About this hotel
General information
Jack's Camp is a Natural Selection camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari, set on the bed of an ancient super-lake that once covered much of southern Africa. It is one of only three camps in a private wildlife reserve of roughly 4,000 km², and it runs on solar power. The camp is known for its vintage, 1940s expedition mood: green canvas and muslin drapes, Persian and North African rugs, brass fittings, paraffin lamps and mahogany campaign furniture.
The dry season, from April to October, brings glaring white salt flats and quad-bike outings across the pans. From November the rains turn the desert into grassland: migratory birds and flamingos arrive, and zebra and wildebeest move across the pans in what is described as Africa’s second-largest migration. Desert specialists live here too — brown hyena, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, honey badger, aardvark, black-maned Kalahari lions and meerkats used to people. The camp is open all year; meals, drinks (premium brands aside), laundry, Wi-Fi and the daily activities are included.
Location
The camp lies on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans at the fringe of the Kalahari, in a private reserve shared with just two other camps. Journeys usually begin in Maun, with the onward leg by light aircraft or by road; the airstrip transfer is included.
Spa
A professional therapist offers spa treatments in camp, from a back massage overlooking the pans to treatments in the privacy of the tent. Treatments are for adults only and charged separately.
Sports & leisure
Daily activities are included; horse riding, helicopter flights and the Kubu Island expedition carry an extra charge.
- game drives and night drives, when the desert cools and nocturnal animals emerge, with bush picnics, morning coffee and cold drinks;
- time with meerkats at their burrows, part of a habituation project run with researchers;
- walks with San guides, who show how to read tracks and find edible bulbs and berries in the desert;
- quad biking across the pans in the dry season, April to October (weather permitting), and rides on fat-tyre bikes;
- horse riding for riders of every level;
- helicopter flights over the pans, doors on or off;
- a multi-day quad-bike expedition to the granite outcrop of Kubu Island and its baobabs;
- the zebra and wildebeest migration (November to March) and the flamingo breeding season (March–April).
Restaurants & bars
Camp life centres on a large mess tent with a library, natural-history museum cabinets, a well-stocked drinks cabinet and an antique pool table. Guests dine together at a vintage table seating 36 that served as an officers’ mess table in the 1820s — a sociable set-up that suits solo travellers well. Afternoon tea with sweet treats is served in the Persian tea tent, and there is a small shop.
Swimming
The camp’s shared pool sits within a shaded pavilion, a cool retreat from the desert heat. Each tent also has its own plunge pool on the deck, looking out over the pans.
Rooms
The nine tents — seven twins and two doubles — each measure 270 m², half of it a deck with a plunge pool and views of the pans. Interiors mix vintage mid-century campaign furniture with rugs, rich textiles and cabinets of natural curiosities.
Each tent has a sitting area with sofa and day bed, hand-carved or four-poster beds, an over-bed cooling system, an en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, a hairdryer, 24-hour electricity, Wi-Fi and a private deck with plunge pool and swing beds.
Tent
A tent with two extra-length queen beds or one extra-length king bed, a sitting area and an en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. The deck, with its own plunge pool and swing beds, faces the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.