Selinda Suite

Guests will be amazed at the luxury the Selinda Suite offers. A private suite, on raised wooden decking with floor to ceiling netted windows, affording stunning views over the plains from your bed, allow natural light to flood the space. The beds are large and comfy with crisp white bed linen and mosquito netting draped from the posts. A lounge/dining area in the middle of the two bedrooms is open sided, allowing for an al fresco feel. This area includes comfy leather sofas and chairs, a wooden dining table and chairs, a mini fridge and private bar area. Authentic African rugs are scattered around the villa, adding a homely and traditional touch.

From either bedroom the ensuite is through large, wooden double doors which set the tone for the opulence for the rest of the villa. Guests can enjoy a soak in a deep, standalone bath which is placed in front of a netted window, looking out over the plains, so you can enjoy the beautiful vista while relaxing. The outside area of the suite is just as luxurious as the inside, a private decking which has a range of ways for guests to relax and take in the surroundings.

Large, cushioned sofas are perfect for winding down on after a long day or a dip in the plunge pool can cool you off in the afternoons heat. A glowing campfire is the perfect way to end the day, winding down under the stars with a drink.

At Selinda Suite guests can dine under the stars at a private table, set just outside the suite. Surrounded by stunning views of the reserve, guests can enjoy freshly prepared food by their own personal chef, which can be catered for vegetarians and various dietary needs. A covered dining table is also available if the weather is cooler, but with open sides guests can still enjoy the surrounding views of the bush. Guests can relax for a pre or post dinner drink – from their own mini bar – around the campfire, raising a toast to the breathtaking environment.

Morning, afternoon and evening game drives are offered at Selinda Suite. In a private, comfortable, custom built land rover – which is fully stocked with drinks and snacks – guests will feel at ease driving through the diverse surrounding landscape whilst viewing the animals, with your own personal safari guide to enlighten you along the way. The varied landscapes and habitats in the area are a paradise for many of Africas best known animals. Herds of buffalo are often seen, along with adult and baby Elephants, Giraffe, Impala, Zebra and Warthog. Less common but still sometimes seen are African wild dog, Roan and Antelope.

Water levels dependent – Selinda Camp and Suite offers powerboat excursions. Taking to the water explores areas unseen by foot and opens access to many more species of animal, including lazy hippos and crocodiles. Catch-and-Release fishing is also available for guests from March to December each year.

Guests can organise an exploration of the Selinda Reserve on foot, without the noise of a vehicle. There is no better way to feel at one with nature than to peacefully walk through the grasslands looking out for animals in their natural environment. Your personal guide will be with you at all times, and their expert knowledge is second to none.

A detailed pack of information can be provided to younger guests upon arrival with information about animal calls and tracking wildlife so they can be inspired and learn about the surrounding environment.

Great Plains Conservation seeks to “preserve, rescue and recover” communities, wildlife and landscapes in Africa. One of the ways they are doing this is through the Great Plains Student Conservation Camp by educating teachers and students in local communities  and in Great Plains camps about environmental conservation and why this is important. The Great Plains Academy has been launched, which tackles the lack of education by providing “personal and community enrichment opportunities for individuals in Northern Botswana.” The Conservation Grows program began in 2019 and “aims to restore indigenous tress to landscapes across Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.”

Great Plains Conservation contributes to the Rhinos Without Borders project and aims to translocate “100 rhinos from poaching hot zones in South Africa to safe havens in Botswana.” Guests are helping to support this as a “Conservation and Community Levy is added to each stay” as a contribution towards these projects.

Selinda Camp and Suite is a member of the Pack for Purpose initiative which allows travellers to supply local communities with equipment and resources they may need for community projects.

Great Plains Conservation understands that employing people from local communities not only benefits the employee but also their wider family members. Having a job and an income reduces their need to rely on the land for survival so increases the protection of this land. A relatively new initiative is “Women Wildlife Monitors” which aims to employ and empower local women. Great Plains Conservation have also donated solar lanterns to community members and students so their homes can have a safe and sustainable light resource. Every Great Plains Camp has a shop where local beadwork and other products can be sold, to help support local craft groups.

Revenue is generated directly for the community through opportunities such as ‘The Life with Elephants’ tour which was designed by residents of the local village Eretsha and EcoExist which “offers travellers the opportunity to see life alongside wildlife in a remote Okavango Delta community.”

Great Plains Conservation protects thousands of acres of land from development, and also has eco-initiatives in place such as investments in solar power, kitchen gardens, and eliminating single-use plastics such as bottles and straws. Their camps also have bio-digesters, composting, grey water recycling and recycled wood used in camp construction.