Information
Romance in the Kalahari
Imagine a smattering of billowing white tents, shaded by desert palms and surrounded by a thousand acres of shimmering, sparkling nothingness. You’ve just dreamt up San Camp, our impossibly romantic, seven-bedroom camp on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi. San isn’t a place for frills and fluffiness. The magic is in the minimalism, both at the camp and in the mysterious desert landscape. You can forget the tourist crowds and over-stuffed 4x4s too; it’s just you, the wildlife, and a handful of local San Bushmen, waiting to share their secrets with you.
Of all the Makgadikgadi pans, we think Nwetwe is the most iconic. Meerkats pop up from the desert dust, brown hyaena hide in the grass, and you’ll see red hartebeest, springbok and gemsbok scurrying between them. But San Camp isn’t just about wildlife-watching – it’s about the atmosphere and the ethereal surroundings. Disappear into a remote world, a million miles from glowing screens and fruit-themed devices, where the 360-degree panoramas are so vast, you can see the curvature of the earth…
San Camp is situated on the edge of the vast and mysterious Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the remnant of an extinct super lake that once covered most of Botswana. Soothing and serene – San Camp is the perfect place to relax, unwind and retreat.
Expert guiding, incredibly friendly habituated meerkats, unique desert species, old-world safari styling and superb cuisine all come together to create an experience that is completely different to any other.
San Camp is only open during the Dry Season. Winter: 16th April – 15th October. Opening dates & activities are weather dependent
Rooms
Double tent(s)
There are two double tents with En-suite bathrooms and spacious veranda. Tents are spacious and stylish. Beds are replete with cool and crunchy cotton sheets, feather bedding and hot water bottles. Both have solar lighting.
Twin tent(s) – 5 Rooms
There are five twin tents with En-suite bathrooms and spacious veranda. Tents are spacious and stylish. Beds are replete with cool and crunchy cotton sheets, feather bedding and hot water bottles. All have solar lighting.
Facilities
A magnificent mess tent contains a small natural history museum and library. The tea tent, spread with cushions, is a tranquil sanctuary as is the tented yoga pavilion and plunge pool.
Retreat to the yoga and meditation pavilion and absorb the compelling energy of your surroundings. This is the perfect spot to relax, unwind and retreat.
San Camp has a reputation for delicious, fresh and original menus. Plated meals are elegantly presented. Please inform reservations of any dietary requirements prior to travel.
Activities
Zebra & Wildebeest Migration
Summer rainfall attracts the awe-inspiring spectacle of southern Africa’s last surviving zebra and wildebeest migration.
Fallen Baobab
Visit the site of the Fallen Baobab – one of three of the largest and oldest trees in Africa.
San Camp Quad Biking
During the dry season, go quad biking across the lunar expanse of the pans. This once in a lifetime experience is truly unique.
San Camp Horse Safaris
Explore this wild, unspoilt area in the same way many of the earliest explorers, hunters and missionaries did – on horseback.
San Camp Bushmen Walk
Spend time walking and interacting with a group of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen and gain insight into their ancient culture.
Walking with Meerkats at San Camp
Get up close and personal with our families of habituated meerkats. Head out from camp at sunrise, so that you are ready to tail these delightful omnivores as they set off in search of their breakfast. Walk amongst them (advised by your guide) and if you take a seat you might be lucky enough to be mistaken for a termite mound, where you’ll be used as a look out point for predators.
Game Drives at San Camp
Game drive into this unique environment to find its special desert wildlife that includes lion, plains game, brown hyena and bat-eared foxes.