Zarafa Camp wins Relais & Chateaux Environment Trophy

Zarafa Camp in Botswana - Africa Discovery

Zarafa wins Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy 2014

Great Plains Conservation’s Zarafa Camp wins the coveted Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy 2014 for its deep commitment to sustainable operations. This coming in its first year of membership of the association. Collecting the trophy from sponsor, Mme. Giraudi of Orlane Paris, were founders and creators of Zarafa Camp and Great Plains Conservation, Dereck and Beverly Joubert.

“In the creation of Zarafa Camp, Dereck has respected and preserved the natural state of an immense wildlife reservoir in the depths of Botswana. The property is completely self–sustaining thanks to 170 solar panels, recycled woods, a biogas plant and extensive and innovative grey water recycling. It is definitely a daily challenge but a great success story!” says Relais & Châteaux. “Great Plains Conservation has taken special measures to comply with environmental protection, concrete engagement in the field of sustainable development and positive relationships with clients.”

Chosen from Relais & Châteaux’s entire hotel line–up of 465 properties in 50 countries, Zarafa Camp was a standout winner for the Environment Trophy. Described as follows by Relais & Châteaux: “Zarafa [Camp] is in the 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve of northern Botswana, and is a very low environmental impact camp with unique luxury facilities. With just four huge 110 square metre tents, the Relais & Châteaux board was captivated the minute they walked in. Sustainable building materials and ecological operations combine with authentic period furniture to create a discerning safari ambience and refinement, set in a private Reserve with thousands of elephants, buffalo and hippo, with prides of lions, leopards and rare wild dogs. This paradise is second–to–none. Guests can choose from day and night game drives, catch–and–release fly fishing, use of the pontoon boat, canoeing and walking safaris.”

As Great Plains Conservation and Relais & Châteaux move forward together, each will continue to harmonise environmentally friendly experiences with the finest hospitality. Great Plains Conservation stewards over one million acres of extraordinary conservation land in Kenya and Botswana, and its Relais & Châteaux properties embody the heart and soul of its destinations.

Great Plains wins at PURE Awards 2013

Great Plains Conservation - Africa Discovery

GREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION IS THE
“MOST LIFE-ENRICHING EXPERIENCE”

Great Plains Conservation is thrilled to receive the award for Most Life-Enriching Experience at the inaugural and prestigious PURE Awards 2013 last night at the close of the PURE Life Experiences show at the Palais des Congrès, Marrakech.

The award is described by PURE as “truly transformational, thought-provoking and perspective-shifting travel experiences that help the individual reconnect with both themselves and the world around them.”

The selection process is rigid, starting with initial nomination by ‘PUREists’, a collection of the world’s elite buyers and sellers of experiential travel services. It is then judged by a distinguished panel of visionaries in travel: oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle; actor and director, Edward Norton; environmental entrepreneur, Colin Bell; award-winning author and adventurer, Richard Bangs; and sustainable architect, German del Sol.

On describing Great Plains Conservation’s co-founders, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Sylvia Earle commented: “The Jouberts convey their passion and deeply held conservation ethic and respect for the natural world that is unsurpassed, no matter what the setting, but especially in their beloved African plains. This is conveyed to those fortunate enough to travel in their presence.”

Dereck Joubert, Great Plains Conservation CEO, feels particularly honoured and says the award “encapsulates exactly what we set out to do at Great Plains Conservation: create experiences which spotlight the spiritual, personal, cultural and environmental Africa. Through these experiences we change lives and create conservation ambassadors – a positive outcome in the face of many challenges on the continent.”

Morocco Adventure

Morocco Adventure - Africa DiscoveryMorocco Adventure - Africa DiscoveryMorocco Adventure - Africa DiscoveryMorocco Adventure - Africa Discovery

Experience the exotic and little-known Kingdom of Morocco.

Morocco Adventure, 9 Days
Highlights:

  • Explore Marrakech – Marrakech is a perfect combination of old and new Morocco.
  • Visit Essaouira – A UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Explore High Atlas Mountains and check in at Kasbah Tamadot, Richard Branson’s retreat in the High Atlas.

For details, please visit our website:

http://www.africa-discovery.com/morocco/Morocco_Adventure.shtml

New Itineraries for Madagascar

Lemur in Madagascar

Madagascar is the home of five percent of the world’s plant and animal species, 80 per cent of them unique to Madagascar.  Most famous among those are the lemurs.

Its teeming fertile forests and geographical isolation have served to preserve and propagate ‘nature’s design laboratory’ in a mix found nowhere else on earth.

Africa Discovery offers new itineraries to visit this wild country, to see endemic only to Madagascar, The Lemurs!

For details, please visit our website:

http://www.africa-discovery.com/madagascar_safaris/index.shtml