Where you rest
Each room opens to the river and the land beyond. All include en-suite bathrooms, mosquito nets, and daily housekeeping.
What each room provides
The essentials for rest and comfort
Mud Hut Cottage
Settle into an earthen room on the river, where the Rufiji runs just beyond your veranda.
Riverfront location with private Rufiji views
Private river-facing veranda
Ensuite bathroom with hot water
Solar lighting and fan
Built from natural, locally sourced materials
Sleeps 2-3
The Mud Hut is where Selous River Camp began. It’s the oldest room on the property, traditionally crafted from natural materials and shaped by the years it’s been here. There’s a sense of history to it — quietly settled into its place by the Rufiji River.
Inspired by the natural environment, the Mud Hut is built from earth, timber, and locally sourced materials that settle into the bush rather than stand apart from it. It sits on a wide bend of the Rufiji, which means the view opens out further than you expect. From the bed, you’re looking straight across the water. The hippos tend to keep to this stretch — you’ll hear them first, especially at night.
Inside, it’s furnished with rustic timber pieces, soft lighting in the evenings, and a space that cools naturally as the day shifts. The room has a solar power system providing lighting and a fan to keep you cool during the warmer nights. The ensuite bathroom has a hot shower and the necessary amenities, great for a hot shower after a dusty game drive.
The Mud Hut is tucked slightly away from the main flow of camp, on its own special stretch of the riverfront. Private and peaceful, this Mud Hut feels like its own small corner of the Rufiji.
Built from the earth and set on the river, it feels less like a room and more like part of the place.
Cool off while the river flows past
The pool overlooks the water, and the bar sits nearby with cold drinks and conversation. Colobus monkeys jump around in the trees above you, and dragonflies zip across the water. It's where guests gather without feeling crowded, a perfect blend of relaxation and social connection.
Eat together around one table
Meals are prepared daily from local ingredients and served family style, creating an intimate dining experience where you share the table with others who also have a story to tell.
Fire, stars, and the sound of the bush
The campfire burns after dark, and the night sounds come alive. This is where stories get told and the wilderness feels close enough to touch.
The perfect place to call home while you enjoy safari the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Built for the River
Five room types sit along the water, each designed to let you feel the place without getting in the way. We built them to belong here.
-
The original Selous River Camp structure, built from natural earth and materials. The oldest and most characterful room on the property. Wide panoramic river views with sunset views from your private veranda. There is nothing else like it on the Rufiji outside the park boundary.
-
Light, modern low-impact construction — the feel of a safari tent with the reassurance of a raised floor and solid walls. Two rooms sharing one bathroom. Works well for families or two couples travelling together.
-
Tucked into the forest, facing the trees. For guests who want to wake up to woodland rather than the river, swapping sunsets for sunrise through the tree canopy. Light, modern low-impact construction — the feel of a safari tent with the reassurance of a raised floor and solid walls.
-
Classic large safari tents, furnished in a modern safari style. Ensuite bathrooms — styles vary across units. Set on the riverbank with elevated view of the Rufiji.
-
Classic large safari tents, furnished in a modern safari style. Ensuite bathrooms — styles vary across units. Set slightly back with river views through the Riverfront row.
Questions
The answers to what matters before you arrive at Selous River Camp.
-
All accommodation is full board, which includes three meals per day, as well as drinking water, tea, coffee, cookies throughout the day, and a sundown snack at the bar. Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and activities are not included in room pricing.
-
Solar power runs the camp, with lights and fans in your room. The generator runs in the evenings and charging stations are available at the bar. WiFi is available in the bar but not in rooms by design. Some come here to disconnect.
-
Please let us know about any special dietary needs when you book. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
-
Children aged 5 and over are welcome at Selous River Camp. For children who are ready for it, the camp offers a rare kind of experience—waking up to the sounds of wildlife, watching hippos from the dining area, and feeling closely connected to the natural world. It’s an immersive environment that many children remember long after their stay.
At the same time, Selous River Camp is a genuinely wild setting. Elephants, hippos, and other animals move through the area, and the river boundary is natural rather than child-proof. As in any bush environment, close supervision is essential at all times.
-
Check-in is at 2pm. If your room is ready before then we are happy to check you in early. Check-out is at 10am. After checking out, you are welcome to relax in the communal areas until you are ready to leave, and luggage storage is available.
-
Yes. As Selous River Camp is located in a genuinely wild environment, all guests are required to acknowledge the nature of the setting. Signing this form is a condition of your stay.
At check-in, guests must sign a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form. Only one guest per booking group needs to complete and sign the form on behalf of the entire group.
If you would like to review a copy of the form prior to arrival, you are welcome to request one in advance.
-
We accept cash (Tanzanian Shillings, USD, Euro) and credit card on site. Booking deposits and payments can be made by credit card or bank transfer.
-
Neutral colors work best for game drives. Bring a light jacket for early mornings and evenings when the river cools. Sunscreen, a hat, and binoculars are essential. Leave the bright colors and heavy luggage at home.
Still have questions?
Reach out and we'll answer what you need to know.
How to reach camp
-
Flights can be booked online, several airlines fly to the Selous, including Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Safari Air Link, with daily flights from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and other departures with varying schedules. The closest airstrip to Selous River Camp is Mtemere. We can arrange collection from the airstrip.
The airstrip is inside the National Park, so entry fees do apply ($82.60 per adult, $23.60 per child), for those arriving by plane. If you choose to fly in and out the park will waive the departure fees. We recommend arriving in the morning so you can make use of the valid entry permit.
Please contact us if you would like assistance booking flights.
-
There are two routes from Dar es Salaam, via Kisarawe and via Kibiti (~200km and approximately 3-4 hours driving time). Both routes are include tarmac and dirt roads. Reach out near the time of your booking for the latest on road conditions.
It is also possible to reach us via Morogoro, Kisaki and Matambwe.
-
If you want to come by road, we can help you arrange a road transfer from anywhere in Dar es Salaam between 6am and 12pm, including picking you up from Dar es Salaam airport. Please contact us for up to date details and pricing.
