Luxury Safaris in The Makgadikgadi Pans made for you

Set on the edge of the vast Ntwetwe salt pan (an open space the size of Switzerland) San Camp has a wonderful sense of space and freedom. Added to that are the projects the property has in place to support environmental and community initiatives. One such project is aimed at expanding large mammal migration routes between northern Botswana and Makgadikgadi National Park and the Kalahari Desert. Another works with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, teaching them respect for the environment. This is the sister camp to Jack’s Camp in the same region and shares the focus on the environment, archaeology and interaction with the bushmen as the game is very sparse here for most of the year. There are some interesting creatures still to observe here, such as a nearby colony of habituated meerkats. When conditions are right, guests can take expeditions on the salt-pans by quad bike exploring archaeological sites and ancient fossil beds. Guiding is often with the bushmen who teach us their amazing survival techniques in this difficult environment. The camp itself mirrors the simplicity and open spaces of the pans. Six elegant spacious pavilion style tents sit each under a cluster of tall palms. Period style pieces adorn the interiors with lovely wooden chests, boxes and brass fittings about. Bathrooms are equipped with bucket showers and a flush toilet. The rooms are lit by the warm glow of old-fashioned spirit lamps. The main communal areas include a tea tent, dining area and small museum.

A Bedouin-style tented safari camp in the middle of Botswana's Kgalagadi

Halfway between the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, family-run Meno a Kwena can be found perched on cliff overlooking the Boteti River to the expanses of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The camp takes conservation and upliftment of the local community very seriously and they have several initiatives in place to help secure a future for Botswana’s wildlife and the ecosystems they live in. Meno a Kwena boasts nine classical and comfortable canvas tents, all with en suite bathrooms, with verandahs overlooking the river which draws elephant and zebra from far around with some of the best game viewing right in front of the camp itself. You can also watch the show unfold from the camp’s swimming pool, a great spot to relax before hearty meals in the dining tent or warmed by the fire. You can get even closer to action on the river in the camp’s unique floating hide. Head out on game drives and boat safaris in search of white rhinos, hippos, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, and more, while the dry season (May to November) sees Africa’s second-largest zebra migration make its way through. Meno a Kwena also maintains a strong relationship with a clan of San Bushmen who can be joined on fascinating cultural and walking experiences in their wilderness, and, for a truly unforgettable night, sleep out on the pans under an ending blanket of stars.