Why are we members of Relais & Châteaux, and how does this enhance your safari with us?

Our membership in Relais & Châteaux, a prestigious association of the world’s finest hoteliers, chefs, and restaurateurs, is a testament to our commitment to these principles. This affiliation elevates the guest experience at our safari camps and provides numerous benefits to our dedicated staff.

Being part of Relais & Châteaux means adhering to the highest standards of hospitality and excellence. Guests staying at a Great Plains Conservation Réserve-Collection safari camp can expect an experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Our safari camps are designed to offer an intimate and luxurious environment seamlessly integrated with the natural surroundings.

Our membership in Relais & Châteaux ensures that our camps meet rigorous quality criteria, from exquisite cuisine prepared with local ingredients to personalised service that anticipates and exceeds guest expectations.

Relais & Châteaux is renowned for its dedication to the “art of living,” which aligns perfectly with our ethos at Great Plains Conservation. This association ensures an elevated guest experience of refinement and attention to detail that is rarely found in traditional safari accommodations. Guests can indulge in gourmet meals prepared by our executive chefs, enjoy personalised safari viewing activities, and relax in elegantly appointed suites, all while knowing that their stay supports vital conservation efforts.

Our association with Relais & Châteaux also benefits our staff. It provides them with opportunities for professional development and training in the best practices of luxury hospitality. Many of our staff have never left the country in which they work, so the exposure they gain through our membership expands their understanding of the level of hospitality our well-travelled guests come to expect as the norm. This training enhances their skills and empowers them to deliver exceptional service, contributing to a more enriching guest experience.

Moreover, being part of such a respected global network fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment among our teams, too. They are motivated by the knowledge that they are part of a distinguished community recognised for excellence in hospitality. This sense of belonging and recognition boosts morale and continually encourages our team to strive for greatness.

At Great Plains Conservation, we believe that luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Our membership in Relais & Châteaux underscores this commitment, as both organisations value preserving culture, heritage, and the environment. Guests can enjoy the finest in hospitality while knowing that their visit supports the conservation of Africa’s most precious ecosystems and wildlife. We play an active and leading role in terms of discussions focussed on Conservation and Biodiversity with Relais & Châteaux at a head office level, too, with our aim to share the lessons we have learnt in the areas in which we operate with fellow like-minded members, as well as learn about other leading sustainability practises that we can implement at our camps.

Being part of Relais & Châteaux is more than a mark of excellence for Great Plains Conservation; it is a partnership that enhances the guest experience and provides valuable benefits to our staff.

It allows us to continue offering you, our valued guest, unforgettable safari adventures that are luxurious, sustainable, and deeply connected to the spirit of Africa.

PRESERVE THE WORLD’S HOSPITALITY & CULINARY TRADITIONS

1. Promote the richness of the many different hospitality cultures around the world. Preserve local cultural heritage, emblematic local architecture – from the most traditional to the most contemporary –, the decorative arts, as well as landscape and garden design.
2. Favor interactions with local communities, producers, and suppliers in order to co-create shared value, and assist them in developing their activities and preserving the diversity of their heritage.
3. Serve a cuisine that, by virtue of a chef’s creativity, is a statement and an expression of the uniqueness of a place and its biodiversity, a natural and cultural environment, local history, or farming and fishing traditions.
4. Work with all stakeholders in our ecosystem to enable as many people as possible to discern and appreciate the essential roles that the environment, food, and cuisine play in our health, to promote quality food products, and the joy of sharing an exceptional meal.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BIODIVERSITY

5. Contribute to the regeneration and development of ecosystems in partnership with local public authorities, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and all other parties committed to preserving biodiversity.
6. Capitalize on the influence of the Relais & Châteaux chefs and their sourcing choices to foster the development of regenerative agriculture, promote breeding conditions respectful of animal welfare, and help preserve the planet’s oceans by supporting small-scale fishing employing sustainable techniques.
7. Contribute, on a worldwide scale, to combating global warming by 2040, through the implementation of new day-to-day management practices enabling our members to measure and drive the progressive decarbonization of their activities.
8. Achieve very ambitious environmental objectives by 2040 – concerning water, energy, waste management, elimination of plastics (particularly single-use plastics), and concerted use of local and in-season food products.

TAKE DAILY ACTION FOR A MORE HUMANE WORLD

9. Support local communities in their efforts to preserve and develop their cultural and craft heritage. Work with them to develop education wherever needed and strive together to reduce inequalities. Offer the possibility, for those who wish, to participate and progress socially and economically in the hospitality and culinary professions, within an environment committed to excellence.
10. Guarantee our teams, through our collective commitments, truly meaningful positions and responsibilities, as well as exemplary work conditions and management methods, respecting their differences and allowing each team member to enjoy a fulfilling personal and family life.
11. Work with our entire ecosystem to pass on our expertise and our passion for what is good and beautiful. Share these treasures each day and promote our commitments to all our stakeholders.
12. Ensure each property is a place where the quality of human relations is paramount, a place of respect and harmony, for our guests, our teams, and the communities around us.