Reviews of Zarafa Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
19 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Zarafa Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
71% success
29% success
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88% success
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"Zarafa Camp review"
We had a wonderful stay." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana
"Perfection"
Just stunning in every aspect, location, design,wildlife viewing and staff. Exceptional knowledge and great company from our guide Lets. You could just stay in camp all day and watch the scenery and elephants passing by but there are boat trips at sunset to be taken and wild dogs to follow. The rooms may be very impressive but they still manage to keep a bush feel. Hippos and hyena calls surround you at night.
A great variety of delicious food and the choice of joining in for laughs at the dinner table or having a romantic private meal for two." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana
"Zarafa Camp review"
The food is also gorgeous, thanks for the chef for being so inventive!" See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Can life get any better?"
[Ed: their comments were: "A wonderful camp with fantastic rooms and amazing views in the heart of the bush. Brilliant management team, guides, staff and hippos that definitely went bump in the night! We can't praise it enough."]
A special mention about our guide Dux. What a larger than life character and we loved him.
Probably the best guide we ever had and certainly the most fun." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 7n in Mozambique; 6n in Botswana
"Zarafa spectacular!"
Sheer luxury in the bush - but without ever feeling that this lodge had lost touch with its purpose of providing a real safari adventure. Zarafa has a strong emphasis on the environment with solar panels providing the majority of the electricity. But this was in all respects an A* experience.
Tess and Stuart are young but committed, expert (naturalists by training) and delightful hosts.
The camp is well-run; nothing seems to be too much trouble and there is greater flexibility here, given the small number of tents, to do whatever you like, whenever you like. The facilities are outstanding with indoor shower and bath plus a dramatic outside shower (sourced from a Parisian house of ill-repute!) overlooking the lagoon: the nearest to safely bathing with hippos you could ask for. A particularly nice touch is the loan of a camera with 100-400mm lens plus CD download to take home.
Chef Comfort deserves the first Botswana Michelin star - unbeatable quality and presentation. The lodge site gives you dining with incredible views over the lagoon where hippos and elephants frolick. We even saw wild dogs from the deck. Some of the game viewing was superb (although on occasion we did have to search which may have been a result of the exceptional flood waters). Steve, our guide, was enthusiastic and eagle-eyed." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana
"Zarafa Camp review"
When travelling in July and the Expert Africa agent says 'it will be cold in the morning' believe her, its true. What was handy was the camp had a laptop so I could download images from my camera as I had run out of memory; they then burned a CD for me so I could clear the memory chip and take lots more shots.
There were so many highlights, like seeing cheetahs, leopards and lions all on one drive or one night getting jabbed in the ribs for snoring when it was the hippos grunting outside our tent. One of the best was stopping on an afternoon drive to have Gin and Tonics by the lagoon and watch the stunning sunsets." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana
"Zarafa Camp review"
I certainly will come back.
the food and the tablesettings super.
I´m not a big shoper but I liked the shop with things out of the ordenery.
This is the camp we talk about our friends" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana
"Zarafa Camp review"
The small number of tents adds to the intimacy and creates a quiet, that coupled with your location on the lagoon, seems to attract a great deal of wildlife right in your 'front yard'. Game drives did not disappoint with a huge variety of wildlife as well as an incredible range of birds.
Staff are warm and friendly with a good sense of humor. The camp is managed by an excellent couple who are clearly dedicated to what they do and imbue their love of the bush and their pride of this camp to you. The new menu being introduced by Lindy was some of the freshest and healthiest food I've ever experienced in a safari camp. We were lucky to have our guide 'Dukes' to ourselves and he was very informative, relaxed and entertaining.
We felt very 'at home' here. A seriously luxurious quality camp that doesn't miss a beat on wildlife either, would return in a heartbeat." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Zarafa Camp review"
Our guide Dukes was great and found us loads of wildlife in the sparse season and was extremely informative. Food by Lindi and team was excellent." See all these reviews: 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Botswana
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Botswana.
Other lodges in Kwando-Linyanti area
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Lagoon Camp
Within the vast Kwando Reserve, renowned for its wild dogs, Lagoon Camp offers excellent game viewing that focuses on predators.
Lebala Camp
With enthusiastic guides and trackers, Lebala – in a vast private reserve – is particularly well-placed for seeking wild dogs.
Selinda Camp
In an attractive area that is particularly rich in game between June and November, the luxurious Selinda Camp caters particularly well for photographers.
DumaTau
DumaTau, in the private Linyanti Reserve, offers game drives, seasonal boat cruises and walks. Wildlife safaris here are quite seasonal, and are at their best during the height of the dry season, between June and October.
Linyanti Bush Camp
An increasingly rare find in Botswana, Linyanti Bush Camp blends relative simplicity with numerous activities and very good guiding.
Savuti Camp
For years the Savuti Channel ran dry, but it's now flowing again and this newly refurbished, 7-room lodge has pride of place to witness the spectacle.
Selinda Explorers Camp
The luxurious, traditional tented Selinda Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by really top notch guides in a game-rich area.
Kings Pool
King’s Pool is a top-end luxury safari camp with a price tag to match; the game viewing can be very good during the dry season.
Linyanti Ebony
Independently owned and run, the small Linyanti Ebony sits on the same site as Linyanti Bush Camp, with similarly high standards of guiding, and a strong emphasis on the wildlife experience.
Linyanti Expeditions
Tip-top guiding. In tune with the habitat. Down-to-earth, authentic camp comfort. A place of wilderness safari harmony.
Little DumaTau
Small and sophisticated, Little DumaTau lies adjacent to its larger sibling in the private Linyanti Reserve, overlooking a beautiful lagoon.
Okavango Explorers
The traditional, tented Okavango Explorers Camp offers a mix of walking, canoeing and game drives led by great guides in a wildlife-rich area.
