Beho Beho is one of our favourite lodges, and not just for the awesome luxury! It combines all the elements that make a safari experience memorable with sweeping panoramic views into the game rich valley beneath the lodge, exceptional food and some of the best guiding in Tanzania. Made up of 9 permanent stone bandas beautifully furnished, this is an ideal lodge to relax in luxury without compromising your safari experience. Tucked away in a quiet area of the game reserve all on its own and is renowned for its excellent walking Safari.
Owned by the long-established and highly regarded Selous Safari Company, Selous Safari Camp (also known as Siwandu) is located in the north of the Selous Game Reserve, in Southern Tanzania. The camp is located in one of the best areas for game in the whole park. It operates in a non-pretentious and elegant style as a permanent tented camp, tucked among the palm trees on the banks of Lake Nzerakera. We love this place due to its perfect blend of luxury and character and believe it to be the best tented camp in park. It is also a great option for people who are trying to save a little bit more money against the likes of Beho Beho and Sand Rivers. A great option for honeymooners to splash out for a couple of nights!
Roho ya Selous is the most recent offering from the ever-excellent Asilia, and their first foray into the wilds of the Selous. The Camp is set on a hill overlooking the channel between Lake Manze and Lake Nzerakera - in the best game viewing area of the park. Walking, boating and game-driving are on offer with Asilia's brilliant guides. This stylish camp is set to rival Beho Beho and Sand Rivers for the crown of best in the Selous.
Long regarded as one of the best lodges in East Africa, Richard Bonham’s Sand Rivers Selous is well-loved for its classic safari style and great river location. Famous for being one of the finest walking camps in the country and offering an adventurous yet high quality safari experience, Sand Rivers only has one downfall – its high price - which is double other good camps in the park. Leaving that aside however, this camp rightly holds its place as one of the best lodges in the park.
Manze is all about the simplicity of safari and the beauty of being in a safari camp in an absolutely prime location. The lack of electricity is deliberate and subsequently the charm and character is undeniable. For those wanting a luxury safari camp for a honeymoon then Manze is not right, but if safari is what you are after (and maybe budget is somewhat tighter) then this camp offers an experience worthy of some of the best camps….and also, we believe, the best value in the whole country! Not many places in Africa get you this close to game (elephants are always in camp due to the fruit in the Doum palms). Overall, an exceptionally rare little gem….we absolutely love it!
With a sincere feeling of an owner run Lodge, this is a little gem nestled on the Rufiji River bank. The Serena brand now own it and have been very careful to maintain its charm and authenticity whilst also introducing the extra touches of luxury and great service that they are known for.
The Victorian style rooms here offer a luxury tented safari experience at unbelievable value. Being owned by a bigger brand has really worked in this camps favour – allowing them to offer exceptional service, luxury and brilliant safari at a price usually associated with much lesser camps.
Recently purchased and renamed by luxury brand Azura, this lodge is now set to compete with the major players in Selous. The level of accommodation at Azura Selous (previously 'Amara Selous') is no doubt one of the highest in the reserve with plunge pools and air conditioning in every room. The lodge is south-west of the main cluster in an area known as Upper Selous and its location is a bit of a double edged sword. The area was, until 2005, a hunting concession, meaning game is slightly less abundant than around the other lodges. That was a decade ago though now and substantial quanitites of game have returned. The flip side is that you are incredibly unlikely to see another vehicle, making Azura Selous one of the only camps that can offer a total wilderness experience while on game drives.
The camp is well regarded as offering excellent value for money and a great level of service and guiding for the price. If you cannot stretch the budget to one of the more expensive lodges (which for the most part are substantially more expensive!) then this is definitely a good choice and is known as the best place in the Selous for accommodating young children.
Rufiji River Lodge is owned and operated by the prestigious Fox Family, owners of the Ruaha River Lodge, Katavi Wildlife camp and many others. The camp itself is in a lovely location with scenic views of the Rufiji River, but it needs money spent on it. They were going to refurbish it, but have never got round to it, and until it begins to tidy up around the edges, it doesn’t remain as good value as some of it neighbours.