The Selous National Reserve, Tanzania
The largest wildlife reserve in Africa: one of the most unique East African Safari destinations
Set amidst dense indigenous forests, on the eastern bank of the Simbazi River, which is a tributary of the Rufiji, the Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge is the ultimate wilderness retreat. Twelve widely spaced tents stand on the river bank, each with a natural thatch roof, elegant Victorian-styled bathroom, private viewing deck and plunge pool. Luxuriously presented, each tent features an engaging mix of canvas walls, crystal chandeliers, opulent rugs and elegant rosewood furniture.
Overlooking the river, the charming central dining room, lounge, library and bar each have their own spacious timber and thatched chalets, which are interconnected by broad wooden walkways offering excellent views of the hippos and elephants of the riverbank. High on the river bank is a spectacular ‘infinity' pool and sundeck; also an exclusive aromatherapy spa, where a wide range of entirely natural massages, scrubs and body wraps are offered.
Facilities at Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge
Just twelve luxury tents with elegant ensuite bathrooms (with Victorian tub, shower, WC hot and cold running water and electricity).
Each with:
• Private sundeck and plunge pool
• Central dining room with magnificent views
• Safari bar with river view
• Library and lounge
• Aromatherapy Spa
• Infinity pool and sundeck
• Bush breakfasts and sundowners daily
• Wedding planning and honeymoon venue
• Gift shop, business centre, WiFi
• Extensive selection of sports and activities
The Selous National Reserve
The spectacular Selous Reserve, a World Heritage Site and the largest expanse of game reserve in Africa, covers a massive 55,000 square kilometres of rolling savannah. About four times the size of Serengeti and larger than Switzerland, this East African Safari destination is home to the largest concentration of elephants in the world. The Selous is named after Frederick Courtenay Selous, naturalist, conservationist and hunter, who was killed in World War 1 in the Beho region of the Selous.
Despite its abundant array of hippo, buffalo, crocodile, lion and rhino, this magnificent East African Safari reserve remains virtually untouched by man. Irrigated by the meandering network of lakes and tributaries that make up the Rufiji River, the Selous also offers some unique boating safaris. One of Tanzania's most glorious East African Safari destinations, the Selous is renowned for its bird-watching, game drive opportunities, Tanzania safari lodges and wide range of East African Safari wildlife and ornithology.
East African safari location: Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge
The luxury Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge stands at the heart of the Selous National Reserve. The reserve lies in south-east Tanzania, south of Mikumi National Park.
By air: the flight takes around 45 minutes from Dar es Salaam International Airport. A meet and greet service is offered from Stiegler's Airstrip, which is just a half-hour's game drive away from the lodge.
By road: the reserve is 145km from Dar es Salaam via the Kibiti-Mkongo road (which is only partially surfaced), a usual journey of 7-8 hours to the tented camp. The reserve is 350km from Dar es Salaam via the Morogoro-Matombo-Kisaki road, which enters the northern section of the reserve (4WD required): a usual journey of 8-9 hours to the Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge.
Tanzania luxury tented camp safari
One of the last untouched gems of Tanzania's reserves, the Selous offers a unique opportunity to see Africa the way the early East Africa Safari explorers found it - pristine, alive with game, empty of tourists and utterly awe inspiring. By virtue of its immense size, the Selous protects vast numbers of animals: it contains the largest buffalo concentration in Africa (more than 110,000) and over half of Tanzania's elephants (57,000).
Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge luxury Safari: East Africa safari wildlife highlights:
This East African Safari reserve offers most representatives of East African safari wildlife, including 200,000 buffalo, 57,000 African elephant, 100,000 impala, 80,000 wildebeest and the country's largest populations of crocodile and hippopotamus. 440 species of birds have been recorded.
When to visit this East African Safari tented camp
The best time to visit Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge is in July-October. The East African Safari camps and lodges are often closed in this East African Safari reserve at the peak of the Tanzania wet season from Easter-June, when the rains render many of the roads impassable.
