OVERVIEW:
Siwandu Camp is owned and operated by Selous Safari Company. This company runs several outstanding properties across South Tanzania, such as Jongomero in Ruaha National Park and Ras Kutani on the country’s coast. Siwandu has been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence! The accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shared activities, road transfers between camp and the local airstrip, and a laundry service. Children incur a reduced rate – please contact us for details.
ACCESS & LOCATION:
The camp is accessed via 15 minutes’ road transfer from the nearest airstrip. It has a lovely location on the scenic shores of Lake Nzerakera, in the central region of Nyerere (formerly Selous).
ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SIWANDU CAMP:
Guest accommodation consists of ten tents, spaced well apart along the lake shore. Octagonal in shape, to maximise air flow through the structure, each is positioned on a raised platform and beneath a thatched roof. Inside, there’s a king-size bed or twin beds under a ceiling fan, bedside lighting, an explorer’s chest, a comfy sofa, and a full-length mirror. The palette is earthy tones, with splashes of scarlet and natural yellow, and a few artefacts from Zanzibar enhance the authentic vibe. The washroom is accessed through a canvas partition to one side of the bedroom. Here you’ll find a flush toilet, twin washbasins, a wardrobe, a dresser with digital safe, and an outdoor space containing a step-down shower. Every shower is solar powered and provides beautiful views over Lake Nzerakera! You can also gaze across the lake from the private veranda, which is set with a writing desk and chairs, a few pieces of lounge furniture, and a beanbag or two. All tents sleep a maximum of two adults and one child.
The communal facilities at Siwandu Camp occupy two separate areas. Both bases are used when the camp is full or close to full, so it never feels overcrowded. Termed North Camp and South Camp, each features a timber-and-thatch building, raised on sturdy stilts. Within each structure, there’s a comfortable lounge, with comfortable seating around coffee tables, a few artefacts, some reading material, board games, and amazing lake views! There’s a dining area too, where guests tuck in to hearty breakfasts, light lunches, afternoon teas, and three-course dinners. You can also dine on the deck of each sub-camp, and enjoy a refreshing drink from the well-stocked bar! Both North and South also have a lovely swimming pool, and South Camp has a small shop that sells curios and essential items. As South is the larger sub-camp, it is used before North Camp – we think both sets of facilities are exceptionally good.
ACTIVITIES AT SIWANDU CAMP:
- The camp offers expertly guided game drives, game walks, and boat cruises.
- Drives are available in early morning and late afternoon, and they’re fantastic for exploring far and wide within Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous)!
- The reserve boasts a real wealth of wildlife. Highlights include all Big Five – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – in addition to numerous smaller mammals such as cheetah, hyena, jackal, wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and an astonishing assortment of antelopes.
- The birdlife is equally impressive, with approximately 440 species of feathery friends recorded at last count!
- Siwandu’s game walks, also in the presence of a knowledgeable guide, provide wonderful opportunities to observe the smaller species of the reserve – please note, this activity has a minimum age requirement of 16 years.
- Boat trips are enjoyed on Lake Nzerakera throughout the year, and along the delta of the Rufiji river during the months after the rains. While on board, you can expect to see crocodile, hippopotamus, plenty of waterbirds, and even big game coming to quench their thirst at the edge of the water.
- You can meet Siwandu Camp's guides and learn more about their wildlife experiences and passions here.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.