Overview
Timeless luxury and exciting safari
Built on stilts over the Zibadianja Lagoon, Zarafa offers stunning views from all aspects of the camp, due to the permanent water, this is a birders and big game lovers paradise. It is Botswana’s first Relais & Chateaux property and located on the private 130,000-hectare Selinda Reserve.
Each of the four suites are 100m², under canvas and lavishly decorated, with outside shower and plunge pool situated on large stilted decking for relaxing and excellent game viewing. The camp has a main lounge, library, dining area and bush boutique.
For Niarra, this camp ticks all the boxes - only recycled hardwoods and canvas were used in the construction, all the camp’s electricity comes from its solar farm and a bio-gas system converts vegetable waste into usable cooking gas.
Selinda Reserve has been named as one of the world’s Top 100 Sustainable Destinations. By staying at Great Plains Conservation’s camps, you are directly helping to protect Africa’s wild spaces.
Facts
At a glance
-
Four suites
-
Spa
-
Wine cellar
-
Gyn
Experiences
-
![Zarafa Selinda Concession 3]()
Game Drives
Explore the vast expanse of the Selinda private game reserve drives in open 4 x4 vehicles, where doom palms silhouette the horizon, hundreds of elephants roam the lands, and large prides of lion patrol the kingdom.
-
![Zarafa Selinda Concession 13]()
Walking safaris
Accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide, walks from camp are the perfect activity for guests interested in getting to know the smaller lives of the reserve – its plants, insects, and birdlife.
-
![Zarafa Selinda Concession 2]()
Seasonal boating
If you stay here during green season, you can board HMS Zib and drift along the lagoon. You’ll likely see hippos, crocodiles, and a wealth of waterbirds.
Community & Culture
Solar Mamas is an initiative that empowers local women in Botswana to improve their economic prospects while providing a much-needed service to their communities through solar-powered electrical systems.
Student Conservation Camps work to instill an appreciation of the landscape, its ecology, and the importance of stewarding the land for future generations. The children of the world are the future of tomorrow, and we must look after them.
Conservation
Selinda Reserve, at the crossroads of some of northern Botswana’s most prolific wildlife areas is a protected haven to 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.
Footprint
Protecting hundreds of thousands of acres from development to massive investments in solar power in our camps to kitchen gardens to eliminating single-use plastic, Great Plains aims to make the carbon footprint of our camps as small as possible.
As travellers, you can do your part as well and support Great Plains Foundation programs such as tree planting and solar lantern distributions to compensate for the emissions generated by your international flight.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
-
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
-
Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
-
Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
-
Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
