Sand Rivers Selous

Sand Rivers Selous

Sand Rivers Selous, operated by Nomad Tanzania, is one of Tanzania’s most celebrated camps – an adventurous “barefoot luxury” lodge on a rocky peninsula overlooking a scenic bend of the Rufiji River in the northern part of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). Originally sited in the 1980s by Richard Bonham, the lodge sits further west than most other Nyerere properties, in one of the park’s best game-viewing areas, with direct access for boating up to Stiegler’s Gorge.

Cottages and Suites

Eight open-fronted guest cottages – five standard riverside cottages and three hillside suites – are raised on high concrete platforms with white-washed walls, thatched roofs and exposed stone, giving sweeping views across the river. All rooms have spacious en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and powerful hot-and-cold showers; the three hillside suites add an extra lounge area and a private plunge pool overlooking the Rufiji.

Main Area and Activities

The raised main building houses an open-sided lounge, bar and dining area with whitewashed walls, inset bookshelves, bronze wildlife sculptures and partially carved supporting poles, plus a central swimming pool. Activities include game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, walking safaris (including multi-day options), boat safaris and fishing on the Rufiji (tiger fish in season), fly camping under the stars with an armed ranger, and boat trips to Stiegler’s Gorge. Sand Rivers supports TAWIRI’s elephant research programme in Nyerere. Sand Rivers is the sister camp of the exclusive-use Kiba Point villa.