Makgadikgadi Pans
Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari is a return to the traditional safari style of the old explorers and is the best way to experience the Makgadikgadi in a fresh and affordable way. It is the ideal camp for those who want fun, comfort, style and adventure. Camp Kalahari accepts children of all ages and makes for a fantastic family safari destination. The camp is nestled among the acacias and Mokolwane palms of Brown Hyena Island, on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, adjacent to the Makgadikgadi – Nxai Pans National Park.
Camp Kalahari has ten meru tents comprising seven twins, two doubles and one family unit comprising two twin tents with an inter-leading bathroom. All tents have en-suite outdoor bathrooms, flush toilets and the hottest, wettest showers in the Kalahari. The tent interiors are classic safari style, replete with comfy beds, crunchy cotton sheets, stripy African blankets and hot water bottles in winter. The main area, decorated in the style of an original explorer’s camp, comprises a large and comfortable thatched library, lounge and dining area; here guests can relax and enjoy the serenity and peace of this enchanting place.
Year round activities at Camp Kalahari are all about getting up close and personal to the wildlife and locals, including a visit to a resident family of habituated meerkats; walking with Zu/’hoasi bushmen trackers to glimpse their ancient culture as they teach you how they have survived in the vast area; game drives to experience unique desert wildlife; and a visit to Chapman’s Baobab, one of the three largest and oldest trees in Africa and the campsite of Livingstone and Selous.
The best adventure of all is to travel across the pans on quad bikes during the dry season (April to October) to experience the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Other great things to do are sleep outs on the pans as the sun sets and guests can watch the planetarium show unfold with zillions of horizon-to-horizon stars. In the wet season (November to March) guests can experience the spectacular migration of zebra and wildebeest. This is the second biggest in Africa and the last remaining in Southern Africa.
Facilities
Tents with en-suite outdoor bathrooms. The central area has library, lounge, dining area and plunge pool.
Local Wildlife
Meerkats are the stars of the show but you can also see other desert wildlife such as oryx, springbok, bat-eared fox and tortoise. The desert comes alive in the rainy season bringing many zebra, wildebeest, antelopes and carnivores including black maned lion and cheetah. Honey badgers are also often seen here and around 220 bird species have been recorded.
Optional Activities
Visits to the meerkat family, game drives, night drives, quad bike riding, horse riding, bushmen visits.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Make sure to visit the local bushmen here to learn about their life in the desert. There is no electricity at the lodge, so bring a torch and plenty of spare camera batteries or a portable charger.
If you have any questions regarding our Botswana tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Our best safari to date – exhilarating, luxurious, unforgettable.
We’re seasoned wildlife travellers, and the Letaka tented safari in Botswana exceeded all expectations. The experience offered exceptional access to nature, with wildlife roaming freely and unphased through camp – lions, wild dogs, honey badgers, and hyenas all made memorable appearances. Slightly scary, but utterly exhilarating.
Our guide was outstanding – deeply knowledgeable about wildlife, birds, plants, and geology, with expert tracking skills that consistently led us to the best sightings. They positioned the vehicle perfectly for photography, respected the animals’ space, and made us feel safe and cared for throughout. The camp staff were a formidable team, attentive and respectful, with thoughtful touches like hot water bottles in bed and inventive meals despite the challenges of cooking in the bush. The tented setup was surprisingly luxurious and deeply comfortable.
Game viewing was phenomenal: wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, bat-eared foxes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a spectacular murmuration of queleas at sunset. We even explored the majestic Baobab trees in Mababe reserve – an unforgettable moment. Thank you to the entire team for a truly exceptional safari. We’re already planning our next trip.
