Location

On the shores of Lake Nzerakera in the northern section of the Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous Game Reserve), Southern Tanzania.
GPS co-ordinates of Siwandu Airstrip: 7° 41 '27 " S - 38 ° 08 '21 " E
Rwy 1200m, elev SL, 18/36
GPS co-ordinates of Siwandu Main Camp: 7° 40 '19 " S - 38 ° 07 '23 " E

Selous Safari Company portfolio map Tanzania
Travel

Flying
Guests are collected at Mtemere Airstrip, an hour-long scenic drive from camp.
Approximate flight time from Dar es Salaam, is 45 mins.
Coastal Aviation, Auric, Safari Airlink and ZanAir fly to Mtemere Airstrip from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar, Kilwa, Mafia and Ruaha.

Driving
Entering via the Matambwe Gate: We do not take bookings with vehicles and driver/guides. However, if guests go on game drives with our guides, the driver can then accommodated in our guide tents.

Seasons

Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous Game Reserve) is wonderful to visit throughout the safari season.  The months from June to October tend to be dry and warm with a temperature range of 16˚C at night to 35˚C in the day; at this time of year the animals are drawn to dwindling water supplies in the lakes around the river and with vegetation sparse, this is the perfect season for walking and for larger concentrations of game.

In this coastal area of Tanzania, the short rains fall during November and December and brings about a spring time in Nyerere.  The plant life and flowers burst into life, followed by the insects and stunning variety of birdlife. The game during this green season can be more scattered than the winter months but around water sources sightings remain good and is the main reproductive time of year so a wonderful opportunity to see baby animals. 

From November through to March it heats up with a temperature range between the high 20˚C at night and high 30 ˚C, sometimes low 40 ˚C during the heat of the day; which makes Siwandu’s shaded swimming pools a deliciously cool pleasure.  During the longer rain season, mid-March to May, the camp is closed.

Activities

Due to the topography and the close proximity to water sources, our activities generally start at 8am after a leisurely breakfast, affording more time to explore the reserve before returning for lunch. Earlier morning drives can be arranged in camp on request. Afternoon to sunset activities start after tea and return for evening drinks around the camp fire. Night drives are not permitted in the Nyerere National Park. To avoid the midday heat, walking safaris are either at dawn or in the early evening.


Each evening the camp managers will discuss with guests what they would like to do the following day. Please note that walking activities need to be pre-booked before you arrive. All activities have first aid kits and radios as standard and on the water, life jackets are available for adults and compulsory for small children.

At Siwandu Camp, you will enjoy your own private game drive vehicle and private guide for the ultimate game driving experience.

Our walking activities are for guests 16 years and older and need to be pre-booked. Walking safaris are conducted with both an armed, specialist walking guide and an armed TANAPA guide. There is an additional walking park fee. Kindly enquire when booking your stay. We also offer a fun-filled children’s nature walk before tea, with an armed walking guide and Askari guiding them around the camp environs.

Child policy

Due to safety concerns, we accept children from six years  old with international bookings and children from 10 years old with resident bookings. At Siwandu we have a limit of two children (aged 6 – 11) in each camp at any one time. If guests book Siwandu Private Camp, no child policy applies. The camp is unfenced and children are the responsibility of their parent or guardian, at all times. Single beds can be added to the tents to make triples or quadruples but only for children under 18 years of age.

Booking

Please contact us directly by email reservations@selous.co.tz 

Rates & money

Rates include: full room and board, all drinks except Champagne*, three meals a day, two safari activities per day, vehicle transfers to and from the nearest airstrip, WiFi access in rooms and public areas, laundry service. Please note we are unable to launder underwear, but we do provide washing powder.
* Please note this option is not available for local resident/Expat guests.

The rates exclude conservation and concession fees, gratuities of a personal nature, medivac insurance and third party TANAPA activity fees.

Final bills are payable in US Dollars, (cash US Dollars post-issue 2006) Tanzanian Shillings, Euros and Pounds Sterling. Guests can also pay with credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Amex, JCB), PayPal or several Mobile Provider Payment Facilities such as Mpesa and Airtel Money. A 5% surcharge is applicable.

All tents are fitted with a small safe programmed by the guest.

Packing Suggestions

On all light weight aircraft in Tanzania there is a strict weight restriction of 15kg / 33lbs and soft bags are requested for easy storage.
Below is a suggested packing list for Siwandu

  • Neutral khaki coloured safari clothing, no bright or dark colours
  • Selous can get hot and humid so we recommend cotton, lightweight shorts and short-sleeved shirts
  • Comfortable walking shoes – no need for heavy hiking books as walking is even and the bush not thick
  • Swimsuit
  • Lightweight waterproofs
  • Binoculars
  • Camera equipment, including plenty of memory capacity and waterproof cover/ziplock bag
  • Sunglasses
  • Wide-brimmed sun hat – preferably with a head strap for game drives
  • High SPF sunscreen
  • Basic first aid kit including mosquito repellent and antihistamine cream
Check out time

Our check out time is at 10h00 - departing after this time may incur late departure fees so we advise booking the morning flight from Siwandu.