Linking the Okavango Delta to the Chobe/Savute channel is the 320000-acre Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana. Occupied by only a handful of exclusive, secretive, remote safari lodges, the vast majority of Selinda remains freely and totally wild. Lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, giraffe, leopard, sable, hippo, roan, zebra – the list of inhabitants of this pristine wilderness is impressive and seemingly endless, and the invitation to explore, expertly guided, is irresistible.
Our options are few, yet each one is magnificent in its celebration of the precious natural environment. This first secluded Selinda paradise is untouchable in its luxurious style, historic ambience, and elegance. Zarafa Dhows Suites uses ancient items of furniture and decor to adorn the classic canvas suites creating this entirely unique Afro-Arabic retreat in the Okavango Delta. Only two suites, adjacent to Zarafa Camp, this is exclusivity in its essence.
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 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 ‘biogas’ plants recycle waste into usable cooking gas. Between its nostalgic furnishings and elegantly appointed articles and items that decorate the tented suites and main lodge area, Zarafa is a piece of history in the middle of the African wild. Inimitable safari paradise!
The deep heat of the dusty continent rippling up from the earth turning the giant setting sun into liquid before our eyes. This is a vision that speaks to our African hearts and we can feel the balmy temperature on our skin and hear the hissing cicadas shrill in our ears. That iconic northern Botswana treeline, silhouetted against the peachy sun as it lowers all the way to the horizon and beyond – this is the way our days end on safari at Selinda Camp. Front and centre to the spacious, thatched living area is this remarkable sunset, showcasing the most magnificent time of day from the comfort of the convivial lounge. The exclusivity of this Selinda spot makes us feel like we are the only ones in the entire 320 000 acres of wilderness, and were treated like royalty. From the romantic dinners at the end of the lantern-lit jetty to basking in the last glow of the sun, or watching the wonderful wild from the swimming pool overlooking the plains. Everything has been thought of and we’re here to indulge in some of Botswana’s most cherished kingdom.
This one is for those who want to get lost in nature without sacrificing on the comfort or luxury of a safari lodge. Selinda Explorers Camp is positioned along the Selinda Spillway in prime predator paradise where African wild dogs enjoy an expansive range large enough to share with the king predators; lion spotted hyena, and leopard. The Selinda Reserve in all its untamed beauty is the platform for the unrivalled safari experience offered at Explorers Camp, and the relaxed, Bohemian ambience is the ideal base from which to watch it all unfold. Explorers Camp has minimal impact on the environment, yet provides both comfort and style for guests in a secluded and abundant location about an hour west from big sister, Selinda Camp.
This might be the ultimate safari experience in Selinda. What a way to explore this deep wilderness! Remote and vastly unchartered, setting out into Selinda’s 320 000 acre expanse on foot or by canoe offers our guests the opportunity to see more, hear more, and feel more of this amazing place. The Selinda Adventure Trail is a 4-day/3-night fly-camping excursion that takes guests along the famous Selinda Spillway and into the remote woodlands of the central reserve. Every day involves walking and canoeing (canoeing when water levels are high from generally from June-September), admiring the unadulterated wilderness and encountering animals, birdlife, and the pure magic of nature. Each night your tents are set up for you and by the evening you’ll find yourself sitting around a campfire and enjoying a delicious cooked meal with the nocturnal sounds and the stars surrounding you. This is one for the active safari goers who want to get an insider’s view of this northern Botswana paradise. Unmissable!
This image is exactly what makes RAW Botswana Motswiri Camp so special. Encountering Selinda’s wild roaming elephants, wild dogs, zebras, sables, and lions while disguised on the back of a horse, as if you were one of the four-legged animals living wild in the 320 000 acre wilderness. Motswiri does not only offer epic horseback safaris, but some exceptional walking trails, canoeing, game drives, and fly camping experiences when the season is right. With only a handful of camps operating in the area, each safari excursion is going to be private, unhurried, and unforgettable.
