San Camp

Lodge 

Description

San Camp overlooks the endless white salt sea of the extinct Makgadikagadi and offers a unique chance to explore the Kalahari.

LOCATION
San Camp is located on a grass covered bay that overlooks the endless white salt sea of the extinct Makgadikagadi superlake and directly adjoining the National Park. San Camp, along with Jack's Camps, are unique in that they are the only permanent camps to offer a chance to explore and understand the Kalahari. The concession adjoins the Makgadikgadi National Park with its endless vistas of rolling golden grasslands. Desert palms line the horizon . . . . . Behind us are the huge salt pans of the Makgadikgadi. Theories as to how and when this vast geographic phenomenon was formed, vary. Our aim is to attempt to unravel some of the mysteries while providing the sophisticated traveller a first class traditional safari.

ACTIVITIES
Fly-In, Desert, Wildlife, Game Drives, Safari, Camping, Culture, Photography, Birding, Fly camp

ATTRACTIONS
San Camp is a complete desert experience focusing on species unique to the area such as gemsbok, brown hyena and springbok, as well as the geology, archaeology and anthropology of the Kalahari and Makgadikgadi. Many of our guides are fully qualified Zoologists/Geologists, often working on PhD research. As such, they are most able to convey all the nuances of the desert and the adaptations of its inhabitants which we consider to be one of the most interesting features of the environment. The Makgadikgadi is also one of the most important wetland sites remaining in Africa. In the wet season, the Makgadikgadi’s Pans fill with water attracting flocks of flamingo and other migratory birds. The area is also the only place in Southern Africa where one is often able to see a migration of tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebra followed by predators. Although migrations do occur elsewhere in Botswana, the tree cover prohibits a view of the magnitude that we are able to see due to the exposed nature of the surrounding grasslands. The Makgadikgadi, a relic of one of the world’s largest superlakes, dried up thousands of years ago as a result of the continued shifting of the earth’s crust. When the Pans are dry, to travel where conventional vehicles cannot, and to guard against scarring the Pan’s crust, we utilise four wheel drive quad bikes. Venturing far into the middle of the Pans, we are able to explore remote archaeological sites, periodically discovering sites never before documented such as fossil beds of extinct giant zebra and hippo.

FACILITIES
Guests must be thoroughly advised as to the traditional nature and style of our camps. Ours are the most authentic and classic safari camps in Southern Africa and evoke the atmosphere and elegance of a 40's East African safari. This is an experience in itself and one which most adventurous and sophisticated Guests will appreciate and enjoy. The important distinction is that Guests should arrive knowing what to expect. Some people find luxury in running water and electricity in their tents whilst others find luxury in Persian carpets underfoot and having their steaming water brought to their tents in a gleaming copper jug. We fall into the latter category. Flush loos are an exception but hopefully, we do not compromise too much comfort in the name of authenticity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For groups of four or more on five night safaris, we offer the option of fly-camping by quad-bike to Kubu Island. A fascinating granite island studded with baobabs suddenly erupting from the pan floor, inhabited by san salt miners until as recently as the 1950's.

CHILDREN POLICY
Toddlers (0 - 3 years) welcome
Children (4 - 12 years) welcome
Children over 12 welcome