While I was staying at their camps, I was also fascinated to hear about all the conservation initiatives the company runs including sustainability programmes – Great Plains is widely renowned to be one of the most ecologically friendly camps in Africa, restoring ecosystems and protecting the wildlife. The company is also dedicated to empowering local women from the region with two brilliant initiatives: Solar Mammas whereby local women are taken to India for training in solar power to return and share knowledge. Then there’s the Female Ranger Program which trains local women to become Wildlife Rangers thus shifting gender stereotypes and establishing strong female role models. Indeed, our ranger at Zarafa camp, was the brilliant female guide Ntombe – arguably the most badass and fearless Toyota Land Cruiser driver in Botswana and a bona fide lion whisperer, such was her ability to locate the Channel pride of lions – including the Daddy – who roam the Selinda Reserve. Ntombe was also on hand to help us with our big cameras for capturing the big cats and helped us all make the most of the wildlife photographic opportunities while on safari – and made a mean G&T at the end of the day.

I travelled at the end of November, spending two nights in Zimbabwe and four in Botswana, staying at Great Plains camps: Situtunga Private Reserve and Zarafa Camp in Botswana and Npala Jena camp, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Sitatunga Private Island Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

The vibe

I’ve never travelled anywhere where I have felt as ‘off grid’ as I did when arriving, via helicopter and a small plane, to the stunning Sitatunga Private Island Reserve situated deep into the Okavango Delta. From the air it’s easy to get a sense of the extraordinary, living mosaic-like landscape of water and land that makes up this exquisite and entirely unspoiled, remote part of Botswana. With thousands of reed lined tributaries and channels meandering around tiny desert islands all stemming from the upper reaches of the Okavango Delta, it’s a wildlife paradise of tiny waterways and lily pad covered lagoons with hippos wallowing at every turn, crocodiles basking on the banks and elephants enjoying a dip. It’s also a birdwatchers paradise. And Sitatunga Private Island sits right in the heart of all this magic. Opened in 2023, the camp is surrounded entirely by water and most impressively it is built from 100% recycled materials making it one of the most sustainable safari camps in the whole of Great Plains sustainably-minded repertoire. It is also entirely solar powered. All Great Plains camps operate around the ethos of ‘leave no trace’ and are therefore not permanent and could technically be packed up at any moment, with zero footprints left behind. Sitatunga is also trailing a new bio gas food waste programme that fuels the power in the staff quarters. The camp is super exclusive and comprises just two separate and stunning suites, hosting four adults. Each suite has a private deck and plunge pool overlooking the Delta – and my favourite touch, an exercise bike, so you can workout while elephant and hippo spotting! The wonderful Lizzy is on hand to look after you and cater for your every request – she is the unflappable and entertaining heart and soul of the camp.