Jack's Camp: A Luxurious Oasis in the Makgadikgadi Pans

4.7 (48)

Experience the magic of a 1940s-style safari in the heart of Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans at the luxurious and iconic Jack's Camp.

Jack's Camp offers a unique blend of old-world safari charm and modern luxury in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. With lavish tents, a natural history museum, and unique desert experiences, it's an unforgettable escape.

A brief summary to Jack's Camp

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Local tips

Engage with the habituated meerkat colony for an up-close and personal wildlife encounter.
Take a guided quad bike tour across the vast Makgadikgadi Pans for a unique desert adventure.
Enjoy a sleep-out under the stars on the pans for an unforgettable night in the African wilderness.
Visit during the dry season (May to October) for optimal wildlife viewing and comfortable exploration of the pans.
Participate in a guided walk with local Bushmen to learn about their culture and the surrounding flora and fauna.

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Getting There

Air Transfer

The most common way to reach Jack's Camp is via a light aircraft transfer from Maun Airport (MUB). Several safari operators offer daily flights to a nearby airstrip. The flight takes approximately 1 hour. From the airstrip, a camp vehicle will transfer you to Jack's Camp, which is roughly a 30-minute drive. Pre-booking is essential. Expect to pay around $400 - $600 per person for a round-trip air transfer from Maun.
Road Transfer

It is possible to access Jack's Camp by private road transfer from Maun, a journey of around 3-4 hours. The drive traverses through sandy terrain, so a 4x4 vehicle is required. This option offers a more scenic route, allowing you to experience the Kalahari landscape. However, it is more time-consuming and can be more expensive than flying. Expect to pay around $300 - $500 for a private road transfer from Maun.

Discover more about Jack's Camp

Jack's Camp, nestled in a private area of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana, offers a unique and luxurious safari experience reminiscent of the 1940s. Founded by Jack Bousfield in the 1960s, the camp exudes an old-world glamour with a touch of Bedouin flair. It stands as one of the only permanent camps in the area, providing an intimate and exclusive safari.The camp features ten spacious and stylish tents, each adorned with classic safari decor, including Persian and North African rugs, paraffin lamps, and mahogany furniture. The tents offer comfortable living areas and private verandas with plunge pools, providing respite from the desert heat. Guests can enjoy modern amenities such as overhead bed cooling systems while immersing themselves in the surrounding natural beauty.The main mess tent is a highlight, featuring a long dining table set with silver and crystal, a vintage billiard room, a library, and a renowned Natural History Museum filled with relics, maps, and photographs. The camp also offers unique experiences such as quad biking across the pans, meerkat encounters, and walks with Bushmen. Guests can also enjoy sleep-outs on the pans under the stars.The Makgadikgadi Pans themselves are the remnants of a prehistoric lake, now one of the largest salt flats in the world. Despite the harsh environment, the area teems with life, including Kalahari lions, brown hyenas, and meerkats. The best time to visit is during the dry season (May to October) for wildlife viewing and to experience the otherworldly landscape of the gleaming white salt pans.