The legacy of the colonial explorers of Africa lives on at Jack’s Camp: a unique encampment that combines the gracious living of the past and the high-speed thrill of modern quad bikes with the natural splendour of the endless Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. The pans, once a pre-historic lake roughly the size of Switzerland, are today among the largest salt flats in the world. Despite being both remote and unforgiving, the area teems with life: genets, Cape hares, honey badgers, brown hyenas, Kalahari lions and porcupines can all be spotted. Jack’s Camp also has a family of habituated meerkats who enjoy interacting with guests.

With a collection of spacious canvas tents set up within a remote landscape, the settlement looks like a royal outpost from days past. The enormous mess tent features an extra-length dining table that groans under the weight of silver and crystal. In contrast, the vintage billiard room, library, iconic nomadic Persian tea tent and renowned Natural History Museum are dotted with relics, maps, photographs and lithographs that hark back to the early years of exploration. Even the swimming pool is sheltered under a canvas tent and surrounded by decking – a lovely spot to wait, crisp white wine in hand, for the heat of the afternoon to pass.

Guests’ tents are as romantic as the communal ones: beautiful green canvas and muslin-draped walls harbour embellishments of Persian and North African rugs, paraffin lamps, luxurious textiles and mahogany furniture. But, if you are lucky, your tent will not be the only place you sleep: Jack’s Camp can arrange a sleepout on the pans under the never-ending Milky Way for an unforgettable way to greet the new dawn.

Highlights

• Iconic safari camp with stylish old-world glamour
• Day & night game drives in search of brown hyena & Kalahari lion
• Quad bike (ATV) excursions on the pans
• Shaded swimming pool pavilion
• Interactions with habituated meerkats
• Cultural experiences with San Bushmen
• Huge & beautifully decorated guest tents

Activities

• GAME DRIVES
• GUIDED WALKS
• PICNICS
• QUAD-BIKING
• GUIDED WALKING SAFARIS
• PRIVATE GAME-DRIVES
• FLY CAMPING
• BIRD WATCHING
• HORSE RIDING

The ultimate quintessential Kalahari experience; is a must if you are looking for something different and unique. The guides are phenomenal and the natural beauty will have you in awe...

Rooms

Standard Double Tent

The nine guest tents (seven twin and two double) are enormous: 270 square metres (2 900 square feet) of indoor and outdoor space. Adorned with a classic safari feel, each tent features a comfortable living area with a sofa and day bed from which to marvel at the expansive Kalahari vistas. Spark your fascination before the Natural History Museum cabinets curated by the legendary Ralph Bousfield himself, find respite from the desert heat under the overhead bed cooling system, or step out onto the veranda and enjoy a refreshing dip in your private plunge pool while marvelling at the glittering ancient landscape. Bathrooms are en suite with indoor and outdoor showers, while 24-hour electricity is provided by 100% solar power.

Facilities

Stepping into Jack’s Camp is as close to stepping into the past, while on safari in the Makgadikgadi Pans. Every detail has been considered, from the specimen-filled Natural History Museum and well-stocked drinks cabinet with cut-glass decanters to the cosy billiard room and polished silver that gleams on the dining table. This is a place to enjoy a warming sherry next to the fireplace or cool down with a gin and tonic at the swimming pool.

The more adventurous can take to the pans on quad bikes (all-terrain vehicles) or interact with the ever-present and very inquisitive meerkats. The local San people will also guide you through their ancient culture, traditional hunting methods and beliefs first-hand.

Dining

Wake up to the gentle knock of a staff member in the morning as they come laden with freshly brewed coffee and biscuits to enjoy in bed – a sign of things to come. Dining is among the best in Botswana and relies on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Expect fresh basil soup, ostrich piccata, roast Botswana beef and freshly baked orange tartlets.