BOTSWANA - San Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans
San Camp is located a 10 minute drive from its sister camp Jacks Camp, bordering the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
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:
San Camp is rustic but very comfortable and is comprised of 6 canvas tents in a wonderful location overlooking the pans. There is no running water or electricity but guests can enjoy comfortable twin or double beds, bucket showers, flush toilets, paraffin lamps and butlers who will deliver additional water and care for guests' comfort. The main camp is comprised of a large mess tent which is the gathering point and focus of meals and activities in camp.
ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE:
The guides at San are mostly graduate students who combine research with guiding. Local Bushmen also guide guests on morning walks, sharing their ancient knowledge of survival in this harsh, unforgiving environment.
San Camp is usually not open during the wet season.
Activities at San, like Jacks Camp, 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.
- During the dry season (May to December) explore the pans on quad bikes (environmentally sensitive and loads of fun for the adventurous)
- 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 on research projects in the area
- Walks with local Bushman to understand the survival techniques of this ancient civilisation in this harshest of environments
- Meerkat encounters here are excellent