Camp Kalahari

Location
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana

This remote desert safari camp is tucked beneath acacias and Mokolwane palms on Hyena Island at the edge of the glittering expanse of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. A legendary location, these are the stomping grounds where storied explorer Jack Bousfield set up his original camp in the 1970s, claiming this spot within the vast emptiness of the pans as his own private paradise.

Today, the camp retains its traditional flavor with 10 spacious Meru-style tents that gather around an airy, thatched-roof living space housing a library and dining area. Ample cushioned lounge seating invites guests to linger. Each airy canvas tent features authentic African furniture and textiles, canopied four-poster beds, colonial antiques and Moroccan kilims to keep your feet cozy. An en suite bathroom includes a flush toilet and hot and cold running water. Immerse yourself in the 19th-century atmosphere evoked by vintage maps and rich wood textures. Complementing the complete desert experience, indulge in a dip in the shaded plunge pool that invites you to cool off during a toasty afternoon.

Days at camp include private game drives, unparalleled stargazing and a visit to one of Africa’s largest and oldest baobab trees. Take in the glittering expanse of the dry Makgadikgadi Salt Pans on a quad bike expedition, then get up close and personal with a colony of habituated meerkats.