Northern Botswana
Zarafa
Zarafa Camp is an intimate, four-room tented camp located on the 320,000-acre Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana, an area linking the Okavango Delta and the Chobe/Savute corridors. Few camps rival the location of this little gem, Botswana’s first and only Relais & Chateaux property.
Overlooking the crystal waters of Zibadianja Lagoon, the source of the famous Savute Channel, every area of camp has a magnificent view. The lagoon is also the water source for a tremendous population of wildlife – dry season sightings boast buffalo and elephant by the hundreds.
Zarafa’s four guest tents are under beige, flowing canvas, with canopy ceilings and completely open (yet netted) sides. Entering through the heavy wood Lamu door transports guests to a lavish space of deep reds, browns, brass and copper, evoking richness and beauty. Each tent has a full lounge with desk and gas fireplace for winter. The large bedroom is connected to an open layout bathroom with impressive copper claw foot bath, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins.
Zarafa is one of the “greenest” luxury safari camps on the continent. Only recycled hardwoods and canvas were used in the construction and all the camp’s electricity comes from its solar farm while ‘bio gas’ plants recycle waste into usable cooking gas.
The uninterrupted views from every part of the camp over these productive floodplains are truly breathtaking. The enormous shady trees, the palm fringed savannahs, the abundant wildlife and bird life concentrations in front of the elevated camp are characteristic of this area.
Activities offered at Zarafa include game drives, night drives, and walks can be arranged on request. Boating on the Zibadianja Lagoon may be possible, dependent on water levels.
Activities are focused on game drives. During periods of high water levels, water activities may be possible but not guaranteed.
Facilities
1000 sq ft marquee-style tents with canopy ceilings and completely open (yet netted) sides yet privately placed. Each tent has a private plunge pool, full lounge with desk and gas fireplace for winter. The large bedroom is connected to an open layout bathroom with impressive copper claw foot bath, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. Each tent has a telescope for wildlife watching on the game-rich floodplain.
Local Wildlife
Large numbers of elephant are seen here throughout the year plus healthy populations of both sable and roan antelope, giraffe, baboon, black-backed jackal, hippo, honey badger, reedbuck and many predators including lion, leopard, wild dog and occasionally cheetah.
Optional Activities
Night and day game drives, guided bush walks, boat-based activities (when water levels permit) are all included on a shared basis.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
This is one of Africa’s most exclusive camps: why not book private use of one of their vehicles for a complete experience.
If you have any questions regarding our Botswana tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
It is long overdue, but we want to thank you for meticulously organising exceptional wildlife adventures for us for the last 26 years.
That right, 26 years! Our first trip was to Madagascar for our honeymoon in 1999. I fondly recall Alan saying, “ it isn’t a typical honeymoon destination”. You have come to know us well over the years and you know we don’t want “typical”, we want exceptional wildlife adventures.
Thank you, Reef & Rainforest, for being our agent of choice for over 26 years and for consistently recommending and organising incredible tailor-made wildlife experiences which exceed expectations.
We are passionate about wildlife and photography, whether that is on land or snorkelling happily in pristine reefs. We have been fortunate to visit some wonderful places organised by you, including Madagascar, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, India, Africa, and Indonesia, often returning to discover new and exciting places. Each trip has exceeded expectations. This is attributable to your deep local knowledge, meticulous planning, relentless attentiveness to our wishes and generous time spent discussing the trips. You have often delighted and surprised us with personal touches such as organising a surprise birthday cake.
We just returned from Botswana having thoroughly enjoyed the wildlife adventure by tented camp. It was exceptional in all respects, and we are delighted to see that you have quoted us on your website. Apologies that we have failed dismally to acknowledge your efforts to date. We will share some pictures when we have edited them !!!
We are looking forward to Belize at Christmas and Misool in February next year.
Thank you, Reef and Rainforest.