Roho Ya Selous

Located in the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania. Not only is this a proper luxury safari camp, but the staff and guides are also some of the most friendly and warm people you'll ever have the pleasure of spending time with. The camp is run by a company we have worked with for over a decade now (and Clyde used to be a safari guide for them), so we know everyone very well. We could go on for ages about the time we have spent at Roho Ya Selous, but do take a look over the details and images and we would love to tell you all about our experiences there over the phone. Truly this is somewhere that provides memories to last a lifetime!

Travel to Roho Ya Selous

If you are travelling to the Selous your trip will normally begin from Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, we will be met and fly off to the Selous Game Reserve, which is around a one hour light aircraft flight. Upon arrival at the airstrip in the Selous, you will be met by your guide and 4x4 vehicle from camp who will drive you to camp to settle in. Normally you will take a game drive on route to camp and hopefully catch your first sightings of the wonderful wildlife in the reserve.

Roho Ya Selous Information

Tucked away into the trees, each of the eight tents is set far apart to give everyone privacy. The tents are Roho Ya Selous are stylish and spacious, measuring an impressive 60m² inside. Thoughtful details include an evening breeze cooling system over the bed which is a real treat and allows you to sleep peacefully even during the hotter months. The evening breeze system is much nicer than the noise of a fan or full air-conditioning. Each tent also has an ensuite bathroom complete with indoor and outdoor shower, which is a must try! There's nothing quite like taking a shower outside after a game drive whilst listening to all the sounds of the bush around you. We love the design and decor of the tents and the panoramic view from the front of the tents is fantastic. It is just a beautiful view to wake up to each morning whilst you sip your coffee or tea that is brought to you.

Roho Ya Selous also has a family tent which is the same size as the double tents, but can accommodate a family of five - the tent is 60m² inside. The main bedroom is a more compact version of the double tents, with an evening breeze cooling system over the bed, fan, reed walls and slate floors. There is a main bathroom with a flush toilet and outdoor shower. The children's room has its own shower and basin, with a bunk bed and single bed, accommodating up to three children. The beds in the children's room do not have evening breeze due to the layout.

Activities at Roho Ya Selous

The Selous is one of the largest game reserve in Africa, much larger than Switzerland! In the wonderful Selous Game Reserve the big drawcard is the combination of not only time out on game drives and walks, but out on boating safaris on the mighty Rufiji River, and also potential sightings of wild dog for which the reserve is known for. It really is a truly sensational place to visit.

Game drives

Head out in either the morning or afternoon or for a full day to explore further afield and search for larger mammals and predators. Game drives normally make up most of your safari experience. Using seven-seater open-sided vehicles with tiered seating, everyone is assured of an uninterrupted view of the wildlife. There is a roof for shade, power points for charging your devices and fridges to keep your sundowner drinks deliciously cool.

Walking Safaris

A must do experience in the Selous the walking safari allows you to immerse yourself completely in the rugged environment of the reserve accompanied by an armed expert guide, taking in the smaller details and tracking wildlife on foot. Here you will learn all about the environment and the smaller things like animal tracks that you would not necessarily notice on a game drive.

Boating Safaris

No safari in the Selous is complete without a trip out on the water, passing pods of hippo in the shallows and crocodiles sunning themselves on sandbanks. Watch wildlife come to drink from the ultimate perspective, and enjoy drifting up close to bird colonies nesting in the riverbanks or on small islands. Hopefully all topped off by a cool sundowner!

Catch & Release Fishing

Combine your boat safari with a bit of catch and release fishing, which is a relaxing way to spend an hour or so in the afternoon. The rivers are home to good populations of tigerfish as well as catfish. Do speak to us before< you travel if you wish to do this.

Fly Camping

Going to sleep at night with only the sounds of the African bush around you, and the only lights are the stars overhead and is one of the most amazing experiences you can have on safari. Accompanied by an armed guide, you spend the afternoon on a walking safari to the fly camp, a comfortable remote site in the bush.

Fly camping may take you a little outside your comfort zone, but once you try it, you will love it! The fly camping tents are 100% mosquito net, fully open to see 360 degrees and the stars above, with a shared outside short-drop toilet and shower cubicle. Fly camping in Selous is only available between June – October during the dry season.

Best Time to Visit Roho Ya Selous

Wildlife viewing in Selous Game Reserve is best from late June to October. It is Dry season and wildlife is easier to spot since animals gather at water sources and vegetation less thick. The scenery is normally lush and green in the wet season, from October to May, but afternoons can be unbearably hot.

April and May are best avoided as many lodges and camps are closed due to it being the peak of the wet season. However if you do travel between October and March and can stand the heat you are less likely to encounter more people and vehicles, the scenery is often beautiful and green, the prices are lower to attract tourists, and it is also peak bird watching time since migratory birds are present. As always there are pros and cons to each month, so please do discuss this with us.