Location: Selous Game Reserve in Southern Tanzania. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Rufiji River in the northern sector of the reserve. The Selous forms the basis of the largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa, covering 75,000 sq. kilometers of virgin wilderness. It is a unique and untouched habitat bearing many key species and as such has been designated a world heritage site by the United Nations.

Schedule daily from Dar-es-Salaam (through Zanzibar)1430 hours –

US$120.00 per person one way. (please note these rates are subject to change without notice by the Charter Company).

Style:

Stone and thatched with a spacious, open-plan design. Uniquely crafted from local materials to blend into the Selous landscape.

Description:

The Selous offers an interesting mixture of riverine forest, miombo woodland, acacia thicket, palm groves and open grasslands interspersed with steep wooded hills, lakes, marshes and sand rivers. Within a short distance from the lodge are many sites of interest; The Tagallala Hot Springs {which are thought to be the origin of the 1905 Maji Maji rebellion} Frederick Courtney Selous grave and other World War I sites, including trenches and fire-positions. 15 km upstream from the lodge on the Rufiji river is the spectacular Steiglers Gorge.

Accommodation:

Each of the eight cottages is en-suite with double or twin beds and large canopy mosquito nets. An open verandah provides an uninterrupted view of the Rufiji River and it’s wildlife. The sitting and dining room are open plan with stunning views of the river as well as the surrounding hills. Meals are taken together from our Mahogany dining table.

The lodge is run by John Corse and Zara Fisher. John was born and brought up in Kenya, where his family still live. After attaining a degree in Economics in England he spent 6 years as an officer in the British Army, before resigning to return to Africa. Zara was also born in Kenya, since then she has divided her time between East Africa and Europe. She spent the last two years living in Swtizerland catering for a private banker in the Alps and then Geneva. She moved to Tanzania to work on a scuba diving boat, catering and hostessing and as a dive master. John and Zara are supported by an assistant manager/guide Emmanuel and four Tanzanian guides. The lodge staff totals 30 men from all parts of Tanzania, most of whom have worked for Richard Bonham and subsequently for Sand Rivers for many years.

 Activities:

 * Walking Safaris

* Boat trips on the Rufiji River

* Game drives from open vehicles

* Fly-camping {supplement}

Sand Rivers Selous is renowned for it’s walking safaris. An experienced armed guide always accompanies walks. Walks range from less than an hour to several days {with fly-camping}. Game Drives are conducted from specially adapted open Land-Rovers and can include a picnic or bush meal to maximise game viewing all day. Boat trips are taken from motorized aluminium boats which accommodate from 4 to 8 people. These trips are often combined with walking or a variety of longer trips {eg. Steiglers Gorge}.

Fly-camping involves spending a night or more under the stars, having walked, boated or game driven to an exclusive site. Guests sleep in mosquito net tents uniquely designed to provide a view of the night sky. The meals are cooked on site and are of the same high standards as the lodge. An armed guide and a crew consisting of headman, chef and waiter always accompany fly-camps.

Climate & Seasons:

The coolest and driest season is from the end of June to the end of October. This is an excellent time for walking as it is cool and the bush not so dense. The green season in the Selous is from November to May. There is a drier spell from December until February, which is a beautiful time to see the trees and flowers in bloom. This is the very best time to view birds, as almost all of the 450 species that frequent the reserve are there at that time as well as many of the migratory european species.

We always try to be as flexible as possible with itineraries, preferring to suggest activities on a daily basis. Here are simply some suggestions:

Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon. After a shower and orientation take a boat trip downstream from the lodge. Return to the lodge for sundowners.

Day 2: Morning game drive to the Tagallala Hot springs, and a cooked out breakfast Afternoon walk from the lodge for 1 ½ hours, return by car/boat.

Day 3: Morning walk for 3 hours, return to lodge by car or boat. Afternoon game drive

Day 4: Morning boat trip to Steiglers Gorge with a picnic breakfast. Afternoon walk for 1 ½ hours, with sundowners

Day 5: All day game drive with picnic lunch.

Day 6: Morning walk, with lunch at the lodge. Afternoon depart.

Having been to quite a few camps over the years and even once having owned one, I think that this is the best run camp I have ever seen, the architecture is perfect and the wonderful staff’s ability to cater for each individual must be unique in Africa. The kindness and friendliness leave a lasting impression.

- D C. Lausanne September 1998

Exceptionally well run; you really do your best to give each guest exactly what they desire!

We wish it had been longer – a truly professional outfit.

Best African experience yet.

A wonderful combination of being very relaxing but lots to see and do.

Superb place and brilliant team.

$425 per person per night sharing (dropping to $375/night for a four-night stay, and $350/night for a five-night stay)

Fly Camping (minimum of two people required)

$545 per person per night sharing -gross

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