Safari in Style – The Ultimate Botswana Safari
7 days from £10,120 for 2024 per person
Imagine sipping an ice-cold G & T in your plunge pool whilst watching a breeding herd of elephant splashing and playing a short distance away with a backdrop of nothing but palm trees and a blood red sky.
From the grace and beauty of the Okavango and the thrill of the Moremi Reserve to the 300,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Selinda Reserve, this is understated bush luxury at its best. We have chosen what we believe to be the finest camps in the finest locations in Northern Botswana and quite possibly, in Africa.
The journey by begins at Jao, a short and thrilling helicopter flight into the very heart of the Okavango Delta. Jao camp is simply sublime. Its exacting standards, superb guiding, commanding views, stylish accommodation, gourmet bush cuisine and attention to detail all combine to make this camp a very special place indeed. A gym, spa, two pools with views and comfortable and beautifully furnished sitting and private dining areas all serve the small number of guests seamlessly. The individual tented suites are secluded, light and airy and everything you would expect from a world-class 5-star establishment. The Jao concession manages to effortlessly combine the 5-star luxury of the camp with the 5-star game viewing in the surrounding area. Lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hippo, cheetah and wild dog are all evident in the region. The professional guides at Jao take great care to enhance your safari experience to the highest level.
From Jao, another short helicopter scenic flight will transport you to Duba Plains Camp, which boasts some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa and is often referred to as the Okavango’s Massai Mara due to the sheer volume of plains game and predators found here. Duba Plains is situated on its own 77,000 private game reserve. The lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard sightings here can be close up and thrilling. Its location is only enhanced by its camp, whose style and effortless comfort blends perfectly into the surrounding bush.
Journey onwards from Duba Plains by helicopter to the vast and solitary Selinda Reserve towards the great Linyanti Swamps. Large swathes of grasslands and water plains make this area one of the most remote areas in Botswana. Zarafa camp was built with exclusivity in mind and it delivers this in spades. With only 6 guests at any one time, focus is on discovering and enjoying this hauntingly beautiful area with some of the best professional guides in the safari world. The private suites all have their own plunge pool, professional camera (for use during your stay) and ice on tap for those G & Ts!
Itinerary details
7 days from £10,120 for 2024 per person
- Day 1 - Jao Camp - The Okavango Delta
Early morning flight from Johannesburg to Maun International Airport (scheduled 2-hour flight). Arrive in Maun and scenic helicopter flight into Jao Camp. Late afternoon Safari drive or boat cruise. - Day 2 - Jao Camp - The Okavango Delta
Morning and afternoon game drives and boat cruise. - Day 3 - Duba Plains - The Okavango Delta
Scenic helicopter flight to Duba Plains Camp. Afternoon game drive. - Day 4 - Duba Plains - The Okavango Delta
Morning and afternoon game drives, boat cruise or walking safari. - Day 5 - Zarafa Camp - Linyanti and Selinda
Scenic helicopter flight Duba Plains to Zarafa. Afternoon game drive, boat cruise or walking safari. - Day 6 - Zarafa Camp - Linyanti and Selinda
Morning and afternoon game drives, boat cruises, walking safaris. - Day 7 - In transit.
Morning game drive then helicopter transfer to Maun International airport for scheduled flight to Johannesburg and connecting overnight flight home.
I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine.
Caskie Stinnett