Overview Accommodation Experiences When To Go

Our handsome light-filled lodge with wide-screen technicolour views across an iconic african riverbank.

Our lodge is so much part of the Rufiji’s ebb and flow that it seems almost moored on the banks, with one side entirely open to the river. Views across its brown, swirling waters call to mind adventure movies from another time. Indeed, in the early days, we pioneered legendary foot safaris here, and we still make life in and around the lodge as action-packed and exciting as the fizzing natural world around it.

The view of Sand Rivers Selous from the Rufiji River.

Open and airy with views over the river, our light filled lounge at Sand Rivers Selous.

The central lounge at Sand Rivers Selous.

It's easy to see why Richard Bonham chose this spot for Sand Rivers 20 years ago when he had the pick of locations in the Selous Game Reserve.

The mile wide Rufiji River flows past the open-fronted rooms at Sand Rivers Selous.

Views over the Rufiji River from the open fronted Hillside Suites at Sand Rivers Selous.

Flying over the might Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve.

Watching the sunset over the Rufiji River from our Selous Flycamp

Swimming in the Hot Springs in the Selous.

Watching life pass by from Sand Rivers Selous. It is a holiday after all.

Being in the bush doesn't mean a lack of comfort. But it does mean you can have a bathroom with a view.

There are three Hillside Suits at Sand Rivers Selous, equipped with their own private plunge pool and heaps of space to enjoy the endless views over the Rujifi River.

Three Hillside Suites at Sand Rivers Selous have their own private plunge pools.

Walking safaris in the Selous.

Each Hillside Suite at Sand Rivers Selous has its own adjoining living area.

Walking safaris in the Selous.

Game drives in the Selous in open 4WD vehicles allow you to explore further afield.

Dining al fresco at Sand Rivers Selous.

Open air bathrooms at Sand Rivers Selous.

Fishing in Steiglers Gorge from Sand Rivers Selous.

The Rufiji narrows upstream until the walls of Stiegler's Gorge tower overhead.

There is a large swimming pool at the main mess area at Sand Rivers Selous, with perfect views over the Rufiji River.

We seldom see another vehicle here. There are good reasons why founder Richard Bonham chose this area.

Bringing the outside in. The lounge of Sand Rivers is a place of cool in the heat of the day.

Heading out by boat in the Selous is a completely new experience and one of our favorite ways to explore.

A night out under the stars in our Selous flycamp. An experience never to be forgotten.

Three course dinner served on the river bank in our Selous fly camp.

Stopping for breakfast on a sand bar while on a boat safari at Sand Rivers Selous.

Freedom to set out on foot

Here we like to get out on foot, treading lightly through the bush to see what might be round the next thicket.

This is big game country.

Boat safaris and a spot of fishing on the Rufiji River in the Selous.

A boat trip up Stieglers Gorge for breakfast from Sand Rivers Selous.

Cool in the heat of the day, open to nature and the river breeze.

Watching life pass by from Sand Rivers Selous. It is a holiday after all.

Bee eaters are among the many beguiling birds we regularly see here.

Freedom. Feet in the white sand, casting a line into the mile-wide Rufiji in the middle of wild Africa.

Few things beat breakfast on a sandbar in the Rufiji after a boat trip up-river to Stiegler

Shed your inhibitions and your closed shoes. This is Africa.

Observe without being seen. That's the trick.

Sleeping out under the stars on a sandy river bank.

Hippos in the Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve.

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Enhancing lives at Sand Rivers

From enhancing dynamic careers to working with local communities and conservation projects, here are some inspiring stories from our camp in southern Tanzania.

Eighteen years with Nomad, this is Hamza Mmole

Starting out as a walking safaris porter, Hamza has worked his way up the ranks to camp manager at Sand Rivers. But his role extends beyond just that. Helping to identify talent, Hamza mentors and nurtures to provide opportunity in every way possible.  

Life long learning & growth

Wildlife education

Wildlife photography internships

This initiative provides an opportunity for young Tanzanian photographers and videographers to make use of our camps to access wild places under the mentorship of a professional photographer. And there is nowhere better to provide inspiration that Nyerere. We run several trips each year to Sand Rivers, giving a bunch of budding photographers the opportunity to train their lenses on the wondrous wilderness that is Nyerere National Park.

Life long learning & growth

Training and development

Chef extraordinaire to camp manager

Bernie is a shining star in the south. Having joined Nomad many moons ago as a junior chef, she cooked up a storm and quickly progressed to head chef before leading our company wide chef training.

Bernie’s shining personality and natural leadership has seen her progress to a superb camp manager. Working under the tutelage of the wonderful Hamza and Nomad training, Bernie is thriving, and Sand Rivers is in extremely safe hands. Bernie is a real gem and true inspiration to us all.

Conservation & environment

Supporting conservation partners

Sand Rivers support for Tawiri Elephants

Nyerere has been severely affected by ivory poaching in the last decade, and the elephant population has suffered. We are delighted to support the elephant research programme run by Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI). Their aim is to collect data and knowledge of the population to help planning for their protection.

Southern Tanzania safaris

This is all about experience. A safari spent in the game rich plains of Ruaha, and the endless wilderness of Nyerere, the south is hard to beat.

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Reviews

16.02.2024

D. Miles and P. Bomford

Review for sand-rivers

Glorious River Views

Sand Rivers, Nyerere is a wonderful camp with glorious views of the River. Bernadette and the team make you extremely welcome and go out of their way to ensure that you have a memorable stay. Meals are delicious and very well presented. There is a large amount of game to be seen in the surroundin...

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Camps visited:
Sand Rivers, Nyerere Entamanu, Ngorongoro

08.10.2023

J. Tamgumus

Review for sand-rivers

Incredible Experience

Words really don’t do Sand Rivers justice. An incredible experience we will never forget, the staff, the location and the guides are out of this world. They really mould the experience around your needs and goals which is hard to find. A truly unforgettable place, I don’t think I could ever go anywh...

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Camps visited:
Sand Rivers, Nyerere

07.07.2023

H. Stannard

Review for sand-rivers

Perfect Honeymoon Start

Sand Rivers was the absolute perfect place to start our honeymoon. Living in harmony with the bush, beautifully decorated, and with incredibly kind and knowledgeable staff it set an unsurpassable bar for the rest of our safari holiday.

Camps visited:
Sand Rivers, Nyerere

01.10.2023

R. Pengelly

Review for sand-rivers

Peaceful Haven

A true peaceful haven, beautifully quiet and calm with only animals to be heard. The service and food were incredible with every meal carefully curated and prepared. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made our trip even more enjoyable!

Camps visited:
Sand Rivers, Nyerere Kigelia, Ruaha

25.09.2023

D. Peeters

Review for sand-rivers

Incredible Charm, Outstanding Service

Sand Rivers is all about experience and environment. Its location on the banks of the majestic Rufiji river allows for gamedrive, river safari, fishing, hot pools (don't miss it).
The service is outstanding and the lodge has an incredible charm.

Camps visited:
Entamanu, Ngorongoro Serengeti Safari Camp, Serengeti Sand Rivers, Nyerere

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