Situated 1km outside the park's western park boundary and 12km from Matembwe Gate, Sable Mountain Lodge sits high up, north of the Beho Beho hills, and offers lovely views across the surrounding dense brachystegia forest. It is a good base to explore the northern reaches of the Selous Game reserve with guides from the camp who have a great knowledge of the animals and birds.
Location
The lodge is situated over several hills in the far north west corner of Selous, the boundary running right through the camp. The lodge is on land owned by Kisaki village. It is 9km from Matambwe Gate. It is set in deciduous woodland and is very overgrown with lush high grass and plants in the green season, becoming drier as the dry season continues. There is an airstrip a 30 minute drive away and the flying time from Dar es Salaam is 50 minutes. You can also travel by train from Dar. The train runs twice a week, Tuesday at 3.50pm arriving 8pm and Friday departing 2pm and arriving 7pm. Staff from the lodge will collect you and drive you the 30 minutes to the lodge.
Rooms
There are 8 stone cottages and 5 tented bandas, including 2 honeymoon tents, all en-suite. The bathrooms in the tented bandas are slightly larger. There is also a villa with 1 twin and 1 double room and a shared bathroom, good for families or groups of friends. Atop the villa is the Rooftop, a double room with great views of the surrounding landscape.
Communal Areas
As the Sable Mountain site is quite large, there are two separate bar and dining areas, each catering to the rooms closest to it. The first area is nearer reception and has a friendly bar and dining area. The bar is quaintly named the ‘cup and bucket’ after the era before there was running water in camp. People had to wash by pouring water over themselves with a cup from a bucket! Thankfully that is no longer the case as all rooms have a proper shower with hot water. The second bar area is further up the hill and based by the spring-water pool. There are some lovely outdoor tables under umbrellas around the pool as well as a comfy sofa by the bar. Walk along a short walkway to an open-sided lounge area under thatch, with plenty of wicker and cushioned sofas and arm-chairs. This is a good place to relax and enjoy the views, or just read a book in the shade.
Activities
Game drives and boating safaris in Selous Game Reserve. You can take full and halfday game drives. The full day often includes a boat ride on Lake Tagalala. You can go on a 2-hour guided walk from the lodge, take a tour of Kisaki village and the nearby Maasai village. Sable Mountain Lodge is one of very few camps which can be arranged on a FB basis, without activities – so is ideal for those on a tighter budget.
Full Board
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON
This is a rather unpredictable time of the year with frequent, brief showers or thunderstorms. The heat combined with humidity can be a little uncomfortable, especially during the middle of the day, and travellers may find that roads are more difficult to navigate. All in all, this is not an ideal time to visit, unless you are very keen to sight migratory birds.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
A brief dry interlude before the more intense long rains in March, April and May.
The proximity of Selous to the equator means that temperatures throughout the year are very consistent. The variable at play is altitude, which varies greatly across Tanzania. With perhaps the exception of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, daytime temperatures are warm-to-hot throughout the year, while mornings can be surprisingly cool. So if you intend to visit an inland safari region, we always recommend bringing a warm fleece.
There are two wet seasons in Tanzania. The first, known as the ‘long rains’, takes place between March and May, while the milder short rains take place between November and December. There are some exceptions to this: the Southern and Western safari regions tend to have a more continuous wet season from November to May.
The best time for a safari in Tanzania is determined by the type of experience you are seeking. Generally, the Northern Circuit parks (The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara) are good year-round. Tarangire is the exception in the Northern Circuit, and, along with Selous and Ruaha (Southern Circuit) and Katavi and Mahale (Western Circuit), is generally at its best during the drier times of the year. Saadani is at its best when the plains are very well watered, and thus is best visited just after the rains.
Coastal and island destinations are generally best visited during the dry season, when the weather is sunnier and more consistent.
DRY SEASON
A brief dry interlude before the more intense long rains in March, April and May.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
A brief dry interlude before the more intense long rains in March, April and May.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
A brief dry interlude before the more intense long rains in March, April and May.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
This is a more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. During this period, as the land dries up following the long rains, the Rufiji and its adjoining lakes become a magnet for wildlife.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
This is a more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. During this period, as the land dries up following the long rains, the Rufiji and its adjoining lakes become a magnet for wildlife.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
This is a more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. During this period, as the land dries up following the long rains, the Rufiji and its adjoining lakes become a magnet for wildlife.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
This is a more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. During this period, as the land dries up following the long rains, the Rufiji and its adjoining lakes become a magnet for wildlife.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
DRY SEASON
This is a more stable and predictable time of the year, usually with clear skies. During this period, as the land dries up following the long rains, the Rufiji and its adjoining lakes become a magnet for wildlife.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
WET SEASON
The start of the wet season. This is a rather unpredictable time of the year, with brief afternoon showers and thunderstorms occurring frequently. The heat combined with humidity can make things uncomfortable, especially during the middle of the day, and roads can also be tricky to navigate.
Depending on rainfall levels, this can still be a great time to visit Selous, since its wildlife is yet to disperse.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
WET SEASON
The start of the wet season. This is a rather unpredictable time of the year, with brief afternoon showers and thunderstorms occurring frequently. The heat combined with humidity can make things uncomfortable, especially during the middle of the day, and roads can also be tricky to navigate.
Depending on rainfall levels, this can still be a great time to visit Selous, since its wildlife is yet to disperse.
Its proximity to the equator means that Selous Game Reserve has consistent temperatures throughout the year. Even though there is a large altitude difference throughout the park (from 40 to 1,317m/131 to 4,321ft), the game-viewing regions in the north are generally low-lying. Temperatures therefore remain high, usually averaging around 30°C/86°F at midday. Temperatures can exceed this, sometimes reaching peaks of 40°C/104°F before the beginning of the rains. Mornings are a more pleasant 21°C/70°F on average, so our advice is to get up early to take advantage of these cooler temperatures.
Unlike most of Tanzania, where there are two distinct wet seasons, Selous has just one long extended wet season, lasting from November to May. This wet season is characterised by brief afternoon thunderstorms; it is unusual to have more extended periods of rain.
Selous is a seasonal area, with superb game-viewing in the driest months of the year when vegetation thins and wildlife becomes more densely concentrated around the Rufiji River and its adjoining lakes. Ideally, it is best to visit Selous during the height of the dry season.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
