Reviews of Selinda Explorers Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
30 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Selinda Explorers Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Aug-2018, 16 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Selinda Explorers Camp.
Lion
88% success
Leopard
75% success
Cheetah
25% success
Wild dog
53% success
Elephant
100% success
Hippo
100% success
Giraffe
94% success
Zebra
94% success
Wildebeest
87% success
Buffalo
81% success
Spotted Hyena
81% success
Roan antelope
56% success
Sable antelope
44% success
Brown Hyena
18% success
Aardvark
0% success
Pangolin
0% success
Diane
Switzerland
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 14 Apr 2017
"The customer service at Great Plains is unequaled. They are very flexible and will do everything to accommodate the specific needs of each guests.
The guides are truly amazing, passionate and experienced. The camp facilities are good, not exceptional, but the food is really really good. I would recommend Selinda Explorers, and more globally Great Plains without question.
The only improvements that we would recommend are: warm showers in the morning and one computer in the common area to access Internet/email, mainly for urgencies." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana
The guides are truly amazing, passionate and experienced. The camp facilities are good, not exceptional, but the food is really really good. I would recommend Selinda Explorers, and more globally Great Plains without question.
The only improvements that we would recommend are: warm showers in the morning and one computer in the common area to access Internet/email, mainly for urgencies." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Ms F
Hertfordshire
"Selinda Explorers Camp Review"
3 nights Arrived 5 Oct 2016
"Victor was excellent guide. All staff were excellent apart from Lizzie who we found too intense and in your face.
Bush breakfasts were amazing - a real highlight and made this camp stand out from others.
Activities were flexible (eg we stayed out very late one evening for specific wildlife sightings) but then on our returned to camp the staff wanted us to rush to dinner to fit with their schedule.
We had a puncture (not unexpected) but the spare tyre was flat so we had to wait for a service vehicle to come out with another spare. However the spare was stuck on the service vehicle. Better maintenance checks should be done on the vehicles before setting out." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Rwanda; 1n in Kenya; 1n in South Africa
Bush breakfasts were amazing - a real highlight and made this camp stand out from others.
Activities were flexible (eg we stayed out very late one evening for specific wildlife sightings) but then on our returned to camp the staff wanted us to rush to dinner to fit with their schedule.
We had a puncture (not unexpected) but the spare tyre was flat so we had to wait for a service vehicle to come out with another spare. However the spare was stuck on the service vehicle. Better maintenance checks should be done on the vehicles before setting out." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Rwanda; 1n in Kenya; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Oxon
"Selinda Explorers Camp review"
4 nights Arrived 10 Sep 2016
"Enjoyed our time here. Our one concern was that it is advertised as a predominantly walking camp - but with only two guides you can only go for a walk if the other guests want to go for a walk too. (Ours didn't)
Thanks to some diplomacy by the guide and managers we managed to go for a couple of short walks but (with typical British reserve) felt awkward having to make a bit of an issue out of it.
Overall a good camp, great food, good guiding and excellent game." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 8n in Mozambique; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Thanks to some diplomacy by the guide and managers we managed to go for a couple of short walks but (with typical British reserve) felt awkward having to make a bit of an issue out of it.
Overall a good camp, great food, good guiding and excellent game." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 8n in Mozambique; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
The B family
Brighton
"Excellent wildlife"
3 nights Arrived 26 Aug 2016
"This was the place to see big game up close and personal. Our very experienced guide could sniff out a pack of lions from miles away and we followed a chase and a kill and witnessed the end result of a wildebeest that wasn't concentrating and got taken down by the pride!
The drives just got better and better, we did have to get up early though, 5.30am call, but we were given coffee and cookies and once in the vehicle warm ponchos were provided. We had breakfast out on the plains each day and one day they brought lunch to the spillway which was a lovely surprise.
Our guide was a keen canoe fan and so we went out twice on the waterway, it was a lot of fun with two to a canoe and so peaceful and great to see another side to Africa. Another great day followed by sundowners and incredible skies.
The camp had a lovely feel to it, opulence and African spice. The staff were perfect hosts and once again it was more like sitting with friends in the evening than anything.
