Why Honeymoon in the Selinda Reserve
Selinda combines things that are hard to find in one place. It has water and dry land, so you get both boat or canoe trips and classic game drives. Wildlife is excellent, with large elephant herds, regular wild dog sightings and lion prides that featured in the Jouberts' films. Leopards, hyenas, buffalo, sable and roan also occur.
Because it is a private reserve, activities are not limited to national park rules. Guides can drive off-road for sightings, take you on walks and run night drives to find nocturnal animals. Vehicle numbers are kept low, so you rarely share a sighting.
The camps are designed with couples in mind. Zarafa Camp overlooks the Zibadianja Lagoon with very few tents, each with a deck and plunge pool. Selinda Camp sits on the spillway with an elephant-inspired design. It feels exclusive, private and personal, the opposite of busier parts of the Delta and Chobe.
When to Go
June to October is the dry season and peak time. Water draws animals to the lagoon and spillway, the bush thins out and wild dogs often den in the middle of the season, which can mean regular sightings. Days are warm and nights can be cold in June and July.
November brings the first rains and very hot days early in the month, along with newborn antelope and returning migrant birds. December to March is the green season: lush, quieter and good value, though animals disperse and some tracks become muddy.
April and May are transition months with lovely light and fewer visitors. Water levels in the Selinda Spillway vary greatly from year to year depending on Okavango flood levels and rainfall, so canoe trips are not guaranteed. Ask your camp about current conditions when you book.
Where to Stay
Great Plains runs all the camps in the reserve and each has a distinct style.
Zarafa Camp overlooks the Zibadianja Lagoon with spacious tents, private plunge pools and large decks and it is a Relais & Châteaux property. The Dhow Suite at Zarafa offers a private, more exclusive option for couples who want their own space. Selinda Camp, also Relais & Châteaux, sits on the spillway with elephant-inspired design and a strong guiding team. The Selinda Suite is a two-bedroom option better suited to families or two couples. Selinda Explorers Camp is smaller and simpler, with a 1930s explorer style.
In the dry season, expect roughly $2,500 to $5,000 or more per night for two at Zarafa or Selinda Camp, including meals, drinks, activities and conservation fees (approximate). Explorers Camp costs less. Green season rates drop noticeably.
Romantic Things to Do
Sit by the Zibadianja Lagoon at sunset as elephants come down to drink, with hippos grunting in the water and the sky turning red behind them.
Go looking for wild dogs. The reserve is one of Botswana's best for them and guides can follow on foot or by vehicle when packs are active.
If the spillway is flowing, take a canoe or boat trip along the channel. When the water is high, multi-day canoe trails may run; they combine paddling, walking and simple camps.
Take a night drive with a spotlight to search for leopards, genets, civets and owls. It is a privilege of the private reserve and a different side of the bush.
Ask your camp for a private dinner on your deck or in the bush. Spend the hot middle of the day in your plunge pool watching the lagoon. Join a guided walk to learn tracks and the small details of the ecosystem.
Getting There and Around
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Botswana. Most couples fly nonstop to Johannesburg (JNB) on Delta from Atlanta or United from Newark, roughly 15 to 16 hours, then take a regional flight of under two hours to Maun (MUB) or Kasane (BBK).
From Maun or Kasane, light aircraft reach the Selinda airstrip in about an hour. Camps collect you at the strip. Flights also connect with the Okavango Delta, Chobe and the Central Kalahari, which makes it easy to build a multi-camp trip. Victoria Falls is also close enough for an add-on.
Within the reserve, all activities are run by your camp, using open vehicles, boats or canoes. Light aircraft enforce strict luggage limits, usually around 20 kg each in soft bags. Pack neutral colors and leave hard suitcases behind.
Food and Drink
Meals at Selinda's camps are a highlight. Expect refined, multi-course dinners, fresh breads and pastries and creative lunches. Bush breakfasts and sundowners are common and private dinners can be set up on your deck or in the bush.
Zarafa and Selinda Camp, as Relais & Châteaux properties, put particular care into food and wine. South African wines are well represented and drinks are generally included.
You may be offered Botswana dishes such as seswaa, pap and morogo alongside international cooking. Supplies come in by air, so mention dietary needs when you book. Drinking water is filtered. If you are celebrating, let the camp know in advance; they are good at small surprises.
Honeymoon Tips
- Check the State Department's Botswana advisory before booking. It is generally reassuring for remote camps.
- Malaria is present in northern Botswana. Take prophylaxis on medical advice and use repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
- Book early. Zarafa and Selinda Camp have very few tents and fill up for the dry season.
- Pack neutral colors, a warm layer for early drives and a swimsuit for your plunge pool.
- Spillway levels vary. Ask about water conditions before you count on canoe trips.
- Combine Selinda with the Okavango Delta or Chobe for variety. Three nights here is a good minimum.
- Conservation fees support the reserve and nearby communities, so they are worth asking about.
