African Safaris and African Safari Tours

Lukula, The Selous Project

Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania)

 

 

 

Location

The Selous Game Reserve encompasses 55,000 square kilometers of wilderness. At well over twice the size of the Kruger National Park, the Selous Reserve is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries anywhere. The Selous is world renowned for its wild character and large populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, crocodile and African wild dog. Within this special place, deep in its southern reaches and far from anyone else, you find Lukula Selous.

Lukula Selous is a private photographic sanctuary of over 300,000 acres where only one group of guests is permitted into the entire area at any given time. The group may be an individual, a couple, a family or a private group of friends or colleagues, up to a maximum of eight people, with no age limits. We only host guests for five months of the year, from July through November, during the dry season when the animals concentrate along the waterways that meander through this sector of the Reserve.

 

 

 

 

Privacy and complete freedom capture the spirit of Lukula Selous!

Select, small groups and individuals have the opportunity to explore this wilderness in complete privacy and with complete freedom under expert guidance only. The minimum stay is four nights, but if guests wish to enjoy longer canoeing safaris and camp-outs with an authentic ‘portered’ fly camp to explore the different sectors of the area, we recommend longer stays of up to one week or more. Lukula Selous boasts a diverse habitat ranging from open flood plains interspersed with dense riparian forests that border the Lukula, Luwegu and Chi rivers, to open savanna, which recedes to forested, rolling hills and steep ridges of exposed rock. A landscape seldom visited and unchanged by man, rich in wildlife and spectacular with nature.

Privacy and freedom is what Lukula is all about. Only a few privileged, small groups and individuals have the opportunity to explore this wilderness in complete privacy and with complete freedom under expert guidance. The minimum stay is three nights, but we recommend longer stays of up to one week, especially if you wish to enjoy longer canoeing safaris and camp-outs in the different sectors of the reserve.

We do not operate to any fixed itinerary but pick up on the rhythm of the wilderness around us, all the time looking to explore and expand our knowledge and understanding. As we only host one group at a time, our strength is flexibility with the space to be free and creative.

 

 

 

THE CAMP

Guests are true guests in an authentic luxury tented camp with great style. They are hosted by Anton and encouraged to make it their home throughout their stay with us.

Our camp has no permanent structures. It is a luxury, seasonal, tented camp, which is completely removed at the end of each season, leaving the area pristine. The camp utilizes the design and influences of Frederick Courtney Selous and is Anton’s home throughout the season. It is an area to which Selous would have loved to retire. He and his contemporaries would have found home and comfort here in which to refresh their bodies and minds, documenting their discoveries as they explored the natural history around them.

In the same way guests will appreciate the camp’s authentic, comfortable, and stylish wilderness retreat in which to relax, dine and refresh. The secluded campsite is built on the banks of the Luwegu River and spreads out amongst a large shady riverine forest characterized by acacia, tamarind, fig and sausage trees. Each spacious tent lies in cool shade with a beautiful view across the water to the broad white sand banks that profile the river. The sight and sound of hippo and plains game is a daily occurrence enjoyed from bed, from the canvas verandahs or whilst taking a piping hot morning or evening shower.

THE CAMP HAS NO PERMANENT STRUCTURES!

 

 

 

 

Accommodation

The camp has only 4 spacious sleeping tents set along the riverbank. Each authentic and stylish tent possesses beautifully worked pieces of campaign furniture made from re-cycled hardwoods, brass, copper and weathered canvas, enhanced by carpets, cushions and colors brought inland from Zanzibar and afar.

En suite facilities feature large open-air bathrooms with bucket showers, flush toilets, washbasins and vanity stands. Hot water is available upon request 24 hours a day. Each sleeping tent has large comfortable beds, luxurious linen, full-length mirrors and standing fans.

 

 

 

 

 

CAMP AMENITIES

Dining Area

A spacious and comfortably appointed dining tent provides an intimate and extremely beautiful area in which to relax and dine at a finely crafted mahogany table, under magnificent candelabra. The ‘diwan’ area stretches out onto the verandah and is a haven to quietly read a favorite book, listen to the many sounds of river life or reflect upon the day’s adventures. A small campfire set out under the stars provides a perfect compliment to dinner and to the evening’s gatherings.

