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FEEDBACK FROM OUR PAST GUESTS.

ABOUT THE SELOUS MBEGA CAMP & THE SELOUS GAME RESERVE

Selous Climate                                                                       The Selous is situated between 8 to 10 degrees south of the Equator, so it enjoys very warm and sunny days and warm evenings. The location of Selous Mbega Camp within its riverine forest makes for a shady and cooler atmosphere than most other camps within the Selous. In the rainy season, Nov/ Dec and April/ May there is rainfall during part of the day.

Baggage
Baggage on safari should be carefully considered. One soft-sided bag and one smaller piece of hand luggage per person is recommended. In total Ihis should not weigh more than 15kgs for most East Africa domestic flights. This allowance includes camera equipment. Suitcases and other heavier items can usually be stored in city hotels while clients are on safari.

Children                                                                               We love taking children on safari and they are welcome throughout Africa. As well as in the Selous Mbega Camp & Kilwa Seaview Resort. For Fly - Camping safaris we however advice that the children be at least 12 years old.

Clothing
Dress is usually informal and should be comfortable. Essential items are a wide-brimmed sun hat. long-sleeved cotton shirts, shorts and casual trousers.

Currency
Travellers' cheques in US dollars or pounds sterling and major credit cards are not widely accepted as well as at Selous Mbega Camp & Kilwa Seaview Resort. We accept Tanzania Shillings, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euro. Please use official money-changing bureaux and avoid street-dealers.

Drinking Water
You will find many differences of opinion regarding what is safe and what is not. We therefore recommend that for peace of mind, you drink filtered water provided in the rooms or stick to bottled water.

Electricity
Apart from Fly- Camping safaris, all accommodation has some form of permanent electricity, albeit sometimes erratic. The supply is generally 220-240v or 12v and plugs are three-pin square or round. If you have any charges, make sure your battery charger is of the same voltage.

Entry Requirements
Please consult the appropriate embassy or high commission on entry visa requirements.

Health
Malaria is prevalent throughout Africa and we cannot stress too highly the importance of taking the correct precautions agaitist it. For this, we suggest that you consult your doctor well before departure. Also, please obtain the appropriate medication and vaccinations for the specific country to which you are travelling.

Hold Check-in/Out Times
At Selous Mbega Camp & Kilwa Seaview Resort Rooms are generally available for occupation until your time of departure, but this is not guaranteed in the high season, we will however try and provide you with a storage area for your luggages until your departure.
Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is a condition of booking. Please ensure that all persons take out full insurance to include medical, repatriation and baggage damage/loss charges.

Language
English is spoken in all cities and tourist areas, however, other European languages are less commonly understood.

Meals and Drinks
Today, food on safari is usually above people's expectations. The day starts with pre-safari tea/coffee, then back a cooked breakfast. Lunch & Dinner at Selous Mbega Camp is normally buffet-style,at Kilwa Seaview Resort meals can be ordered to your wishes. Alcoholic spirits, beer or wine are readily available.

Photography
We suggest that you take enough memory cards (films) and spare batteries with you, as both are usually very expensive. Also, bring a dust-proof bag to cover all equipment. For good bird and animal photography, a 200mm lens is the minimum recommendation. A polariser is useful for bright conditions. It is normally prohibited to photograph the head of state or his entourage, police in uniform, airports, harbours or prisons. Also, please ask permission before filming ihe local people, who may become belligerent if they do not want to be photographed.

Security
Africa is no different from anywhere else, just follow the common-sense rules. Remember that excessive displays of jewellery or cash will attract unwelcome attention. Do not leave valuables lying around. Instead use room safes or leave valuables with the hotel/camp manager for safety. We also recommend that you do not walk around unfamiliar streets at any time.

Telecommunication
At the Selous Mbega Camp there is mobile commonication via AIRTEL & VODACOM, at the Kisaki Annex via AIRTEL & VODACOM.

Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory and is recommended only if ihe service has deserved it. We recommend this be done directly or through a staff tip-box, whichever guests feel more comfortable with. It is helpful to have a small supply of low-denomination notes handy.

Your different hosts
German Wolfgang H. Heep and his Tanzanian wife Kakuu are two of the directors of the Baobab Village Co. Ltd. They have two sons together named Christopher and Mark. Wolfgang first came to Tanganyika in 1961 as a volunteer worker and always hoped to be back one day. In those days he travelled throughout of East Africa in an old Volkswagen Beetle and visited most of the National Parks and Sites. In 1985 he returned to Tanzania woking in development and from 2000 he has been involved in the ownership of the Selous Mbega Camp, Kilwa Seaview Resort, Meru Mbega Lodge and Meru Simba Lodge. The familly heep of Wolfgang, Kakuu, Christopher and Mark can most likely be seen around the Meru properties in the north of Tanzania at Meru Mbega Lodge and Meru Simba Lodge, but they do also turn up at the other two properties from time to time.

