rest and, like any cat, pretended he really didn't care." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Cheetah
1 sighting

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Selinda Explorers Camp on the Spillway"
The atmosphere at Selinda Explorers was delightful and we appreciated the camp’s friendly staff. Lovely position on the scenic Selinda Spillway.
One morning on our drive out we were treated to Spotted Hyena frolicking in the water, bathed in orange light. We also saw a male Cheetah a male Leopard and four of a coalition of male Lions. Parks was a great guide and we were able to watch Lionesses hunting too. After dark we were very fortunate to see a pack of Wild Dogs on a kill, with puppies present.
It would be remiss not to comment on the delicious lunches prepared for us by Chef Mike. He and Chantal were very attentive to dietary requirements." See all these reviews: 19n in Botswana

Buffalo
1 sighting

Cheetah
1 sighting

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wild dog
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
Selinda Explorers is a charming small tented camp where service is all and it is like stepping back in time and being at one with nature. Once again the guiding was excellent and Parks our guide deserves a special mention.
The food was excellent and the surprise outdoor lunch on our last day in the most beautiful of settings was outstanding." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
Multiple sightings

Sable antelope
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wild dog
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
Food very good indeed.
We liked the fact that breakfast is taken out on the morning drive to be eaten somewhere special in the bush. This meant we didn't have to come back to camp until 1130/12 depending on sightings.
We had 6 lions walk through camp one morning - a really special sighting.
Tents very comfortable. We were fortunate in having our guide to ourselves for our whole stay. This enabled us to choose our own itinerary ,sit and watch birds at waterholes for unlimited time.
We had a very special bush breakfast cooked by Otti the head chef - memories are made of this. Loved flying in and out of the camp - the scenery from the air is magnificent. You realise how vast the wilderness.
We really hope to return again and see the area at a different time of year, when more of the Spillway is full." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana

Elephant
5 sightings

Giraffe
5 sightings

Hippo
3 sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Spotted Hyena
1 sighting

Wild dog
2 sightings

Wildebeest
6 sightings

Zebra
4 sightings
"A hint of colonial north african charm"
We couldn't fault this camp; we felt at home from the moment we arrived and didn't want to leave. Our guide Tips was so knowledgeable and a we felt very lucky to have spent our time with him. His skill in tracking a pair of cheetahs on a kill were exceptional and something we didn't expect to see.
We can't rate this camp or the overall experience highly enough." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe

Buffalo
Multiple sightings

Cheetah
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
Multiple sightings

Sable antelope
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

Wild dog
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
Because the area was very dry, we were not offered any water activities but game viewing was very good.
Our guide, Oats is really knowledgeable. It was so good to listen to his talk about animal's behavior.
Staff were very friendly. Food was very good. Bush lunch and special Botswana style dinner were memorable experiences.
We love sociable atmosphere of this camp." See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Hippo
Multiple sightings

Leopard
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"selinda explorers"
He showed us masses of wild life, wild dogs every day, lions, elephant, zebra, buffalo, hyena all on a back drop of rivers and grasses, sunsets and trees. The environment is beautiful, huge! Photographing elephants and zebra in long yellow grass, young leopards stalking and wild dogs hunting is a photographers heaven.
We shared our experience with nice company, the chef provides such variety and choice it is amazing, and delicious and plentiful. We were on our own the last night in camp and the camp staff organised a candle lit dinner, outside our tent, for a special end to our safari. If you are looking for a bush experience that isn't drop loos and bucket showers, but totally authentic then this is for you.
We are already trying to work out when can we go back….." See all these reviews: 17n in Botswana
"Great camp to end our Botswana safari"
Again, great staff, good food, outstanding guides, wonderful safari/game viewing experiences and we really enjoyed the canoe trips and extended walking safari's." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 4n in Rwanda

Buffalo
8 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
10 sightings

Hippo
8 sightings

Lion
6 sightings

Roan antelope
1 sighting

Spotted Hyena
3 sightings

Wildebeest
10 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Couldn't walk but did enjoy"
It is beautiful - very much a luxury antique camp. The service goes with the setting and is faultless! The food is good, but (and this a very personal view) I'd stop trying so hard - don't try to replicate restaurant food.
I'm rating the rooms 'good' because the lack of a drop-down mosquito net over the bed did result in picking up some bites as we slept. The tent is simply too big to effectively keep bugs out with zip doors (there can be access somewhere you cannot see) and I had insects as large as cicadas inside despite careful control on the zips! I don't think a net over the bed would be out of keeping with the ethos, so I recommended this as an option.
The location is miles from anywhere. For me that is an attraction - if you want easy access and wifi, this is not a camp for you! The facilities include hot water in the old fashioned manner for morning ablutions, but there is an 'always on' shower (alas, bucket showers are rare commodities nowadays).
The game drives were a 50/50 for us. On the one hand, I saw a pangolin!!! This was amazing. Our guide was excellent and we really enjoyed the drives. However, there is a habit here of all vehicles going to the 'sight of the day'. I know this gave us the pangolin (so hard to complain), but the tracking experience and thrill of finding things is rather lost. Even in so large a concession, we were all going to the same places. Next time I would unhook from the 'Let's go see...' group-think.
I wish we had been able to walk because I think that would change the experience significantly." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana
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