The tents were 5 star luxury and once again you could hear lions and wild animals literally outside the tents at night. Sounds scary but it all added to the atmosphere.
This was more than excellent" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
The drives just got better and better, we did have to get up early though, 5.30am call, but we were given coffee and cookies and once in the vehicle warm ponchos were provided. We had breakfast out on the plains each day and one day they brought lunch to the spillway which was a lovely surprise.
Our guide was a keen canoe fan and so we went out twice on the waterway, it was a lot of fun with two to a canoe and so peaceful and great to see another side to Africa. Another great day followed by sundowners and incredible skies.
The camp had a lovely feel to it, opulence and African spice. The staff were perfect hosts and once again it was more like sitting with friends in the evening than anything.
The tents were 5 star luxury and once again you could hear lions and wild animals literally outside the tents at night. Sounds scary but it all added to the atmosphere.
This was more than excellent" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Peacocks/LC
USA
"First rate Explorers on third Safari"
4 nights Arrived 21 Aug 2016
"When we planned our safari we asked Expert Africa to choose camps that met three requirements:
Excellent game viewing
Excellent location
Excellent management that wasn't too "corporate".
We had been spoiled by mobile safaris in Zimbabwe and we were concerned that Botswana camps would cater to guests who preferred creature comforts over unique experiences.
Selinda Explorers was so exceptional we are alerting attempting to return in 2017." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana
Excellent game viewing
Excellent location
Excellent management that wasn't too "corporate".
We had been spoiled by mobile safaris in Zimbabwe and we were concerned that Botswana camps would cater to guests who preferred creature comforts over unique experiences.
Selinda Explorers was so exceptional we are alerting attempting to return in 2017." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs TM
Utah, USA
"Three nights in June at Selinda Explorers"
3 nights Arrived 15 Jun 2016
"Our guides were Piet and Victor. Both were superb! Game drives were in vehicles with four guests per vehicle.
Highlights were: (1) a pack of wild dogs playing together, hunting (without success), and then laying down to rest, (2) a herd of roan antelope, (3) ostriches, (4) a gigantic pride (200+) elephants moving north at sunset, (5) two lion prides, (6) red lechwe, (7) wildebeests, and (8) a "charge" by four elephants led by a notorious, cantankerous elephant with an injured ear. The charge was avoided by Piet's adept driving skills.
The staff was happy, hard working and professional.
The food and guest units were excellent (except the inside of the guest units are not well lit at night as was surely the case in true explorer camps)." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
Highlights were: (1) a pack of wild dogs playing together, hunting (without success), and then laying down to rest, (2) a herd of roan antelope, (3) ostriches, (4) a gigantic pride (200+) elephants moving north at sunset, (5) two lion prides, (6) red lechwe, (7) wildebeests, and (8) a "charge" by four elephants led by a notorious, cantankerous elephant with an injured ear. The charge was avoided by Piet's adept driving skills.
The staff was happy, hard working and professional.
The food and guest units were excellent (except the inside of the guest units are not well lit at night as was surely the case in true explorer camps)." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs A
Utah
"Exceptional stay at Selinda Explorers Camp"
3 nights Arrived 15 Jun 2016
"Lizzie was the perfect host. Victor and Piet were excellent guides and we saw amazing animals and birds.
We loved the tents, trunks, carpets, basins etc. We felt like true explorers.
The food was wonderful. We ate too much!" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
We loved the tents, trunks, carpets, basins etc. We felt like true explorers.
The food was wonderful. We ate too much!" See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 6n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr V
Birmingham
"Walking at Selinda"
4 nights Arrived 1 Nov 2015
"I wanted to come to this camp to walk in the bush, however it seemed to me that the camp rather focused on 4x4 drives, as walking was not offered to me when I arrived. I asked my guide about walking but he had injured his knee, and the other people in my vehicle were not really interested in walking.
Indeed and I understand their position, as this was a "holiday of a lifetime" for them, the other people in the 4x4 were just interested in doing a "check list" of the animals they saw rather then wanting to appreciate Africa and the bush as a whole.
The good news was that when I expressed my concerns to the management, I was given a guide to go walking with, which I did, and also a seperate 4x4 for drives. This I felt was an excellent response.
