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The Retreat Selous - Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
About this Chic Retreat
The Retreat Selous is an all-suite luxury safari destination with 12 tented-suites in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania in an area that has remained untouched by civilisation for centuries, 7-hours drive from the next camp. This Swiss-owned retreat offers a personal and holistic approach to a journey to the African wilderness where guests can discover Africa and its wildlife at their own pace with a daily tailor-made programme based on their needs and wishes. The highly trained Retreat guides will take guests on a specially-devised safari exploration into one of the last intact African ecosystems, with a huge variety of wildlife to spot from lions and cheetahs to black & white colobus monkeys and elephants. Guests can sit back in the privacy of their luxurious suites, by the private plunge pools of the riverside suites, or out on the terraces where guests can relax with a cocktail and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.
The main house is a large clay fort on top of the hill with an infinity pool, bar, restaurant and many terraces. Enjoy a glass of champagne on the rooftop terrace and watch hippos wading in the river or take in the sunset at the riverside bar, complete with a second infinity pool. As evening falls, head to the outdoor spa, directly on the shores of the Great Ruaha river, which offers a relaxing & balancing range of treatments using plant & fruit extracts, sound therapy and crystal treatments.
Accommodation
There are 12 tented-suites at The Retreat Selous: 6 Eagle Hill suites close to the main lodge on top of the hill; 3 River suites, each with an additional private deck complete with plunge pool; the spacious Lion's River suite, ideal for honeymooners or families; and 2 km away from the main lodge there is a fully-private hideaway called Hippo Point, complete with its own bar, restaurant, cook, butler, guide, 2 suites with plunge pools and an infinity pool - the ultimate in private and secluded accommodation and services. Suites range in size from 100 to 220 sqm including a lounge, an indoor en-suite bathroom with Zanzibari natural bath products, a hand-crafted bath outdoors and an additional sitting area. Each suite has been individually styled with African art & antiques, luxurious seating areas and large antique beds.
The Lion's River Suite has an additional 60 sqm self-contained smaller tent which works well as either a children's room or a spacious living area for a romantic honeymoon. Natural materials, handmade textiles, including silk mosquito nets and curtains, and locally-sourced crafts have been used throughout, and this Swiss-owned property offers a holistic experience where tradition & luxury go hand-in-hand while maintaining an ecological view of luxury tourism. The Retreat Selous welcomes children and ensures that both families and couples can enjoy a peaceful experience with suites positioned 30 - 50 m apart on different levels.
For a romantic treat, stay in the Love Nest, 4 m above the ground under the shelter of an evergreen tree and just above a hippo path. This chic suite, complete with a bathroom with shower, a small dining area and a swing, is the perfect spot to experience the thrill of an African night, the only separation from nature being a silk mosquito net.
Activities
The Retreat Selous offers guests individually-tailored activity programmes, taking into consideration the previous African experiences they may have had and providing a personalised entry & experience of African nature & culture. Find harmony with nature, rediscover the natural circle of day & night, let your expectations go and explore completely untouched land.
The Retreat Selous local guides offer game drives and boat excursions along the river as well as fishing trips, bush walks & game tracking. With over 440 bird species including pink-backed pelicans and giant kingfishers, mammals from buffalo and Nyassa wildebeest to giraffe and blue monkeys and a great many predators including spotted hyena and large lion prides, guests will certainly not be disappointed. For a sensual and adventurous experience on the move, go Nomadic Fly Camping, and get up close with the natural environment. Sleeping in translucent tents in mobile camps, guests can return from a day walking in the bush or watching game to a luxury tent and enjoy a romantic dinner service out in the bush and sit around the camp fire with one of the expert guides and hear about life in the African wilds.
After a day exploring, guests can luxuriate in The Retreat Selous outdoor spa which sits on the banks of the Ruaha River, a tranquil spot where guests can enjoy a range of treatments using natural plant extracts and ancient methods from East Africa, Asia & Arabia. Drift away to the sounds of the river and birdsong and take a relaxing massage or re-energising treatment.
Dining
Dinner can be taken in the restaurant in the main house, or meals and sundowners in the bush can be arranged. There are also 2 towers with panoramic views, perfect for private dining. Guests at the exclusive Hippo Point can enjoy a private restaurant and bar service with their own cook and butler. All of the chefs at The Retreat Selous have been trained by Wolfgang Kuchler, one of the top 5 chefs in Switzerland. The international & regional menu uses only the freshest produce from Tanzania.
Rates
Rates at The Retreat Selous are per person per night, except for Hippo Point where rates quoted are for the entire camp. Rates include all meals with soft drinks, juices, beer, house wines, tea, coffee & water, 2 activities per day (i.e. game drives, boat excursions, guided bush walks, fishing & Spa treatments), authentic holistic bush experience incl. "bush surprises", transfers to & from Sumbazi airstrip and 20% VAT and do not include government reserve entry fees, conservation fees and other fees are subject to change without prior notice.
A single supplement of 50% per person per night applies. Children aged 5-10 pay 50% of the full adult rate when sharing with 2 adults. Children aged 2-4 pay 30% of full adult rate when sharing with 2 adults. Children below 2 are free of charge. Children 2-10 years pay 80% of the full adult rate when accommodated in their own suite. Group rates are available on request. Special rates apply for bookings combining The Retreat Selous with The Retreat Dar es Salaam. A Christmas supplement applies between December 22 and January 3 of USD 100 for the suites, USD 80 for children in the Lion's River Suite smaller tent and USD 400 at Hippo Point.
*Child rate (2-10 years) in Lion's River Suite applies to children accommodated in "smaller tent" which can house additional beds for families. Children below 2 years are free of charge, and above 10 years pay full adult rate.
* Rates in USD
Additional information
- Neareast Airport: Sumbazi airstrip.
- Distance from Airport: 40 minutes.
Safari Chic Retreats
12 rooms
Good for:
a luxury eco safari destination for all the familyFacilites:
bar, restaurant, swimming pool, spa treatment room, child friendlyRates starting from
USD 695
per suite per night
per suite per night
Other hotels in Tanzania
- Upendo Villa Retreat, Zanzibar
- Machweo Retreat, Arusha
- Onsea House, Arusha
- Serengeti Migration Camp, Northern Tanzania
- Hatari Lodge, Arusha
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