Selous River Camp
Border of the Selous Game Reserve Rufiji Tanzania
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Pool & Beach (49)
Dining (39)
About
#6 of 23 Specialty lodging in Selous Game Reserve
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.9
Value
4.8
2019 Winner Bronze - Most Romantic Lodge and Best Value Lodge in Tanzania! Located on the border of the Selous Game Reserve, with dramatic views of the beautiful Rufiji River, Selous River Camp is the highest-reviewed camp in the area and offers a whole range of thrilling safaris. The camp has an magical, friendly atmosphere where you can relax with an ice-cold drink beside the campfire, cool off in the riverbank swimming pool, or take in the stunning view of the sun setting over the river. Spend the night in a cosy traditional (but comfortable!) "Mud hut" room located overlooking the river, or sleep under canvas in a simple glamping tent. Enjoy delicious meals, served in the riverbank restaurant. Set out on safari in the Selous with an experienced guide and discover wildlife from the comfort of a open-sided 4x4 car, explore the river or lakes by boat, or go for a gentle stroll on a walking safari. Get Your Extraordinary! Contact Us To Book Your Safari.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Boating
Fishing
Kids stay free
Highchairs available
Parking garage
Public wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Shallow end in pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Walking tours
Free airport transportation
Free shuttle or taxi services
Airport transportation
Car hire
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Currency exchange
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Umbrella
Laundry service
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Room features
Fireplace
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Seating area
Bottled water
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
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Room types
Landmark view
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Swahili
Location
Full view
Contact
Border of the Selous Game Reserve Rufiji Tanzania
Getting there
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+1
Great hospitality and a perfect location to enjoy Selous Park! We recommend everybody to share part of his time in Tanzania visiting this beautiful angle of paradise. We are a family of 4 and also our kids (18 and 20) had a great time . Have fun!
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Be prepared to stay in a wonderful place, overlooking the Rufiji river and surrounded by nature; monkeys, monitors, numerous species of bird, hippos in the river and sometimes larger animals pay a visit. We stayed six days in October, being the only guests in the Camp, and we loved every single moment of our stay. Even though we were the only guests there was no compromise at all in friendliness, quality of activities or variety in food. Lovely, original-style thatched roof mud houses, nice common dining and bar area with clean pool. Our guide for all safaris, Pogo, was exceptionally knowledgeable, motivated and friendly, we were fully satisfied. The park gates are only 10 minutes away from the lodge, and we found this not to be a disadvantage. Lodges in the camp are way more expensive, and considering all amenities offered at River Camp, and most of all, the exquisite friendliness and attentiveness, I would definitely stay here again next time I'm in Selous.…
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Mud hut 2 had excellent view on the river, with morning hippo sounds
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Camped here for 3 nights. Arrived unexpected after dark to a welcome welcome. Within minutes weach were parked up and the fire for hot water lit. Jimmy manages the place with efficiency, is upfront about prices and makes contact every day to see how things are going and whether he can help. Enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal and the peace by the riverside. The pool was spotless and very welcome. All the staff were friendly, fun and helpfull. Definitely recommended.
