Perched high on one of the Beho Beho Hills and spread across two peaks with magnificent views to the Uluguru mountains, in an area rich in both wildlife and birdlife, Sable Mountain Lodge is a fabulous base from which to explore the Selous Game Reserve. With eight stone cottages individually spaced out over the hillside, Sable Mountain Lodge offers intimate and personal service in the midst of a vast wilderness. Each cottage provides spacious and stylish accommodation with full ensuite facilities, 24 hour solar lighting, a spring water supply and wonderful views from a private verandah.
The Lodge has five tented bandas. Located on top of one of the hills each provides full en suite facilities and has outstanding views from a private balcony. Two of the tented bandas are specialised honeymoon bandas, open faced and with their own private outdoor shower, this is the ultimate romantic bush experience.
At the heart of Sable Mountain Lodge is a restaurant serving international cuisine, and the well stocked Cup and Bucket bar, the perfect setting to unwind before dinner. Beside the swimming pool, there is a second, open air restaurant and bar with views across the game rich hills behind the lodge facing into the reserve. On the West side of the camp is a waterhole, which attracts a variety of wildlife.
Although not in a river location, being situated in the hills offers a totally different and breathtaking alternative to the other lodges inside the reserve with endless views over the forest canopy to the Uluguru Mountains. This is particularly refreshing for those wishing to spend several days in Selous and see different aspects of the environment.
As the largest reserve in Africa at 55,000 sqkm, Selous offers unparalleled wilderness. It is home to the largest populations of some of Africas most sought-after game including elephant, lion, wild dog, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and herds of plains game, yet it remains one of the least visited of the great game sanctuaries on the continent.
Full day game drives inside the reserve in 4x4 vehicles from Sable Mountain Lodge often do not pass a single other vehicle, since the North-West sector of the reserve is far away from the busier routes in the East. Full day game drives follow a variety of routes depending on season and game movements but typically are based around Kinyanguru and Kimara regions and out towards the Lakes of Manze and Tagalala. A typical full day game drive will be around 8-9 hours duration.
From the lodge, or combined with a full day game drive inside the reserve, it is possible to venture out on foot, looking closer at the bird life and vegetation as well as experiencing the thrill of following big game on foot. Around the lodge it is possible to follow game trails across the hills in search of buffalo and the rare Roosevelts sable antelope, or traverse dry riverbeds where elephant dig for water.
Sable Mountain Lodge is located 9 km from Matambwe gate just outside the north-west boundary of Selous Game Reserve.
Full and half day game drives, boat safari, foot safaris and a cultural visit to a Masai village are organised at the lodge.
The lodge also organise specialised fly camping expeditions inside Selous Game Reserve. Fly camping is a totally different experience from the lodge-based visit, where you stay deep in the bush and sleep on platforms under the stars.
Fair Trade / Responsible Travel
The local community land owners are given bednight fees and lease payments for the lodge. The owners are also very committed to the welfare of staff and the local community. For example scholarships have been provided for some local children to go to secondary school. There is solar power.
