Editors' Picks

Jack’s Camp

Unreal romance in the desert

Tutume, Botswana

At a Glance

One of the world’s great desert adventures, Jack’s Camp is considered an incredibly memorable experience, but it is not about big game.

Indagare Loves

  • The otherworldly lunar landscapes of the desert
  • The meerkat and bushmen experiences
  • The on-site museum, filled with historic relics

Review

Jack’s Camp, deep in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans within the Kalahari Desert, is a seriously special place for those with a childlike wonder. Guests do not visit to experience the Big 5, but rather for the natural beauty of the landscape and to be educated, not mollycoddled. They come for the landscapes, the chance to get up close and personal with desert creatures like meerkat and to learn about a dying way of life—that of the Kalahari bushmen. The outstanding staff includes zoologists and biologists, among them the cream of Oxford-educated specialists, all brimming with knowledge about the Kalahari and its inhabitants.

Reimagined and rebuilt in January 2021, the camp itself is half the fun. The lodge has a main tent with a living area that doubles as an on-site museum. Guests can find fascinating natural history in the wooden cabinets lining the walls, rich textiles, hanging chandeliers, unique art pieces and photos of Jack (one of the legendary crocodile killers of Africa, now deceased) and his family. Connected to the space is a dining tent with a long communal table where all meals are served. While the menu options can be extremely limited, dietary preferences can be accommodated if received in advance. From the dining space, two curtains open on perhaps the most enchanting area – an iconic tent with a Moroccan theme where guests can take their tea and coffee before afternoon activities.

Following the rebuild accommodations now include nine tents–more than double their former size. These tents emulate the common areas, with touches like carpets from India and Morocco, delicate antique dressers and campaign desks. They have a large veranda area with a private plunge pool with views out to the Makgadikgadi. Bathrooms are ridiculously large with indoor and outdoor showers, double basins, a dressing area and a toilet built for a king. The camp has been updated to include modern luxuries such as warm water, a charging station in your tent and air-conditioning over your bed, but has stayed true to its theme of being a complete escape with no Wi-Fi or cell reception available.

Activities might include watching the meerkat research program in action­–which will keep even the most restless fascinated for hours–or morning and afternoon game drives where your guide can show you the animals adapted to this environment. There is also quad-biking across the endless salt flats (so exhilarating) and fascinating walks guided by the local Bushmen, who will show you how to make a fire out of nothing and to extract water from plant roots. You might just spend time being blown away by the desert. Not included in the rates are helicopter experiences, with a pilot stationed at the camp ready to take out guests. We recommend a morning experience where you can land on one of the islands within the salt pans and watch the sunrise with your cup of coffee.

Note: June and July are considered the best times to visit because you really see the desert in all of its arid glory and will have access to activities like quad biking and horseback riding. Typically, from October to March, depending on waterfall and weather conditions, these activities are not accessible, but game drives and the meerkat experience are. Around December to January and March to April you can see the magnificent migration of zebras in and out of the area, following the rain.

Who Should Stay

Anyone who wants to understand the range of Botswana’s beauty and experience the camp’s majestic décor.

Written by Melissa Biggs Bradley

What's Nearby
Indagare employees walking up stiars

Enjoy 30 Days On Us!

Start your Self Planner
membership trial today.

Unlock access to 2,000+ first-hand hotel reviews, 300+ Destination Guides and the most up-to-date travel news and inspiration.

Already a member?

Welcome back,
log in to Indagare

Not a member?

Forgot Password

Enter your email and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.

Type the first 3 letters to begin