Meno a Kwena accommodation is a hidden gem of a camp. Perched on a rocky clifftop above the Boteti River overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana.
Meno a Kwena is on tribal land on the western boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park (MPNP). It overlooks the exceptionally beautiful Boteti River. In the desert; water means life and the Boteti is the only permanent water source in the area. Attracting a rich array of resident game and a procession of migratory animals. Meno sits almost exactly halfway between the unique Okavango Delta region and the drier southern regions. And it’s this excellent location that makes the camp truly special.
At just 90 minutes by road from Maun; Meno is a good option if you’re traveling as a group. Or, with little ones (or even big ones!). The camp was originally used by Southern Africa’s legendary explorers. Although a few little touches here and some little quirks there have been added. It’s refreshingly and stylishly simple. Actually, the real treat at Meno is the connection with nature. When an elephant provides your alarm call in the morning. And you can game view; straight from your private veranda.
Head into the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park where baobabs stand like sentinels above the shimmering expanses of crusted salt. Or, discover Nxai Pan National Park with its endless landscapes dotted with umbrella acacias and clumps of mopane woodland.
10 x classically styled tents with fully equipped en suite bathrooms are perched on a 100-foot high clifftop. Overlooking the river and offering some of the best ‘armchair’ game viewing you could want. With a few eccentricities thrown in here and there. Think locally woven fabrics mixed with colonial-style furniture. Simple fittings brightened by snippets of color.
There are two family units both with inter-leading tents (one with three beds for children and one with 2 beds). For this reason, Meno a Kwena is perfect for family safaris with the kids.
Kids room
The canvas lounge and dining tents are decorated with old-world artifacts. Piled high with books and trinkets; the piece de resistance is a sculpted crocodile! And it’s not there for no reason; Meno a Kwena literally translates as teeth of the crocodile. Keep an eye on the river from just about any comfy chair in the living area. Or, plunge into the ‘Flintstones’ rocky swimming pool and watch the animals doing the same below you. There is also a bar, library, and floating hide.
Meno a Kwena Activities ↓
With a glittering roster of activities; there’s plenty to get your teeth into. These include day trips to the Makgadikgadi Pans, guided walks with the San bushmen, and wildlife watching boat trips. But sometimes, the best game viewing is where you least expect it. And at Meno, it’s right in front of you. From their lofty position, the tents look down on a menagerie of animals at the water below. From herds of majestic elephants to dazzles of nomadic zebra. All you need to do is sit back, and take it all in.
Safaris
If you were to go on a game drive around the Makgadikgadi Pans and look for a picture-perfect picnic spot. Then it would be Meno’s exact location. Perched above the river bend, gazing down at the wildlife. When you’re staying at Meno a Kwena, game viewing isn’t just a snatched hour over lunch. It’s all day, every day. Just sit back on the veranda and watch the zebra and antelope from your clifftop position (G&T optional).
If you can drag your eyes away from the view; hop on a game drive to find desert-adapted animals. Unique to this area of Botswana. There’s antelope with comically twisted horns and desert elephants. The rumble of hooves heralds the arrival of Africa’s second-largest migration. A spectacle of 30 000 zebra and wildebeest migrate across the Makgadikgadi Pans; alongside a scattering of other wildlife.
Once the pans begin to dry from April; the zebra complete their journey at the river in an explosion of black and white stripes. Followed closely by the predators. Lion with their impressive black manes, leopard, cheetah, packs of wild dogs, and mischievous jackal. Wow.
Zebra Migration and Elephants
When is a good time to go:
Meno a Kwena is open all year round. The zebra congregate at the river during the dry season (but this cannot be guaranteed!). Game viewing is excellent in all seasons. Below is a rough guide to the seasons. Bear in mind in April / May and October / November, the weather is variable.
All Year: Full-day and half-day game drives into Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Cultural walks with the Kalahari Bushmen. Game viewing hide. Fat Bikes – 12 yrs & up for a maximum of 4 x guests. Weather & fitness dependent. Visits to the local communities. On request.
Green Season (November – March): Day trips to Nxai Pan on request.
Dry Season (April – October): Boating on the Boteti – Between August – December dependent on water levels Zebra migration between June to November dependent on water levels Sleep-out under the stars on the Pans – this requires a minimum 3-night stay with a minimum of 2 guests. The sleepout is available from 1st May to 30th September only. Subject to weather and dryness of the pans. Must be pre-booked.
Children:
Children up to 5 years old are accommodated free of charge when sharing with adults. Families with children between 6 – 18 years; are charged 50% of the per person rate per night. When sharing with adults. Children of all ages may join the bushmen walks and boat safaris.
Meno a Kwena accommodation rates per person
1-5 Night Rate
6+ Night Rate
8+ Night Rate
Green Season: 10th January – 31st March 2024
$595
$536
Shoulder Season: 1st – 30th April 2024
$785
$707
Shoulder Season: 1st – 31st May 2024
$785
$746
High Season: 1st June – 30th June 2024
$995
$ 945
Peak Season: 1st July – 31st August 2024
$1,155
$1,097
High Season: 1st September – 31st October 2024
$995
$896
Shoulder Season: 1st November – 19th December 2024
$785
$707
High Season: 20th December 2024 – 9th January 2025
$995
$896
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.
Meno a Kwena 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 Meno a Kwena 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.
