For those looking for the best safari in Botswana experiences available, The Selinda Suite, a Relais and Châteaux member and Great Plains Réserve-Collection property, represents the meeting place of three cultures; European, Mokololo and Bayei. This 2-bedroomed private suite is themed to resemble that of the thatched village of Sangwali. Spears, shields and an African version of Robinson Crusoe are the enduring themes throughout the camp. Its architectural design elements centre around Water, Air, Earth and Fire, all of which ground the design. Selinda Suite’s design pays homage first and foremost to Water, with splashes of blue and crystal-clear swimming pools offering views over the equally immaculate Selinda Spillway to ease your arrival, usually by boat.

The afternoon breezes that ripple the endless sea of nearby grasses are a tribute to Air. Earth is represented in the cornucopia of home-grown meals lovingly prepared in our kitchens, fresh from the earth, and the bright flames of our evening Fire complete the ethos of being in harmony with nature’s natural elements. In some cultures, a fifth element, ‘metal’, is also incorporated into the design.

In addition to the three main suites, the Selinda Suite (like its fellow The Dhow Suite at Zarafa and the Duba Plains Suite) consists of a two-bedroom tented suite. The Selinda Suite operates exclusively, as guests enjoy their own private vehicle, safari guide, chef, manager/butler and entrance to their residence. This all ensures the best safari in Botswana possible.

The safari drives, walks, boating, tracking, birding and other bespoke viewing activities are designed to place you in front of the best wildlife the area offers for a unique one-on-one, life-changing experience, from leopards to elephants and hippos. Birders can look forward to ticking off as many as the 200 or more bird species in the area.

The Great Plains Foundation’s Solar Mamas developed the initiative to address the lack of economic opportunities and electricity deficit in remote villages bordering Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Nine Solar Mamas left their villages in Botswana to attend a six-month solar power training program in India through Barefoot College International. They each returned home with the skills to build, install and maintain solar home lighting systems. These Solar Mamas are empowered to establish and run a business and provide sustainable energy for their community. The project’s current phase aims to supply equipment for the Solar Mamas to electrify rural households in this remote region where only 35% of homes are electrified, thereby improving the quality of life in our surrounding communities.