Selinda Camp

OVERVIEW:

On the edge of the Selinda Spillway, as it flows into the Linyanti river, Selinda Camp offers impressive tented accommodation within the private 130,000-hectare Selinda Reserve. Occupying a spectacular wilderness location, the camp combines an authentic explorer style rooted in the safaris of a bygone era with supreme luxury and attention to detail. Selinda Camp is part of the Great Plains Conservation portfolio, co-owned by award-winning wildlife filmmakers and conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, all wildlife-viewing activities, and a laundry service. The camp is open all year round.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Selinda Camp occupies a beautiful location on the banks of the Selinda Spillway within Selinda Reserve, between northern Botswana’s Okavango and Linyanti river water systems. Guest access is by light aircraft from Maun (45 minutes) or Kasane (50 minutes), followed by a 40-minute game drive.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SELINDA CAMP:

Selinda Camp is a small, intimate property consisting of three luxurious tented suites, each with a private veranda and a plunge pool, and the exclusively run two-bedroom Selinda Suite. Every accommodation is positioned under a thatch roof and raised on a spacious deck made from repurposed wood. Inside, floor-to-ceiling mesh windows boast stunning views from a front-facing king-size bed draped with mosquito nets. Delicate kilims cover the hardwood floors; there are antique bedside tables with brass reading lamps, a writing desk, and vintage leather chairs. Double doors lead to an equally impressive en-suite bathroom, with a deep-soaking brass bathtub, double vanity basins, a flush loo, and an indoor shower. Additional features include air conditioning over the bed, a tea-and-coffee area, Swarovski or Leica binoculars, a Canon camera and lenses for guest use, an exercise bike, a yoga mat, and weights. The shaded veranda has two comfortable sunloungers, a plunge pool, and an outdoor sitting area where guests can relax and enjoy the camp’s magical setting. The two-bedroom Selinda Suite is ideal for families or small groups. It has its own separate entrance, a private vehicle with a dedicated guide, a butler, and a chef.

Under towering thatched roofs, with striking views of the surrounding floodplains, the communal spaces at Selinda Camp consist of open-sided dining and lounge areas, a safari boutique, a wine cellar, and an extensive viewing deck with a firepit. The camp has a wonderful flow of indoor–outdoor space, making the most of its stunning location and seemingly endless wilderness terrain. There’s also a spa for those wishing to indulge in a massage from the camp’s treatment list.

ACTIVITIES AT SELINDA CAMP:

With its privileged location in the vast Selinda Private Reserve, Selinda Camp offers a range of activities with plenty of flexibility.

• Game drives

  – Selinda Camp’s custom-made Land Cruisers are ideal for exploring Selinda Reserve during the early morning, afternoon, and evening. Look out for lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, while smaller predators include cheetah, hyena, jackal, and the elusive wild dog. Herbivores such as hippo, giraffe, zebra, red lechwe, roan, and sable are also common. You can even look out for the famous Selinda Lion Pride, whose members featured in explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert’s film Birth of a Pride, for National Geographic.

• Guided walks

  – Though activity schedules are flexible, walks usually begin from camp early in the morning before the heat sets in. These offer awe-inspiring opportunities to closely observe the smaller lives of Selinda – the plants, insects, and birdlife – in the company of a knowledgeable wildlife guide. The reserve also boasts over three hundred bird species, not least an entire colony of African skimmer, fish eagle, slaty egret, and double-banded sandgrouse. Please note that 12 years is the minimum age for walking safaris.

• Boat cruises

  – Selinda is primarily a land-based camp. However, depending on seasonal water levels, guests can take to the spillway on the camp’s powerboat for excellent birding opportunities and maybe even some hippo, buffalo, and elephant sightings. If you are particularly interested in this activity, please contact a member of the YZ team to discuss the best time to visit Selinda Camp.

• Photography

  – Selinda Camp’s guest tents are equipped with a professional Canon camera set, which can be used throughout the stay. Photos are downloaded on departure so that you can keep a lifetime of memories. You’ll also have access to a pair of high-quality binoculars.

• Young explorers program

  – Tailored for Selinda Camp’s younger guests, the young explorers program teaches children all sorts of bush survival specifics, including animal calls, tracking wildlife, and other exciting topics and tools related to life in the wild.

• Catch-and-release fishing

  – Spend a peaceful morning out on the water with a catch-and-release fishing experience. Please note that this experience is prohibited in January and February, when there is a moratorium on fishing.

• Helicopter flight

  – Take to the skies for an unforgettable aerial viewing experience across the Linyanti/Savuti and Selinda Spillway, with a 15-minute palm island champagne stop en route. This experience is subject to extra cost and availability and must be booked in advance.

*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.*