Zarafa Dhow Suite

The 210 square metre suite sits on raised decking and is a marquee-style tent. Central to the suite is a spacious lounge and dining area. Guests will enter into this area through a traditional East-African Lamu door, with floor to ceiling roll-up doors allowing an abundance of natural light to fill the suite. This lavish area is filled with traditional early-explorer items such as authentic rugs on polished wooden floors, wooden chests, leather furniture and a dining table, creating a space which feels authentic and relaxing.

On either side of the main area are bedrooms, with open plan bathrooms.

In the centre of the bedroom is the large, cosy bed, draped with mosquito netting and facing the decking with stunning vistas so guests can relax and watch the sunrise from the comfort of their own bed. Air conditioning and a fan are available, helping to keep guests cool in the warmer months. In the open plan bathrooms, copper is the theme, with copper basins and a large claw-footed copper bath. Everything in this suite is done with a view, and bathing is no different.

A gas heater is available for guests to use in the colder months, which is a luxury even for the Dhow Suite. The suite has an expansive private decking complete with plunge pool, exercise bike and fire pit. Guests can cool off in the plunge pool or relax by the fire pit whilst simultaneously keeping an eye out for passing wildlife.

For guests of the Dhow Suite, private dining is available. This will take place at your own dining table in the main area of the suite, but with open sides the views remain uninterrupted. With a private chef guests can enjoy exclusive, freshly made meals and an in-room mini bar can provide the after dinner cocktails to be enjoyed around the fire pit. Dinner can also be arranged on the decking for an al fresco dining experience and for a truly romantic evening dinner can be arranged on the pontoon boat.

With private guides and vehicles, activities at Dhow Suite can be flexible. Day and night game drives are offered. Guests can safari around the area in a private, custom built Land Rover with a detachable canvas roof, looking out for lions, elephants, buffalo and giraffe. Game drives are an excellent way to see the animals at ease in their natural habitats. For a chance to see more of the area, full game drives can be arranged.

With an armed, trained and knowledgeable guide, explore the Selinda Reserve on foot, exploring areas not reachable by vehicle. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to place yourself in the heart of the nature in Botswana and see the animals at eye level.

Catch-and-release fishing is available seasonally, with provided fishing equipment. While away an afternoon on the clear waters, seeing if you can catch one of the many local species of fish.

Guests can cruise along the lagoon on HMS Zibadianja, a large pontoon boat complete with comfortable sofas and a table and chairs. Brunch and sunset cruises are available giving guests the perfect opportunity to feel at peace on the water whilst looking out for hippos and elephant. Due to the combination of habitats there is a variety of birdlife with slaty egrets, coucal and African fish eagles all being very possible sightings.

Great Plains Conservation seeks to “preserve, rescue and recover” communities, wildlife and landscapes in Africa. One of the ways they are doing this is through the Great Plains Student Conservation Camp by educating teachers and students in local communities  and in Great Plains camps about environmental conservation and why this is important. The Great Plains Academy has been launched, which tackles the lack of education by providing “personal and community enrichment opportunities for individuals in Northern Botswana.” The Conservation Grows program began in 2019 and “aims to restore indigenous tress to landscapes across Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.”

Great Plains Conservation contributes to the Rhinos Without Borders project and aims to translocate “100 rhinos from poaching hot zones in South Africa to safe havens in Botswana.” Guests are helping to support this as a “Conservation and Community Levy is added to each stay” as a contribution towards these projects.

Great Plains Conservation understands that employing people from local communities not only benefits the employee but also their wider family members. Having a job and an income reduces their need to rely on the land for survival so increases the protection of this land. A relatively new initiative is “Women Wildlife Monitors” which aims to employ and empower local women. Great Plains Conservation have also donated solar lanterns to community members and students so their homes can have a safe and sustainable light resource. Every Great Plains Camp has a shop where local beadwork and other products can be sold, to help support local craft groups.

Revenue is generated directly for the community through opportunities such as ‘The Life with Elephants’ tour which was designed by residents of the local village Eretsha and EcoExist which “offers travellers the opportunity to see life alongside wildlife in a remote Okavango Delta community.”

Zafara Camp and Zafara Dhow Suite is a member of the Pack for Purpose initiative which allows travellers to supply local communities with equipment and resources they may need for community projects.

During construction of Zafara Camp and Dhow Suite only recycled hardwood and canvas were used, and all the camp’s electricity is supplied by a solar farm. The vegetable waste is converted into usable cooking gas by a bio-gas system.