BOTSWANA - Jacks Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans
Jacks Camp was originally built by Jack Bousfield in the 1960's. It is located on the edge of the Ntwetwe Pan, overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. After his death, Jack's son Ralph Bousfield built the current camp and continues to run the camp today, continuing his father's legacy.
Makgadikgadi Pans National Park covers a vast area to the west of the pans. It extends from the edge of Ntwetwe Pan to the Boteti River, which marks the Park's western boundary. To the north is the southern boundary of Nxai Pan National Park.
About one-fifth of the Park consists of salt pan. The remainder is typically grasslands on Kalahari sands. There was once a huge river here that carved a channel across central Botswana, carrying the waters of the Okavango into the Makgadikgadi basin. Today the Boteti only flows mildly after good rain, and is a mere shadow of what it was centuries ago.
ACCOMMODATION:
Jacks Camp is comprised of 10 Meru-style tented rooms with en-suite bathrooms. There is a centralized dining tent and a tea tent. The tea tent's floor is scattered with Persian rugs and cushions. This is the starting point for each afternoon's adventure out onto the pans. There is a small plunge pool and a field museum with an eclectic collection of local Bushman beadwork, historical sketches and paintings as well as stone tools and fossils.
ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE:
Activities at Jacks vary considerably from season to season, but always provide a fascinating glimpse into an ancient world:
- Guided wildlife excursions in 4x4 vehicles
- Visit the Baobabs - in the south of the Nxai Pan National Park are the famous Baines' Baobabs, which were immortalised in paintings by the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines in 1862. Today, a comparison with Baines' paintings reveals that in almost 150 years, only one branch has broken off.
- During the dry season (May to December) explore the pans on quad bikes (environmentally sensitive and loads of fun for the aventurous). This is a unique experience in Botswana.
- Night drives are possible as the camp is outside the National Park
- Lion and the Brown Hyeana research in the area is ongoing and often provides fascinating conversations with zoology graduates working on research projects in the area
- Walks with local Bushman to understand the survival techniques of their ancient civilisation in this harsh environment
- Meerkat encounters here are excellent
During the summer months, when conditions are wet, getting around can become a challenge, but there is a much greater density of wildlife around and the birdlife is fascinating.