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Zarafa Camp

Our rating

9/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Exclusive, luxury camp
- Water and land-based safari
- Maximum 8 guests
- Spectacular wildlife

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Overview

Zarafa Camp offers exclusive, high-end accommodation in the private Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana, overlooking the Savute Channel’s Zibadianja Lagoon, water source for a tremendous population of wildlife. The camp is accessed via light aircraft and there is a 20-minute drive from the nearest air strip to this superb hideaway amidst the floodplains.

A large, open-sided marquee houses the main area of the camp with colonial-style bar, lounge, library and dining spaces leading onto expansive decking with fire-pit and stunning views. There is a small boutique shop, an outdoor ‘jungle’ gym and in-room massage is available on request.

Designed with privacy at its core, the luxurious accommodation comprises four well-appointed marquee-style canvas tents, each with lounge, main bedroom and bathroom with copper bath and shower, double basin and private toilet leading via a raised walkway to a fabulous outdoor shower. All tents have verandas with private plunge pool and stunning views. A more recent addition is the exclusive ‘Luxury Dhow Suite’, a vast tented villa comprising two rooms and its own private main area. This suite operates independently of the main camp with its own private pool, staff and chef.

With a maximum of just eight guests, Zarafa camp offers an unusually high level of flexibility for activities. Day-time game drives offer strong dry-season wildlife sightings. Guided walks are also possible, as are water-based safaris on the camp’s pontoon boat, with regular hippo sightings and spectacular birdlife on show. Catch-and-release fishing is also offered, as is motor boating. Note that water levels can vary.

Children aged 8 years and up are welcome, although families with children aged 8-15 years are required to book a private safari vehicle. Note that animals are free to wander through the camp and whilst they’re unlikely to approach tents or humans, children must remain under close parental supervision at all times.

Zarafa Camp combines luxury and adventure in a splendid, unrivalled location. Arguably the best safari accommodation in Botswana with polished service, excellent guiding and superb dry-season game viewing, it inevitably comes at with a high price-tag. However, for those seeking comfort and indulgence in a truly wild location, this property is hard to beat.

Suggested Itineraries for Zarafa Camp

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 540 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • We had such a good holiday. You did a fantastic job!

    The house in Marrakesh was ridiculous. We effectively had it to ourselves. The accommodation was borderline palatial.

    I actually think that the time we had in Marrakesh was sufficient. We could potentially have done a day by a pool but I think we’d done enough souk-ing by the end of Day Two.

    The hotel in the mountains was a shade more rustic than I was expecting, but all great fun. Stunning views. The guide / mule / cook team were excellent and our guide (Hassan) tailored the treks to our capabilities well. He was superb, and really made an effort with the kids. The second and third day of trekking were particularly good. Such an adventure for the kids.

    All the logistics worked seamlessly. Every aspect went like clockwork. Top marks. The advice on tipping was also much appreciated (I hate thinking that I’m getting mugged off or am potentially not giving enough…).

    From my seven-year-old son:

    I thought it was GREAT. The food was amazing and the culture was very interesting. My favourite bit was scrambling up rocks in the Atlas Mountains.

    In retrospect, I’d probably do the trip in reverse. Flopping on the roof terrace after the rigours of the mountains would have been even more satisfying.

    MissingHenry O reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 05 June 2025

  • We had an extraordinary time. It was magical and we couldn't hav asked or hoped for more. Thank you both so much for all of your time and assistance.

    MissingEmma M reviewing Best of Botswana for Families on 18 November 2024

  • We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
    Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.

    Will be a trip we remember forever

    MissingMaritta B reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value on 11 November 2024

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