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Serena Mivumo River Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Beautiful riverside setting
- Game drives and walking safaris
- Boat trips
- Fishing and birdwatching

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Overview

Set high on the banks of the Rufiji River in the Selous Game Reserve in Southern Tanzania, the Serena Mivumo River Lodge is a comfortable and attractive property with many modern conveniences. The lodge is accessible by air, a short 30-minute game drive from the Stiegler airstrip. The Selous, a world heritage site, is the oldest and largest of Africa’s game reserves, with stunning scenery and a plethora of wildlife to explore, including one of the largest concentrations of elephants in the world.

Mivumo’s communal areas comprise a spacious dining and lounge area interconnected via wooden walkways with the library and bar. There is intermittent mobile phone reception and WiFi is available in the main areas. The stunning infinity pool has wonderful views of the river and its resident hippos. Elephants, playful baboons and fabulous birdlife can also be observed from the property’s expansive sundecks.

Activities include fishing, guided walks, birdwatching excursions, vehicle safaris and some of the best boating safaris in the region. Note that the Lodge is located some distance from the main Big 5 game-viewing areas, meaning full-day game drives are to be expected. Bush picnics can also be arranged.

The accommodation comprises 12 air-conditioned timber chalets with glazed windows, polished wooden floors and thatched rooves. The chalets are well spaced-out along the River banks, each with their own veranda and private plunge pool. Every chalet has a large double bed and a separate bathroom with large free-standing bath, twin marble sinks, toilet, and sliding French doors leading to an impressive outdoor shower with lovely views down the river. Laundry and room service are available for all guests. The Mivumo Villa, a private suite comprising three double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, is offered on an exclusive use basis.

Children aged six years and over are welcome at Mivumo River Lodge. Adjoining bedrooms are available for families, and additional beds can be added to rooms for up to 2 children. Cots, child-minding services, high chairs and baby food are available, along with flexible meal times. As is the case across the Selous, walking safaris are only available to children over 16 and we tend to recommend this lodge to families with older children so that nobody misses out on any part of the experience. The wild location of the lodge and the surrounding waters mean that children must remain under vigilant parental responsibility at all times.

While the abundance of facilities might detract from the authentic, wilderness feel of other properties in the Selous, Mivumo River Lodge is a very good mid-range option in a beautiful and remote setting, with an unusually high level of creature comforts.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

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