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