Meals

 All meals are expertly prepared using wholesome, natural and local ingredients. Bread and cakes are freshly baked in the camp’s ‘dutch’ oven daily. Comprehensive picnic boxes with cold drinks are packed for all day (or longer) expeditions from camp. Special meals and dietary restrictions can be accommodated upon request. Please note, however, due to the remoteness of Lukula Selous, any such requests need to be made well in advance of a safari, as per our guest information sheet. All drinks are included in the tariff, excluding champagne. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR YOUR COMFORT!

 

 

 

 

Lighting and Power

A state-of-the-art mobile solar-power system provides all the camp’s power, with a small, silenced, back-up generator only used to top up the system on cloudy days, if necessary. The system is designed for low current usage (no hairdryers) by optimizing the use of hi-quality low wattage lights, low-energy fans and solar refrigeration. Guests may recharge camera batteries at the main charging station at any time and are encouraged to bring additional camera batteries to allow for longer overnight excursions from main camp where recharging facilities are limited.

Laundry

Complimentary same day laundry service is offered.

 

 

 

 

 

THE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

Lukula Seasons & Activities

 The weather and environment in Lukula is a constant cycle of dry and wet spread over a rainfall pattern that sees the area blessed with two periods of rain each year. The short rains usually arrive in December and are quick to fade in January. The longer rains commence in mid to late February staying through to early April. The rainfall pattern ebbs and flows within this period with dry days as rain builds to be broken by a day or night of rain. Rain is water and energizes this land. It washes the burnt scars clean and removes the dust from this place. It fills the dry sand river beds with sparkling streams, and glides across pristine white surfaces to fill the main Luwego River and wake it from its dry season lethargy. New energy and life releases as the main river rises; flooding across the plains bringing nourishment to dried wallows, waterholes which synchronizes the plants and animals in a constant cycle of creation, birth and demise as they move and flow through the reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN AUTHENTIC SAFARI EXPERIENCE WITH EXTRAORDINARY WILDLIFE VIEWING AND ENCOUNTERS

For guests who stay longer than three nights, we are able to arrange a lightweight, fully equipped authentic fly-camp that allows us, as in the tradition of Selous, to explore deep into the remoter parts of the sanctuary, on foot or by canoe, independent from our main camp for an overnight or longer, as you wish.

The fly-camp is lightweight and carried by porters. It is comfortable and gives a great authentic bush experience under the stars. Sleeping arrangements are on the ground, on custom made canvas valises with linen sheets, blankets and mosquito nets. A travelling chef and kitchen ensure appetites are replete with great food, and a cold drink is always to hand. Facilities are a shared hot bucket shower, canvas wash basins, and proper sit-down ‘loo with a view’.

 

 

 

Activities:

• The main activity at Lukula Selous centers around going out on game drives to enjoy the resident wildlife on the concession, with on a maximum of 4 guests per vehicle each with their own professional guide, tracker and driver.
• Game ‘interpretive’ walks and tracking, maximum of 4 guests in a group to maximize experience and safety on foot. Great opportunity to learn animal ecology and behavior plus flora, geology of area and bush lore.
• Temporary game hides/’Blind sits’ for opportunities to photograph wildlife and study animal interactions up close.
• Traditional portered walking adventures for 1 to 10 nights which give ample opportunity for guests to explore far and remote areas of this wild reserve with the luxury of bedrolls, mosquito nets, communal bucket showers and ‘short drop’ loo with a view, serviced bar and great bush fare cooked over open fires.
• Canoeing in inflatable 2 man canoes, comfortable with bed supports, 3 air cell construction for safety, stylish and well fitted personal buoyancy aids, and paddles, ‘canoe’ dry bags for stowage of camera equipment and personal equipment. Great platform to navigate and explore along the Luwego river, with good concentrations of wildlife and birdlife in view. Duration is dependent on seasons, dry season only limited to small sections of the river allowing up to 4 hours canoe journey. Wetter seasons up to 3 days excursion.
• Guests can take the opportunity of enjoying fishing for catfish and tiger fish.
• Aluminum skiff 12’ with 20 hp motor for river journeys available for max 4 guests with guide (water levels dependent). This activity is ideal for birding and exploring the river.
• Bush breakfasts, dinners, and picnics throughout the area with great food and cold drinks.
• Expeditions & Wildlife monitoring, guests able to enjoy periods with Project conservation teams as they carry out specific conservation tasks collating and monitoring all fauna and flora in the area. This activity is primarily limited to the ‘Patrols and monitoring’ season with each monitoring expedition having a set of conservation objectives.
• Cultural and community project visits to villages working with The Selous Project and living on the northern boundary of the area.
• Yoga & Yoga Nidra.
• High concentrations wild dog, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, leopard, waterbuck, impala, warthog, Nyassa wildebeest. Others include Sable, Eland, Lichtenstein Hartebeest, Bush duiker, Red duiker, Greater Kudu, Lion
• Phenomenal bird life (up to 350 species recorded) include rollers, bee eaters, raptors, Pel’s fishing owl, Wattled crane, African skimmer, Parrots, Twin spots, Ibises and storks, Trogons, Turacos, Ground horn bill, Silvery Cheeked hornbill, Trumpeter hornbill, Lapwings, Thicknees, Woolly necked stork
• Luxury authentic bush elegance with relaxed bohemian style. Great attentive staff and private professional service and fabulous food.

