Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Image 3 - Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Image 4 - Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

At a Glance...

Style: Classic Safari Camp with Meru Tents

Our opinion: 3 star safari adventure

Accommodation: 10 spacious Meru tents (7 twin, 2 double and 1 family tent consisting of 2 adjacent tents, accommodating 2 guests in each with an inter-leading facilities). All tents have en-suite outdoor facilities, flush toilets, hot and cold running water

And the kids? All ages welcome

Activities: Bushman walk, viewing habituated meerkats, Chapman's Baobab, sundowners on the pans, quad biking on the pans

Season: Open year round. Dry season: 16 April - 31 October and wet season 1 November - 15 April

Highlights: Perfect for those looking for a fresh and affordable experience

Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyaena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans

You'll find Camp Kalahari nestled amongst the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park. Camp Kalahari is the best way to experience the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi in a fresh and affordable way. It is the ideal camp for those who want fun and adventure, without sacrificing comfort and style.

This remote, family friendly, camp is laid out in the traditional safari style of the old explorers, with the library, living and dining areas under thatch. Ten classic Meru style tents are replete with comfy beds, crunchy cotton sheets, stripy African blankets and hot water bottles in winter. All tents have en suite outdoor bathrooms, flush toilets and the hottest, wettest showers in the Kalahari. There is one family unit comprising two tents with inter leading bathroom.

There are two distinctly different seasons in the Makgadikgadi. The dry season is from April to October and the wet season from November to March. When the rains arrive the landscape transforms as water gathers on the saltpan - algae bloom, crustaceans breed and clouds of flamingo descend to feed on them. During the wet season months guests can witness the last surviving migration of zebra and wildebeest in southern Africa. When the waters dry up, the birds and animals migrate and the extraordinary ecosystem of the Makgadikgadi becomes the main attraction. It is during the dry season that guests can experience the vast emptiness Makgadikgadi Salt Pans on quad bikes.

On a nature walk accompanied by a Zu/'hoasi Bushman you will learn how his ancestors survived in this harshest of environments by using their ancient knowledge of plants, animal behaviour and survival skills.

Camp Kalahari offers a complete desert experience focusing on species unique to the area such as aardvark, springbok and the elusive brown hyena. Get up close and personal to a gang of habituated but wild meerkats! As the sun rises, these pixie-faced creatures emerge from their burrows and join you, sunning themselves with paws behind their backs, completely indifferent to your presence.