Rufiji River Camp
Located on the banks of the Great Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania, Rufiji River Camp is an excellent option for a nature getaway. The property features a selection of classic and suite tents and all feature bathrooms. Guests can enjoy delicious meals at the on-site restaurant and relax with a drink at the bar. Activities include embarking on game drives, game walks and boating safaris, each led by experienced guides who are intimately familiar with the land and its features. Because of the camps proximity to the Rufiji River, game sightings are both dense and frequent, making this the optimum destination for high action low impact game viewing experiences. Come and experience the spectacular elegance of Nyerere Nation Park for yourself.
Rufiji River Camp, Tanzania
Situated in East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, with Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south, the Tanzanian landscape is defined by an intrinsically diverse array of geography, comprising lush savannahs, arid deserts, stretching wetlands and mountainous terrain. Featuring some of the highest game concentrations on the continent, this vast land is synonymous for the Great Migration, a plethora of national parks and expansive Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that dot the landscape.
The camp is situated on a bank several metres above the Rufiji River at the eastern end of the reserve’s photographic area. The camp spreads along a considerable length of the river. Located in Nyerere National Park (formally known as Selous Game Reserve), game populations are densely concentrated in proximity to the Rufiji River, making this the perfect location for a comprehensive range of game viewing activities. July to September is peak season and considered the best time of year to visit. The daytimes are hot and dry as there is no rainfall. As the parks dry, wildlife congregates in fewer areas – primarily areas with reliable water sources such as large lakes and rivers such as the Rufiji.
- Comfortable 4-star safari lodge set within the Selous Game Reserve
- Fully inclusive rates, including all standard food and beverages
- Spacious canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms and shower facilities
- Concentrated game viewing and exotic birdwatching featuring over 500 endemic species
- Pristine stargazing amid the unpolluted night sky
- Various safari activities led by experienced guides
- Locally inspired cuisine
- Children of all ages welcome
A total of 14 tents lie along a well laid-out pathway spaced along the Rufiji River. Each canvas tented unit features fixtures constructed from locally sourced teak, thatch and stone, giving each structure an authentic East African feel. This authentic theme extends to the interior where furnishings made of stone and wood comprise the design. Interior features an en-suite bathroom and a shower with solar powered water heating. Mosquito nets drape around your choice of double or twin beds, next to which lies the entrance to a veranda, complete with eloquently crafted artisanal furniture with which to sit and enjoy the bushland vistas.
Amenities Include:
- En-suite bathroom
- Shower facilities
- Veranda
- Bathtub
- Furniture
- Double or twin beds
- Mosquito nets
- Tea & coffee
Rufiji features 3 expansive suites, each with 2 large tents on a shared platform with a private plunge pool. Each tent has its own stylish en-suite bathroom. Interior features a variety of furnishings crafted by local artisans, giving each unit an authentic East African feel and an overwhelming safari aesthetic. These suites are ideal for families or friends wanting some extra space and privacy or the extra touch for the special anniversary or honeymoon.
Amenities Include:
- En-suite bathroom
- Shower facilities
- Veranda
- Balcony/deck
- Private plunge pool
- Bathtub
- Furniture
- Double or twin beds
- Mosquito nets
- Tea & coffee
With the focus on the river views and wildlife, the restaurant and bar are built to reflect the pristine atmosphere. Al fresco dining lit by star light, private dinners along the riverbank or that end of the evening coffee sipped from the depth of a sofa in the upper-level coffee lounge – it can be difficult to choose. Three meals are served daily, featuring a hearty continental breakfast comprised of fresh fruits, pastries, cereals and juices, an al fresco picnic dinner served between activities and a lavish three course evening banquet.
Meals range from lite and healthy to lavish and indulgent, ensuring there are preferences to suit all guests. If you have any specific dietary requirements, be sure to inform the camp in advance so the appropriate accommodations can be made. With fully inclusive rates, you’re free to indulge in a comprehensive range of refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at your own discretion.
Embark on daily game drives amid scenic, picturesque plains of the Selous Game Reserve. Experienced guides, familiar with the lay of the land and the abundance of wildlife that roams it will lead you safely through the lush landscape in search of the many staple safari creatures that roam the open plains and congregate around waterholes. Exotic Big 5 game viewing awaits your gaze, with regular sightings of all the big cats and predator and prey alike as you survey the landscape in open 4×4 safari vehicles.