From Wolfgangs first marriage he has an older son named Sascha he is also married to a Tanzanian wife called Neema and as a daughter by the name of Bridget Donyo, he is another director of Baobab Village Co. Ltd. Sascha was born in Ethiopia in 1973, and has lived most of his life in Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania. Sascha went to school in Tanzania from 1985 until 1992. In 1995 he returned to Tanzania after being in Canada and Europe and started off working in the Selous Game Reserve at the Mbuyu Safari Camp. In 1998 he worked for a year at the Beho Beho Camp in the Selous as well as the Mikumi Wildlife Camp in Mikumi National Park and the Oysterbay Hotel in Dar es Salaam. In 2000 he began with the construction and running of the Selous Mbega Camp the first project of Baobab Village Co. Ltd. Sascha is usually at the Selous Mbega Camp or in the Selous Game Reserve area, he also visits Kilwa Seaview from time to time. Seldomly he is up in the North at Meru.

One Last Word of Advice
Life is sometimes a little slower on the African Continent. Local people are generally polite, hospitable and eager to assist but may not always understand everything in your terms. If you are patient, we are sure you will come away pleased, with wonderful lasting memories.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Is the Selous Mbega Camp Main Camp located at the Rufiji River and do its Tents have a view onto the River?

A: The Selous Mbega Camp is set up entirely along the Rufiji River. 5 of its tents all have a view of the Rufiji River. The Colobus house with its two stone rooms as well as the apartment are also with a view of the Rufiji River.

Q: Is the Selous Mbega Camp also known as the Ndovu Camp, Hippo Camp, Ngima Camp, Heritage Camp.

A: Just some advice from us towards the camp situation of the eastern part of Selous Game Reserve outside of the Selous Game Reserve in the Mloka and Mwaseni village area.

The eastern part of the Selous Game Reserve has since 2006 expierenced a large amount of new camps being set up, of which some are fully functional.

Camps that are presently in the area are.

Close to the Selous Game Reserve border in the Village of Mloka vicinity 0m to 4km range of the Selous Game Reserve.

--Selous River Camp (Mud Huts with their own bathrooms, Tented Accomodation with comunal bathrooms,THE BEST camping area, hire tents on request, Offer food, within the same riverine forest as us along the river) www.selousrivercamp.com

--Selous Wilderness Camp (set up on the opposite bank, as the most luxurious camp available on this side of the Selous Game Reserve) www.selouswilderness.com

--Selous Mbega Camp (oldest operational camp in the area with 19 years of expierence, fullboard accommodation, safaris available, in a riverine forest along the river) www.selous-mbega-camp.com

--Ndovu Camp (most important it does not have a view of the river, runs as a camping area, photographic camp, food not always available)

--Hippo Camp (runs as a camping area, photographic camp and hunting camp at the same time food can be arranged, within the same riverine forest as us along the river)

--Jimbiza Lodge Selous (known before as the Hidden Paradise, fully fledged lodge with fullboard accommodation, safaris available just like us, set in the village of mloka along the river)

The following camps are between Mloka Village and in Mwaseni Village from 4 to 8 kms from the Selous Game Reserve.

--Selous Riverside Safari Camp (fully fledged camp with fullboard accommodation, safaris available just like us, In Mwaseni village along the river) www.selousriversidecamp.com

On the other side of the Selous Game Reserve is the North-western Matambwe Gate where there are only two camps at present on the border of the Selous Game Reserve.

--Sable Mountain Lodge (fully fledged lodge with fullboard accommodation, safaris available, the very first lodge to be built there.) www.tentwithaview.com

--Selous Mbega Camp KISAKI ANNEX (small but fully fledged camp with fullboard accommodation, safaris available, camping ground, the little sister camp of the Main Camp.) www.selous-mbega-camp.com

The following camps are situated within the Selous Game Reserve just as a reference.

--Rufiji River Camp, www.rufijirivercamp.com

--Selous Impala Camp, www.adventurecamps.co.tz

--Selous Safari Camp, www.selous.com

--Lake Manze Camp, www.adventurecamps.co.tz/lakemanze.htm

--Beho Beho Camp, www.behobeho.com

--Sand Rivers Selous, www.sand-rivers-selous.com

--The Retreat Selous, www.retreat-selous.com

-- Malala Luxury Lodges Selous, www.malalaluxurylodges.com

Home Main Camp Kisaki Annex Safaris at the Camp Selous Game Reserve Rufiji River

26/08/19