Background

San Camp: An Oasis on the Makgadikgadi Pans

Experience the magic of the Makgadikgadi Pans in luxurious style at San Camp, a unique desert oasis in Botswana's Kalahari.

4.5

San Camp is a luxurious tented camp offering a unique desert experience on the edge of Botswana's vast Makgadikgadi Pans. With its elegant, vintage-style safari tents and a host of activities, it provides a romantic and adventurous escape in a starkly beautiful environment.

A brief summary to San Camp

Local tips

  • Visit during the dry season (April to October) for the best access to the pans and clear skies for stargazing.
  • Engage in a bushman walk to learn about the traditional culture and survival skills in the Kalahari.
  • Take a quad bike excursion across the vast Makgadikgadi Pans for a thrilling and unique experience.
  • Be prepared for cold nights during the winter months (June-August).
  • Don't miss the opportunity to see the meerkats; they may even climb on you to use you as a lookout point.
widget icon

Getting There

  • 4x4 Vehicle

    San Camp is located in a remote area of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and is best accessed by a 4x4 vehicle. From the town of Gweta, the last stopover for fuel and supplies, it is approximately a 2-3 hour drive to the camp. The roads can be challenging, especially during the rainy season. It is highly recommended to arrange transportation through the camp or a reputable tour operator. Pre-booking is essential, and costs are typically included in the camp's rates.

Unlock the Best of San Camp

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about San Camp

San Camp is a strikingly beautiful tented camp located on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan, part of the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. Often described as one of Africa's most romantic camps, it offers a complete Kalahari Desert experience. The camp features six white canvas tents, designed in a classic 1940s safari style, providing an oasis of civilization in the harsh desert environment. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the remnants of an ancient super-lake that once covered a large part of Botswana. Today, they form a vast, shimmering landscape of salt pans, sandy grasslands, and occasional islands of palm trees and baobabs. San Camp adjoins the Makgadikgadi National Park, offering access to both the open savannah and the dramatic salt pans. Activities at San Camp include game drives, quad biking across the pans, bushman walks, and meerkat encounters. Guests can explore remote archaeological sites, learn about the geology and anthropology of the area, and witness the unique fauna and flora. The camp operates during the dry season, from April to October, when the pans are accessible. At night, the camp offers superb stargazing opportunities in the clear desert skies.

Popular Experiences near San Camp

Popular Hotels near San Camp

Select Currency