Bush walks will allow you to soak up the intricacies of nature while traversing the land at a more intimate and insightful pace than conventional safari game drives. Knowledgeable guides will discuss with you the features of the land while pointing out local flora and fauna. The Selous Game Reserve offers high concentrations of plains game, making any excursion one to write home about. Here, game is shot only with camera equipment, and the fertile plains that surround you offer the perfect opportunity for world-class wildlife photography.
Boating safaris in flat bottomed aluminium boats are perhaps the most relaxing way to game view. Sharing the river with pods of hippo and floats of crocodiles giving you the opportunity to view birds nesting in the banks, monitor lizards and many water birds are just some of the highlights.
The Rufiji River offers the perfect arena to unwind and cast a line amid the tranquillity of open water. Fishing activities can be paired with boat excursions for the ultimate water bound adventure. Please note, catch and release fishing only.
The Selous Game Reserve is an expansive wildlife area which features over 500 species waiting for you to discover. Bird watching here is phenomenal year-round, but at its absolute best during November through April. Not only is this when European and North African migratory birds are present, but it is also nesting time for resident species. Keep your eyes peeled for the likes of the black-headed gonolek, Fischer’s lovebird and Verreaux’s eagle.
Cast your eyes upon the speckled canvas of vibrant lights displayed by the Tanzanian night sky while gathered around a cosy campfire in the company of friends and family. Untarnished by light pollution, the remote areas of the Tanzanian bush provide the perfect arena for a picturesque star-gazing experience. Marvel at the infinite sky, which features the Big Dipper in the northern hemisphere and the Southern Cross and Pointers in the south.
Embark on daytime excursions on foot as you discover the hidden features of the landscape on this one-of-a-kind bush camping experience. Sleep under the canopy of stars for either one or two nights, share stories around the campfire, shower beneath the cover of trees and enjoy delectable bush picnics while dining al fresco amid the jaw-dropping vistas offered by the bush.
Mission Statement
“To provide shelter, sustenance, education and medical care for the orphans and foster families in the Mufindi District of Tanzania, to curtail the spread of HIV/Aids, to teach life skills (language, fiscal, vocation and self-sufficiency) and to create help and opportunities for future generations”.
Orphans in the Wild is the fund-raising UK sister charity for Foxes NGO, a small charity based in beautiful but remote Southern Highlands of Tanzania in the highland region called Mufindi. The area has been decimated by the effects of HIV/Aids. Orphans in the Wild is working to support projects to help these proud and independent people to combat the effects of the disease on their community and to restore it to health and self-sufficiency. The first step was to protect the orphaned and vulnerable children, the strong extended family system having broken under the strain of the mortality of the working age population bringing destitution to many families.
From small beginnings, Orphans in the Wild care for 62 children in a Children’s Village of 6 small houses. A happy community, echoing traditional village life. Healthcare, education, income generation and long-term future sustainability are at the heart of the charity’s fight against HIV/Aids. This is achieved through supporting education in the community, helping to improve facilities and equipment necessary for the running of day-to-day operations within the village. Mdabulo HIV/Aids Care Treatment Centre (CTC) was completed in 2010. Now, over 5,000 villagers are currently being tested and treated.In addition to the continued running of the Children’s Village, incorporating improvements as funds allow, Orphans in the Wild have initiated the following projects in the wider community:
- Improvement to healthcare facilities in our target area and access to anti retro viral (ARV) drugs
- Health education and support to encourage testing for the disease
- Provision of milk formula for those mothers who are unable to breastfeed through illness
- Sponsorship for primary & secondary school students
- Kindergarten, pre-school an outreach kindergarten project
- Home based health care programme involving local volunteers in the community
In an effort to minimise Rufiji River Camp’s imprint on the land, it has adopted a range of eco friendly initiatives aimed at reducing the camps overall carbon footprint. The adoption of solar power energy for use in powering an assortment of in-camp facilities has proved highly successful. For instance, water is now heated exclusively by solar energy, negating the need to use conventional diesel-powered generators that are harmful to the surrounding environment. The abundance of sun inherent to the Tanzanian landscape is an infinitely beneficial resource that, when utilised appropriately, serves as a sustainable alternative to a reliance on fossil fuels.
Many fixtures and structures throughout the camp are constructed from locally sourced materials such as teak, thatch and stone. Not only is this aesthetically pleasing; invoking an authentic East African safari atmosphere but provides an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to importing construction materials vast distances cross country to construct the camp, actively avoiding the potential of disturbing sensitive eco systems and generally unscathed land.
Rufiji River Camp welcomes families with children of all ages, however, children under the age of 12 are prohibited from partaking in walking safaris. Due to the potentially hazardous and sometimes unpredictable nature of the environment, children must be supervised by an adult at all times.