Good game, some limited walking in busier area of northern Selous
Guide Price: From: $375 To: $500
Selous Impala Camp is small, fairly basic, but well located little camp in the northern Selous. It's set in a great location for game with easy access to the main river, lakes and channels by boat and some good game rich areas for game drives. However, it is quite close to a number of other camps in this part of the reserve. One of Impala's greatest strengths is probably the fact that it's remained a small camp, which is nearly always a good starting point.
Selous Impala is one of those tented lodges that could easily be eclipsed by some of the bigger names amongst Selous safari lodges. However this would be a real mistake. It’s setting is only rivalled by Sand Rivers in being right on the water and it’s charm and personality is immediately evident as soon as you step on to the huge raised deck that houses the bar, sitting and dining area.
There are different levels and private corners where you can retreat to and very attentive staff are always on hand. The food is superb and the presentation ingenious – Nile Perch filo pie was served in the huge husks of baobab nuts and pudding was fruit pierced on the thorns of an acacia twig with passion fruit custard. Tents are brightly furnished using East African Kitenge material throughout. No sophisticated understatement here, but that may be a welcome relief to those after great game viewing in a prime part of the Selous, but who dont feel the need for yet another boutique lodge.
Accommodation is in huge Meru tents on wooden platforms with six large gauze windows giving you the opportunity to continue bird watching when lying on your bed. Each of the seven tents has a large deck overlooking the river and two tents share a platform, making it ideal for a family. Unlike other camps there is no minimum age so this would be a good choice for a family where one of the children is younger than the ideal 8+. Each tent has a sectioned off dressing area and well fitted bathroom. There is 24 hour electricity in the rooms and floor fans. Dining is on individual tables and the management are attentive but not acting as hosts as they are at SRS and Beho Beho.
As with Selous Safari Camp, which is 12 kms away, there is more safari traffic found in this area, particularly on the River where you're likely to encounter boats from other camps. The trade off is more plentiful game than the relatively more secluded areas around Sand Rivers and Beho Beho, particularly during the dry season as the last of the water in the lakes and smaller rivers provides a precious drinking resource to the increasingly desperate game. Transfers to and from the local Mtemere airstrip are frequently done by boat which is a wonderful way to arrive and depart.
There are not enough adjectives in the English language to do justice to the whole experience. Lake Manze is a remarkable place. You are living amongst nature. You hardly need leave to see wild life up close. We ate under the stars, went fishing in the lake, saw lions kill from no more than 6 m away and shared our camp with Rafiki, the bull elephant.
SK July 2010
Tanzania almost seems a distant memory now but a wonderful one! Everything went very well and to plan, the camping was brilliant.
DT July 2009
Beho Beho Lodge is stunning - the rooms, the views, the attentiveness of the staff, the food. This was luxury. Here we did walking and driving safaris with other couples so there was a friendly spirit among all of the guests. The game was great - we were lucky enough to see wild dogs which is a real safari special. The level of knowledge of the individual guides was outstanding.
H & NH August 2008
8 comfortable double tents on wooden platforms
From: 375 To: 500
Good game, some limited walking in busier area of northern Selous
price includes accommodation, food and tranfers, activities and local drinks. Exludes imported drinks and laundry. laundrytransfers.
Vast remote and wild, the Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and a dramatic contrast to other parks in Tanzania in almost every way. It’s one of Tanzania's lesser known destinations, but offers a grass roots level of experience that few other places can equal. It's also home to an intriguing diversity both in terms of animal life and variety of experience on offer. Read more?
Tanzania safaris rival a safari any other country in Africa in terms of sheer wilderness, formidable landscapes and volume of wildlife. At Natural High, we have travelled all over the country, worked in some of its best Tanzania safari camps and lodges and flown all over as bush pilots so we feel qualified to venture such opinions. Read more?
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Vanessa's 16 years in travel has seen her knowledge develop from sub-Saharan Africa into North Africa, Central and Southern America and the Galapagos. Consequently, she’s a veritable encyclopaedia of travel information and exceptionally cool, calm and collected in the face of the greatest planning demands.
At Natural High, we've had long experience putting together trips in Africa that really work. Whether it's intimate bushcamps in out of the way places, or a private lodge in one of Africa's top-billing wildlife areas, light mobile camping or remote island escapes, we know there is a lot to choose from. We're absolutely confident that we can recommend the right places for you.
