Sand Rivers Lodge Hotelhas reputation as one of the best game lodges in Africa and it does not disappoint. Lying on the banks of the Rufiji River, Sand Rivers is an idyllic place from which to explore the untamed Selous wilderness. The largest waterway in East Africa and the lifeline of the Selous Game Reserve, the Rufiji provides a captivating viewpoint from which to watch the wildlife going about its business. How wild would you like your game?

When it comes to going on wildlife safari, it doesn’t get much wilder than the Selous Game Reserve. Covering an area slightly larger than Switzerland, the Selous is a vast paradise of untamed bush, untouched forests, crocodile-filled lakes and emerald green floodplains in the little-visited south of Tanzania.

In the middle of all this is Sand Rivers Camp, a tiny luxury lodge built from stone and ebony on a cliff. 8 open-fronted cottages overlook the great muddy sweep of the Rufiji River with its pods of honking hippos. Forget about queuing behind ten other vehicles for a peek at a lion kill – Sand Rivers has a vast tract of wilderness all to itself, with expert guides to show you around it on foot, boat or Land Rover. It's a birder’s paradise, with carmine bee-eaters swooping low across the grass of the plains, and fish eagles perched on palm trunks like totem poles. Walking safaris are a specialty here, as is ‘fly-camping’ – sleeping out under the stars amid the sounds of the African night.

Sand Rivers has a wonderful position deep inside the Selous Game Reserve, where it overlooks a wide curve in the Rufiji River. It has a long-standing reputation as one of Tanzania's best camps, with luxurious accommodation, pleasant views and generally excellent guiding. The lounge and dining area are situated in a thatched boma with open sides right on the edge of the Rufiji River. The soft furnishings are comfortable with cushions, large sofas and chairs.

Immediately adjacent is the open air curved swimming pool which sits under a large baobab tree. Whilst you are swimming and relaxing during the heat of the day you can enjoy the panoramic views of the river and wilderness beyond. For those wanting to just sit and watch the game come and go, Sand Rivers also has a nearby hide – raised up on stilts, and overlooking a large marshy area. This permanently wet area is frequented by a variety of wildlife – often in surprising numbers – from playful elephants and herds of giraffe coming down to drink, to a kaleidoscope of birds looking for food. It's remarkably good, even when there is other water around and a first-rate spot during the dry season.Fly for 35 minutes into the Selous Game Reserve, where you will land at Kiba airstrip. It's then a short safari drive back to Sand Rivers. Alternatively, it is around a 6-hour drive from Dar – depending on the weather and therefore the state of the roads.

Sand Rivers Lodge Hotel Accomodation
There are eight rooms set in pairs along the river bank. Each of the chalets is approximately 150 sq. metres and is completely open fronted, with expansive views directly onto the giant Rufiji River. Beneath the high vaulted ceilings, the rooms have huge beds and a spacious bathroom, with hot water powered by solar energy.Free laundry service is included – although local taboos mean that you must wash your underwear yourself. (Laundry soap is provided in the rooms for this.)

Sand Rivers Lodge Hotel Restaurant
The dining times for breakfast and lunch are very flexible for each guest, depending daily on what they have decided to do for their safari activities. Breakfast usually consists of tea/coffee, fruit, cereals, toast and a cooked breakfast with eggs of your choice.

Lunch is then a self-service buffet with plenty of salads, fresh vegetables and cold meats. There's an 'afternoon tea' at about 4pm – with tea, coffee, juices and delectable cakes.

Dinner has 3 courses and is usually a mix of international cuisine. Dietary requirements can be easily catered for with prior notice. At Sand Rivers most drinks are included – from all soft drinks to house wines and local beers & spirits. However, this excludes champagne, vintage wine and certain imported spirits.

Sand Rivers Lodge Hotel Information
Sand Riversoffers a wide variety of holiday activities and safari guests can choose to do what they want to do, and when they want to do it. Sand Rivers' 4x4 Landrovers have been specially adapted for the best game viewing, open on all sides, with raised seats and a shade canopy. Guests can take a morning or afternoon game drive or take a picnic lunch and head off for full day drive. Guests can chose to take a flat bottomed aluminum boat and drift downstream game viewing and bird watching, or alternatively take the boat upstream to Steigler's Gorge. Here, the river narrows into a deep rocky gorge where leopard can often be seen and the landscape changes dramatically. The shaded rocks and sands along the river banks make perfect picnic spots and somewhere to cast a line for a fearsome tiger fish.

It is the quality of its walking safaris that has earned Sand Rivers its reputation as one of the foremost lodges in Africa. There are very few places where it is possible to experience the bush and its wildlife on foot - yet it is undoubtedly the most exciting and fulfilling way to explore Africa. Walking safaris at Sand Rivers explore the remotest corners of the northern Selous area over a set period, with fly-camps moving every night through a wonderful array of habitats & landscapes. For all walks, you will be joined by an armed guide, whose knowledge and understanding of the game and wildlife will allow you to creep up on animals big and small, to watch them undisturbed as they go about their business.

Sand Rivers is not a suitable camp for very young children as all of the bedrooms and the lounge and dining area have open fronts with a drop down to the Rufiji River. Furthermore parents should also be aware that this camp is not fenced and wildlife can pass through at any time – children who do stay should not be left unaccompanied. For all intents and purposes you should consider yourself out of contact, though there is usually mobile reception at the airstrip for emergencies. Sand Rivers has a satellite phone and basic email in the office – however these are for camp use and emergencies only.Members of the Sand Rivers team are first-aid trained and there is some first aid equipment on site for minor illnesses and injuries. For more serious emergencies Sand Rivers has links to the flying doctors in Dar es Salaam. Askaris are on guard around the clock; you will be escorted to and from your room at night. There are also whistles in all of the rooms in case of an emergency during the night.

Fly Camping & Walking Safaris at Sand Rivers
For the more adventurous, fly camping offers the outdoor safari experience of a lifetime. Mosquito nets laid out on the sand banks or nearby a busy waterhole. Simple yet fully equipped, these camps have ice cold drinks, great food, comfortable bedrolls, and toilets & showers set well behind the camp. The perfect marriage of intrepid adventure and bush comfort. Each camping spot is specially chosen for its view or the game in the area and allows you to completely absorb yourself in the Selous wilderness.

Each fly-camp is managed by a team of staff. On your arrival you will find a fully stocked bar has been set up with cold drinks and ice, and then after a steaming bush shower set up under a tree, you are served a three course dinner set at a table laid under the stars.