Natural Selection

Unlike most of our partners, Natural Selection is neither a chain nor an operator, but a collection of around 20 independently-run permanent camps, lodges and mobile safari experiences. Small in size but strong on individuality, these owner-operated camps share a common philosophy that focusses on providing guests with a superlative personalised safari experience whilst also dedicating time and money to conserving Africa’s precious wildlife. Rates are in the midrange bracket, so most properties in the portfolio offer exceptional value for money.

Natural Selection is specialised in Southern Africa. In Botswana, the collection includes properties in the Okavango Delta, Khwai Private Reserve and Makgadikgadi. The Namibian lodges and camps are in destinations as diverse as Etosha Heights (bordering Etosha National Park), Skeleton Coast National Park, NamibRand Nature Reserve (close to Sossusvlei), Kaokoland, and the little-known Nkasa Rupara National Park in the Caprivi Strip.

Elsewhere, Natural Selection operates a stunning beach lodge in South Africa’s De Hoop Nature Reserve, a fine place for whale-watching, hiking and seeking wildlife endemic to the Western Cape’s unique fynbos floral kingdom. More remotely, it also offers exciting personalised safaris into Angola, an emergent ecotourism destination whose little-visited highlights include the 500,000-acre Cubango Game Reserve, and the lakes that feed the Kavango River and Okavango Delta.

Natural Selection prides itself on its commitment to the conservation of wildlife and preservation of natural habitats. The camps and lodges in its portfolio have all been constructed to blend into their surrounds with minimal environmental impact. Its business model also ensures that 1.5% of guest rates are donated to one of dozen or so different wildlife, conservation and community projects spread across Southern Africa.