Selinda Explorers Camp is located in the 130,000-hectare Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana and is built on the banks of the Selinda Spillway, about one hour west of its sister camp, Selinda. This classic camp transports us back to the time of authentic safaris, but with a modern twist and hospitality. The camp’s focal point is the Bedouin-style main area consisting of a lounge and separate dining room. The four guest tents provide comfort and style but with a magnificently raw spirit. Subtly placed under the shade of the riverine forest, the camp is designed in the style of the early explorers both in philosophy and practice. Whiling away afternoons under the canopy of African ebony and Mopane trees, interspersed with walks and canoeing, make this a respite from the ‘daily grind’ of a traditional safari. Selinda Explorers Camp is an ideal property for those guests who want to experience Botswana’s extraordinary wildlife but in the most private setting. Selinda Explorers Camp is ideal for individual travellers, couples, families and small groups of up to eight guests sharing.
We travelled for 6 weeks in 5 countries in Southern Africa and we lost our heart to this safari camp. Although we only had 2 nights here, it felt like a week. Our guide Rati was friendly and knowledgeable and we had her as our personal guide the whole time. Imagine watching a lioness and her cubs playing in the sunshine when you are the only two people in the safari car and what felt like the whole area! The managers and staff went out of their way in terms of service but also as human beings; they were interested in us and where we came from. The food was unexpectedly fancy and delicious. The best part after the people was the unique nature of this place; vintage safari furniture in the room and lounges, candlelit dinners; this is your Out of Africa experience if that is what you want. NO WIFI thank goodness and nothing but wilderness and a safari like you imagine from the 1920's. Thanks to Bujos, Ceci, Freeman, Gee and especially Rati our fantastic (and female) wilderness guide.
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Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Selinda Explorers Camp could not have been better. The atmosphere of the camp that is already spectacular was vastly enhanced by the team. We did not only feel like guest but family. The outstanding service could not have been better and went way beyond our expectations or anything we have experienced before. Every of our wish was fulfilled. Even the ones we did not know we had. The kitchen was nothing short of spectacular and the chefs went out of their way to ensure we gained weight in the most pleasant way. Not only their cooking skills but also the presentation of each meal made it a 5star experience in every way. And then there was the landscape and the game. Our guide went all the way and beyond to give us the most memorable moments and he was always very accommodating to the photographers needs. Thank you Selinda Explorers team from the bottom of our hearts for this wonderful time. We could not have enjoyed it more. If you can, stay longer than 2-3 nights only! We had 8 nights and it was worth every single minute.
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Date of stay: May 2021
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I travelled to Selinda Explorer’s in late August 2023 for 3 nights with my mother. It was her first safari camp, and my 7th. I had previously stayed in the Linyanti Reserve right next door and had a fantastic experience, so I was excited to share this beautiful area with my mother. The Selinda Reserve was enormous and the wildlife sightings were outstanding. We had Chillie B as our private guide and he was a terrific tracker and incredibly knowledgable. Right from the airstrip we were zipping off to see a beautiful Leopard, and just before arriving at camp we were lucky enough to see a large pack of Wild Dogs. Over the course of the next 3 days we saw more lions than I have seen at any other camp - all beautiful and healthy, and many lion cubs too! Several leopard sightings, hyena, ostrich, giraffe, countless elephants, buffalo, so many types of antelope, and many many beautiful birds - several new to me. The wildlife, and the setting were truly spectacular! And you really feel as though you have the entire reserve to yourself. It is 1300 sq km, and there were less than ten vehicles out on the entire reserve during our stay. We would hardly see any other vehicles.
The camp was very rustic in style, and the staff were warm, friendly, and attentive. While we enjoyed the camp, the rustic style was less enjoyable than the other camp we had stayed at in the Okavango Delta on this trip (a Wilderness Classic Camp), as well as other Wilderness Classic Camps I have stayed at in Botswana. The Great Plains Explorer Collection was definitely a step below, which is fine if that suits your taste. Food was good, but not exceptional like we have had at other camps. Our biggest complaint was the shower in the room. I caveat this as I know we are in a very remote area of Botswana and to have a private shower in a tent is a luxury in and of itself. That being said, the shower just did not work properly and I’ve not had such trouble at other camps. Pressure was non existent at times (down to a dribble) and hot water would run out very quickly even though we had our own hot water tank for our tent. We notified management and they attempted to fix the issue, but the fix was unsuccessful.
All in all I would 100% recommend the Selinda Reserve. If returning, I personally might try one of their premier camps - Selinda or Zarafa (and I am not one to need the most luxurious option at all times), but if you are looking for a more rustic camping experience, Selinda Explorers is a great option.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Selinda Explorers Camp is just perfect. The location on the Selinda Spillway (full of water when we were there) is idyllic. The roomy, well appointed tent bedroom goes well beyond any usual definition of ‘tent’ and the dining and sitting areas are lovely.
Service and food are top notch. The staff led by manageress Dudu are without exception friendly, attentive and professional. Our stay happily happened to coincide with Botswana’s independence day which added a real sense of occasion.
We were delighted with our guide Stanley, who clearly really knows his stuff. Our game drives were excellent and we were fortunate to see a wide range of animals at close quarters - including some moments of (safe) high drama...
I’m sure we’ll be back.
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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My husband and I came here on our honeymoon. The camp made us feel like how early European explorers must have felt, except the accommodations were well appointed and included delicious 5 star meals, nice amenities (great linens!) and were very clean. The service is incredible and our guide James was knowledgeable, personable and down for helping us find true adventure! We fell in love with Africa on this trip and can’t wait to go back.