The ‘Natural’ High Season (15th June to 15th November)

 The Scene From the middle of June through to September, the landscape progressively dries concentrating the game throughout the reserve along the Chi, Lukula and Luwego Rivers which meander through our concession. The roads and dry landscape allows for relative ease of movement by vehicle throughout the area. In October, the landscape is drier; broken by lines of brilliant white and deep emerald green that stretch along sand rivers and permanent water remaining in the Chi, Lukula and Luwego Rivers. Hippos concentrate in single groups often numbering in their hundreds. Elephant emerge from the riparian forests to dig for clean water in the stillness of midday. Female zebra, wildebeest, impala and waterbuck grow swollen ready to give birth with the advent of rain. In early November, Yellow Acacia on sensing the arrival of the short rains will flush through with blossom, as termites emerge from deep within the earth to build up their mud citadels with turrets high to withstand the impending deluge. Wildflowers emerge from the sand. Migrant birds arrive, with flocks of European bee eaters whistling overhead. Male weavers weave their nests high in the fronds of a borassus palm. Wild dog hunt and feed on the first impala fawns born on the sands of the Lukula and Luwego River. Activities It is during these months that access is good to most areas in the reserve by road and thus offers prime opportunity for guests to explore the landscape. There is good walking along the major rivers with great camp outs on the sand rivers which are always a highlight under a full moon. Canoeing from August through early November is limited to small sections of the river as the dry season strengthens. All camp facilities and activities are available.

The Adventure Seasons (1st May to 15th June & 16th November to 31st January)

The Scene In December, an afternoon rain storm has passed, the river has risen since the night and the great congregations of hippo found along the river during the dry season have dispersed up its course and into the freshly watered tributaries. The reserve is alive with young antelope and birds born just after the first spring rains. In January, zebra and wildebeest are followed slowly by herds of buffalo as they move from the river floodplains, up into the hills as a fresh flush of grass heals the drier scars across the land. In May through into June, as the waters start to recede and the smaller tributaries drain, Buffalo emerge from the high grass to relax on expanses of warm white sand and ruminate. Elephant and other smaller game start to slowly draw towards the main rivers followed by the predators. Activities It is for the more adventurous. This period provide great opportunities for long walking expeditions with more water activities as well as following the movement of game in the hills, offering fantastic ridge walks and vistas down onto the Luwego and Lukula Rivers. Guests utilize less vehicle movement with the focus centered on walking the concession more with full day and multi-day walking/canoeing journeys throughout the reserve. Canoeing is good and more widespread. All camp facilities and activities are available

Patrolling and Monitoring Season (1st Feb to 30th April)

 The Scene In February through to April, the Chi, Lukula and Luwego Rivers flood. Elephant herds wander far as each family group follows age-old migratory routes to new fresh sources of vegetation hidden in remote areas throughout the reserve. Lion call and wander far in search of widely scattered prey as high grass makes their hunts more challenging and less successful. Activities Intrepid guests with a passion for wildlife and who want to assist with real conservation operations in the field is a focus during these months. Activities provide guest opportunity to participate in game count and conservation patrolling activities in the area. This involves groups accompanying game management patrols and monitoring activities. Patrols are dropped at a start point by light aircraft or vehicle to walk to a pre-determined pick up point; with porter assistance to carry equipment, food, radios, monitoring and survey equipment to sustain guest and staff on their journey across the reserve. Duration can be up to 1 week. Patrols may also use canoes and small motorized river craft to gain access and for re-supply. Camp facilities and vehicle movement are more limited. Access Lukula Selous is only accessible by air charter into the licensed private airstrip, which is approximately a 5-minute drive from camp. The flight time from Dar es Salaam is approximately 1hr and 45min   

 

   Accommodation Rates:- From $750 per person per night sharing -  Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary