Rufiji River Camp

The position of Rufiji River Camp is perfect. From a low cliff above the Rufiji river you have a wonderful view from the terrace of the bar overlooking the water below. There is a constant flow of animals coming down to drink at the river offering a permanent show to visitors of the camp. The water is usually full of hundreds of hippos as well as groups of crocodiles who laze in the sun on the sand-banks in the river.

The tents of the camp which overlook the river were installed in 1993 but the camp was completed renovated in 2002. This is a tented camp but with solid walled bathrooms at the back, providing in this way the feel of a tented camp with a degree of luxury. The rooms are spacious well furnished and the bathrooms have hot and cold running water, marble sinks and a large shower. Most good camps reflect the character of their creator and Luigi who comes from Bologna, the heart of Italian cooking, is an old Africa hand who also knows how to run a good kitchen. Expect to eat and drink well at this camp. Luigi over the last decade has built up an excellent team around him and unlike some lodges which have a British boarding school, stodgy food, Regimental management and submissive British guests this camp is truly international with a high percentage of Italians, Spaniards etc to spice up the pot.

Rufiji River Camp is visited every night by families of hippos who tend to snort right outside your tent window. No worries however the askaris are there to look after your safety and move them on if they try to lie on your tent. These nightly visits are amusing and all part of the wildlife experience.

Using the camp as a base it is possible to do a wide variety of river, land rover or walking safaris into the wonderful Selous park which is full of wild life. Most of all however it is the boat safaris which leave the deepest impression in this park allowing you to come within yards of herds of elephant and to appreciate the beauty of this unique park.