Camp Kalahari is an understated and affordable accommodation option in Makgadikgadi, Botswana. It is one of only three camps in a one million-acre private wildlife reserve. Offering quad biking expeditions, Bushman walks, and horse riding safaris; in addition to regular game drives. It is also wonderful for families.
About Camp Kalahari
Camp Kalahari is set amongst the waving palms and acacia trees on Brown Hyena Island. On the edge of Botswana’s hauntingly beautiful Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Adjacent to the Makgadikgadi-Nxai Pans National Park. The salt-baked, sun-scorched pans are clear of vegetation. But around them are glittering grasslands and enormous baobabs. It doesn’t get more dramatic than that.
Camp Kalahari is part of the original Uncharted Africa Safari Company. The ‘laid back’ little sister of Jack’s and San Camp. Each camp is as quirky and indeed eccentric as the next. These properties are now managed by Natural Selection.
This is an ideal base for discovering the charms of the desert and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. A landscape that is as surreal as it is sublime and as mysterious as it is magical. The use of electricity is kept to a minimum therefore the camp is lit by paraffin lanterns. However; there are still electrical lights in the bedrooms and appliances can still be charged.
Camp Kalahari is a return to the traditional safari style of the old explorers; with a funky twist. It is the best way to experience the Makgadikgadi; in a fresh and affordable way. There are 6 x twins, 4 x doubles, and 2 x family tents (1 king-size bed and 2 single beds). Making 12 spacious Meru tents in total. Filled with fresh textiles and Moroccan kilims. Also; funky four-poster beds and en suite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers.
Family tent at Camp Kalahari
It’s ideal for families, groups, or couples; accommodating a maximum of 28 guests in camp.
Meals are refreshingly simple and wonderfully tasty.
There’s also a thatched pool pavilion and swimming pool. But keep a lookout for the elephants which might pop in for a quick drink too!
Elephant at pool
Best time to visit:
Camp Kalahari is open all year round. Dry season: 16th April until 31st October Green season: 1st November until 15th April In the desert; rain is everything. When the rain starts to fall; the transformation of the desert around Camp Kalahari is remarkable. The cycle of life begins; algae bloom, crustaceans breed, and clouds of flamingos descend. Then the second largest migration begins; herds of 30,000 zebra and wildebeest. As a result of all the prey around; they are followed by black-maned lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and leopards. In the dry season; a haze settles above the salt, and the sun shimmers on the scorched, dry ground. This is the perfect time of year to experience the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans on quad bikes. We also offer a 2 night Quad Bike to Kubu Island expedition at an additional charge. For a real African adventure.
Camp Kalahari Activities ↓
Safaris:
Wildlife in the surrounding savannah includes: Brown hyena*, Bat-eared foxes, Aardvark, and aardwolves scampering across the salt, Meerkat. During the green season, spectacular numbers of zebra and wildebeest migrate here. Elephant, black-maned lion, cheetah, wild dog, and leopard. As well as spectacular flamingos in the rainy season (Best seen between March and April).
*Brown hyenas are bashful but brilliant at foraging and scavenging. This is the third rarest large carnivore in Africa. And an animal that’s virtually impossible to see elsewhere on the continent.
Activities at Camp Kalahari :
If you’re looking for adventure; then look no further! Quad bike adventures across the salt pans. Walks with the Zu’/hoasi bushmen to discover the amazing creatures that somehow manage to survive (and thrive) in this rather harsh environment. And the habituated meerkats family. Who like nothing more than to use guests as lookout points.
Quad biking on Makgadikgadi
Year-Round Activities
Meet the habituated meerkats. Morning walks or multi-day adventures with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen. Who are in fact; the true legends of the pans and manage to find opportunity in the queerest of places. Gain insight into their incredible way of life especially being in this rather harsh terrain. Game drives and night drives in search of the elusive brown hyena. And all the other wildlife species in this region. Helicopter flips.* Horse rides between herds of wildebeest or zebra.* *Subject to a surcharge
Horse riding with wildebeest
Activities in the Dry Season (April until October): Lie out on the pans at sunset to watch the stars above. Which start appearing in the sky at this time. Quad biking (2 guests per quad bike, weather dependent). Adventures coupled with good family bonding time.
Activities in the Green Season (November until April): Witness the second largest migration in Africa of zebra and wildebeest. It is also the last remaining wildlife migration in Southern Africa
Family Safaris
Children up to 5 years old are accommodated free of charge when sharing with adults. Children between 6 – 18 years are charged 50% of the per person rate per night; when sharing with adults.
Kids of all ages may join the bushmen walks. 6 years & older may join quad bike expeditions but children under 12 may not drive the quad bike. Children 8 years & older may do horse riding activities.
Family accommodation
Camp Kalahari accommodation rates per person
1-5 Night Rate
6+ Night Rate
8+ Night Rate
Green Season: 10th January – 31st March 2024
$725
$653
Shoulder Season: 1st – 30th April 2024
$925
$833
Shoulder Season: 1st – 31st May 2024
$925
$879
High Season: 1st June – 30th June 2024
$1,045
$993
Peak Season: 1st July – 31st August 2024
$1,155
$1,097
High Season: 1st September – 31st October 2024
$1,045
$941
Shoulder Season: 1st November – 19th December 2024
$925
$833
High Season: 20th December 2024 – 9th January 2025
$1,045
$941
2024 Single Supplement
There is no single supplement from 10th January – 31st March (Green Season). For the remainder of the year a single supplement of 40% applies to all accommodation.
Rates Include: Accommodation, all meals, beverages, guest laundry, daily activities, expert guiding, park entry fees, and VAT. Rates Exclude: Premium brand drinks, gratuities, flights, and fully comprehensive personal travel insurance. In addition, a Conservation, Community & Reserve Fee is charged per night.
Please note there is no WiFi or phone signal in camp.
Camp Kalahari Makgadikgadi accommodation special offers:
Botswana Long Stay Special
January – April & September – December:
Stay for 6 nights or more at any of the below camps and receive 10% off the nightly accommodation rate.
May – August:
Stay for 8 nights or more at any of the below camps and receive 5% off the nightly accommodation rate.
Partner stays for 50% off accommodation at Camp Kalahari in Makgadikgadi Pans. Valid all year for an unlimited number of nights until the 9th of January 2025. Honeymooners must produce proof of marriage at the time of booking (up to 12 months after the wedding).
Meno a Kwena, an accommodation hidden gem of a camp perched on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana
Iconic 1940’s style Jack’s Camp in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park offers stylish accommodation in luxury canvas tents – rates and offers for Botswana safari
Understated and affordable accommodation in Makgadikgadi, Camp Kalahari offers quad biking expeditions, horse riding safaris and is wonderful for families
San Camp is a romantic safari camp with its smattering of billowing white tents, shaded by desert palms on the edge of Nwetwe Pan in Makgadikgadi, Botswana
Nxai Pan Camp, the only permanent accommodation camp in Nxai Pan National Park where the second largest land animal (Zebra) migration in Southern Africa occurs.
