Sand Rivers Safari Lodge : Selous Game Reserve : Tanzania

Sand Rivers Safari Lodge photo gallery

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Sand Rivers Safari Lodge

Location

For sheer drama, the Selous Game Reserve is hard to beat. It's home to such a Noah's ark of wildlife that it's been made a World Heritage Site, and this huge reserve, at a massive 50 000 square kilometres, has given over 1000 square kilometres in the north, to wildlife and safaris. It is the second largest protected wilderness area in the world. It also forms part of the Selous - Niassa eco-system, which covers 155 000 square kilometres across southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique.

In the Selous, thick Miombo forests give way to grassy flood plains and skeletons of leadwood trees. The  river, in the northern part, changes course constantly, creating oxbow lakes fringed with palms, and the sand rivers after which the lodge was named. Surrounded by such diverse landscapes, unique to this northern area of the reserve, Sand Rivers lies in close proximity to Steigler's Gorge, Lake Tagalala and the Beho Beho hot springs.

Accommodation and facilities

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 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

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 our 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 hideway home for two, offering total bush bliss, day and night, and the greatest luxury of all, a private piece of the great beyond.

Activities and game viewing

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.

Of course, you might just choose to stay in the lodge itself, and loll by the pool, play games in the mess with an iced cocktail in hand, read books on your own veranda.