Hippo Tented Camp in Selous Game Reserve

 Hippo Camp is located just outside the Selous Game Reserve, close to Mtemere gate. It is beautifully set right on the banks of the Rufiji River, surrounded by lush riverine forest. A close-by pond attracts herds of elephant, giraffe, warthog and other game that can be clearly viewed from our tree-hut as they come to quench their thirst. The dining area as well as the tents all face the river and you can enjoy your sundowner on front-row as the sun sinks over the water in an explosion of orange, yellow, red and pink and the sounds of the African night set in. Access is mainly by air from Dar es Salaam. The flight to Mtemere Airstrip takes 45 minutes

Welcome to Hippo Camp

and from there it is only a 10 minute drive to Hippo Camp. If you prefer to go by road from Dar es Salaam, the trip takes roughly five hours via Kibiti. The first two hours are traveled on tarmac while the remaining time is on poor conditioned dirt road.

Our canvas tented huts blend harmoniously into the camp’s natural surroundings. They all face the Rufiji and allow for a cool and pleasant flow of river breeze.  We have also introduced some VIP wooden huts, a couple with double story rooms and one with a single room raised on poles high above the ground. Each room has twin beds, en-suite bathrooms and a relaxing little verandah.

Accomodation

Facilities

The camp has a central dining
area with an adjoining bar. Additionally, a small dining area is set near
the VIP wooden huts. At the moment, meals are provided on request. 
The camp is supplied with meat and vegetables  from its own farm across the river.
Other purchases of food and drinks are made locally. Laundry services are available on request.

Activities

Boat rides: We offer boat rides of around 3 hours. This is a great way to spot the abundant wildlife of the channels, lagoons and islets of the great Rufiji River.

Nature walks: A walk in the beautiful river surroundings is a rare opportunity to get up close with nature, and you never know what's around the next bush. It offers great opportunities for bird watching and you don’t have to be an ornithologist to enjoy the colourful kingfishers, the shimmering little sunbirds or the goliath heron posing as an old branch on the riverbed.

Game viewing: The river and surrounding areas offer a diversity of animals including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile to name a few. The area is also home to one of the few remaining African wild dog populations on the continent.

Fishing: The Rufiji River is also home to a large variety of fish, such as catfish and tigerfish. We offer you the opportunity for

The camp is supplied with clean water from a deep well and electricity is supplied by two generators.

Itinerary example

Day 1:    Transfer from Dar es Salaam by scheduled flight to
              Selous, arriving at Mtemere and transfer to
              Hippo Camp.
              Check-in at the camp. Cold drinks served while
              receiving itinerary briefing from your guide.
              Guests are taken to their accommodations to refresh and relax before lunch.
              Lunch at the camp.
              Afternoon – choice of a 2 hour game drive or boat ride along the Rufiji river.

Day 2-3: Choice of half or full day gamedrive in the Selous Game Reserve with a packed lunch from
              the camp.
              Bush walk along the Rufiji River.
              Boat Safari.

Day 4:    Breakfast and departure from Hippo Camp. Scheduled flight back to Dar es Salaam.

Seasons

Dry Season:  June to mid November.  This is the best time for game viewing along the rivers and lakes. Elephants come out of the bush at that time and predators are more commonly seen.
December to February is good for game viewing but can be rather hot and humid.

game fishing. You may fish from the riverbanks at the camp but fishing from a boat is much more rewarding.

Rainy Season:  Mid November to mid December and March to May. Although wonderful for birdlife and lush scenery, many roads become impassable after heavy rains. April and May thus form the low season for visiting the camp.