Overview

Cut from the same cloth as Zarafa’s main camp, the suites are completely autonomous, having their own staff and catering exclusively for a small intimate group of friends or family who want to truly immerse them in the grandeur of a classic safari experience.

With two lavish bedrooms on either side of a sumptuous lounge and dining room, the ambience is one of complete harmony with nature, with breathtaking, elevated views out over the Zibadianja Lagoon. A multi-level deck, with a pool, adds to the palatial expanse of living space, which has been inspired by the miracle of wild Africa.

That miracle is embodied by the story of Zarafa, the “beloved one” – a Nubian giraffe given to Charles X of France by the Viceroy of Egypt in 1826. Zarafa’s journey to Paris necessitated her being transported down the Nile in an East African dhow with a hole cut in its upper deck to accommodate her long, slender neck.

The Dhow Suites have been named for this most traditional of vessels, and the role it played in Zarafa’s own, fascinating “safari”.

The East African influence in the suites is tangible, with ancient Zanzibari doors adding unique flavour to the rich interiors. Each bedroom has its own fireplace and huge copper baths, positioned to make the most of the views out over the lagoon. Dinner takes place either in the indoor dining room or outside, under a canopy of stars.

The villa concept takes its lead from the old-world elegance of the 1920s, when safari was in its infancy and yet managed to encompass a style and grace all of its own. Think Karen Blixen, lead crystal and Limoges, Mozart playing on a gramophone and a million stars twinkling in the Milky Way overhead… 

It is a “beloved suite” and the ideal place for people to not just connect with Africa, but also reconnect with one another.