Best of Botswana & Zimbabwe
Days 1 - 4 Okavango Delta - Duba Plains Camp
The placid waters and lush indigenous forests offer a safe haven for innumerable bird and wildlife species. The renowned Duba Plains Camp sits in the heart of classic Okavango Delta habitat. A matrix of palm dotted islands, flood plains and woodland, the 77,000 hectare private concession typifies the region’s unique landscape. Many consider Duba Plains to be the Okavango’s Maasai Mara because of the sheer volume of wildlife. Duba Plains prides itself on its extraordinary wildlife experiences with reliable sightings of lion, buffalo, red lechwe, blue wildebeest, greater kudu and tsessebe. Elephant and hippo trudge through the swamps and leopard, and some nocturnal species, can be sighted as well. Birds abound, and the area is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Okavango ‘specials’ include the rare wattled crane, Pel’s Fishing owl, white backed night heron and marsh owl. Great Plains Conservation is the only operator on the concession, offering guests the ultimate opportunity for private wildlife sightings.
Duba Plains Camp - 3 nights at Duba Plains Camp in a luxury tent on a full board basis.
Duba Plains Camp is a wildlife connoisseur’s getaway to the Okavango Delta. Built on a wooded island, connected to the prolific wildlife area by an elaborate set of bridges, the camp is the base of many famous wildlife documentaries by National Geographic filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. The intimate camp consists of five traditional-style tents and the 2-bedroom Duba Plains Suite. All sit on raised decking, each with views of the surrounding floodplain and the steady stream of wildlife parading past. Each tent has a lounge area, a private veranda, beautifully appointed en-suite facilities consisting of flush loo, double basins and indoor and outdoor showers and luxurious baths. Guests will be able to enjoy their own private plunge pool and outdoor under cover rest area.
The main area consists of a large raised dining room, and a comfortable lounge with private dining areas, wine cellar, library, and chef’s kitchen with ample space for guests to either find a privacy or come together. The camp’s centre-point is the gathering place of all bush experiences, the fire place on an extended deck into the swamp. Duba Plain’s Toyota Land Cruisers are aptly named ‘Swamp Vehicles’ due to their extra-high suspension and absolutely huge tyres uniquely designed to traverse the floodplains. Duba Plains offers Botswana’s best land safari as well as an Okavango Delta experience, from wildlife viewing and birding or fishing from the boat, to walking and exciting drives with knowledgeable guides and friendly hosts.
Days 4 - 7 Zarafa - Selinda Reserve
The Selinda Reserve is a 320,00-acre private concession in northern Botswana at the crossroads of some of northern Botswana’s most prolific wildlife areas; upstream from Savute Channel and Chobe National Park and north of the expanding reaches of the greater Okavango Delta. This unique position gives it the advantages of both of these famous areas but with the tremendous advantage of exclusivity. It is a truly spectacular and varied landscape that boasts staggering wildlife populations in diverse habitats year-round.
Home to some of the classic species, such as leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, red lechwe, zebra and giraffe, it is also a refuge for some of the more uncommon species such as African wild dog, cheetah, roan and sable antelopes. And for birders, it will not disappoint. The African skimmer colony is a highlight, as are the antics of the black egret on the shores of Zibadianja Lagoon. From camp, hippos are visible in the lagoon and elephant wa
Zarafa Camp - 3 nights at Zarafa Camp in a luxury tent on a full board basis. Zarafa Camp is an intimate, four room exquisite tented camp located on the 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana, an area linking the Okavango Delta and the Chobe/Savute corridors. Its villa, the Dhow Suites, consist of two tents and private main area and operates entirely independently of main camp. Few camps rival the location of this little gem, Botswana’s first and only Relais & Chateaux property. Overlooking the crystal waters Zibadianja Lagoon, the source of the famous Savute Channel, every area of camp has a magnificent view. The lagoon is also the water source for a tremendous population of wildlife – dry season sightings boast buffalo and elephant by the hundreds.
Zarafa Camp and Dhow Suites are the brainchild of the founders of Great Plains Conservation, who pooled their collective experience on safari to create what they deemed to be the best and most environmentally innovative camp. As a consequence, Zarafa may in fact be the “greenest” luxury safari camp on the continent. Only recycled hardwoods and canvas were used in the construction and all the camp’s electricity comes from its solar farm while a ‘bio-gas’ system recycles vegetable waste into usable cooking gas.
The Zarafa Camp guest tents, 1000 sq. ft in size are 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. Each tent has a full lounge and a gas fireplace. The large bedroom is connected to an open layout bathroom with impressive copper claw foot bath, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. Decking around the tent leads to the private plunge pool and outdoor shower, all with views of pristine Botswana wilderness. Under an impressive canopy of African ebony trees, the camp has a sizable main lounge, with adjacent library and dining area. Zarafa has succeeded in successfully in retaining a clearly African feel, while balancing that delicate relationship between personal and informal and romance and adventure.
With a maximum of just eight guests, Zarafa Camp offers complete flexibility. While drives do focus on the most comfortable and productive times of day, early morning and late afternoon, full day drives, walks and boating (water level dependent) are great ways to fill the day at Zarafa.
Days 7 - 9 Mpala Jena Camp - Zambezi River
2 nights at Mpala Jena Camp in a luxury tent on a full board basis. An intimate, traditional space where hearts and spirits find inspiration in a history, rich with extraordinary wildlife stories and views along the evocative Zambezi River. Mpala Jena Camp is an exclusive canvas tented camp, located on a private concession within the Zambezi National Park, just outside Victoria Falls. Its four guest tents are positioned under the dappled shade of a mixture of indigenous trees. Each is under beige, flowing canvas, with canopy ceilings and open (yet netted) views of the river frontage, with Moroccan style influences throughout the décor. A lounge area with a desk, and en-suite bathroom facilities which include and impressive bathtub, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins await. Decking in front of the tent leads to a private plunge pool with views of the calming and peaceful lowing waters of the Zambezi River.
The camp is named after the natural spring-line which runs through the centre of the concession, and also means “White Impala”, following regular sightings of a “ghost-like” albino impala in the late 1970’s. Healthy and ever-increasing population of wildlife species abound, with higher concentrations of buffalo and elephant during the months of June through to October. The area is good for bird watching throughout the year, with a higher diversity during November through to April. This is the most environmentally and innovative camp within Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park. The property is conveniently located 16 kilometres inside the Zambezi National Park which make easy access to Victoria Falls town and the wide range of activities there, but far enough from the hustle and bustle that guests can relax and enjoy the incredible setting and wild habitat of the Zambezi National Park.
Please inquire for availability, pricing & booking. (GPS24)
