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Beho Beho — known locally as wansalishi, meaning "the pioneer" in Swahili — was the first permanent camp to be located in the northern sector of the Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park). Originally established as a hunting camp in 1972 by the well-known safari company Ker and Downey, it was purchased by the Bailey family following the break up of the East African community in 1977 and converted into a permanent camp. Mostly used as a private camp for the family, it was not until 2004 that the whole camp was rebuilt and promoted to safari enthusiasts.

Sited on Kipalala Hill, above the Msine tributary of the Beho Beho River. Coordinates: S 07° 40' 25.9", E 037° 55' 14.1". The camp enjoys uninterrupted panoramic views over the Rufiji River flood plain, and sits at the centre of five distinct ecosystems — riverine; mountainous; water systems; open and lightly wooded savannah; and mixed to miombo woodland. Located 145 miles south-west of Dar es Salaam, the camp is 3 miles from the grave of Frederick Courteney Selous, after whom the reserve is named.

1 June – 14 March. Beho Beho is closed from 14 March to 1 June each year due to the long rains, the absence of scheduled flights, and difficult to impossible game-driving conditions.

Nyerere National Park is situated between 8° and 10° south of the Equator, with very warm sunny days and warm evenings. The hillside location of Beho Beho benefits from cooling breezes most afternoons. Mid-June to October is the dry season, with the cooler months being June to August. Short rains are likely in November and December. January to March is the hot and humid season with occasional showers. April and May bring the heavy rains, when the camp closes and roads become impassable.

The resident family of guides, managers and staff are there to ensure that each guest enjoys the Beho Beho experience to the full. The camp is designed to feel like a home in the bush rather than a hotel or safari lodge. Guests who feel at home will find it is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Africa.

Seven individual, very spacious bandas — stone-built and palm-thatched — furnished with king-sized beds, Zanzibari day beds, writing desks, and comfortable suite furniture. The front of each banda is fully open and extends on to a spacious verandah; it can be secured for the night with tented curtains or left open as desired. Bandas can be configured as double or twin, and some can accommodate additional beds. Each has a separate dressing room leading into an en suite bathroom with twin basins, high flush WC, and an open-air shower. All bandas are supplied with Charlotte Rhys toiletries and hair dryers. Individual plunge pools were added to each banda in 2019.

A two-bedroom owner's house added to the camp in 2012, offering a more private Beho Beho experience. Located further up the hill and away from the main camp, it has its own brigade of guiding and hospitality staff and exclusive use of a vehicle. Facilities include a private plunge pool, TV/DVD, WiFi, and spectacular views. A perfect hideaway for up to five people. Normal Beho Beho rates apply, plus a supplementary Bailey's Banda charge per night.

Furnished in the style of a spacious private house, with comfortable seating, bar and dining areas, and a billiards room with a full-sized billiards table. The most distinctive feature is the absence of walls — ensuring fantastic, open views over the reserve.

Almost all guests arrive by air on scheduled services from Dar es Salaam or Ruaha. It is also possible to charter a single or twin-engine plane directly into the Beho Beho airstrip. The airstrip is within a five-minute drive of the main camp; flying time from Dar es Salaam is approximately 45 minutes, though scheduled services may land at other airstrips in the reserve.

Meals are a moveable feast — not confined to the formal dining areas. A feature of the camp is that each meal is served at a different venue. All meals are taken family-style, hosted by the guides and managers. Breakfast is usually served alfresco in the bush during the morning game activity. There is no private or in-room dining at Beho Beho — everyone sits together.

Great care and pride is taken in organising a special occasion or event during a stay at Beho Beho. As all meals in the main camp are communal, the celebration becomes an occasion shared by all guests.

There are three main components of a Beho Beho safari, each guarded and guided by highly trained and experienced wildlife guides:

Game Drives — Taken in specially adapted open-sided 4WD vehicles offering shaded raised seating for better game viewing. Conducted early morning or late afternoon by our driver/guides.

Game Walks — Only permitted accompanied by our armed guides, starting directly from the camp. Walks last between two and five hours depending on conditions. Sensible shoes are required (walking boots are not necessary), as is a sun hat. White is not a suitable colour to wear on walks.

Lake Tagalala — All guests will take part in this excursion during their stay. Lake Tagalala is approximately 45 minutes' drive across the reserve (longer when game viewing). The shaded boat trip on the lake takes around one and a half hours, with excellent close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. Breakfast is taken on the lake shore.

Beho Beho has a number of qualified resident guides under the direction of the camp manager and head guide, who plans each individual guest's safari itinerary. Guests are not allocated a single guide for their entire stay — instead, they have the opportunity to be guided by several different guides. The guides also host meals in camp, adding to the family atmosphere.

The swimming pool is small but has magnificent views along the Kipalala Valley and is a pleasant place to cool off, but now that all bandas have their own plunge pools it is not as central as it once was. There is a pool house with comfortable furniture, and a number of sunbathing and shade options for relaxing.

Beho Beho has its own generator supply providing 240v / 50hz electricity. There are light and power points in each banda, giving 24-hour output for recharging personal equipment.

Water is supplied from a borehole, pumped up to tanks above the camp. Guests are advised not to drink from the tap — bottled water is provided in the bandas, the main camp, and on all game drives.

Same-day complimentary laundry service, weather permitting. Items placed in laundry bags will be returned the same evening.

WiFi is available in all bandas, but not in the main areas of the camp. The connection can be slow and is not suitable for sending or downloading large amounts of data. There is no telephone signal in camp.

Children aged 12 and over are welcome. Parents should be aware that the atmosphere in camp is decidedly adult — particularly at mealtimes.

Light, natural-fibre clothing in sand or khaki tones is recommended for game activities. The heat is dry and the sun can be fierce — long sleeves and a sun hat or bush hat are essential on safari. A light sweater may be needed on cool mornings and evenings. Shoes or trainers with a grip sole are suitable for walks. Evenings call for a little more sophistication — longs rather than shorts — and for the ladies, something that looks good by candlelight.

Beho Beho is an ideal location for small residential conferences, seminars, and presentations. Private groups seeking exclusive use of the camp can be accommodated, though early booking is essential. Exclusive use can be arranged for groups of 12 or more; the camp can accommodate up to 18 guests in total (including Bailey's Banda).

Tel: +255 687 882 131
Email: reservations@behobeho.com
Also available through any accredited safari operator or travel agent.