Welcome to the Zarafa Dhow Suite

Here exclusivity takes on a new meaning, bonding with friend and family on an illustrious safari filed with excitement and discovery…

The Zarafa Dhow Suite is undoubtedly one of our most beautiful Great Plains Conservation Réserve Collection safari camps in Botswana. Zarafa means “the beloved one” or “the lovely one” in Arabic. The name comes from a giraffe presented to Charles X of France in 1826 by the Viceroy of Egypt. The giraffe was transported from Africa to France in a traditional Dhow.

Today the Zarafa Dhow Suite is a stunning two-bedroom tented suite located on the private 130,000-hectare (320,000-acre) Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana. The 210 square meters (2,260 square foot) suite is on raised decking under flowing canvas. Entering through the wooden Lamu door, exclusivity takes on new meaning.

Within walking distance of Zarafa Camp, the Zarafa Dhow Suite overlooks the Zibadianja Lagoon.  Central to the Zarafa Dhow Suite is an expansive indoor lounge and dining area fitted with a dining table, leather couch and chairs.

Two large suites, each with an open layout indoor shower and copper claw-foot bath, lead off either side of this central area. Outdoor decking of recycled railway sleeper hardwood extends around the sides and front of the private safari camp. On the main deck, guests enjoy an outdoor seating area, exercise bike (available on request), firepit area and a private swimming pool. There are expansive views of pristine Botswana wilderness and the lagoon stretching out toward the horizon. The services of a private butler, chef, game drive safari vehicle and guide are included in the nightly tariff.

The Zarafa Dhow Suite maintains the perfect balance between luxury, romance, and adventure with all its careful appointments. The camp also has no equal in terms of its environmental credentials, with only recycled hardwoods and canvas used in its construction, a gas fireplace in each suite and the entire camp’s electricity generated from solar power.

At the crossroads of northern Botswana’s most prolific wildlife areas, the private Selinda Reserve is home to iconic African species such as leopard, lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, red lechwe, zebra, and giraffe. It is also a refuge for some of the more uncommon species such as African wild dog, roan and sable. It is an exciting area, and guests are in the heart of this wilderness wonderland.

Zarafa Dhow Suite, and Zarafa Camp, are Botswana’s first Relais & Châteaux properties. Today, our Selinda Camp and Selinda Suite, Duba Plains Camp and Duba Plains Suite have also joined the prestigious ranks of proud Relais & Châteaux members.

The Zarafa Dhow Suites is an intimate, two room exquisite tented villa located on the 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana, an area linking the Okavango Delta and the Chobe/Savute corridors.

Unit Types

2 bedroomed Suite

(1 UNIT / VILLA)

The Dhow Suite, an immense 210 square metres (2,260 sq ft) in extent, is under beige, flowing canvas, with canopy ceilings and completely open (yet netted) sides. Entering through the heavy wood Lamu door transports guests to a lavish space of deep reds, browns, brass and copper, evoking richness and beauty. Central to the Dhow Suites are a full lounge and dining area fitted dining table, coffee table with cappuccino machine and a full-length leather couch and chairs. Two large bedrooms are connected to either side of the main area designed with an open layout bathroom with impressive copper claw foot bath, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins and even an open fire, with copper flue, to heat the room in winter. A large decking area fronts onto the suites with a 5 x 2.5 metre swimming pool, exercise bike and outdoor showers for each room, all with views of pristine Botswana wilderness. The adjoining main camp has a curio shop for those who need retail therapy and an in-room massage is also available.

RATING

Relais & Chateaux

TYPE

Private Safari Lodge

NO. ROOMS

2

CHECK-IN TIME

After 14h00

CHECK-OUT TIME

On or before 11h00

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Credit Card

LODGE SEASONS & OPENING

Year Round

IDEAL LENGTH OF STAY

4 Nights

CHILD POLICY 

Minimum age is 8 years

CAMP

Not Fence

SPOKEN LANGUAGES

English

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Adventure, Big 5, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Gourmet, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine

Geographic Access Directions

• Light aircraft transfers from either Kasane airport (50 mins) or Maun airport (45 min) to Selinda airstrip

• Private Air charter access available.

• The Zarafa Dhow Suites are a 45-minute drive/ boat from its airstrip.

• Co-ordinates: S18 35’ 22.86” : E23 30’ 51.28”

On arrival a Zarafa ranger picks you at the airstrip for a 45 minute transfer to camp with game viewing enroute.

General Information

Selinda Airstrip The Category B Selinda airfield is licensed for aircraft as large as King Air, Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna Caravan. Coordinates S18"33.95'; E23"30.73'

Luggage weight: 44lbs per person, packed in a medium-sized duffel bag with no wheels. Suitcases and hard luggage not permitted. Excess bags can be stored at Maun airport, depending on your itinerary.

