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Viewing Deck, Elephants, Zafara Camp, Slelinda Reserve, Botswana

Zarafa Camp

Safari and Wildlife Lodge
Selinda Reserve, Botswana

Located near the Zibadianja Lagoon, Zarafa can easily lay claim to the most exclusive, intimate and beautiful camp in Botswana.

With just four marquee-style tents, on raised decks made from reclaimed teak railroad sleepers and Indonesian mahogany, they are designed to soak up the magnificent vistas in style. Inside, the combination of Oriental fabrics, deep copper claw-foot baths and soft leather chairs set the scene, with the open-sided (yet netted) canvas walls, keeps the feeling light and airy.

The extensive decking around the suites themselves is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of something chilled from the leather and brass drinks cabinet, before a dip in the private pool, to keep you cool during the heat of the day. The main lounge area is reached through a thick Zanzibari door and is built around a palm island, under the canopy of a magnificent ebony tree, overlooking the floodplain savannah with the surrounding lagoon providing a cool breeze.

Activities

Activities here are as personal as the camp. Night and day game drives are excellent, including two custom made land cruisers specially designed for photography with raised roofs, photographic bars and individual bucket seats, with the lodge even providing a Canon 100-400mm lens for every guest. Getting out of the vehicle to enjoy the excellent walks is also a wonderful way to explore the area in addition to the special pontoon boat, river safaris and catch and release fishing on offer. The wildlife here is excellent (in particular wild dog) and the mix of wet and dry habitat, offers a diversity of flora and fauna that is hard to beat.

Why we like Zarafa Camp

Zarafa takes its name from the giraffe that was gifted to Charles X of France by the Viceroy of Egypt in 1826, translated from Arabic as “the beloved one”. The care and attention that has been taken by the owners, renowned wildlife filmmaker Dereck Joubert and his wife, photographer Beverly, in designing the lodge clearly shine through, resulting in one of the most exciting, luxurious and personal lodges in Africa.

Idea

Botswana

Okavango Delta and Selinda Concession Safari

Discover the wilderness of northern Botswana, beginning amidst the floodplains of the Okavango Delta, before transferring to the unique landscape of the Selinda Reserve.

7 days from £6,270pp

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Botswana

Delta and Desert in Style

Combine two elegant lodges, each located in starkly different environments within Botswana. Begin with Sandibe and the Okavango Delta’s wetland landscapes, before flying by helicopter to Feline Fields, a beautiful retreat in the heart of the arid Kalahari.

8 days from £8,800pp

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Botswana

Okavango Delta Helicopter Safari

Take to the skies to appreciate Botswana’s magnificent natural phenomenon that is the Okavango Delta. Hover over these vast grasslands, flood plains and hidden lagoons, spotting the animal and bird life below.

7 days from £5,980pp

Helicopter safari, Botswana Safari, Helicopter Horizon

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Botswana

Family Safari to the Delta and Chobe

Staying at comfortable, family-friendly camps, journey across the watery landscapes of northern Botswana. Explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta, see the zebra migration at the remote Savute Marsh and meet the vast elephant herds of Chobe.

10 days from £4,890pp

Child driving, Family safari package, Botswana

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Need Inspiration?
Browse our Botswana holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the Botswana safari holidays that we love today.

Idea

Botswana

Okavango Delta and Selinda Concession Safari

Discover the wilderness of northern Botswana, beginning amidst the floodplains of the Okavango Delta, before transferring to the unique landscape of the Selinda Reserve.

7 days from £6,270pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Botswana

Delta and Desert in Style

8 days from £8,800pp

View Holiday Idea

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Botswana

Okavango Delta Helicopter Safari

7 days from £5,980pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Botswana

Family Safari to the Delta and Chobe

10 days from £4,890pp

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Selinda Camp £££££

Botswana
Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Selinda Camp is a tented safari camp situated on the banks of the eastern Selinda Spillway, a waterway linking Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the Linyanti Swamps. Offering excellent views over the Spillway and open floodplains, it has nine spacious tents on raised wooden decks beneath cool thatch canopies. The main camp area provides a wonderful place to sit and take in the spectacular views and wildlife and includes a plunge pool. Daily activities offered include morning, afternoon and night game drives with experienced professional guides in custom-built 4×4 Land Cruisers. The Selinda Canoe Trail, a superb five-day trail, is a wonderful addition to a stay at either Selinda, Selinda Explorers or Zarafa Camps.

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Selinda Explorers Camp £££££

Botswana
Tented Camps

Selinda Explorers Camp is a simple, yet extremely elegant camp which transports you back to a bygone era with the atmosphere and style of early explorers. Located in a private concession, on the remote banks of the Selinda Spillway, the prolific game here can be explored on foot, canoe or by game drive. This exclusive camp has only 4 en-suite tents, a general mess area, and a fire pit under the stars. Breezy and bohemian, small luxurious touches are scattered around, as are large comfortable cushions on which to laze upon whilst you await dinner prepared by the chef.

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