Expeditions · Safari Duel · 2026
Great Plains vs Natural Selection: two conservation-led safaris
Both put conservation first and both are strong in Botswana. Great Plains is the higher-end, Joubert-founded operator with reach into Kenya; Natural Selection is the more affordable, characterful house built by a Wilderness co-founder. Scored across eight categories that change a trip.
By Richard Jasinski · Updated July 2026 · Rates indicative 2026, per person per night
Not a dead heat — Great Plains takes it on reach, exclusivity and pedigree, but Natural Selection wins clearly where price and character matter most.
Pick Great Plains if…
You want the higher-end photographer's safari — Relais & Châteaux service, the deepest conservation credentials, huge private concessions, and the option to add Kenya's Masai Mara.
See Great Plains prices →Pick Natural Selection if…
You want distinctive, characterful camps at a friendlier price — the Kalahari, the salt pans and Namibia's Skeleton Coast — with a clear conservation levy on every bed night.
See Natural Selection prices →
Both operators, priced now
Real per-person prices from the current catalogue.
Quick answers
Is Great Plains or Natural Selection better?
It depends on budget and style. Great Plains leads overall 5–3 on reach, exclusivity and conservation pedigree; Natural Selection wins on price, design character and Kalahari/desert range. Pick on your top priority.
Which is more affordable?
Natural Selection, clearly — from about $700 per person per night, versus roughly $1,500 and up for Great Plains. Both climb toward $3,000–4,000 at the flagship end.
Which is better for conservation?
Both are conservation-led. Great Plains has the headline pedigree — Joubert founders and Rhinos Without Borders, which translocated 87 rhinos to Botswana. Natural Selection commits a fixed share of revenue to conservation across its camps.
Which has camps in Kenya?
Only Great Plains — Mara Plains and ol Donyo Lodge. Natural Selection operates in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Which is best for the Kalahari or desert?
Natural Selection — Jack's Camp and the Makgadikgadi salt pans, plus Shipwreck Lodge on Namibia's Skeleton Coast.
Can I combine them?
Yes. Both are Botswana-strong, so pairing a Great Plains Okavango camp with a Natural Selection Kalahari camp makes a naturally varied itinerary.
Disclosure. Some links are affiliate links; Uncompromised Travel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rates are indicative 2026 ranges, per person per night — confirm at booking. Verdicts are independent of commercial relationships.