Sand River Selous

The Selous Game Reserve, at a massive 50,000 kilometres square,

is wilderness on a huge scale - the largest in Africa. And although it's a seemingly infinite place, it has great subtlety. Wildlife encounters are intimate and dreamlike; animals appear and disappear into the bush, leaving you with a deep sense of mystery, like you have centre seats in a great safari eco-theatre. Set on a wide curve of the Rufiji River, Sand Rivers Selous has been a well-loved hub for safari buffs since the late 1980s when camp founder Richard Bonham first discovered this place on one of his famous portered walking safaris. The lodge is both expedition base, and safari retreat; it's small but beautifully formed, with an imposing mess, swimming pool, excellent cooking and careful, at-your-whim service.

 

The accommodation

Accommodation at Sand Rivers Selous is in spacious open-fronted cottages made of stone and thatch, and raised up on the banks of the Rufiji with amazing views out across the river. There are five standard rooms, and two suites, and now we have the new one-bedroom private house - The Rhino House. The suites and the standard rooms all have spacious, open, en-suite bathrooms, with flush toilets and powerful showers. The main mess and dining area is set close to the river, and is a generous space. It's grand yet cosy, the atmosphere is familiar, and the service at-your-whim.There are two Suites at Sand Rivers, and although separate from the standard rooms,

they are within walking distance of the main mess/dining area and large swimming pool. Whilst all meals are eaten in the main mess, the suites have their own private lounge area, and plunge pools set into the main deck.The bedrooms, with large and comfortable beds, are open fronted and the en-suite bathrooms are bush-deluxe. And throughout, the cooling sounds of the river run.

Things to do

It's not what you see, it's how you see it. In the Selous, game viewing takes on a very

different, and exciting pace. Whether its game drives, walking safaris, fishing, boating, or a combination of all of these, it never disappoints, and there is always something thrilling to see.The Rufiji River provides an utterly unique view of life in the Selous. Upstream from the lodge, the river narrows into a deep ravine called Steigler´s Gorge. The steep sides are thick with lush forest, and huge boulders where leopards are often seen, and monkeys leap through the treetops.

Meander your way slowly through this amazing place. Downstream of the lodge the river is wide and expansive with vast tracts of sandy banks, and elephants, giraffe and plenty of crocodiles are often seen at the waters edge. For the more adventurous, fly-camping at Sand Rivers Selous offers the outdoor experience of a lifetime, and is one of the most raved about things to do. Mosquito net tents are set up on sandbanks, or near to a busy waterhole. Simple yet fully equipped, these small camps have comfortable bedrolls to curl up in, a short drop toilet and bucket shower just behind, great food, and ice cold drinks; it's the perfect combination of intrepid adventure and bush comfort.