Private air charters to Zarafa Camp for family groups are also popular and available on special request. Please inquire with us to add any flights to your travel plans.

Airports Information

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN ZARAFA DHOW SUITE PACKAGES

Your stay at Zarafa Dhow Suites will include:

• Welcome and Luggage assistance at Maun
• Return flights from Maun to Selinda Airstrip
• Luxury safari accommodation at Zarafa Dhow Suites
• All Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Soft drinks, bottled water, cocktails, wines, tea & coffee
• Private daily game drives with a guide
• Airstrip transfers to camp from airstrip
• Complimentary laundry service
• Walking safaris with a Zarafa tracker
• Boating cruise on the Zibadianja Lagoon
• (Fishing on request)

What’s Extra?

Flight arrangements to Selinda Private Concession, Import liquor, Tipping (at your discretion), Shopping and Personal expenses such as spa treatments, Travel insurance can be purchased with your package. Note that there is no internet or cell phone access at Zarafa given the remote area. Please carry a satellite phone if telephone or internet communication is imperative to your travel needs.

CHILDREN POLICY

• We look forward to having children stay with us that are 8 years and older.

• Children must be a minimum of 12 years old to participate in extensive walking activities (kid’s program excepted)

• Childrens’s program – thoughtfully designed to explore a range of experiences and topics from birding to cooking to art to tracking wildlife.

About the Special

WHY NOT ENJOY AN EXTRA NIGHT WITH US ON YOUR NEXT SAFARI TO BOTSWANA?

STAY FOR 4 NIGHTS AT ONE OF OUR BOTSWANA CAMPS AND ONLY PAY FOR 3!

Terms and Conditions

Booking Terms and Conditions:

• This offer is valid for all guest reservations staying from 01 November 2021 - 31 May 2022 &

01 November - 19 December 2022 (excluding 20 December 2021 - 10 January 2022);

• Private vehicle and guide rates are additional;

• This offer is valid to all standard guest U$D rate accommodation reservations;

• All stays include return scheduled air transfers to / from our camps;

• Offers cannot be combined and are offered on a stand alone basis per reservation;

• This offer is valid for a safari stay of a minimum of 4 nights at one of the following Botswana camps -

Selinda Explorers Camp, Selinda Camp, Selinda Suite, Zarafa Camp, Zarafa Dhow Suite, Duba Explorers Camp, Duba Plains Camp and Duba Plains Suite.

About the Special

Want to stay out and drive a little longer in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, float down the Zambezi River in the Sapi Reserve one last time, or follow the channels of Botswana’s waterways in search of big tuskers and lions?

Whatever your preference take advantage of our shoulder season rates, when staying a little longer with us in the peak season.

Terms and Conditions

Booking Terms and Conditions:

• Stay a minimum 6 night stay, regardless of camps, or where they are located, as long as they are in the same itinerary, during the period 15 - 31 October 2022, qualify for shoulder season rates;

• Free included inter-camp air transfers restrictions may apply to some camps;

• Offer cannot be combined.

About the Special

Stay for 6 nights with us at our Botswana properties during the annual flooding of the Okavango Delta and receive a complimentary helicopter transfer between the Duba Plains and Selinda Reserves!

For guests staying at either our Selinda Reserve camps combined with Duba Plains Reserve camps for a minimum of 6 nights, the inter-camp air transfer between these two iconic wildlife areas will receive a FREE thrilling helicopter transfer!

This 35 minute helicopter flight offers a uniquely spectacular aerial view of the Northern Okavango Delta region between the Selinda and Duba Plains Reserves.

Terms and Conditions

Booking Terms and Conditions

• This offer is valid for all guest reservations staying from 01 June - 31 October 2022;

• The free one-way helicopter air transfer is between the Duba Plains Reserve and Selinda Reserves camps or vice versa;

• Minimum 2 guests required for helicopter transfers.

About the Special

WHY NOT ENJOY AN EXTRA NIGHT WITH US ON YOUR NEXT SAFARI TO BOTSWANA?

STAY FOR 4 NIGHTS AT ONE OF OUR BOTSWANA CAMPS AND ONLY PAY FOR 3!

Terms and Conditions

Booking Terms and Conditions:

• This offer is valid for all guest reservations staying from 01 November 2021 - 31 May 2022 &

01 November - 19 December 2022 (excluding 20 December 2021 - 10 January 2022);

• Private vehicle and guide rates are additional;

• This offer is valid to all standard guest U$D rate accommodation reservations;

• All stays include return scheduled air transfers to / from our camps;

• Offers cannot be combined and are offered on a stand alone basis per reservation;

• This offer is valid for a safari stay of a minimum of 4 nights at one of the following Botswana camps -

Selinda Explorers Camp, Selinda Camp, Selinda Suite, Zarafa Camp, Zarafa Dhow Suite, Duba Explorers Camp, Duba Plains Camp and Duba Plains Suite.