NOMAD SAND RIVERS – SELOUS GAME RESERVE

Sand Rivers is situated in the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve which is the second largest protected wilderness area in the world. Sand Rivers offers stylish, luxurious safari accommodation on the banks of the Rufiji River. This comfortable and stylish lodge features an outdoor pool, an open-air dining room, bar and lounge which have been beautifully constructed on a sweeping curve of the great Rufiji River offering stunning views across the water.

The camp has just 8 open fronted stone and thatched cottages overlooking the river – 5 Riverside rooms and 3 Hillside Suites. The Suites all have the same amenities as the Riverside rooms but with the added extra of a large living space and a small plunge pool.

LOCATION

Sand Rivers is located in a quiet area of the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania.

CAMP

Sand Rivers has five Riverfront rooms that perch on the edge of the Rufiji River – all open-fronted and ensuite. The rooms are built of stone, wood and thatch and the open nature of the rooms means that you can really feel close to nature – hear, see and smell it. You might get the odd visitor – a squirrel or a monkey or the odd insect – there are spacious, canopied mosquito nets over the beds.  The ensuite bathrooms have hot and cold running water and flush toilets.

The camp has three great big Hillside suites that are set up on the hillside but still with views towards the Rufiji River. The rooms have an extra sitting area, private plunge pool and all the romance of the bush, with the comfort of a luxury lodge. The rooms are all open-fronted but with canopied mosquito nets over the beds.

ACTIVITIES

Activities at Sand Rivers Camp are tailored to suit each guest whether its game drives, walking safaris, fishing or boating, and can also organise fly camping under mosquito nets on dry riverbeds within the reserve if booked in advance.

Safari game drives – at Sand Rivers the open-sided 4×4 vehicles are a great way of seeing wildlife and covering a bit of distance and game drives give you the best views, access and photographic opportunities to the wildlife that calls the Selous home. The camp offers either two drives a day, in the early morning and then the early afternoon, with a wonderful siesta and lunch in camp between. In the times of year when it’s not too hot you can also venture out for full day game drives with a packed picnic lunch.

Walking wild – often the best way to see wildlife, to avoid scattering animals from the lakeshore, or spooking a herd of elephant as they feed their way through a stretch of lush grassland, is to hop down and quietly work our way into a good position on foot. Walking in the bush takes safari down to a slower pace and is a chance to learn, touch and feel Africa, to get a glimpse at the incredible flora and little critters that call it home.

Boat safari – being on the river is a fantastic contrast to time spent in a vehicle. Drifting silently downstream, gently spiralling in the current, watching the riverbanks unfold is hard to beat. More often than not there are treats in store; vast flocks of great white pelicans fishing in dwindling pools, wallowing families of elephant socialising, prides of lion sleeping off a meal.

Fly camping – is a peculiarly East African passion and the way things were done in the old days; with the minimum of fuss, but not scrimping on any of the comforts. As is so often the way, when you limit the frills, it allows you to really see what’s special and what’s going on around you.  Watching elephant as they pass by your camp in the moonlight, silent feet in the warm sand, or simply gazing through the mosquito net roof of your tent from the comfort of your bedroll.

NOMAD SAND RIVERS CAMP IS CLOSED FROM THE 17TH MARCH TO THE END OF MAY EVERY YEAR

THE CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGED 8 YEARS AND OVER