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Date of stay: August 2022
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We stayed at Selinda Explorers camp for 3 nights during our 2-week long Africa trip. This was our favorite camp that we stayed at, everything from the tented accommodation, the staff, the animal sightings, and the food was all fantastic. Our guide was Stitch who was great! He tracked down a lot of animals for us (full list below). He always made sure we were comfortable and even made an effort to move into the best lighting for our pictures. The rest of the staff were also great. Special shoutout to TBK, Paul, and Snoop for being so welcoming and nice to us. I enjoyed how the camp was smaller (only 4 tents), it felt more private than the other camps we stayed at. We really liked the tent accommodation, it felt more rustic than some of the other lodging we stayed at, but was very comfortable. The tent gets cold at night if you visit in winter, so bring warm PJ’s. They gave you lots of blankets and hot water bottles to sleep with, so we were nice and cozy. I also liked how this camp brought you coffee and biscuits to your room in the morning when they woke you up, and we had breakfast out on safari rather than at camp before leaving. It allowed us to be able to see more animals in the morning. The camp had a really cool vibe, it reminded me of an old, rustic safari camp like from Tarzan. For siestas, they had a pool, and covered outdoor bed, a hammock, and various areas to sit in and relax. They had lots of interesting books to read also. Like Most (all?) camps, they had a huge variety of drinks that you were welcome to enjoy. And last but not least, the food! Oh my goodness it was amazing! Really, huge kudos to the chefs at this camp, they do an amazing job. I wanted to get some recipes from them, but kept putting it off until it was too late. I would highly recommend this camp, and if we come back to Botswana, we will stay at this camp again.
Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Great Plains Conservation, Owner at Great Plains Conservation Selinda Explorers Camp
Responded 30 Oct 2024
Hi there, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that Selinda Explorers Camp became a highlight of your African journey. We are also happy to hear that Stitch, TBK, Paul, and Snoop made your stay so memorable and that you enjoyed the rustic charm, early morning coffee, and amazing meals from our chefs. We’d love to welcome you back soon—hopefully next time you can get those recipes! Warm regards, The Selinda Explorers Camp Team
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This camp was an absolute joy from the moment we arrived. Beautiful location, impeccable game viewing with a wonderful guide Chilibe, welcoming staff who go the extra mile to make your stay memorable, attention to detail with a comfort level and informality we adored. Please don’t change this beautiful camp - it is absolutely perfect as it is!
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Date of stay: October 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Most of Botswana's famous animals can be seen here. You probably don't need to go to another camp.
Camp was great! Although it's a tent rather than a cottage, you can always take a shower. You can also enjoy delicious drinks and delicious food.
And the staff are amazing! they are very nice people. We will be back again soon!
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:If you want to see more animals, private reserves are the way to go.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We've visited both Selinda Explorers and the 'old' Selinda Main camp in the past. As usual, the staff was attentive and the guiding and game experiences were brilliant. There was no comparison between the camp we came from and Explorers. On the drive from the airstrip to camp, we saw more wildlife than we had in 3 days at the previous camp ! My only complaint is the change to not serving any breakfast prior to the morning game drive. I'd much rather have something small and then come back for brunch earlier rather than eating during the drive and having lunch. All and all it was a great trip and I highly recommend the concession.
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Date of stay: May 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent four days at the Selinda Explorers camp on the Okavango Delta with our daughter and son-in-law. Words cannot describe the magnitude of our experience. We first have to begin with our guide Stanley. Yes, everyone "thinks" their guide is the best, but in our case Stanley truly is the BEST! Our relationship with Stanley quickly began to feel more like family. Stanley is one of the happiest, hardest working, joyful, and genuine people you will ever meet. Stanley sang traditional songs, made us laugh, and put us right in the middle of so, so many animals day after day. Our family now has new words that we call "Stanleyism's"...Some examples are: "branches" and "hold on"...When Stanley says "branches" it means you have about half a second to get down before some branches take you out, and when Stanley says "hold on" that means you better HOLD ON TIGHT to your seat because something exciting is about to happen! We are so grateful to now call Stanley our friend. The rest of the crew at Selinda are all equally wonderful! The Botswana people are truly some of the warmest and friendliest people in the world. The camp, accommodations, food and drink are all the best. Get ready to hear lions roaring at night just outside of camp, and see elephants walking by your path to breakfast! In short, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Regarding Sleep Quality--Accommodations are wonderful! However, be prepared to hear wild animals...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Great Plains Conservation, Owner at Great Plains Conservation Selinda Explorers Camp
Responded 08 Aug 2024
Hi there Christina, Thank you for your review and wonderful feedback. Our hearts are so warm to hear how much you enjoyed your stay with us, especially your safari drives with Stanley. We will be sure he, and the rest of the team, hear your kind words. We hope to have you back with us soon to experience some more "Stanleyism's" Warm regards, The Selinda Explorers Camp Team
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Hi there Annette,
We are so excited you see you are interested to stay at our Selinda Explorers Camp in the private Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana
You don't mention how many folks would be travelling with you or when you would like to travel so I recommend that you simply go to the rates section on our website (we not allowed to include web addresses here on Tripadvisor) but you could go to greatplainsconservation com - scroll down to the very bottom and there you will see a link to our rates for travel in 2014 and 2015.
Should you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me directly - hilton @ greatplainsconservation com
Looking forward to having you stay with us real soon
Hilton Walker
Sales and Reservations Director
Great Plains Conservation
There are more places to choose from in the Okavango Delta area.
LOCATION
BotswanaNorth-West DistrictOkavango Delta
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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