Luxury Holidays At Zarafa Camp
Botswana's first and only Relais & Chateaux property, located on the far eastern edge of the private 320,000-acre Selinda Reserve in Northern Botswana, Zarafa Camp or "Beloved One" was born out of the Joubert family's desire to preserve and protect the wilderness and wildlife of the region. An important conservation reality, it is a peaceful retreat set around a giant Ebony tree and is a member of the Unique Luxury Lodges Of The World. Boasting colonial elegance, its four luxury tents provide an intimate and tailored safari experience, with guests enjoying an all-inclusive basis and a host of tailored activities from twice-daily game-drives in open 4x4 vehicles, to guided walks and cruising on a lagoon. Set on its own palm island, overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon, the source of the Savute Channel, the small but perfectly formed Zarafa Camp evokes a sense of old-style safari, with the emphasis on providing each guest with a uniquely personal experience.
There are just four Meru-style tents, each set on raised platforms with plunge pools on the decks, large bedrooms and living areas and en suite bathrooms, complete with copper baths. As part of the Selinda Reserve there is a wealth of animals to see and guests are encouraged to take a short, guided walk from camp to view some of the less prominent wildlife. Each guest tent also has a Canon 5D camera with various lenses and binoculars for guests to use during their stay. Zarafa Camp is run by an impressive solar farm of 170 panels, provides Wi-Fi within the guest tents, has a small gym, boutique shop, offers in-room massages and runs a 'Young Explorers Camp' for younger guests (Zarafa welcomes children over eight years of age).
For the ultimate in privacy and luxury, separate to the intimate main camp, the nearby Zarafa Dhow Suites is a tented villa built entirely of canvas and located in a heavenly remote setting. One of the largest tents ever built, the 210-square-metre villa has canopy ceilings with open sides and is furnished in deep reds, browns, brass and copper. Perfect for families and accepting children from 6 years, the Zarafa Dhow Suite can accommodate a family group of five and comes with a dedicated chef and service team. Central to the Dhow Suites is a lounge with an open fire and copper flue, plus a dining area, with two large bedrooms connected to either side of the main area. There is an open layout bathroom with copper claw-foot bath, an indoor shower and separate toilet. Each suite has a large decking area to the front, with 5 x 2.5-metre swimming pool, an exercise bike and full-body outdoor shower - all with sensational views over pristine Botswana wilderness.
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