The Camp

Location: Selous Game Reserve
Number of Tents: 8

Selous Impala Camp is classic tented camp located on the banks of the Rufiji River between Lakes Mzizimia and Siwandu. One of the smallest camps in the Selous Game Reserve, its eight Meru-style tents are camouflaged beneath Borassas palms and tamarind trees and are spaced a generous distance apart. The atmosphere is one of seclusion and closeness to nature. Each tent is built on a raised wooden deck with a private veranda providing views of either the river or the lagoon, and the forest beyond. Colonial period furnishings transport guests into an earlier era of exploration and adventure. The interiors are spacious, with hardwood flooring covered by handwoven rugs. Common areas include an open thatched lounge, dining room and bar area, and a spacious viewing deck, all overlooking the Rufiji River where hippo and a variety of birdlife are on display throughout the day. The fire pit nearby provides the setting for evening relaxation, storytelling, and exceptional stargazing.

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Facilities & Amenities

• En suite bathroom with shower
• 220v charging outlets in main area
• In-room safe
• Central pool
• Laundry (extra cost)
• Drinks not included
• Credit cards accepted (Visa and MasterCard)
• No air conditioning, hair dryer, telephone, Internet or cellular coverage

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Wildlife Viewing & Activities

The Selous Game Reserve is a World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserves. Covering more than 30,000 square miles, Selous is almost twice the size of Belgium and four times larger than the famous Serengeti. Fed by the mighty Rufiji River, the largest river in East Africa, the reserve is home to over one million large animals, including a third of Tanzania's elephants. Selous is also home to 350 species of birds, more than 100,000 buffalo and an estimated 1,300 endangered wild dogs, about one third of the entire remaining population. Impala Camp offers a wide variety of activities including morning and evening wildlife drives and fishing trips. Boat excursions on the river reveal some of the best water birding in Africa as well as close encounters with hippos and large crocodiles. On expertly guided walking safaris, guests may find themselves coming relatively close to elephants, undoubtedly one of nature’s greatest thrills.

The below chart helps to illustrate major wildlife sightings often experienced in Selous. Other typical sightings may include Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, crocodile, black and white colobus monkeys and a number of other mammals, birds and reptiles. Exact sightings will depend on seasonality and wildlife movements.

Climate

Conservation

Selous Impala Camp is seeking to further its involvement with the local community in several ways. The camp manager has been working to establish educational trips from nearby Mloka Village, just outside the reserve’s Mtemere Gate, into the reserve itself. Most of the children and many of the adults in the village have never seen a wild animal. A similar effort has already been promoted in Ruaha, where educational schemes in the villages surrounding the national park have been very beneficial in terms of enlisting mutual support between the conservationists and the people in the area. Selous Impala Camp has also organized rehabilitation for the nearby Mwaseni Village medical dispensary, helping to raise funds for painting, rewiring and work on the roof.

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