Part of the Serena portfolio - a well-established brand of East African hotels - Mivumo River Lodge is an upmarket safari lodge with an enviable position on the banks of the Rufiji River, right in the heart of the Selous.
Serena are a hotel and resort chain first and foremost, and Mivumo, though styled as a boutique safari lodge, does come many of the amenities and qualities one would expect from an upmarket hotel - infinity pool, wedding venue, and a bar and lounge area that wouldn’t look out of place in a modern city hotel. To this degree, it lacks the authentic wilderness appeal of some of the region's best safari camps, but for those who value their mod cons and creature comforts, Mivumo River Lodge sets an excellent standard for a safari lodge of its size.
And this is not to say Mivumo River Lodge is without personality. Its 12 timbered chalets are beautifully - albeit identically - furnished and lend Mivumo a distinctly rustic vibe, while the dark mahogany and leather furnishings, and the polished wooden floors, give the public areas an elegant quality.
Mivumo River Lodge's central structure is built on two levels and houses the bar, lounge and open-air dining area. Beneath it is a large wooden deck with sun loungers and a substantial infinity swimming pool overlooking the Rufiji River and the rapids of Stiegler's Gorge.
Though the lodge stands out for its facilities, game-viewing is still very much the focus at Mivumo, and the lodge doesn’t disappoint in this respect. Shared game drives are offered morning and afternoon, and full-day drives are also an option. The game drives focus on the northern region of the Selous Game Reserve, where the largest concentration of game can be found. Guided walking safaris within the vicinity of the lodge and river boat safaris are also offered.
Accommodation
Mivumo's twelve timbered suites fan out from the lodge's public areas, with six on either side of the main building. Situated amid indigenous forest on the banks of the Rufiji River, the rooms are widely spaced apart so as to ensure privacy. Raised on wooden platforms, each opens onto a sun deck with loungers and private plunge pool.
The rooms are generously proportioned and offer lots of space, their timber structures supporting high-vaulted thatched ceilings complete with hanging chandeliers. Each room features antique-style leather and dark mahogany furnishings, king-size beds and opulent indoor and outdoor bathrooms with standalone bathtubs and 'al fresco' showers. The rooms are fully air-conditioned.
Situated apart from the standard rooms is the Mivumo Villa, which houses three double bedrooms joined together by a shared lounge area, and which all feature their own private sun decks and en-suite bathrooms.
Dining
Mivumo's open-air dining room is raised on wooden decking overlooking the Rufiji River. Meals are served here at separate tables rather than around a shared dining table as is common at many safari camps. If preferred, you can dine in-room.
At Mivumo, full cooked breakfasts start the day. Lunch is a generous buffet (or, if on a full-day activity, a bush picnic). Dinner is table d'hôte, accompanied by a salad buffet.
Mivumo is booked on a fully-inclusive basis. Adjoining the dining area is the bar and lounge, where a good mix of local and imported spirits and wines are served, alongside fresh Tanzanian teas and coffees. Local drinks are included in the room rate. Imported drinks are excluded.
Facilities
Bar and lounge
Swimming pool
Wedding venue
Activities
Guided game drives (morning, afternoon and full-day)
River boat safaris and evening sundowners
Guided game walks
Child Policy
Serena Mivumo River Lodge accommodates children aged 7 and over. Rooms can be made up as twins or triples on request. Reduced rates apply for children aged 7 to 17.
