The Dhow Suite at Zarafa

A 210 m² private canvas suite on the Zibadianja Lagoon — source of the famous Savute Channel — with its own private vehicle, private boats, a Relais & Châteaux kitchen, private pool and Zarafa Spa access, set within the 130,000-hectare Selinda Reserve.

The Dhow Suite at Zarafa earns Diamond Reserve status through sheer scale, setting and service. At 210 m², it is genuinely one of Africa’s largest and most elegant private suites, entirely under canvas on a foundation of century-old teak railroad ties, overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon at the source of the famous Savute Channel. It combines a Relais & Châteaux-recognised private kitchen, its own plunge pool, private vehicle-based game drives, private boating on the lagoon, and a dedicated conservation levy supporting the Great Plains Foundation. The Selinda Reserve’s 130,000 hectares of private wilderness — connecting the Okavango Delta to the Chobe and Savute corridors — is precisely the kind of bucket-list location the Diamond Reserve category was built to recognise.

One of Africa’s Largest and Most Elegant Suites

One of the most extraordinary and luxurious retreats in Africa, the Dhow Suite functions as an exclusive private safari villa within the 130,000-hectare Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana, connecting the Okavango Delta to the Chobe and Savute corridors. Entirely under canvas, with high canopy ceilings, open netted sides and beige canvas walls, the suite spans 210 square metres — one of Africa’s largest and most elegant — built on a deck foundation of century-old teak railroad ties that immerses guests in the surrounding wilderness without compromising on modern luxury.

Two spacious bedrooms adjoin a central living area beneath the canopied canvas, each with a choice of twin or double bed configurations, mosquito netting, standing fans and over-bed air-conditioning. Every bedroom includes an open-air-style en-suite bathroom with a copper claw-foot tub, double vanities, indoor and outdoor showers and a separate flush toilet room.

Executive chefs — the kitchen holds Relais & Châteaux recognition — prepare exquisite dishes from the finest locally sourced ingredients to international standards, accompanied by an exceptional wine list and served indoors or under the stars on the suite’s private deck. A central lounge with its own small bar and coffee station, a five-metre private swimming pool and exclusive plunge pool, and a fire pit on the private deck complete the residence, alongside Wi-Fi and an intentional absence of mobile signal.

The on-site Zarafa Spa offers two treatment areas for personalised therapies, alongside exercise equipment for guests who prefer to keep active, or in-room massage on request. Beyond the suite, private vehicle game drives track lion, leopard, elephant and African wild dog, guided bush walks reveal the wilderness in miniature, and private boating — by flat-bottomed aluminium powerboat or pontoon — explores the lagoons and channels of the Zibadianja, source of the famous Savute Channel, for birdwatching, fishing and sunset dining on the water.

The Dhow Suite at Zarafa is not simply large — it is one of the very few private suites in Africa where scale, setting and genuine conservation purpose come together at Diamond Reserve level.

Property Fact File

Destination: Selinda Reserve, northern Botswana — 130,000 hectares connecting the Okavango Delta to the Chobe and Savute corridors
Setting: Overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon, source of the famous Savute Channel
Collection: Great Plains Conservation
Property type: Exclusive-use private tented suite
Size: 210 m² / 2,260 sq ft
Recognition: Relais & Châteaux
Accommodation: Two bedrooms adjoining a central living area; twin or double bed configurations; mosquito netting, standing fans and over-bed air-conditioning; open-air-style en-suite bathrooms with copper claw-foot tub, double vanities, indoor and outdoor showers; separate flush toilet room
Suite facilities: Central lounge with small bar and coffee/tea station; 5 m private swimming pool and exclusive plunge pool; private deck with fire pit; well-stocked mini bar; Wi-Fi (no mobile signal)
Dining & wine: Executive chefs, in a kitchen holding Relais & Châteaux recognition, prepare dishes from the finest locally sourced ingredients to international standards, with an exceptional wine list, served indoors or under the stars on the private deck
Wellness: The on-site Zarafa Spa offers two treatment areas for personalised therapies, plus exercise equipment (spinning bikes, yoga mats, dumbbells) or in-room massage on request