Zarafa – Botswana in Luxury
Experience Botswana’s wilderness without compromising at all on comfort at Zarafa Camp, located by the edge of the Zibadianja Lagoon, which feeds the Savute Channel. Meaning “the beloved one” in Arabic, Zarafa was Botswana’s first Relais & Chateaux status property and is situated in the private 320,000-acre Selinda Reserve.
This enchanting and intimate luxury eco-camp accommodates just eight guests in 4 glorious, tented villas. For family’s or guests travelling together – or partners wanting complete exclusivity – there is also an extravagant 2-bedroom private retreat known as “The Dhow Suites”.
Décor is vintage East African in flavour and decidedly decadent, with gleaming copper free standing baths or fireplaces, timber storage chests and plush Persian rugs. The villas feature a full lounge area and an open-plan ensuite bathroom boasting an indoor and outdoor shower, double sinks and a beautiful copper claw-footed bath. The suites also come equipped with personal plunge pools and are raised on wooden decks for sweeping views of the untouched landscape.
Set under a canopy of ebony trees, the magnificent main area offers stylishly furnished spaces for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an elegant library and lounge area. The lounge is furnished with leather sofas and armchairs, ample cushions and an assortment of antique furniture. The camps manages to create and maintain a beautiful balance of luxury, romance and adventure that is only magnified by its large outdoor deck that overlooks the lagoon. The deck boasts a mix of sun lounges, ample space for outdoor dining a superb fire pit, surrounded by comfortable leather-backed deck chairs. There is also an open-air gym here, and masseurs, who will treat sore muscles in the privacy of your room
Zarafa – Dhow Suite
Set on raised decking overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon and set adjacent to the main camp, The Dhow Suite is an ultra-exclusive two-bedroom villa. Central to the enormous suite is the lounge and dining area, designed in the same manner as the main camp and furnished with a large leather couch and chairs. The two bedrooms sit off the lounge room and feature their own open plan ensuite bathrooms with superb claw-footed bathtubs. The suite also has its own massive outdoor deck, boasting a plunge pool, fire pit, comfortable sun lounges and an outdoor dining table for dinner under the stars.
Incredible wildlife
Gameviewing centre on morning and afternoon/early evening game drives in open 4WD vehicles – the Selinda Reserve is renowned for its predators including leopard, lion, cheetah and the endangered African wild dog. Other activities at both Zarafa Camp and the Dhow Suites include guided walks and cruising on the Zibadianja Lagoon aboard the HMS Zib (when water levels permit).
Highlights
- One of Africa’s most extravagant luxury safari camps
- Located at the edge of a beautiful lagoon
- Tented suites decorated in decadent East African colonial-style
- Indulgences including private plunge pools and fireplaces
- Incredible gameviewing and birding opportunities
Activities
- Game drives morning and evening
- Boat cruises (water level dependent)
- Bird-watching
- Massages
* Some activities at extra cost
Getting there
Light aircraft transfers to Zarafa Camp and The Dhow Suites can be arranged from Maun, Kasane or selected camps in the Delta.
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