Finest Lodges

Description & Location

The Retreat, located in Northern Selous, is a twelve-suite exquisite hideaway that offers complete seclusion in the heart of remote bush lands. The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected wildlife sanctuary in Africa and is widely accredited as being the most pristine wilderness and one of the “secrets of Africa”.

Elephants, lions, black rhinos, leopards, wild dogs, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles and more than 400 different birds can be seen among a lot of other wildlife. Guests at The Retreat are invited to share a rare intact ecosystem of Africa which is perfectly untouched and can be explored in many different ways.  

Tailored made activities and various themes (Adventure, Awareness, Romance in Africa, Family Delight, The Spiritual Retreat) give every guest the opportunity to explore and experience The Africa right for him or her. The hotel’s passionate and experienced local and international guides are true “guides” into such tailor made experiences made either as daily excursions from the lodge on foot, boat or road in tracking untamed animals possible with a night in a fly camp or in the love nest.

The Retreat also appeals to those guests who crave adventure and authenticity. Whether it be hiking through the bush for several days, sleeping under the African Sky in a fly camp complete with private cook, butler and guide or drifting down the Great Ruaha River in a canoe to view the vast array of birdlife, flora and fauna – The Retreat has something for everyone.

Private space and pace and different themes for exploring and experiencing wildlife and nature, seclusion and individual services to the highest standard  in harmony with nature are the hallmarks of The Retreat”. 

Highlights

Suites & Tents

• The customised 100 m² luxury tents, mounted on raised teak wood platforms, rise to a height of over 6 metres & are protected by two layers - a strong mosquito net as an inner wall and heavy duty canvas on the outer side
• All tents can be fully opened to the sounds, breeze and full view of the nature
• An integral part of each suite is its own private outdoor deck with seating and signature outdoor antique copper bathtubs
• A comfortable king size bed surrounded by a silk mosquito net
• Indoor en suite facilities, including separate shower and specially commissioned washbasins made from semi-precious stones
• Carefully designed interiors are complemented by handpicked African antiques and local materials

Hotel

• Spa treatment
• Guided tours and excursions
• Satellite internet
• HF radio communication
• Communication between each tent and main house through mobile radio

Location and Travel

The Selous Game Reserve is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and at 55,000 km² is almost twice the size of Switzerland and just 200 km south west by air of Dar es Salaam. It is the largest protected wildlife sanctuary in Africa and is widely accredited as being the most pristine wilderness.

How to get there

Sumbazi airstrip, a 30 minutes drive from the lodge, is served by several airlines, notably daily scheduled flights (charters also available), from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Ruaha. From Dar es Salaam, a 70-minute flight is operated comfortably and efficiently by several airlines.

The private guide of The Retreat will provide a special meet and greet service at Sumbazi airstrip and transfer the guests often in combination with the first exciting game drive to the lodge.

The short rains fall in November and December and are followed by a partial dry out period during January and February. Thereafter, the long rains ease in and generally end early to mid-May. With an average relative humidity of around 60%, temperatures range mainly between 14 and 39°C. The Camp, well positioned with its central hilltop fort, benefits from welcoming cooling breezes. The Retreat schedules its annual closed season from towards the end of March, re-opening again for the new season commencing 1st June

The Retreat Selous

The Retreat, located in Northern Selous, is a twelve-suite exquisite hideaway that offers complete seclusion in the heart of remote bush lands. The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected wildlife......