Sand Rivers Selous
Sand Rivers Selous sits in the northern part of Nyerere National Park, overlooking a wide curve of the Rufiji River lined with sand banks and rocky outcrops. Safari legend Richard Bonham founded the camp. He first spotted the site while exploring the region with writer Peter Matthiessen. As a result, Sand Rivers carries one of the longest-standing reputations of any camp in southern Tanzania, alongside Beho Beho.
Design and Setting
The camp sits to the west of the park, in its quieter northern safari region, away from the busier central area around Lake Manze and Siwandu. Stylish, comfortable chalets look directly onto the water. They run modest in scale, but the views along the Rufiji in both directions more than compensate. A real sense of space runs throughout, paired with welcoming, genuinely excellent service.
Kiba Point, the camp’s private sister property, offers exclusive-use booking with its own dedicated drivers and staff. It suits groups wanting full privacy within the same setting. Both properties share the same remote, striking location overlooking the river.
Activities and Guiding
Boat trips, fishing, walks, game drives, hot pool swimming, bush meals and fly-camping all feature at Sand Rivers. Few camps in the region offer a broader activity range. Lions and wild dog appear regularly, alongside vast buffalo herds and elephant tracked across the surrounding savannah. Guests share this part of the park with relatively few other visitors, and the guiding team’s knowledge runs deep.
Children aged eight and older are generally recommended for a stay here. For travellers wanting one of Nyerere’s most storied, best-located camps, paired with genuinely informative guiding and a wide range of activities, Sand Rivers Selous remains among the park’s finest addresses.
Why Stay Here
- Founded by safari legend Richard Bonham, one of the longest-running camps in southern Tanzania
- A striking position overlooking a wide curve of the Rufiji River, away from the park’s busier centre
- Kiba Point, a private sister camp offering full exclusive-use booking
- One of the broadest activity ranges in the region, from fly-camping to hot pool swimming
- Strong sightings of lion, wild dog, elephant and large buffalo herds
Accommodation
Stylish chalets sit directly above the Rufiji River, modest in footprint but with sweeping views in both directions along the water.
Dining
Meals are served with views over the river, alongside bush meals and fly-camping options for guests wanting to dine further afield.
Experiences
Boat trips, fishing, walking safaris, game drives and fly-camping all feature, among the widest activity ranges of any Nyerere camp.
Best For
Experienced safari travellers wanting deep guiding knowledge, and groups seeking exclusive-use privacy at Kiba Point.