Selinda Explorers Camp

Canoeing the Selinda Spillway is one of the defining acts at this camp in Botswana's private Selinda Reserve. Two-person Canadian canoes sit in front of camp for use at any hour; a typical trip involves paddling downstream then walking back through riverine forest or meeting a vehicle for a drive. The four custom-designed semi-permanent canvas tents sit under African ebony and mopane, each on a slightly raised platform at ground level. All have a covered veranda, private bathroom with hot-water shower, flush toilet, and separate dressing area. A two-bedroom family tent holds four and offers two bathrooms. Guided walks trace the Spillway's edge and the forest canopy; rangers plan routes according to the length and pace you prefer. Safari drives run at first light and in late afternoon or evening. The camp sits in habitat where lion, leopard, cheetah, and African wild dog hunt regularly; giraffe, buffalo, roan, sable, and eland appear in concentrations that shift with the dry season. In late September the Selinda Reserve has been documented to hold up to 9,000 elephants. Bird life along the Spillway attracts listers year-round. The main area is a Bedouin-style lounge and separate dining room under canvas, with furniture made from recycled hardwood. You can arrange catch-and-release fly-fishing except during the January-to-February moratorium. A Young Explorers programme provides children with a pack for tracking wildlife and learning animal calls. The pool and bar sit within the camp footprint.