Sand Rivers Selous

Sand Rivers sits on a curve of the Rufiji River inside the Selous Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in the world. The lodge holds eight stone and thatch cottages, each open-fronted and built on a raised deck so the river is the immediate view. Five are Riverside rooms, each with a private bathroom, shower, flush toilet, and running hot water. The remaining three are Hillside Suites, which carry the same bathroom standard and add a generous separate living area plus a small plunge pool.

The dining room, bar, and lounge are all open to the air and arranged along the same river curve. An outdoor pool sits on the property for use during the day.

Activities are not set to a fixed schedule but shaped around what each guest wants. The options are game drives, guided walking safaris, fishing, and boating on the Rufiji. The lodge can also organise fly camping — sleeping under mosquito nets on dry riverbeds within the reserve — though this requires advance booking.

Most guests reach the lodge by light aircraft, landing at the airstrip that serves this part of the reserve.