The Retreat Selous

The Retreat Selous is associated with the wider Selous and Nyerere safari region of southern Tanzania. Travellers should be aware that the names Selous and Nyerere are sometimes used interchangeably in tourism information, but they are not exactly the same thing.

Nyerere National Park was established from a large section of the former Selous Game Reserve. Other parts of the wider Selous ecosystem continue to exist outside the current national park boundaries.

Because of this history, many lodges, camps and travel companies still use the name Selous when describing accommodation and safari experiences in this region.

When planning a stay, the exact location of the lodge should always be considered together with the activities included in the safari itinerary.

Yes. The Retreat Selous is positioned as a luxury safari property, with a strong focus on privacy, space and personalised service.

Unlike a large safari hotel, the lodge has only a small number of tented suites spread across the property. This creates a more private atmosphere and allows guests to experience the surrounding wilderness without feeling like they are staying in a busy resort.

The accommodation combines traditional safari tent design with comfortable furnishings, private bathrooms, outdoor spaces and carefully designed interiors.

The luxury experience here is less about being in a large hotel building and more about having comfortable accommodation, good food, personal service and access to a remote natural environment.

The Retreat Selous has only 12 tented suites.

This small number of rooms is one of the property’s strongest features because it creates a much more intimate atmosphere than a large lodge.

The suites are spaced apart to provide guests with privacy and views of the surrounding landscape. Depending on the room category, guests may have private decks, outdoor seating areas and spacious interiors.

There are accommodation arrangements suitable for couples, solo travellers and, depending on availability and configuration, families.

The limited number of suites also means availability can become restricted during popular travel periods, so early booking is advisable.

The rooms at The Retreat Selous are spacious tented safari suites built beneath thatched roofs.

They combine the atmosphere of a traditional African safari camp with the comfort expected from a luxury property. The tented design allows guests to remain connected to the surrounding wilderness while still having a comfortable private space.

Suites may include private bathrooms, bathtubs, mosquito netting, seating areas, wardrobes, writing desks, charging points and private outdoor decks.

Some rooms can be opened to provide wider views while protective netting helps keep insects outside.

Selected suites also feature freestanding bathtubs positioned on private outdoor areas, adding to the secluded nature of the experience.

Yes. The Retreat Selous offers a romantic tree house style option known as the Love Nest.

This accommodation is particularly suited to couples and honeymooners looking for additional privacy during their safari.

Its elevated position and surrounding wilderness create a more intimate setting compared with a traditional lodge room.

For couples planning a honeymoon or anniversary safari, it can be worth requesting this room category early because there are limited accommodation units available at the property.

The wider Selous and Nyerere ecosystem supports a wide range of wildlife.

Depending on the season, location and animal movements, guests may encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, several species of antelope and a large variety of birds.

Leopards are also present in the ecosystem, although they are naturally more difficult to find because they are solitary and often secretive.

African wild dogs are another important species found in southern Tanzania.

Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed because animals move freely throughout the ecosystem. This is part of the appeal of a natural safari experience, where each game drive can produce different sightings.

African wild dogs are found within the wider Nyerere and Selous ecosystem, making southern Tanzania one of the areas where travellers have a realistic opportunity to encounter them.

Wild dogs are highly mobile animals and can cover considerable distances in a single day, so their location can change quickly.

They are therefore much less predictable than animals such as hippos or giraffes.

Experienced safari guides usually rely on recent sightings, tracks and information from other guides when searching for them.

Seeing a wild dog pack can be one of the highlights of a southern Tanzania safari, but no operator or lodge should guarantee a sighting.

The Retreat Selous offers access to a wider variety of activities than a traditional game drive only safari.

Depending on the season, location, lodge programme and safari package, activities can include vehicle game drives, guided walking experiences, boat based activities, fishing, bird watching, sundowners and bush meals.

Fly camping excursions may also be arranged for travellers who want a more adventurous wilderness experience.

This variety is one of the main advantages of visiting southern Tanzania. Instead of spending every safari activity inside a vehicle, guests may be able to experience the landscape from different perspectives.

The exact activities included should always be checked when booking because some may require advance arrangements or additional payment.

Boat based activities may be available as part of the safari experience depending on the lodge programme, water levels, season and operating area.

A boat safari provides a very different perspective from a traditional game drive.

Guests may have opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, water birds and animals approaching the river to drink.

Boat activities can also be particularly enjoyable later in the afternoon when temperatures become cooler and the light over the water changes.

Availability can depend on local conditions, so it is best to confirm the activity when your safari itinerary is being prepared.

Guided walking activities may be available depending on the lodge programme and operating conditions.

A walking safari is very different from a game drive because the focus is not simply on finding large animals.

Guides may explain animal tracks, plants, insects, birdlife, smaller wildlife and signs of animal activity that are often missed when travelling by vehicle.

Walking safaris are conducted under strict safety procedures and are led by qualified guides.

Age restrictions and other requirements may apply, particularly for families travelling with younger children.

Fly camping is a more adventurous safari experience where guests spend time in a temporary wilderness camp away from the main lodge.

The idea is to experience the bush more directly, usually with a simpler camp setup while still being supported by trained staff and guides.

It can provide a much stronger sense of isolation and wilderness than staying entirely at the main lodge.

Fly camping is not necessarily suitable for every traveller, but it can be an excellent option for adventurous guests who want something beyond a standard luxury lodge stay.

Availability should be confirmed in advance because it may depend on weather, season and operational conditions.

Yes. The Retreat Selous is particularly well suited to honeymooners and couples because of its small size, remote setting and emphasis on privacy.

With only 12 suites, the lodge feels more intimate than a large safari property.

Couples can spend their days on safari activities and then return to a quiet private suite surrounded by the wilderness.

Private dining, outdoor meals, sundowners and the Love Nest accommodation option can also make the property particularly attractive for romantic trips.

For a honeymoon, we would normally recommend allowing enough nights to enjoy both safari activities and time relaxing at the lodge rather than using it only as a one night stop.

Yes. The Retreat Selous has a swimming pool where guests can relax between safari activities.

This can be especially enjoyable during the warmer hours of the afternoon, when wildlife activity may temporarily slow down and guests return to the lodge.

The pool provides an opportunity to rest after an early morning game drive or before heading out again later in the day.

Because the lodge is surrounded by wilderness, guests should always follow staff instructions when moving around the property.

Yes. The lodge operates using solar powered electricity.

Guests can normally charge phones, cameras and other small electronic equipment.

Because electricity is generated in a remote environment, travellers should avoid bringing appliances that require very high levels of power unless the lodge has confirmed they are suitable.

We also recommend carrying a power bank when travelling on safari, especially for guests taking large numbers of photographs or videos.