Reviews of Selinda Explorers Camp

"This was our favourite camp on our whole trip. The tent and the bathroom were huge and beautifully set up, with loads of space to unpack and spread out, and the details inside were really well thought through - they provide big binoculars, a torch (flashlight) for night drives, a walkie-talkie to reach staff, two proper wardrobes, fluffy dressing gowns, a coffee/tea station in the room, and the best camera/device charging set-up that we saw. Our tent was the one on the end (#4) so we were miles from the other guests and it felt really private; we also had our own private hammock for siesta time, which just caught a bit (but not too much) of the early afternoon sun and was absolute bliss. The firepit and dining area is gorgeous and having our dinner under the chandelier hung off the big tree was magical. Also a special mention of Olly the housekeeper and her telepathic laundry abilities, what a star.

We were brought tea and coffee at the wake-up call, and also given travel mugs with hot drinks at the start of the morning drive, which went a long way to keeping the early chill at bay. Breakfast we usually had in the Land Cruiser in the field, and was a very civilised affair with fried eggs, pastries, yoghurt, fruit, and the lovely smoothies (or 'smooth' as our guide called them). The food at Selinda Explorers was generally to the highest standard on our trip - a trip of very high standards (!) - and generally the lightest also, with lots of salads and fresh fruit and veg - a welcome change after stuffing our faces at the previous two camps. They also featured some Botswana food like seswaa and papa, which was all absolutely delicious and it was nice to try the local stuff. Chef Mike - a special thank you.

It's a small camp so there aren't many guests and it feels very special indeed. The camp is unfenced and we had 7 hyenas visit us at the firepit one evening, including one curious one that came right up to the seating area... totally amazing. Elephants paid our tent a visit also.

We were just the two of us in our jeep for the whole stay, and our guide Stanley (Dr Livingstone, I presume?) was fantastic. He has 24 years experience and it really showed. We had sundowners with hippos and elephants, followed a leopard as she hunted, saw a pair of big male lions, the list is endless. Stanley took us on a walking safari one morning also, where we followed hyena tracks and found their den. We returned in the evening - armed with gin and tonics - and waited for the sun to go down, our patience rewarded with a sighting of two adult hyena and two pups no more than a month old. It was our final game drive of the trip and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect send-off." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"It is very hard to fault Selinda Explorers camp. Everything about the room was of extremely high quality and all comforts had been thought of.
Our guide Rati was a mine of information, charming and clearly very experienced. She looked after us very well and we will never forget our race across the bush to catch up with the wild dogs! We particularly enjoyed having our breakfasts out in the bush around 9/9.30am rather than the hurried breakfasts around the firepits at 6am which we had at the other camps.
Selinda Explorers seemed to be more flexible with meal times which allowed a more relaxed game drive experience.
The food in camp was absolutely first class and all the staff were welcoming and very friendly." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana

"Camp felt more remote than the others and provided a very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Wildlife was harder to spot than in Duba but one of the highlights of our trip was spending a morning with a leopard and her two cubs.

Food was amazing and the staff superb." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 6n in South Africa; 2n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia

"My first of four GP camps on this tour!Arrived late afternoon for 4 nights.

My guide was Rati.Some great sightings in the Selinda concession.Viewed a pride of lions with cubs. Two sub adult males.

Selinda spillway was dry as floods not reached that far at this time.

Food was excellent with tasting menu for dinner. Lots of elephants viewed on east day. Ostrich's, Large male leopard, Spring hare spotted on night drive. Had a nice Brai BBQ for dinner.

Viewed another pride of Lions females with cubs, Roan antelopes.When leaving camp for flight out tracked a cheetah near the airstrip." See all these reviews: 15n in Botswana

"With James (Mr. 007), we had one of the best safari guides ever.

He was highly committed, stayed out with us beyond the normal hours, always ensured the best angle for photos, kept us engaged in the tracking and also taught us a few words in Setswana. Ke a leboga for an excellent safari experience." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana

"This camp is perfect - absolutely encapsulating the spirit of safari in the bush and exactly the type of camp we enjoy staying at. It was simple and rustic but extremely comfortable, with a Moroccan bedouin feel set around a large termite mound overlooking part of the Selinda spillway.

The channel was still flowing when we were there so there was a variety of wildlife using it close to camp. Only five 'tents' including a family tent and ours was private and extremely spacious and well appointed, with thoughtful touches including Leica binos to borrow, tea station, fan, good wifi and charging points and a spacious bathroom. Tents have a colonial explorers feel to them with rugs and dark wood furniture, the bed is very comfortable.

Food and drink was excellent. You are woken with tea in your tent, breakfast out on the morning drive (loved the homemade granola), and very fresh varied ingredients for lunch and dinner. We had some lovely private dinners and I was really spoilt for my birthday. The staff were relaxed and informal and very friendly and professional. Nothing was too much trouble.

Beautiful small swimming pool overlooking the channel.

Our guide was excellent, a great tracker, interesting, funny and very knowledgeable. We did a canoe trip which was a bit of a challenge due to the low water level and a walk, which was interesting but a bit short (it was very hot). We had some superb sightings.

We loved this camp and would stay there again in a heartbeat!" See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana

"This camp was nice being on ground level, and had a very traditional camp feel.

The staff were friendly and the food was the highlight of the whole trip. Lots of fresh vegetable and salads and good quality meat/fish, lots of variety.

The guide was a women which was nice to see and was very knowledgeable, she was very good at tracking animals. We saw lots of animals and birds.

The room was a luxury tent and got very hot in the afternoon.

Would highly recommend this camp." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"Another superb experience at this camp - again from the off. We had a charming welcome from managers Tseppo & Chantal (?).

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

"My wife and I had been to Selinda Explorers before, some four years ago. We had enjoyed it so much we wanted to make a return visit. It was well worth it.

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

"Not as luxurious as Selinda Camp has now become, but nonetheless really good.

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