Great Plains offers extraordinary dining experiences across Africa, from floating sundowners in Botswana to treetop feasts in Kenya and riverside dinners in Zimbabwe.
In the heart of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas, where the boundaries between civilisation and untamed nature blur, Great Plains Conservation has mastered the art of creating unforgettable dining experiences that rival the world’s finest metropolitan restaurants. The conservation tourism organisation, founded by renowned National Geographic filmmaker-explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, has elevated the concept of destination dining to extraordinary new heights across their portfolio of Relais & Châteaux reserve-level camps in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
These culinary adventures are transforming the traditional safari experience, offering guests not merely a chance to witness Africa’s magnificent wildlife but to savour exquisite gastronomy in settings that defy imagination.
From candlelit dinners overlooking Botswana’s shimmering lagoons to treehouse breakfasts with panoramic views of Kenya’s sweeping savannahs, Great Plains has curated a collection of dining experiences that engage all the senses and create memories that linger long after the journey ends.
Botswana: Dining Under African Skies
Zarafa Camp: Romance by Candlelight and Floating Sundowners
Nestled within Botswana’s exclusive Selinda Concession, Zarafa Camp embodies the quintessential romantic tented safari experience. For couples seeking an intimate escape, the camp offers private dining experiences on illuminated decks that transport guests to the golden age of African exploration.
As darkness descends over the wilderness, the camp’s team transforms private decks into enchanted dining spaces illuminated by the gentle flicker of candlelight. Guests can reminisce about the day’s adventures while sampling fine wines from across the globe, accompanied by the melodious serenades of the Zarafa choir and the nocturnal symphony of the surrounding wildlife.
Perhaps the most extraordinary dining experience at Zarafa is the floating sundowner on the magnificent Zibadianja Lagoon. Couples drift across the tranquil waters on a fully equipped floating bar as the sky transforms into a canvas of red, orange, and purple hues. Birds wing their way homeward across the sunset as guests enjoy expertly paired wines and gourmet delicacies, creating a moment of profound connection with both nature and one another.
“The phenomenon of the Zibadianja Lagoon in the Selinda Concession is an experience like no other, and the private sunset cruise from Zarafa camp, which provides a floating bar and dining experience, is the most indulgent way to enjoy it,” notes the Great Plains team.
Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Zarafa Camp, Botswana, start from $1,935 (£1,563*) per person per night sharing.
Sitatunga Private Island: Robinson Crusoe Luxury in the Okavango Delta
For those seeking the ultimate secluded dining experience, Sitatunga Private Island Camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta offers a genuine refuge for the soul. This exclusive retreat, named after the rare aquatic antelope that can be spotted from the camp, delivers a sense of splendid isolation coupled with world-class cuisine.
After a day spent exploring the Delta’s permanent channels by canoe, stretching their legs on guided morning walks, or participating in fishing or photographic safaris, guests return to their suites to find a bubble bath drawn and a private dining setup awaiting them. Here, they can indulge in mouth-watering culinary creations and expert wine pairings while feeling truly disconnected from the outside world.
“The feeling of being connected and present, the ‘us against the world’ moment, comes true with this private dining experience at Sitatunga Private Island,” explains the Great Plains team.
The camp’s best-kept secret, according to insiders, is the Sitatunga sunset. Guests can kick back with a sundowner by the lagoon and witness the sky’s magnificent transformation as day transitions to night in this pristine wilderness setting.
For couples or small groups seeking the ultimate hideaway, the two-bedroom Sitatunga Private Island Suite, built on a raised, wrap-around railway sleeper private deck complete with plunge pool, accommodates up to four adults (or two adults and up to three children) in sublime comfort.
Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Sitatunga Private Island start from $1,550 (£1,252*) per person per night, sharing.
Kenya: Elevated Culinary Adventures
ol Donyo Lodge: Horseback Breakfasts and Hilltop Sundowners
Serenely positioned in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, in the shadow of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, ol Donyo Lodge offers a distinctive blend of adventure and culinary excellence. With an impressive stable of 20 horses, the lodge specialises in equestrian safaris that culminate in extraordinary dining experiences.
The most exhilarating way to begin a day at ol Donyo is with a horseback ride through the bush that leads to a surprise breakfast setting. Guests trot through the grassy plains,often spotting giraffe and cheetah along the way,before arriving at a delicious breakfast set up for two under the dappled shade of an acacia tree. Despite being far from camp, the culinary team spares no detail, providing freshly baked goods, hot breakfast items, and an abundance of fresh fruit, all accompanied by the melodious chorus of local birdlife.
“This breakfast may be far from camp, but the team don’t leave anything behind, with freshly baked goods, hot breakfast and fresh fruit-a-plenty making for a morning to remember,” notes Great Plains.
As the day winds down, ol Donyo offers bucket-list-worthy sundowner opportunities in the Chyulu Hills, where staff create romantic picnic settings with panoramic views of the endless plains bathed in the golden light of sunset.