Accommodation: Tanzania luxury tented camp safari
The river lodge offers just 12 exclusive tents. Widely spaced amongst the indigenous forest, each is presented on a stone terrace and sheltered by a timber and thatch roof. To the rear of the tent is the en-suite bathroom, which features a Victorian claw-foot bath, shower and WC. Each tent is tastefully furnished with luxury double or twin beds, polished rosewood furniture, opulent rugs and crystal chandeliers. Each tent also enjoys its own extensive private sun-deck, loungers, plunge-pool and river views.
Room facilities include:
• Luxury tented bedroom with ensuite bathroom
• Laundry, valet and shoeshine services
• Mineral water and toiletries
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Snacks and drinks room service
• Safe and hairdryers (from reception)
• 24-hour medical service
• Children's meals, beds, babysitting
Tanzania luxury tented camp safari: dining and bars
Slightly raised on timber decks above the river, the open-sided dining room offers a selection of exclusive seating areas, an elegant library, a charming lounge and a safari bar. All overlook the river with uninterrupted views of the hippos, elephants and crocodiles that congregate on its banks.
Bush dining
We are expert in arranging breakfasts, lunches, dinners and cocktails in the bush. We have a number of dedicated sites, which are typically presented with tables, safari chairs, ‘bush bar' and a ‘bush kitchen', where a broad range of meats, poultry, fish and vegetables are cooked on-site (supplemented by fresh soups, salads and puddings from our hotel kitchens). In the evenings, ‘sun-downer' cocktails are traditionally served around a campfire and can be followed by a lamp-lit ‘bush dinner'.
Conference and event facilities at Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge
Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings.
Weddings and honeymoons at Serena Selous Wildlife Lodge
The Selous makes the ideal honeymoon choice. Pristine, undiscovered and the last of the great safari frontiers, it offers a multitude of unique experiences ranging from river safaris to wilderness picnics. As for the lodge, our supremely private and spacious tented rooms are specifically designed to deliver the ultimate ‘get away from it all' experience. Each one also features a private deck with plunge pool for two.
Additionally we can offer:
• Welcoming fruit and flowers
• A special table for two in our dining room
• Private dinner for two on your candle-lit deck
• Honeymoon breakfast in bed with sparkling wine
• The option of breakfast for two in the bush
• The option of a massage for two in your tent
Tanzania luxury tented camp safari: Child-friendly
We regret that due to the unique nature of the lodge, we do not consider it suited to children under the age of six.
Family accommodation
We can arrange for adjoining rooms for the accommodation of families. We can also offer triple rooms or additional beds. Cots and child-minding services can be provided (prior notice appreciated). Children sharing with parents are charged at 35% of the adult rate with a maximum of 2 children per room.
Children's meals
All our meals are generous buffet-styled presentations, with something to suit absolutely everyone. High-chairs can be provided, as can baby-friendly food. We are also delighted to offer slightly earlier children's meals (as early as 12 noon and 6.00 pm) - tailored to suit your children.
Children's entertainment
The lodge offers its own swimming pool (supervised by a qualified life-guard but not suited to small children other than under parental supervision).
We also offer a wide selection of board-games and books on Africa and the wilderness. Our professional nature guides also offer nightly talks and video presentations on wildlife.
What to see and do on your Tanzania luxury tented camp safari
The choice of things to do and see at the Lodge includes:
• Spectacular game drives around the stunning Selous ecosystem
• Boating safaris down the Rufiji River
• Gentle nature trails around the Lodge in the company of our resident naturalist
• A full safari breakfast, cooked in the bush
• Bush dinners overlooking the river
• Atmospheric ‘Sundowners' in the wilderness
• ‘Maisha' health, beauty and wellness facilities
• Swimming or sunbathing at our ‘vanishing horizon' swimming pool.
Selous Wildlife Lodge - Selous National Reserve • Tanzania Safari lodges
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