Sand Rivers Camp

Set along the iconic Rufiji River, Sand Rivers Selous is a handsome, light-filled safari lodge that seems almost moored to the riverbank itself. With one side entirely open to the water, the lodge offers sweeping technicolour views across swirling brown currents - scenes reminiscent of old adventure films.

From the moment guests arrive, they’re immersed in the natural rhythm of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous). The lodge blurs the boundary between indoors and out, welcoming in cooling breezes, golden light, and the ever-present sights and sounds of the bush. Here, the wild feels close enough to touch.

In its early days, Sand Rivers pioneered foot safaris in the region, and that spirit of exploration still defines the experience today. Guests shift effortlessly between high-octane adventure and complete relaxation, carried along by the flow of the river and the energy of the surrounding wilderness.

A Safari of Surprises:

Every day at Sand Rivers offers a fresh perspective on the wild. Foot safaris take guests through vegetation-fringed floodplains and along hidden trails where the aim is always to see—and not be seen. When the moment is right, the landscape opens up into secret clearings, revealing unexpected encounters and breathtaking scenes.

Boating safaris take a thrilling turn as guides navigate upstream, weaving between pods of hippos. The return journey is slower, more contemplative, simply drifting with the current as Africa slides past. On secluded floodplains, elephants gather and great white pelicans shimmer in the sunlight. Closer to camp, guests can try barefoot tiger-fishing in the shallows or trace the quiet paths of sand rivers.

From tree-top hides to sandbar picnics, the safari experience at Sand Rivers is never routine. Years spent exploring this diverse ecosystem have revealed countless ways to engage with it, ways that are immersive, surprising, and often life-changing.