Selous Great Water Lodge

Selous Great Water Lodge is located outside Africa’s largest and wildest protected sanctuary for game. Here a million large animals roam amid a spectacular landscape that has far fewer human visitors than other reserves – no traffic jams of safari vehicles with visitors queuing to see a predator here! The lodge is right beside the mighty Rufiji River, lifeblood of the Selous. Our location on the high riverbank is truly spectacular, especially at sunset as the vast expanse of water turns crimson and purple. Comfort and security are combined with the sheer excitement of being in such a place! And note that this area of the Selous is the only place in Tanzania where you can enjoy a safari by river through a game area.

We are a small, friendly lodge and pride ourselves on our genuine hospitality, offering a personal service to guests, and all at a very affordable price. From the outskirts of Dar es Salaam we are under five hours away by road. Otherwise you can fly to a nearby airstrip, perhaps on your way to or from Zanzibar or Mafia Island. Either way, we can organise it for you.

Activities include game drives, boat safaris, river bank walks through the forest, and cultural tours to villages to gain insights into how local people make a living. All activities are with a professional guide. But if you just want to relax we have a chill-out area with hammocks, and you can watch the crocodiles and hippos while enjoying a cold drink from our well stocked bar.

Accommodation is in thatched en-suite lodges, comprising a double room, three family rooms, and a luxury tent on a two metre high platform with a view over an animal water hole and across grassland beyond. Dinner is usually served under the stars close to the riverbank with white table cloths and candles. Honeymoon couples welcome! We are happy to cater for vegetarians and guests with other dietary requirements. Fresh river fish is on the menu when available, and roast duck has proved the most popular of our excellent chef’s dishes along with his range of home-made soups. After dinner you can sit around our fireplace listening to the sound of the river and animals in the night, and marvel at the complete peace and tranquillity of the place.