Jack's Camp
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana
Rates on request
Gallery
Overview
In a palm-fringed oasis in the heart of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi, Jack’s Camp stands as a tribute to exploration, curiosity and the enduring magic of the Kalahari. Overlooking the vast and shimmering salt pans – the remains of an ancient super-lake that once covered much of southern Africa – the camp combines the romance of a 1940s expedition with the extraordinary wildlife and landscapes of this desert environment.
Named after legendary safari pioneer Jack Bousfield, the camp has long been celebrated for its distinctive character and deep connection to the Makgadikgadi. Nine spacious canvas tents are richly styled with Persian rugs, mahogany campaign furniture and colourful textiles, evoking the golden age of safari while offering every modern comfort. At the centre of camp, the famous Persian tea tent, pool pavilion, curio shop and Natural History Museum create a fascinating hub of storytelling, artefacts and exploration.
The experiences here are unlike anywhere else in Africa. Guests can sit with the habituated meerkats, track desert wildlife such as brown hyena, aardwolf and Kalahari lion on game drives, or spend time with the San bushmen learning ancient survival skills and stories of the land.
The Makgadikgadi itself transforms with the seasons. In the dry months the pans stretch endlessly across the horizon, creating the perfect setting for exhilarating quad bike adventures across the salt flats. With the arrival of the rains, the desert awakens as grasses grow and thousands of zebra and wildebeest migrate through the region in one of Africa’s most surprising wildlife spectacles. Jack’s Camp is more than just a safari lodge – it is a place of stories, discovery and timeless style, set in one of the most remarkable landscapes on earth.
Highlights & Experiences
- One of Africa’s most storied and iconic safari camps, set within a one-million-acre private wildlife reserve, and one of just three camps in this vast Makgadikgadi wilderness
- A remarkable collection of ancient artefacts gathered by the Bousfield family over decades, housed within the camp’s Natural History Museum
- A blockbuster line-up of activities led by some of Botswana’s most experienced guides, including quad biking, horseback riding, game drives, San bushmen walks and the famous habituated meerkat encounters
- Seasonal zebra and wildebeest migration (approximately 50,000 animals) moving through the Makgadikgadi from January to April
- Year-round desert wildlife including zebra, wildebeest, springbok, steenbok, elephant, brown hyena, oryx, Kalahari lion and cheetah
Rooms & Availability
Jack's Camp Double Tent
The 2 double tents are made up of 1 x extra length king sized bed which includes an overhead cooling system. As you walk into your 135sqm tent, you will be greeted by a beautiful lounge area, which leads out to your own private plunge pool. All tents include private indoor & outdoor showers, charging points and all tents offer 24 hour solar-powered electricity
Max: 2 adults
Children of all ages welcome
Rates on request
Jack's Camp Twin Tent
All 7 twin tents are made up of 2 x extra length queen sized beds which include an overhead cooling system. As you walk into your 135sqm tent, you will be greeted by a beautiful lounge area, which leads out to your own private plunge pool. All tents include private indoor & outdoor showers, charging points and all tents offer 24 hour solar-powered electricity
Max: 2 adults
Children of all ages welcome
Rates on request
Jack's Private Camp
Jack’s Private Camp has two bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom, private veranda and day bed. One room will have an extra length king size bed (double) and the other, two extra length king size beds (to use as twin or double), with over bed cooling systems and mosquito nets. The en-suite bathrooms each have two indoor showers, a brass bathtub and an outside shower. Between the bedrooms is a shared living space, with a kitchen, dining area and lounge - leading out onto a private deck with a large swimming pool, overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans.
The interior design pays homage to the property’s much loved 1940s campaign style. The tent is cool and spacious and adorned with a classic East African safari feel. Persian and North African rugs, brass fittings, luxuriant textiles and Natural History mahogany cabinet.
A personal chef and butler service, plus a guide and private vehicle are included in the rate and add to this exclusive experience.
Rates on request
Details
Amenities
room_facilities: Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fridge, Hairdryer, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Stretcher Beds
spoken_languages: English
special_interests: Adventure, Birding, Cycling, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife
activities_on_site: Bird Watching, Cycling, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Helicopter Scenic Flights, High Tea, Horse Riding, Horse-back Safaris, Massages, Night Drives, Quad Biking, Safaris, Sleep Outs
available_services: Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available)
activities_off_site: Cultural Tours, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Horse Riding
property_facilities: Accept Credit Cards, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Indoor Pool, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service, Library, Pool, Spa, Vegetarian
Activities
Bushman Walk, Fallen Baobab, Fat Bikes, Flamingo Migration, Game Drives, Horse Riding, Meet the Meerkats, Quad Biking (seasonal activity), Scenic Helicopter Flights (additional cost), Spa Treatments (additional cost), Zebra and Wildebeest Migration (November - April)