Jack’s Camp is a traditional 1940s-style safari camp pitched on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pan, formerly a great inland sea, and now a bed of desert the size of Switzerland.
Jack's Camp provides a marvellous safari experience, its game activities focused on the desert-adapted species that reside in the Makgadikgadi and wider Kalahari region, including aardvark, springbuck, bat-eared fox and gemsbok (oryx). It is among the only camps in Botswana that offers more or less guaranteed sightings of the otherwise elusive brown hyena. Jack's is also home to a gang of habituated meerkat, who are always happy to be accompanied by guests on their patrols through the Kalahari!
The guides at Jack's, many of whom come from the local Zu/’hoasi Bushmen community, are excellent, and make exploring this beautiful land a pleasure. It's important to bear in mind that the Makgadikgadi is an arid region, and not rich in wildlife, so you shouldn't travel to Jack's expecting a big game safari. But the excellent guiding and unique landscapes of the Makgadikgadi make it a more than worthwhile destination. The quadbike excursions onto the Makgadikgadi Pan are also a highlight.
Accommodation
Jack's Camp is a classic settler-style camp, complete with large, open-air marquee mess tents and canvas walk-in guest tents. The lounge and dining tent resembles a museum, stuffed with assorted period pieces and artefacts, ranging from old books and pictures to Victorian furniture.
The ten guest tents are furnished in equally elaborate fashion. From the outside they appear simple khaki canvas tents, but inside the tents have been lined with a patterned material giving the appearance of old-fashioned wallpaper; it's a lovely little touch that really helps to give the tents a bit of character. Polished wooden flooring, mahogany furniture and large four-posted beds add to the ambience.
Each tent has a small verandah at the front overlooking the Makgadikgadi. A partition separates the en-suite bathroom, which comes equipped with copper basins and shower, from the sleeping area.
Dining
The lunch and dinner menus at Jack's are rich and varied. They are fixed menus, but the staff are flexible and will try to cater to any dietary requirements. Meals are typically served in the dining tent around the communal dining table or outside.
Facilities
- Library
- Bar and lounge with antique pool table and drinks chest
- Decadent tea tent
- Plunge pool
Activities
- Game drives
- Night game drives
- Walking safaris
- Quadbike excursions
- Sundowner drives
Child Policy
Jack's Camp is a great option for families. Children of all ages are accommodated. The standard tents can be converted into family rooms.
Many of the activities at Jack's Camp are suitable for families; the meerkat visits are likely to be particularly popular with kids!
The camp staff will arrange for separate children's menus and early meal times on request.
