Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
Dinaka
A cosy camp where wildlife takes centre stage
Set on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Dinaka offers a safari experience unlike any other in Africa. This intimate property invites you to observe rare species, such as black-maned Kalahari lions and brown hyenas. And even desert-adapted wildlife right from the comfort of camp.
Viewing decks in each of its eight tents and common areas provide front-row seats to the never-ending spectacle of the desert ecosystem. You can explore the dramatic landscapes around the camp on morning, afternoon and night game drives. Or embark on nature walks and tracking expeditions with San Bushmen guides, local communities of southern Africa known for their deep knowledge of the land.
Wildlife sightings are further enhanced by an underground hide, an elevated observation area and a sleep-out deck where you can gaze up at the starry sky once the sun sets. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and fireplace for leisurely afternoons and evenings.
A stay at Dinaka perfectly complements other legendary destinations in Botswana. Combine it with a few nights in the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park or the Makgadikgadi Pans to fully appreciate this country’s magnificent range of scenery and habitats.
Highlights
Explore 40,000 hectares of privately owned and carefully protected land
Learn about ancient culture and traditional skills directly from local community members
Enjoy family-style meals with a view of the camp’s watering hole and the animals it attracts
Opt for the two-bedroom family tent if you’re travelling with a larger group
Visit at any time of year; wildlife is abundant in both the dry season and the green season
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Places to combine Dinaka with
Linyanti
Zarafa Camp is set inside the 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve, created to conserve and protect the wildlife of the area alongside connecting Botswana’s Okavango Delta to the Linyanti waterways. This reserve is home to a diverse and rich abundance of species similar to those found in the Savuti and Chobe National Parks, but with the exclusivity of a private reserve.
Simply one of the most beautiful tented camps in Africa, Zarafa is a triumph of conservation and attention to detail. There are just four immense tented suites set on raised wooden platforms overlooking the floodplain of the Zibadianja Lagoon. The tents are decorated in a style befitting of the explorations of the early 20th Century, matched with modern comforts and technological surprises. Outdoor decking wraps around each guest suite and offers guests a private plunge pool, private outdoor shower, and outdoor seating.
Within the suite your lounge flows into a well-decorated bedroom and an open layout indoor bathroom that is adorned with a polished copper bath tub and fireplace. The main camp, made up of a generously-sized main lounge, library, dining area and bush boutique, is nestled under a canopy of trees a slight distance from the suites. An outdoor gym and in-room massages are also available.
Environmentally, Zarafa has a number of initiatives in place to ensure they have as light an impact on their surrounding as possible, from solar power and water filtration systems, to electric vehicles. The camp also supports the notion that conservation can only be successful if communities living alongside wildlife and protected areas are given opportunities to learn, interact, and benefit from these conserved areas.
As part of Great Plains Conservation, Zarafa is involved with the Great Plains Foundation’s launch of the Great Plains Academy, which provides enrichment opportunities for a community in the upper reaches of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The academy will supply vocational training, supplemental education, and scholarships with a conservation and tourism focus. All programmes seek to invest in the skill and capacity of the individual whilst displaying respect for natural heritage and a solid conservation ethic.
