Zarafa Camp is a magnificent luxury tented camp in the vast 320,000 acre private SelindaReserve and looks out over the Zibadianja Lagoon. Zarafa is probably the most intimate camp in Botswana with only four stunning 1000 sq ft canvas rooms. The game viewing is excellent here and being so small this camp is perfectly suited to exclusive use should you want a camp all to yourself!
Maun Airport (MUB)
The Selinda Reserve is a highly productive area for safari; the area teems with wildlife and birdlife. Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Zebra, Lechwe, Giraffe, Roan, Sable and even Africa Wild Dog make this their home and for birders there are over 300 species and there is a nearby colony of African Skimmers. In addition to the usual game drives in early mornings and late afternoons/evenings, bush walks are also on offer and there is even boating and fishing offered on the Zibadianja Lagoon when water levels permit on HES Zib, as the boat is known.
Zarafa Camp’s 4 tented rooms are opulent and enormous. They are open fronted though they are netted and are richly furnished with campaign-style furniture and Persian carpets. Each tent has a full lounge area with leather sofa and armchair and desk looking out across to the lagoon and there is even a copper gas fire for those cold winter nights. The bathrooms are open plan with solid copper ball and claw baths, double copper basins and both indoor and outdoor showers. Each tent also has its own private plunge pool for those warm afternoons. Each tent has a professional camera and lenses for guests to use during their stay. The main area is very much in the same style and there is a private library there as well. The fire pit is raised on the main decking and dining taking place under the stars. The is a ‘safari’ gym if you need to burn off some of the delicious food served and massages can be booked in the privacy of your own room. In 2023 Zarafa Camp had a refurb to include refreshed interiors with new antique campaign-styled furniture, new interactive kitchen with Pizza Oven and relocation of the wine cellar to the main area. The old wine cellar has now been converted into a sunken, hidden hide. A great option for families or couples traveling together is The Dhow Suite at Zarafa, which is a stunning two-bedroom tented suite. The suites are locatedon raised decking under flowing canvas. They have a personal butler, chef, game drive vehicle and guide included in the nightly rate.
We’ll meet at 4 p.m. at our hotel in Luzern (Lucerne) for a “Welcome to Switzerland” meeting. Then we’ll take a meandering evening walk through Switzerland’s most charming lakeside town, and get acquainted with one another over dinner together. Sleep in Luzern (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Enjoy an orientation walk of Zurich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. Then, leave Zurich and start your Swiss adventure. You’ll quickly discover that Switzerland isn’t just home to the Alps, but also to some of the most beautiful lakes. First, stop at the foot of the Jura Mountains in the picturesque town of Biel, known as Bienne by French-speaking Swiss, famous for watch-making, and explore the historical center. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to lakeside Neuchâtel, dominated by the medieval cathedral and castle. Time to stroll along the lake promenade before continuing to stunning Geneva, the second-largest city in Switzerland, with its fantastic lakeside location and breathtaking panoramas of the Alps.
Our morning drive takes us from Swiss lakes to Swiss Army. At the once-secret Swiss army bunker at Fortress Fürigen, we’ll see part of the massive defense system designed to keep Switzerland strong and neutral. Afterward, a short drive into the countryside brings us to the charming Alpine village of Engelberg, our picturesque home for the next two days. We’ll settle into our lodge then head out for an orientation walk. Our stroll through the village will end at the Engelberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery with its own cheese-making operation. You’ll have free time to wander back before dinner together. Sleep in Engelberg (2 nights). Bus: 1 hr. Walking: light.
An unforgettable trip to the high Alpine wonderland of ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. Globus Local Favorite At an amazing 11,332 feet, the JUNGFRAUJOCH is Europe’s highest railway station. Jungfrau’s 13,642-foot summit was first ascended in 1811 and in 1912 the rack railway was opened. There are lots of things to do here: enjoy the ALPINE SENSATION, THE PANORAMA 360° EXPERIENCE, and the ICE PALACE. Also receive your JUNGFRAU PASSPORT as a souvenir to take home with you. The round trip to the “Top of Europe” by MOUNTAIN TRAIN will take most of the day.