A recent addition to the lodge is a new fire deck under the stars, providing the perfect venue for evening dining and stargazing. The lodge has also expanded its sunken hide to double its previous size, creating a spacious retreat where guests can relax all day and photograph the steady parade of wildlife against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
For guests seeking even more extraordinary perspectives, ol Donyo Lodge now boasts its own Bell 505 helicopter, available for scenic flights offering stunning aerial views of the Chyulu Hills, Kilimanjaro, and Amboseli areas, as well as air transfers to Nairobi.
Nightly rates at Great Plains’ ol Donyo Lodge, Kenya, start from $1,344 (£1,086*) per person per night sharing.
Mara Toto Tree Camp: Dining in the Treetops
Great Plains’ newest addition to its collection, Mara Toto Tree Camp, which celebrated its grand opening in July 2024, quite literally takes destination dining to new heights. This extraordinary camp, perched high in the treetops in the heart of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, offers guests all their meals with breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the surrounding wilderness, accompanied by the enchanting sounds of Kenyan birdsong.
More than just a place to stay, Mara Toto Tree Camp has quickly established itself as a gastronomic destination in its own right, serving world-class cuisine that would not be out of place in the finest restaurants of Paris or London. The culinary adventure extends beyond the camp itself to include gourmet safari drive bites such as no-bake healthy granola bars, dates and ginger energy balls, sushi nori rolls, and caramelised popcorn.
Back at camp, standout dishes include the one-pot chicken chilindron with Mediterranean quinoa and lemon vinaigrette, which can be enjoyed in-suite alongside selections from Great Plains’ exclusive wine app.
“A true gastronomic destination in its own right, this new property serves up world-class cuisine to tantalise every palette,” states Great Plains.
This Réserve-Collection Masai Mara Safari Camp boasts spectacular views of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and overlooks the Ntiaktiak River. Constructed from canvas and wood, set on elevated decks into the tree canopy, and featuring spacious living areas, it captures the essence of exploration in its design. Each suite offers a luxurious bath, indoor shower, writing desk, and lounge, creating sanctuaries so comfortable that guests might easily wish to linger for days.
The wildlife viewing is equally spectacular, with leopards often spotted from the camp itself and lions frequently heard. Guided by professional wildlife experts, guests explore the Maasai Mara ecosystem in open safari vehicles, with access to both the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the more private 70,000-acre (28,000-hectare) Mara North Conservancy.
Nightly rates at Great Plains Mara Toto Tree Camp start from $1,606 (£1,297*) per person per night, sharing.
Zimbabwe: Riverside Splendour
Tembo Plains Camp: Dining with Toes in the Zambezi
Along the banks of Zimbabwe’s mighty Zambezi River, whose power is deeply embedded in the country’s cultural history, Great Plains’ Tembo Plains Camp offers perhaps the most immersive dining experience in their collection. Here, guests can enjoy waterside dinners that allow them to dine with their toes literally in the river, feeling the gentle flow of water as they savour gourmet cuisine by candlelight.
“As guests dine with their toes in the river, they will be mesmerised by the peacefully flowing water while an expert team of chefs will create a mouth-watering array of dishes for them to enjoy by candlelight,” explains Great Plains.
For couples seeking the ultimate in privacy and luxury, the camp’s beautiful two-bedroomed Zanji Suite comprises two rooms flanking a shared lounge, dining area, and pool. This exclusive accommodation offers the option of intimate dining experiences on a private deck with uninterrupted views of the sunset over the Zambezi River.
Tucked away in a thick riverine forest on the edge of the Zambezi, Tembo Plains Camp sits within the private 280,000-acre (128,000-hectare) Sapi Private Reserve, east of Zimbabwe’s famed Mana Pools National Park. The camp features four double suites, each with its own indoor lounge area and private plunge pool,the perfect spot for enjoying sundowners.
The camp takes its name from the elephants (or “tembo”) that regularly visit, while spectacular birdlife sightings are common around the property. Buffaloes are frequently seen along the banks of the Zambezi River and sometimes swimming across its channels.
Nightly rates at Great Plains’ Tembo Plains Camp start from $1,205 (£973*) per person per night, sharing.
A New Paradigm in Conservation Tourism
What sets Great Plains apart in the luxury safari industry is not merely its exceptional dining experiences but the profound conservation ethos that underpins everything they do. Founded by world-renowned conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, the organisation represents a pioneering model of tourism that directly funds and supports vital conservation initiatives across Africa.
By choosing to dine under the stars at a Great Plains property, guests become active participants in a larger mission to protect and preserve Africa’s most precious wilderness areas and the magnificent wildlife that inhabits them. The exceptional culinary experiences serve as both a celebration of local ingredients and talent and as a means to connect guests more deeply with the landscapes they are helping to protect.
As travellers increasingly seek meaningful experiences that align with their values, Great Plains’ approach to destination dining offers a compelling proposition: world-class gastronomy that not only delights the senses but also contributes to a larger purpose. Whether floating on Botswana’s lagoons, dining in Kenya’s treetops, or feeling the gentle flow of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River between their toes, guests depart with memories that encompass not just extraordinary flavours but also the satisfaction of knowing their journey has made a positive impact.
For the discerning traveller who values both luxury and purpose, these unforgettable dining experiences represent the pinnacle of modern safari adventures,where conservation, comfort, and culinary excellence converge to create truly transformative journeys.