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Date of stay: September 2020
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
What a great spot. Wonderfully managed by Jimmy, and his team, where nothing is too much trouble! We stayed in Mudhut 2 and thoroughly enjoyed relaxing on our little condi watching the monkeys crashing around the trees during the day and listening to the hippos at night! The outdoor lounge by the pool (which was just the right temperature) was shaded and comfortable and a small campfire lit at night to add to the riverside ambiance. The food was excellent both in terms of quality and presentation, favourites being the soup in a bread bowl, beef cube skewers (hoping to ask the chef how he got the meat so melt in the mouth) and the chocolate mousse! Happy to recommend:)
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
We had a delightful 5 night stay at Selous River Camp. Jimmy and the staff were all very friendly. As some reviews point out yes there are lizards and insects in the mud huts but you are in bush and there is a net around the bed etc. so the camp does what it can and they never bothered us. The rooms were rustic but very clean. They have solar lights, so no power. But you could charge things at the bar each evening -and there were lots of plugs. The view from our balcony was lovely as was the view from the bar. We thought the food was delicious - Breakfast was a basic selection of fruit and cakes and you could order toast and eggs. Lunch depended on whether you were on safari or not - At camp we had pizza and fish and chips and on safari we had samosas and salad. And dinner was three courses - and we had some delicious mains including wonderful curries!! We never went hungry! The bar was reasonable priced- Beers were $4usd for a large bottle, and cocktails were $5usd and wine was similar and you got popcorn to snack on with your drink in the evening. Free bottled water was always available. Wilfred the barman, and Kenge and Evance always had big smiles on their faces. It was my partners birthday, and we also ended up getting engaged, and Selous River Camp treated us to the most beautiful candle lit dinner - the most special dinner I've ever had. One minor suggestions to make it even more amazing - we found it confusing as to when we would have hot water and when we wouldn't and it took awhile to get the fire started when we asked. Would be great to have the timings etc. written down on the welcome note. But that is just to make it completely perfect! Thanks so much for a wonderful stay, we will remember our stay with you for the rest of our lives.…
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We spent 4 nights in this camp with the boat safari program, 3 games drives and a walking safari. Really remarkable and everything was perfect: from the place alongside the river to the Mudhut passing by the very attentive and friendly staff and excellent local food. For the safaris, our guide named "Anton" was really perfect: very professional and competent, always in a good mood and speaking excellent English. I highly recommend him.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Best views
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from selous_river_camp, Owner at Selous River Camp
Responded Mar 6, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing your recommendation with others here on TripAdvisor! Spending four nights at Selous River Camp certainly gave you the chance to experience everything we have on offer, and it's great to read that you enjoyed the safaris and Anton's guiding, and thought that the location, food, accommodation and friendly staff were all excellent! It's clear that you left Selous River Camp happy, and that's exactly what we want for you, and all of our guests! Many thanks again! Katie and all the team at Selous River Camp
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The camp is nice, cosy in the night with friendly staff and good food but the mud hut we stayed in is very primitive and simple. Maybe what you can expect out in the bush but it was simplier than on the web page. A lot of spiders, creepy insects inside and no furniture at all. You had to put your gear on the muddy floor.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from selous_river_camp, Owner at Selous River Camp
Responded Jan 17, 2020
Dear Petra, Thank you very much for taking the time to write this review of your stay with us. This is our first ever 2 star review since 2008 and I have to be honest and say that it came as a shock because we have so many guests leave who loved their Mudhut. It really, really matters to all of us on the team that our guests love their time at Selous River Camp and I'm so sorry that although you liked the camp, the staff and enjoyed the food, that the Mudhut accommodation wasn't up to your expectations. We didn't stage the Mudhut photos on our website (except for adding in things like a drink/hat/bag to make it look a bit more like how it would be if guests were staying) and the rooms all still have the same furniture as in the photos. We haven't taken any furniture out and the way they are in the photos is how they are in real life. So I'm a bit confused about your comment about it being simpler - we have however taken the thought on board that we could make some more furniture. The insects are a part of being in the bush, but although they're to be expected, we do everything we can to reduce them in the Mudhuts (including netting on the windows, netting around the edge of the thatch roof where it joins the walls, mosquito netting on the beds, brushes along the bottoms of the door, and housekeeping also spray the rooms at least once a day). There are always more insects after we have had some rain, and your stay did coincide with the short rainy season, which will have made them more noticeable. I've asked our camp manager, Jimmy, to have a chat with our housekeeping staff about spraying the rooms more often when it rains. Your comment about the muddy floor was particularly surprising as our housekeeping team sweep and then mop the floor of every room every day. Perhaps the natural colouring of the floor gave you the impression that it was muddy? I wish you had mentioned to our staff during your stay that you weren't happy, so that we could have had the chance to try to make you more comfortable. I'd like to thank you again for taking the time to write, reviews help us to maintain and improve upon the service that we provide. If you have more feedback I would be very interested to hear from you - I've emailed your tour operator now to ask if they can follow up with you and would love to hear from you, please do get in touch. Katie and All The Team at Selous River Camp
