Kiba Point

Kiba Point is by a long way the smallest camp in the Selous Game Reserve.  If you are a family, or a small group of 4-8, then seriously, look no further.  The camp sits on one of the most sublime spots in the Northern Selous, overlooking the Rufiji River as it languidly exits the rocky hills to the east of Steiglers Gorge and flows out onto the wide sandy flood plain, creating an inland delta of sand rivers and lagoons. The lodge is properly intimate with only 4 cottages and is only available for private bookings.

There just aren't many places left where you can still get this degree of exclusivity in such a perfect location. If you have family within the right age range (12 to 18yrs or thereabouts) you could do worse than rob a bank and go hide out there for a good few days. The combination of walking safaris, boating, fishing, flycamping as well as gamedrives in enticingly open vehicles affords the most excellent infusion of raw African wilderness.

At Kiba Point you're given your own private guide and vehicle and you have total exclusivity for all activities and flycamping. Set in an area of complete wilderness, where plenty of game roams around night and day and peace is only broken by the sound of hippos grunting or the bushbaby's screaming. The main lodge is set under a group of large shady trees and is totally open with a large pool running the length of the front. Lots of soft sofas and comfy armchairs, a fantastic library and an extensive bar are all available to hand at any time of day and the service is so efficient, you barely have to lift a finger.

The river is just a few yards away from the main lodge and you can sit and watch the life in the river from the pool, under the shade of a large mahogany tree. Half the size of Sand Rivers (its parent lodge nearby), Kiba Point has just 4 cottages, all made of local materials, with stone from the beho beho hills and huge old leadwoods from around the lake areas, thatching from Mloka the nearby village and pebbles from the valleys behind the lodge.

The approach to each cottage is through a small private garden, the rooms have been designed to ensure as much air flow as possible, which seems to be very effective. A huge bed dominates the room, dressed with a large mosquito net. Blends of browns and creams with splatterings of black and plenty of scatter cushions, rugs and african trinkets, give the rooms a warm, homely but fresh look. The bathrooms are open-air and indoor, so you can take your pick depending on your mood and each room has its own private plunge pool.

Unlike Sand Rivers, Kiba is entirely run by local Tanzanians, although the manager from Sand Rivers will keep a watchful eye from afar and is always on hand if required. The team of staff are some of the most helpful and friendly we've encountered and they all have a great sense of humour. The majority all come from the nearby villages and have lots of local knowledge of the area and can entertain you for hours with many a local tale.