The romance of simplicity
Facilities & services
- Six tents with bucket showers and flush toilets
- Mess tent
- Museum
- Tea tent
Activities
- Quad bike excursions across the pans (if conditions permit)
- Bushmen interactions
- Nature walks
- Visits to the habituated meerkats and brown hyena
Set on the edge of the vast Ntwetwe salt pan (an open space the size of Switzerland) San Camp has a wonderful sense of space and freedom. Added to that are the projects the property has in place to support environmental and community initiatives. One such project is aimed at expanding large mammal migration routes between northern Botswana and Makgadikgadi National Park and the Kalahari Desert. Another works with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, teaching them respect for the environment.
This is the sister camp to Jack’s Camp in the same region and shares the focus on the environment, archaeology and interaction with the bushmen as the game is very sparse here for most of the year. There are some interesting creatures still to observe here, such as a nearby colony of habituated meerkats. When conditions are right, guests can take expeditions on the salt-pans by quad bike exploring archaeological sites and ancient fossil beds. Guiding is often with the bushmen who teach us their amazing survival techniques in this difficult environment.
The camp itself mirrors the simplicity and open spaces of the pans. Six elegant spacious pavilion style tents sit each under a cluster of tall palms. Period style pieces adorn the interiors with lovely wooden chests, boxes and brass fittings about. Bathrooms are equipped with bucket showers and a flush toilet. The rooms are lit by the warm glow of old-fashioned spirit lamps.
The main communal areas include a tea tent, dining area and small museum.
Helping to protect migration routes
San Camp supports Round River Conservation Studies which are aimed at expanding large mammal migration routes between northern Botswana and Makgadikgadi National Park and the Kalahari Desert. Before the1960s, this area held the longest and possibly the largest migration of zebra and wildebeest in Africa, which was abruptly cut short by land-use changes requiring extensive fencing. Amazingly, the migration has re-emerged over the last decade, pushing through old fences and small-hold farms. They aim to unrestrict this movement by working alongside local communities and all stakeholders to develop land use plans that benefit all and allow this epic migration to flourish.
Outreach with children
Support Coaching for Conservation, a conservation outreach programme for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, which teaches self-respect, respect for each other and respect for wildlife and the environment. Using the incredible characteristics of different species, the programme inspires learning in fun, active games from soccer to tag to ring toss.
Plan your trip to
Africa
Whatever you want from your adventure in the Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.