The camp itself is a bit rustic, but it is build like a bush camp; it is I suppose my taste being a bit more luxurious than it was!" See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
Indeed and I understand their position, as this was a "holiday of a lifetime" for them, the other people in the 4x4 were just interested in doing a "check list" of the animals they saw rather then wanting to appreciate Africa and the bush as a whole.
The good news was that when I expressed my concerns to the management, I was given a guide to go walking with, which I did, and also a seperate 4x4 for drives. This I felt was an excellent response.
The camp itself is a bit rustic, but it is build like a bush camp; it is I suppose my taste being a bit more luxurious than it was!" See all these reviews: 7n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Average
Ms L
Leeds
"Beautiful location"
3 nights Arrived 25 Sep 2015
"Selinda Explorers Camp is in a wonderful location on the bend of a river. When we were there hyaena had made a kill just across the river and so we experienced that and the subsequent vultures within 5 minutes of the camp.
It was interesting to experience the tented camp and bush shower though it meant it was really very hot in the middle of the day without AC. Breakfast by the camp fire was lovely and the camp was small enough to feel quite special and intimate.
The 4WD trips were well run with lots to see." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa
It was interesting to experience the tented camp and bush shower though it meant it was really very hot in the middle of the day without AC. Breakfast by the camp fire was lovely and the camp was small enough to feel quite special and intimate.
The 4WD trips were well run with lots to see." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 7n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Paris
"Unique experience at Selinda Explorers Camp!"
2 nights Arrived 10 Aug 2015
"Camp was amazing, in the middle of nowhere, with wildlife all around it (we had the visit of hyenas during the night inside the camp, unforgettable!).
I strongly recommend this camp, staff was extremely pleasant and careful (they prepared a surprise for our honeymoon the last night on the camp), food and wine excellent, and the camp in itself is a real experience!
Last, ask for Keeny as a guide. He knows almost everything on nature and wildlife. He even managed to attract a herd of wildogs towards some impalas and trigger a hunting just by imitating their calls!" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
I strongly recommend this camp, staff was extremely pleasant and careful (they prepared a surprise for our honeymoon the last night on the camp), food and wine excellent, and the camp in itself is a real experience!
Last, ask for Keeny as a guide. He knows almost everything on nature and wildlife. He even managed to attract a herd of wildogs towards some impalas and trigger a hunting just by imitating their calls!" See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Kwando-Linyanti area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Lagoon Camp
Within the vast Kwando Reserve, renowned for its wild dogs, Lagoon Camp offers excellent game viewing that focuses on predators.
Lebala Camp
With enthusiastic guides and trackers, Lebala – in a vast private reserve – is particularly well-placed for seeking wild dogs.
Selinda Camp
In an attractive area that is particularly rich in game between June and November, the luxurious Selinda Camp caters particularly well for photographers.
DumaTau
DumaTau, in the private Linyanti Reserve, offers game drives, seasonal boat cruises and walks. Wildlife safaris here are quite seasonal, and are at their best during the height of the dry season, between June and October.
Linyanti Bush Camp
An increasingly rare find in Botswana, Linyanti Bush Camp blends relative simplicity with numerous activities and very good guiding.
Savuti Camp
For years the Savuti Channel ran dry, but it's now flowing again and this newly refurbished, 7-room lodge has pride of place to witness the spectacle.
Zarafa Camp
Zarafa is an exclusive camp overlooking the scenic Zibadianja Lagoon within the Selinda Reserve, a particularly game-rich area between June and early November.
Kings Pool
King’s Pool is a top-end luxury safari camp with a price tag to match; the game viewing can be very good during the dry season.
Linyanti Ebony
Independently owned and run, the small Linyanti Ebony sits on the same site as Linyanti Bush Camp, with similarly high standards of guiding, and a strong emphasis on the wildlife experience.
Linyanti Expeditions
Tip-top guiding. In tune with the habitat. Down-to-earth, authentic camp comfort. A place of wilderness safari harmony.
Little DumaTau
Small and sophisticated, Little DumaTau lies adjacent to its larger sibling in the private Linyanti Reserve, overlooking a beautiful lagoon.
