Just weeks after opening the magnificent new double suite at Zarafa Camp, located in the private 350,000 acre Selinda Reserve in Botswana, the suite, called the Dhow Suites, has already earned critical acclaim and the award for “Best Safari House in Botswana.”
“At Great Plains Conservation we believe that stories are important and those told around the camp fire are probably the most enjoyable,” says CEO Dereck Joubert. “Zarafa is the true story of the first giraffe to leave Africa from Egypt, given as a gift to King Charles X of France. It was found in Nubia, sailed down the Nile in a dhow, to Alexandria to Marseilles and walked to Paris in 1826. Along the way the name developed, ‘Zafara’ means ‘Beloved One’ and evolved into ‘Giraffe’. When we wanted to include a new private suite at Zarafa, it made sense to use the dhow journey that Zarafa went through as an architectural and design reference.
The Zarafa Dhow Suites, under canvas is one of the largest tents ever built in Africa, with a floor space of 2.260 sq feet. It has its own private vehicle, safari guide, chef, manager and entrance to the camp. “We don’t love the word luxury, but it is private and exclusive and designed with the same vision and old world elegance as the main Zafara camp. But this is our ‘beloved suite’, ideal for families or close friends.”
Dhow Suites at Zarafa Camp has two main bedrooms, a central living and dining area, its own pool and fireplace. Guests staying in the dhow suites are secluded from the main camp so privacy is ensured. It is being booked by some of the most discerning travellers in the world who want to experience the bush as a private group or family, and know that there will be no sudden Instagram images or media appearing. Time and private moments are invaluable and Great Plains Conservation management respects that.
Each unit has a large fireplace, copper bath, private outdoor shower made in the interesting Victorian needle shower style overlooking the lagoon. Evening private dining is either outside under the stars, or in the spacious private dining room. It has an exclusive wine list of new world and French wine, and excellent Relais & Châteaux standard cuisine. This is Africa as it has never been experienced, under canvas for authentic ‘beyond five star’ experiences in ‘beyond five star’ accommodation.