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We have spent 4 nights at the Selous River Camp and have loved every minute. Mudhouse we slept in was amazing with beautiful view of the river. Food was good and everybody was very friendly. We did two game safaries, walking safary, river safary and have visited the Mloka village and would recommend all these experiences. In all of them we had an apsolutely wonderful guide, Deo. He was always in good mood and knew everything about animals, trees and people. An experience we recommend! And ask for Deo as your guide.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from selous_river_camp, Owner at Selous River Camp
Responded Jan 17, 2020
Hi Tamara Thank you for this amazing review! It's always wonderful when a guest has enough time that they can experience all of the different activities, and it's great to hear that you enjoyed them all so much! All of our team work very hard to make sure everything runs smoothly and I can only agree about Deo - he is a wonderful guide, and truly passionate about his work! It sounds like you made some amazing memories at Selous River Camp - thank you for sharing your experience with other travellers here on TripAdvisor! Katie and the whole (friendly!) Selous River Camp Team
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We had have a really good stay in January 2020. Lodge is a 5 minutes drive from the gate of the Selous Game Reserve. Mudhuts are spacious and clean. Food is really good. Personal is always very friendly.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from selous_river_camp, Owner at Selous River Camp
Responded Jan 17, 2020
Hi Claudia! Thank you very much for this lovely review of your stay! I'm really happy to hear that you liked your Mudhut, enjoyed the food and company of our friendly staff. It was a pleasure for all of our team hosting you at our beautiful spot on the river bank, and I hope we can welcome you back again one day! Katie and All the Selous River Camp Team
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We enjoyed our (camping) stay at the camp. Pricing ok (5 dollar per person per night). Bringing your own food and, especially drinks, recommendable as prices are quite steep (as elsewhere near or in NPs of Tanzania). Swimming pool quite nice and clean (as were the toilets for a change). Boot trip is nice but if you've seen hippos before, the 45 dollar is a lot for the trip. Park gate is about 15 min away. Lot of animals also at the river camp ( Columbus monkeys, ceveat, veranus, etc.)
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from selous_river_camp, Owner at Selous River Camp
Responded Jan 6, 2020
Hello Damiaanv2017! Thank you very much for sending in this lovely review of your experience camping in your own tent at our campsite! We definitely recommend bringing your own food and drinks if you're camping and on a budget. We can cater for camping guests, but because we have to transport much of the food and drink all the way from civilisation into the bush, it does mean we have to charge more for them ($45 per day for meals, $4 for a pint of beer or $5 for a large glass of wine at current prices) than you'd find in a city. Our housekeeping staff will be happy to hear that you appreciated the clean bathrooms - we know exactly what you mean when you say "for a change" as so many campsite bathrooms in Tanzania are less than ideal! It's great to read that you enjoyed swimming in our riverbank pool, and the short boat safari during your stay. The boat safari of course varies from day-to-day, but in addition to the many hippos (and usually crocodiles, monitor lizards and a range of beautiful and colourful birdlife) it's also possible to see several species of monkey, waterbuck, bushbuck, elephant, buffalo and terrapin. The sunsets are often absolutely stunning as well. If you've been on a boat safari before, then we usually recommend the full day boat safari instead as you would enter the park and have the opportunity to see a wider range of wildlife from the boat. It's always wonderful hearing that guests have enjoyed our resident wildlife, and the colobus monkeys are often popular thanks to their antics up in the trees overhead! The civets and genets in the evenings are also such a pleasure to be able to see. Thank you again for taking the time to write and we hope to enjoy your company again some day! Katie and the whole Selous River Camp Team
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ALSO KNOWN AS
selous river camp hotel selous game reserve
LOCATION
TanzaniaLindi RegionSelous Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Selous River Camp
What are some of the property amenities at Selous River Camp?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Selous River Camp?
Top room amenities include a fireplace, a view of a nearby landmark, and a mosquito net.
What food & drink options are available at Selous River Camp?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Selous River Camp?
Yes, free parking and a parking garage are available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Selous River Camp?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Selous River Camp have airport transportation?
Yes, Selous River Camp offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Selous River Camp?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Swahili.
Does Selous River Camp have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.