Set on a wide curve of the mighty Rufiji River, Sand Rivers Selous was originally built by Richard Bonham in 1984 who used this area of the Selous for his famous portered walking safaris, when the area was all but unknown.
The lodge is intimate and beautifully formed, with a magnificent lounge, swimming pool, excellent cooking and personal service. It's guides are available to take you out for daily adventures; boating on the Rufiji, weaving past hippopotamus and crocodile; driving on the trail of lion or wild dog; an elephant bush walk; a night sleeping out under the stars, or fishing in solitude, barefoot on a river rock.
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, two suites, and a Private one-bedroom Rhino House.
The suites and the standard rooms all have spacious, open, en-suite bathrooms, with flush toilets and powerful showers. The lounge 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 lounge / dining area and large swimming pool. Whilst all meals are eaten in the main area, 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. The two Suites expand the space and luxury for the happy hippo in all of us, with big sofas and plunge pools for constant wallowing.
The
Rhino House is a new private and exclusive one-bedroom 'house', located near to
the main lodge. Its the perfect private hideaway; meals are served in your own
dining area, and you have your own small pool for an afternoon of chilling out,
with the fully stocked bar close by. The bedroom is deeply romantic, and
has a wide open front looking down over the river and open woodlands. Its
perched up on a hillside, providing the ultimate view. It's a hide-away home for
two, offering total bush bliss, day and night, and the greatest luxury of all, a
private piece of the great beyond. As well as this you, have your own
private car and guide to take you out for game drives when you wish.
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 and giraffe 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.
Kiba Point is the fabulous new base for your private Selous safari with family or friends. This small camp is booked on a totally exclusive basis only, including all game drives, walking safaris, boating, birding and fishing trips. It offers the chance to commune only with nature; you won’t meet another soul beyond the friends or family you’ve brought with you, and your private lodge staff.
Four big, airy cottages, made of stone and thatch, are raised up on platforms above the river line. The interiors are cool and elegant; huge beds with softly draped mosquito nets, planters chairs and sun-beds for chilling out. The bathrooms are spacious and open; with hot and cold running water, flush toilets, and an indoor and outdoor 'rock' shower. There are plunge pools for every room and a large swimming pool at the main area. The lounge/dining area spoils you with plump sofas, a library of books, your own bar, and lots of space to make your own. The food is fantastic, and the drinks are always cold. Though it may be hard to drag yourself away from this intensely beautiful arena, by way of gentle persuasion you’ll have your own safari guide and four wheel drives and boats at your disposal to disappear at will on game drives, expeditions up the river, barefoot fishing. That's if you even want to leave this private paradise, it very quickly becomes your bush home away from home.
