San Camp: Iconic White-Tented Safari on Nwetwe Pan
Set on the shimmering edge of Nwetwe Pan, San Camp blends nostalgic safari style with low-impact design and rare desert experiences. From close meerkat encounters to quad biking across ancient salt flats in the dry season, the camp delivers a distinctive Makgadikgadi perspective, complemented by Bushman-led walks, guided game drives and tranquil moments in the tea and yoga tents. Its intimate scale—just seven elegant canvas tents—keeps the focus on vast horizons, night skies and thoughtful guiding.
Price Per Person Sharing From:
From: POA
Rating | Luxury
Highlights & What to Expect
- Track desert-adapted wildlife on morning and afternoon game drives in a private concession bordering Nwetwe Pan.
- Meet a habituated meerkat colony and observe their natural behavior from a respectful, low vantage point.
- Quad bike the pans in the dry season (weather and surface permitting) for an unforgettable sense of scale.
- Join Bushman guides on interpretive walks to learn traditional tracking, foraging and storytelling.
- Stargaze under remarkably dark skies; the Makgadikgadi is renowned for vast, unpolluted night horizons.
- Optional horseback excursions are available in the area at certain times of year; advance arrangements advised.
Location & Setting
San Camp sits on the rim of Nwetwe Pan within the Makgadikgadi, a prehistoric super-lake bed in Botswana’s Kalahari. Its position delivers uninterrupted vistas across bleach-white salt flats that transform with seasonal rains. Access is typically via light aircraft from Maun, followed by a game-drive transfer. The private concession enables both day and night activities, with wildlife concentrating along vegetated islands and pan edges. Dry months favor quad-biking and expansive views; the green season brings cloudscapes, migratory birds and, when conditions allow, dramatic mirage-filled horizons.
Rooms
Seven elegantly spaced canvas tents offer privacy and classic white-marquee aesthetics, each with an en-suite bathroom featuring flush toilet and hot shower. Furnishings echo a vintage expedition style—wooden campaign pieces, crisp linens and Persian rugs—framed by panoramic views from private verandas. A family tent accommodates small groups, while thoughtful details like fans, charging points (solar dependent) and soft lighting maintain comfort with a light footprint. The focus remains on quiet, contemplative luxury that foregrounds landscape, wildlife and night skies over ostentation.
Facilities
The camp’s heart is its atmospheric mess and tea tents, complemented by a shaded yoga pavilion and quiet reading nooks. Meals emphasize fresh, wholesome fare served communally or al fresco, with tea and cake rituals anchoring the afternoon pause. A pool offers a refreshing dip between activities, and fireside gatherings set the tone for starry evenings. The guiding team leads game drives, Bushman walks and seasonal quad-biking; specialist experiences—such as horseback riding—can be arranged in the area subject to availability and conditions.
Amenities
Bar & Lounge
Spa
Restaurant
Swimming Pool
Laundry Service
Wi-Fi
Tea & Coffee
Mosquito Net
Ceiling Fan
Outdoor Shower
Private Deck
Sustainable
Activities
Game Drives
Night Drives
Guided Nature Walks
Quad Biking
Meerkat Encounters
Horseback Riding
Cultural Tours
Desert Drives
Stargazing