Jack's Camp is located on the edge of the largest salt pans on the continent, The Makgadikgadi, deep in the Kalahari Desert. It is rightly described as a 'classic desert safari camp' and offers it's guests the opportunity to explore the Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi National Park. It is set in a palm and acacia-studded oasis, emerging from the barren Kalahari wilderness. Jack Bousfield, the father of the current owner, established the site in the 1960's. It was expanded in 1992 and fully refurbished in 2003. The camp can be reached by fly-in and transfer by road from the local airstrip.

On arrival visitors need to remind themselves that they are in the middle of the Kalahari Desert in the 21st century. The main camp at Jack's is in a tented pavilion with a library, an antique pool table and a well-stocked drinks chest. The dining room has a long mahogany table that could easily seat a dozen and oriental rugs are scattered on polished teak floors. Jack’s Camp is registered as a museum with the Botswana Government, and therefore allowed to collect and display artefacts such as stone tools, fossils of extinct mega-fauna (i.e. giant zebra), historic etchings, maps and a collection of Bushman bead work.

Electricity is supplied by a diesel-powered generator which operates during the day can charge battery-powered cameras and laptops. Lighting is provided by means of paraffin lamps throughout the camp.

There are 2 swimming pools. The larger is set under a tented roof and can be a bit chilly first thing in the morning. It is set in the centre of a wooden deck, surrounded with lounge chairs that overlook the bush. There is also a separate plunge pool at the far end of Jack's, which offers a warmer dip!

Tea or coffee is delivered to your tent with freshly baked cookies (in a full silver service), first thing in the morning. All meals are served in the dining tent, starting with a buffet-style continental breakfast, or a full English if preferred. Lunch and dinner are served plated and the 3-course dinner consists of a soup followed by a main course of meat (often Botswana beef or local game such as ostrich or kudu) and deliciously fresh grilled vegetables. A vegetarian option was available. Desserts are tempting classics, such as orange tarts or chocolate mousse.

Accommodation is in 10 luxury East African meru-style tents elevated on decking and set in a beautiful palm grove. They are designed in authentic 1940's style and are comfortable and elegantly styled. They each have en-suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. There is also a private terrace/balcony per unit.

Amenities include a daily laundry service, a thermos flask of chilled drinking water, mosquito and insect control spray, a torch and an emergency horn. There are 2 kikois, large, lightweight cotton shawls that can be used as head and face protection gear (Laurence of Arabia-style). They are very handy for your quad bike rides, or soaked in water to keep cool during the heat of the day. Bathroom luxuries include bath and hand towels, face cloths, face soap, laundry soap,shampoo, conditioner and body moisturizing cream.

The unusual sight of flocks of ostriches strutting along with large broods of chicks can turn into a photographic bonus. Other game includes aardvark, African wildcat, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, meerkat, yellow mongoose, ground squirrel, steenbok, springbok, blue wildebeest, zebra, kudu, oryx.

Black korhaan, blacksmith plover, tawny eagle, Rufous-naped lark, ostrich, greater kestrel, Bradfield’s hornbill, grey hornbill, lappet-faced vulture, white-backed vulture, pied crow, Marshall eagle, ant-eating chat, pale chanting goshawk, Namaqua sandgrouse, red-billed stilt and spoonbill stork.

Jack's Camp focus their activities on and around the movements of the desert-adapted wildlife.

Makgadikgadi Lodges | Botswana

Chapman’s baobab

A giant of tree with a 7-pillar trunk 25m in diameter. It is one of the largest and oldest baobabs in Africa and is estimated to be close to 4,000 years old. Apart from its impressive girth, its historical significance is of great interest. Several of the great 19th century explorers, including David Livingstone, used it as a landmark on their journeys across the Pans. Their initials can still be seen carved upon its rock-like bark.

Kalahari Pans Trips

Interesting information on geology, archaeology and anthropology of the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Pans.

Quad bike excursions

onto the vast salt pans.

Walking safaris

with San Bushman trackers.

Meerkats

Interactive encounters with meerkat families.

• Jack' Camp accepts children of all ages
• There are no childcare or baby-sitting services.
• Children must be under the care of their parents at all times.
• Children under the age of 8 years require the use of a private vehicle and ranger for all activities.