Prepare: What To Expect
Preparing for your safari doesn’t need to be daunting. Here is our guide on what to expect and how to best prepare for your stay at Selous River Camp.
Your Stay at Selous River Camp
Electricity
As the camp is situated in the bush, we generate our own electricity to provide lighting at night and to charge batteries. Electrical plug outlets are not available in the Mudhuts or tents so it is not possible to use appliances such as hairdryers or electric shavers. There are charging points available at the bar to charge your camera batteries in the evenings when the generator is running between 6pm and 10pm. Our Mudhuts and Tents also have solar systems to power lighting (and fans in Mudhuts) during the night.
What’s Provided?
Towels and bedding are provided in all the tents and Mudhuts. We also provide a torch/flashlight per hut or tent although we suggest bringing extras so that each person has their own. We also provide bottled drinking water which we recommend you use for brushing teeth (bottled drinking water is free of charge during your stay with us and is supplied in your room and also kept in the fridge at the bar).
Food
Meals are all served in our central dining area. If you have a special dietary request (i.e. vegetarian/allergies) please let us know at the earliest opportunity so we can best cater for you. Breakfasts are served at a time to fit with your activities for the morning, so will vary from day to day. We usually serve a small buffet of fresh fruits and sweet treats and eggs and toast are available from the kitchen to order. Lunch in camp is usually served at 1pm and is a basic main course with fresh fruit for dessert. Dinner is three courses and is served at 7.30pm but can be arranged for earlier if you are staying with children.
Check In and Check Out
Guests are required to sign a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form at check in. We only ask that one guest per booking group fills and signs the form on behalf of all in the group. It is a condition of your stay with us and guests who do not sign the form will not be accommodated at Selous River Camp. If you would like to see a copy of this form before arrival in camp please let us know and we will send it to you. You can check in from 8am, although we can’t guarantee your room will be ready until 2pm. Luggage storage is available if needed.
Drinks
Drinks can be purchased in camp from our river bank bar. We have a variety of soft drinks, beers, spirits and wines which will be noted down during your stay and paid for at check out. Please note we can accept cash (USD, TSH) or credit card as payment in camp (+3% surcharge). Soft drinks are included in our game drive and full day boat trip prices.
Laundry
A laundry service is offered in camp and is charged at a flat rate of Tsh1,000/= per item. All the income we receive from our laundry service goes directly to our housekeeping staff.
What to Pack
Packing for Safari can be a challenge when you bear in mind the weight restrictions which some airlines have in place. Shops locally are very basic and not easily accessible. This is by no means a comprehensive checklist or a list of ‘vital’ items but instead some suggested items which we think would make a difference to your stay:
Binoculars
Camera (we suggest 200mm lens or longer) and/or video camera, memory cards, extra batteries and charger.
Torch/flashlight and spare batteries - one is provided in your room.
Ziplock/Waterproof bags – helps protect against dust as well as water (to pack cameras/electronics, toiletries etc.)
Books for reading during leisure time – we also have a book swap library at the bar.
Deck of cards
A diary to record the wildlife you see and experiences you have (you can also use our printable wildlife checklist).
Toiletries such as shampoo, toothbrush etc.
Sunglasses with polarized lenses.
Mosquito/bug repellent – we recommend the roll on/lotion types as spray can be difficult to apply in a moving open vehicle
Suntan lotion/sunblock – the sun is very strong and we recommend a high SPF.
Personal medicines and malaria tablets
Lipbalm with SPF
Small denomination currency, especially US Dollars (please note that USD notes older than the year 2000 are not accepted anywhere in Tanzania, including Selous River Camp!)
We hope this guide has been useful in helping you to prepare for your safari. If you have further questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!
