One of Africa’s most famous camps, Jack’s Camp rises like an oasis of luxury from among the lunar like Makgadikgadi Pans. Elegantly styled to capture the sense of adventure of the original explorers without compromising on comfort, Jack’s Camp is unique in style and experience-with some of the most original desert experiences in Africa available. Exploring by 4x4, on foot, quad bike or even horseback- the secrets of the desert are revealed by some of the best guides in the business.

Following a complete refurbishment, Jack’s Camp opens in January 2021 with a fresher and even more beautiful look. A complete facelift promises lavishly decorated tents exceeding 271 square metres in size and private plunge pools set off by wooden decks with spectacular views over the striking Makgadikgadi Pans. A revitalizing spa treatment area, extended swimming pool area and more spacious mess tent will all ensure that Jack’s continues to remain at the top of many a safari – goers list’s.

Jack’s camp is designed in a style reminiscent of the 1940’s colonial explorers, with simple, thoughtful and sophisticated modern touches throughout to please the most discerning of guests. Four poster beds, Persian rugs, polished brass, dark wood antique furniture and African artefacts come together to create the sense of atmosphere that one has stepped back in time to join the original explorers as they discover Africa.

Ten fully solar powered individual tents include en – suite bathrooms offering indoor and outdoor showers. Woodburning stoves add an additional element of luxury and during the cooler dry season while bed cooling systems provide a welcome respite from the desert heat in the summer.

The Persian tea tent provides a spacious retreat for guests to relax between activities. The well- loved collection of Natural History books takes centre stage in the lounge area which has plentiful seating space for guests. A Natural History Museum Natural featuring artefacts from the forbidding landscape offer fascinating insight to the history of this ancient land brought alive by the extremely knowledgeable guides. A newly created sundeck borders a sparkling swimming pool and evenings are spent around a central firepit as guests share their safari exploits.

Jack’s offers a long list of excellent activities – all centred around exploring this extraordinary landscape with various opportunities to discover elusive game species that occur in this natural environment, with morning afternoon and night drives as well as bush walks. Ever-popular visits to the habituated meercat colony are always a highlight when visiting Jack’s camp.

Guests are encouraged to venture out and experience the desert first hand with the nomadic bushmen. To walk with the Zu’/Hoasi Bushmen who call this arid landscape home is a truly remarkable experience. The Bushman visits here are sensitively done and not manufactured, indeed these are some of the best ‘bushman activities’ in Botswana. Informative bush walks with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen are interesting and engaging. A stay of three nights ensures that you don’t miss the chance to witness a traditional Bushman trance dance.

The archaeology in this region is fascinating and will be revealed by their expert guides on walks and trips to popular sites such as Chapman’s Baobab

During the lush green season visitors have the opportunity to marvel at the breeding colony of dusky- pink flamingos of the nearby Sua Pan. The rains at this time of year bring with them migrating herds of zebra intermingled with comical wildebeest and the occasional opportunistic predator. The dry season between May and October invites one to thrill in quad bike journeys across the barren delicate salt pans.

Jack’s Camp lies on the vast Ntwetwe concession, a one million – acre private wildlife reserve, shared by just three sister camps, making this an extremely exclusive safari experience. The Makgadikgadi Pans are the remnants of one of the world’s largest super lakes which once dominated much of Botswana. This striking desert landscape makes for a fascinating combination with an Okavango safari, the unique desert adapted species providing much variety to your Botswana safari. The experience here varies greatly with the season, with the migration of zebra and wildebeest and amazing birds in the green season with more classic desert species seen in the dry season. Activities will vary with the seasonal conditions too. Quad Biking is not available when the pans are wet, usually from Nov-April.

The vast lunar like salt pans are the playground to a host of unique desert animals which make a fascinating contrast to an Okavango safari. For those with the time, visiting this area as part of an Okavango itinerary is highly recommended. Wildlife in the region includes the famous black maned lion and cheetah, and small roaming herds of wildebeest and zebra, elephant and brown hyena almost exclusive to this region. Kori bustards and northern black korhaan can be ticked off your bird list and your trip would not be complete without an up- close- and- personal interaction with the habituated and well- loved meerkats that have delighted guests from all over the world.