Zarafa Camp is one of the most exclusive safari camps in Botswana and a natural choice for a honeymoon. It has just four tented suites, set on raised decks overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon in the private Selinda Reserve, a large concession between the Okavango Delta and the Linyanti. With so few guests, the camp feels like a private home in the bush.
Each suite is over 1,000 square feet under canvas, with a lounge that flows into the bedroom, a claw-foot copper bath, an indoor shower, an outdoor shower and a wraparound deck with a private plunge pool. The camp was built from recycled hardwoods and canvas and runs on solar power. It is run by Great Plains Conservation, founded by filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert and belongs to its Réserve Collection, which Great Plains says is Botswana's only Relais & Châteaux membership.
Rates are fully inclusive, with meals, activities, laundry and drinks including premium spirits and Champagne, along with scheduled air transfers from Maun or Kasane. Wildlife is excellent, from elephants at the lagoon to wild dogs, lions and leopards. Zarafa suits couples who want privacy, comfort and serious wildlife and who can afford one of the highest rates in Botswana.
Highlights at a glance
- Only four tented suites
- Private plunge pools and copper baths
- Zibadianja Lagoon in the private Selinda Reserve
- Relais & Châteaux Réserve Collection camp
- Premium drinks and air transfers included
Why Couples Love Zarafa
Privacy is the first reason. With only four suites, Zarafa rarely hosts more than eight guests and the private reserve keeps other vehicles away. Game drives feel exclusive and there is never a crowd at a sighting.
The setting is the second. The Zibadianja Lagoon attracts elephants, buffalo, red lechwe and hippos and predators follow them. Wildlife often passes through camp, so you can watch animals from your deck between activities. A colony of African skimmers nests nearby.
The third is the conservation story. Great Plains was founded by the Jouberts, well known for their wildlife films and its camps focus on protecting land and wildlife. The camp's solar power, recycled materials and student conservation camps show that this goes beyond marketing. For couples who care about where their money goes, that matters.
Suites to Book
Zarafa has four tented suites, each over 1,000 square feet. The lounge flows into the bedroom and the open-layout bathroom has a claw-foot copper bath and a shower. Zanzibar doors and raised decks built from reclaimed railway sleepers give the suites their character.
Outside, a large private deck wraps around the suite, with a plunge pool, an outdoor shower and seating facing the lagoon. It is one of the most romantic setups in Africa: a soak in the copper bath, then a swim in the plunge pool as elephants drink below.
All four suites are similar, so the choice is easy. For even more privacy, the Dhow Suite at Zarafa, a separate option nearby, offers a more exclusive stay for couples who want their own space. Ask Great Plains for current details and rates.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Meals are served in indoor and outdoor dining areas or privately on your deck. The camp has a main lounge, a bush boutique and a private wine cellar, where intimate dinners can be arranged. A candlelit dinner in the cellar is one of the camp's most memorable experiences.
Drinks are fully included, from wine to premium spirits and Champagne, which removes a lot of the small decisions that can make safari bills climb.
The spa offers treatments in your suite or on your deck beside the plunge pool, which is a relaxing way to spend the hot middle of the day. There is also an outdoor gym. Service is personal, with staff learning your preferences quickly.
Why guests fall for it
Safari Activities
Game drives in open vehicles run in the early morning and late afternoon into the evening. The Selinda Reserve has leopard, lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and red lechwe, along with rarer species such as African wild dogs, roan and sable.
Guided walks with professional guides offer a closer look at tracks and smaller creatures. On the water, pontoon trips on the HES Zib explore the lagoon's floating islands and sundowner cruises end the day with drinks and hippos. Tag-and-release fishing for tigerfish is available in season.
Water activities depend on water levels, which vary by season and year. Ask Great Plains or your operator what to expect for your dates. Three nights is a good length for most couples.
Getting There
Zarafa is reached by light aircraft from Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK), a flight of about an hour. Scheduled inter-camp flights and air transfers are included in the rate with a two-night minimum stay, which simplifies planning.
Maun and Kasane both connect with Johannesburg. Many couples combine Zarafa with a stay in the Okavango Delta, Chobe or Victoria Falls, often with another Great Plains camp.
Light aircraft limit luggage, usually to soft bags with a weight limit, including camera gear. Pack neutral clothes, warm layers for winter mornings, sun protection and binoculars for each of you.
Is It Worth It?
Zarafa is one of the most expensive camps in Botswana, from about $2,250 per person per night (approximate), with peak-season rates higher. What you get is exceptional privacy, a beautiful suite, fully inclusive drinks and transfers and excellent wildlife in a private reserve.
For couples who want a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon with no crowds, it is worth it. For those on a tighter budget, Selinda Explorers Camp offers the same reserve at lower rates, with simpler tents.
Malaria is present in northern Botswana. Talk to a travel clinic about prevention and use repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Botswana. The dry season, from June to October, has the best game viewing, while the green season brings lower rates and lush scenery.
Insider tips
- Book at least two nights to get the included air transfers.
- Ask for a private dinner in the wine cellar.
- Ask about the Dhow Suite for even more privacy.
- Visit from June to October for the best wildlife viewing.
