Linyanti & Savuti, Botswana
Zarafa Camp
Under a canopy of ebony trees, Botswana’s first Relais & Châteaux member property sits in all its glory. A photographer’s dream, Zarafa Camp is a private property where guests revel in luxury, as well as natural beauty. Downstream, the show stopping Dhow Suite - perhaps the most exclusive property in the whole of Botswana - promises to be absolutely unforgettable. Under a canopy of ebony trees, Botswana’s first Relais & Châteaux member property sits in all its glory. A photographer’s dream, Zarafa Camp is a private property where guests revel in luxury, as well as natural beauty. Downstream, the show stopping Dhow Suite - perhaps the most exclusive property in the whole of Botswana - promises to be absolutely unforgettable.
Under a canopy of ebony trees, Botswana’s first Relais & Châteaux member property sits in all its glory. A photographer’s dream, Zarafa Camp is a private property where guests revel in luxury, as well as natural beauty. Downstream, the show stopping Dhow Suite - perhaps the most exclusive property in the whole of Botswana - promises to be absolutely unforgettable. Under a canopy of ebony trees, Botswana’s first Relais & Châteaux member property sits in all its glory. A photographer’s dream, Zarafa Camp is a private property where guests revel in luxury, as well as natural beauty. Downstream, the show stopping Dhow Suite - perhaps the most exclusive property in the whole of Botswana - promises to be absolutely unforgettable.
Location
Resting atop a slightly raised earth bank on the reed-lined shores of the Zibadianja Lagoon, lies the spectacular and serene Zarafa Camp. Located on the private Selinda Reserve - which links the Okavango Delta in the west to the Linyanti waterways in the east - the camp offers stunning views over 320,000-acres of attractive and open wilderness, where wildlife can easily be spotted from a distance.
Accommodation
Botswana is renowned for its luxurious camps, but if you’re looking for the ultimate in exclusivity, Zarafa is for you. Here, alongside a maximum of eight guests, you’ll be staying in one of just four luxuriously appointed ‘marquee style’ tented suites. Each sprawling suite measures over 1000 square feet and is positioned at the edge of mopane woodlands to emphasise the unrivalled view over the palm-fringed floodplains and open tracts of savannah.
Cross the polished wooden floors of the air-conditioned suites and you’ll find an inviting lounge, beautiful bedroom and open-plan bathroom. Wrapped around each suite you’ll find an expansive outdoor deck where you can take a dip in the serene plunge pool; bask in dappled sunlight whilst reclining on the outdoor seating; or cool off in the outdoor shower - all in complete privacy.
Cross the polished wooden floors of the air-conditioned suites and you’ll find an inviting lounge, beautiful bedroom and open-plan bathroom. Wrapped around each suite you’ll find an expansive outdoor deck where you can take a dip in the serene plunge pool; bask in dappled sunlight whilst reclining on the outdoor seating; or cool off in the outdoor shower - all in complete privacy.
Carefully designed throughout, every piece of furniture in Zarafa Camp’s main area has been designed and handcrafted specifically for the camp from recycled ancient hardwoods and canvas. Share stories in the large main lounge; get lost in a book from the library; peruse intriguing wares at the bush boutique; and enjoy some of the most sumptuous meals you’ve sampled in the dining area.
The Dhow Suite takes Zarafa’s outstanding hospitality to a new level. The stunning two-bedroom tented suite is perfect for families or couples travelling together. Set apart from the rest of the camp Dhow benefits from the services of a personal butler, chef, safari vehicle and wildlife guide. The only other visitors you might see are the elephants that frequent the plunge pool for a drink.
The Dhow Suite takes Zarafa’s outstanding hospitality to a new level. The stunning two-bedroom tented suite is perfect for families or couples travelling together. Set apart from the rest of the camp Dhow benefits from the services of a personal butler, chef, safari vehicle and wildlife guide. The only other visitors you might see are the elephants that frequent the plunge pool for a drink.
Experiences
- Zarafa is located in a wildlife wonderland, home to many predators and big game animals. Less common species, such as African wild dogs, roan and sable antelope, inhabit the area too.
- Delight in enthralling morning, afternoon and early-evening game drives in an open, 4×4 safari vehicle.
- Be led by your expert guide on a leisurely walking safari to learn more about the native flora and smaller fauna that inhabit the area.
- Seize the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Africa's elusive nocturnal animals in action on a night drive.
- Zarafa is close to the Zibadianja Lagoon, renowned for its colony of African Skimmers. A bird lover's paradise, each suite comes with its own pair of Swarovski binoculars.
- Explore the waterways by boat, perhaps even giving catch-and-release fishing a try when it’s in season.
- Hop aboard the large pontoon boat, grab yourself a sundowner and cruise the lagoon while watching hippos, elephants and other wildlife.
Get a snap of the action
Owned by acclaimed wildlife photographers and filmmakers, Dereck and Beverley Joubert, the camp caters particularly well for photographers at any level. If you’re a shutterbug, you’ll be in your element as there are multiple professional cameras and lenses at the camp for you to use throughout your stay.
Whether in a specialist vehicle on a game drive, soaring above the Spillway in a helicopter or cruising across the lagoons by boat, your expert guide will help position you to get that perfect shot.
Whether in a specialist vehicle on a game drive, soaring above the Spillway in a helicopter or cruising across the lagoons by boat, your expert guide will help position you to get that perfect shot.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Conservation
Zarafa’s parent company; Great Plains Conservation (GPC) have set up The Project Ranger, a response to the Covid-19 crisis. The project fills a critical gap in the wildlife monitoring, surveying, and anti-poaching operations of existing NGOs in Africa through an emergency fund supporting those on the frontlines of conservation. Their aim is to raise $5 million to support the rangers and the critical work they do to prevent poaching.
Environment
In 2019 GPC began a new programme, Conservation Grows. Through the project they aim to restore indigenous trees to landscapes across Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Working with local communities and schools Conservation Grows teaches the value of indigenous trees and their critical role in functioning ecosystems.
Community
Since 2010, GPC have partnered with local women in the communities surrounding many of their camps to honour and support traditional handicrafts. Across camps in Botswana and Kenya GPC has purchased more than $30,000 worth of items from women’s craft groups over the previous three years.
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